Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

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Evan gets up early, to an empty bed, and stretches out his arms, already hearing the muffled noise of the girls at the end of the hallway. Loud mornings have been the usual way of waking up since the last fifteen years, and he can’t be happier about it. The loud crying of the first months had been replaced with playful laughs, over the years, to high-volume music behind closed doors and arguing yells between sisters, nowadays.

That morning is no different. Although he's not feeling so well.

He can hear the girls fighting about something of the bathroom turns and the hot water remained for taking a shower.

Evan yawns, tilting his head to the sides, and his hands massage softly his bad leg. The last couple of weeks found him feeling more tired, wanting to sleep like a baby, and Evan can only blame the heavy shifts and the fact that he is no longer a thirty-year-old reckless kid. And he would have slept all morning if he could, but his daughters and the strong cramps on his bad leg have other plans. Nights without Tommy makes those cramp hurt more than usual. When his leg allows him, he gets up. A warm shower is exactly what he needs.

But there's something odd in the image the mirror gives him back. Evan examinates himself carefully. Nothing is different, but something just doesn’t fit. He combs his wet curls from the shower and brushes his teeth. He gags a bit from the sense of the teeth brush against his tongue, increasing the morning malaise.

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“Guys, breakfast’s ready!” He exclaims, raising his voice, as he takes the orange juice from the fridge. His phone lights up to a message. Good morning, sunshine., he reads, smiling to the screen. Leaving the phone over the counter, he places the juice jar on the table. “CHARLIE! OLI!”

“Morning, daddy!” Oli hums, smiling wide. He kisses her forehead, something she allows him to do until these days. Behind her, Charlie murmurs a low “hi”, while she takes a seat on the table.

“Hey, where’s daddy’s kiss?” Evan asks, going round the table and placing a kiss in her hair, smiling as he smells the apple pie emerging from it. The thought of how similar she is to Tommy when he’s not in his best mood crosses his mind. He leaves the toasts plate in front of them. “And before you say anything, you’re never too old to kiss your daddy good morning.”

“At what time does dad come from work?” Olli says, already grabbing a toast.

“Don’t worry, honey, he’ll pick you up from school today.”

“He will?” She smiles.

“I can’t.” Charlie states, looking at her phone.

“Hey, no phones at the table, Charlie, what did I told you? And what do you mean you can’t?”

“I have a school project at Bethy’s.” She shrugs.

“She has a boyfriend.” Oli smirks.

“I do not!”

“You do! I heard you with him on the phone. Oh, Marcus, you’re so nice to me, oh, Marcus...”

“Shut up, you dork!”

“You both shut up!” Evan yells, closing his eyes, and the silence invades the kitchen. He doesn’t usually use that tone with them, but his head feels a little dizzy, and the noise doesn’t help. The girls stare at him, frozen. His phone vibrates over the counter. “Hey, baby.” He answers, under the watchful eyes of his daughters, pressing the fingers against his forehead.

“Hey, husband.” Tommy sounds joyful. “How did you sleep?”

“I slept.” He says. “How’s everything over there?”

“Oh, I don’t wanna use the Q word, but just let me say that I’m about to go down the Station and redo the engine inventory myself... Hey, what happened last night, your leg again?”

“Oh, you know, nights are hard when you don’t sleep here.” Ok, Evan, shut up.

Whenever Tommy appears in the scene, the Omega inside him comes to live, waving his tail, like an instinct impulse he can’t control. Well, to be honest, since the girls started to be more conscious of the world around them, Evan was forced to disguise that side of him, that sudden rush he felt every time Tommy was around. He learnt to shut up to sassy responds, to stop himself from jumping on Tommy’s lap, to behave like an adult. Like a responsible father of two. But, sometimes he loses that constant battle. Sometimes a flirty comment slips from his lips, sometimes, a teasy smile or a touch comes in front of their daughters, and Evan hates when that happens. Tommy just laughs, telling him he needs to relax more. They know we love each other, Evan. Is no big deal, Tommy usually says.

“Gross!” Charlie exclaims, hiding behind the juice glass. Oli slaps her arm over the table. “Daddy? Olivia is punching me again.”

“I’m not punching you! Daddy, she’s lying!”

“You’re lying!”

Evan sighs, closing his eyes again. His cheeks feel warmer.

“Ok, Evan, I can tell you have a busy morning there. Say hi to the girls for me.”

“Girls, your dad says hi.” He holds the phone in the air.

“Hi, dad!” They exclaim at the same time.

“Ok, Tommy, I really need to go, otherwise they’re gonna be late. You pick them up after school? Oh, and Charlie has this project at Bethy’s? Maybe you can go for her later. My shift ends up at midnight.”

“Yeah, baby, don’t worry about anything.” Tommy makes a pause. “If it helps... I missed those baked buns last night.”

“Yeah, ok, I have to go.” Evan exclaims, glancing at the girls, and gestures them to hurry the breakfast. “So, see you tonight?”

“I’ll wait for you naked in bed, my love.”

“Ok, bye.”

Evan puts down the phone and for a moment his still dizzy mind imagines what Tommy just described. Tommy naked in bed is exactly what he needs, but he shakes his head and command the girls to go brush their teeth before his body betrays him. When he’s all alone he rubs his crotch softly, trying to calm himself.

How can I be feeling sick and horny at the same time?

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The last plate is put on the dishwasher when Tommy hears the door opening. He dries his hands, and receives his husband with a lazy kiss and a long hug. A long, comforting hug.

“Bad shift?” He murmurs, his arms still around Evan’s back.

Evan remembers the first call. A guy took a whole pill bottle in an attempt to end his life. Evan was in charge to break down the front door, after a few calls for him to open up, and they found him lying on the bathroom floor, still conscious. Evan knew this guy didn’t really want to die; otherwise, he wouldn’t have call 911 after taking those pills. He was desperate and he freaked out. Evan held his hand for a moment, as Chim and Ravi prepared the firsts aids. Hen commanded him to step back but Evan just couldn’t. The guy’s grip was strong.

Hen called Evan a couple of hours later, back at the Station. Frank, that was the guy’s name, had a miscarriage. He was a recent widower who lost his baby due to the stress and the few health problems he already had with his pregnancy.

"Why do you tell me this?", Evan asked Hen, his eyes watered.

"You would have found out anyways. And besides, I thought it was important to know that... you’re not alone. Seems like there’s more Omegas out there than we expected, and who knows? Maybe someday you’ll get to know some of them?"

"You mean like support group? Hen, that guy just lost his child, and the love of his life..."

"I know, and we all feel so sorry for him. I’m sorry if this information has bothered you in anyway... I just thought it was important to know what really happened to him..."

“Heavy.” Evan says, taking a step back. Tommy observes him. He has some gray bags under his eyes. “We got a crazy call of a guy taking pills to... you know...”

“Oh, Evan.”

“Yeah, and that’s not the worse part. It turns out that this guy was pregnant.” Tommy raises his eyebrows. “Right? But, he... well, he had a... miscarriage, he... lost his partner a few months ago and... I don’t know, I can’t help but connect him with us, you know?”

“Evan.” Tommy grabs him from the shoulders. “Evan, listen to me. We were just fine. We got lucky and had two beautiful girls, that are growing fast and healthy. Please... I know this affects you, but don’t place yourself in his reality.”

“I know you’re right. It just that... this made me realize that... The only true story I know about Omegas is ours, and it’s successful, and it’s wonderful, and I just... can’t help but think that maybe things can actually go wrong, sometimes.”

“Things can go wrong, like in every aspect of life, because we haven’t bought any safety ticket that covers up from bad things to happen. We just know that we’re together, we love each other, and we are gonna face whatever life brings us. Together. Like the family we are...” Tommy places a soft kiss on his forehead, and then another one on his birthmark. Evan smirks a bit. “Tell me, baby, changing the subject. How are you feeling, now? You didn’t sleep well last night.”

“I felt tired all day. And a bit dizzy. And that call didn’t help.”

“You did? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m fine, don’t worry.” He wipes the bad memories from his mind, pouting his next words. “I guess I just missed you.”

“Aww, looks like I got three kids, now?” Evan smiles. “Hey, you hungry? I made your favorite.” Tommy opens the pot over the stove, a white steam emerges. “Mushroom Risotto.”

The spices smell fills Evan’s nostrils. That doesn’t smell as he remembers. He frowns.

“Oh, I’m not... really hungry.” He exclaims, grinning. “Could you... cover that, please?”

“Not hungry, huh? Ok, no worries. I know I told you I would wait for you in bed, but... your girls are not so easy to tame. They just went to sleep.”

“I love how they are my girls when they misbehave.” Evan snorts. “I’ll wait in bed, if it’s ok.”

“You go, I have to finish here and take a shower. I promise I won’t wake you up.”

Evan’s tired. But he always wants to be woken up. He's been thinking of Tommy since he left for his last shift, and he had to spend the night alone. That is why, after almost an hour, he’s half sleep in bed, on Tommy’s side, clinging to his pillow, as if it’s the only thing that would help him relax. He feels the mattress move, making him sway on his back.

“Shh, go back to sleep.” Tommy’s voice irrupts the bedroom silence. Evan opens his tired eyes, and seeing his silhouette cut in the dark makes his heart raise.

Tommy leaves a kiss on his cheek, suiting his body on Evan’s side, but he’s captured by a hand that forces him to stay still until a pair of lips find his mouth.

“Baby...” He mutters, against those lips.

“Fuck me.” Evan whispers, and that shoots a heat bullet to his dick. Automatically, his hand searches for Evan’s low back, and his ass, caressing those soft ass cheeks. He brushes his fingers over his cleft and then he feels it.

“Evan... Do you... have a butt plug?” He smiles. “Did you prepare for me?”

“I put it when I came to bed.” Evan whispers, gluing his nose on Tommy’s neck, while he finishes to turn around, laying on his back, and takes a strong breath on the soft skin, savoring hot chocolate cupcakes over the fresh shampoo, before licking it.

“Oh, boy, you...” Tommy incorporates from the mattress and opens Evan’s legs, suiting himself between them. Evan loves the whole weight of Tommy over him, crushing him, making him feel like the Omega he is, being dominated by his Alpha. “You want me to die, don’t you?”

“Not before you fuck me.” He smiles, kissing him again, and obtains a deep moan for an answer. Tommy takes his blind fingers to Evan’s butthole and gently takes the plug out. Evan whines, in between kisses, claiming for his Alpha. “Tommy...”

“Yes, my love.” He answers, grabbing his bad leg while he aligns his dick to Evan’s entrance. “You’re gonna behave, right? You’re gonna keep it quiet for me?”

Evan nods, before murmurs an almost inaudible Uh-huh, but he is unable to beg once again, feeling Tommy’s dick pressing his way in. He gasps.

After that, they don’t speak. They communicate with moans and gestures, as Tommy begins his thrust dance, more intense each time, kissing every inch of Evan’s skin within his grasp. And Evan can’t feel more pleased, having Tommy inside of him, feeling that sweet sense of being rocked by those thrusts, stimulating his whole body.

Tommy straights up a bit, with one of Evan’s legs over his shoulder, and begins to stroke Evan’s hard cock, following his own rhythm. They don’t need to speak. They know they’re both close.

Evan wants to cum, wants to feel that delicious heat bursting out his body, making his mind give up from this world, but at the same time, he doesn’t want this moment to end. He loves having his man all to himself, fulfilling his need of love, and sex and intimacy, and belonging.

When Tommy explodes inside of him, Evan wants to moan out loud, but he contains, helped by a strong hand covering his mouth. He feels Tommy’s breath on his face, before a kiss is placed on his forehead.

“You’re so good for me.” Tommy whispers, losing the grip of his fingers on Evan’s mouth. “My sweet Omega.”

“How did you call me?” Evan laughs, leaning on his elbows, as Tommy lays on his side. “This is you asking for a second round?”

“Oh, please, this old man needs a few minutes rest in between rounds, my love. I’m not forty anymore.”

“That’s for sure. You're so much better than your forties.”

“Don’t flatter me. I know your ways...”

“Excuse me for needing my husband...” Evan sounds playfully offended.

“You know...” Tommy rolls on the mattress and stands up, heading his way to the bathroom. The bright light coming from it when he turns on the switch makes Evan squint a bit, as he watches Tommy thoughtful. “Nevermind.”

“Oh, c’mon, tell me.” Evan whines. “I hate when you do that.”

“Just a thought... Lately you’ve been... more eager than usual.”

“And you don’t like it?”

“Just... made me think of the time you were pregnant with the girls.” Tommy pauses, looking at him softly. “Again, don’t mind me.”

He enters the bathroom and closes the door. The room comes back to darkness. But not Evan’s mind. His eyes roll all over the place, looking at nothing, processing those last words, and his heart suddenly jumps.

The Mushroom Risotto. His morning sickness. His crazy sex craving. The suppressants. The suppressants he stopped taking some years ago, following the recommendations of a doctor that told him he didn’t need them anymore.

"You are over forty-five years old, Mr. Buckley. It’s highly possible that your... Omega reproductive system doesn't work the same way it did before."

"You think I should stop using them?", Evan doubted.

"You told me your concerns were about your lack of libido, right? Well, I’m not sexologist, but despite the shallow information we still have on the ABO field, we do know that the suppressants inhibit a big part of it. So, you already gave birth, you know how these things work, and you already passed your most fertile years." The doctor crossed his fingers over the counter. They look direct in the eyes. "I think you should try another way of... Like, for example, barrier methods. How about that?"

"Barrier methods... Are you recommending condoms?" Evan asked, not feeling like a teenager at all.

"Well, it’s a way. I know you’re not used to... use them, but. We can’t trust you’re not getting pregnant again so, for now it’s your best choice. That, or simple stop having sex. But I don’t think that’s an option, right?"

"Oh, well, not at all". Evan blushed.

He and Tommy tried those barrier methods for a while at the beginning, with no success. They were too used to do it the natural way, so they ended giving up. From that moment they decided Tommy would never cum inside Evan again, and they got better results. They just needed to be aware to when the moment approached, and Evan finally perfected the art of receiving Tommy’s shot anywhere but inside his ass.

Until a few months ago. Evan became more and more eager for Tommy, and confident that they’ve been succeeding and that no babies were at sight, he let Tommy cum inside him once again. They never stopped since then. Nothing could go wrong.

Evan remembers that doctor’s words in the dark of the room, and he feels his heart beating strong in his cheeks, in his fingers, in his feet. That night he doesn’t sleep. He stares at his phone late at night, with a snoring Tommy beside him, waiting for that answer to come.

EDDIE: What r u doing this late ?

BUCK: Can you come here tomorrow yes or no?

EDDIE: Oh, man...ok

EDDIE: What u up to ?

BUCK: I pick u up after I drop the girls, ok?

EDDIE: OK

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“So, you wanna tell me what I am doing at your home, and this early?” Eddie asks, the next morning. The twins at school, Tommy at the Station, and a white plastic bag over the dinner table. “Oh, and Bobby and Athena told me they’re having a barbecue this weekend, they told me to extend the invitation to you two and the girls, but I’m sure she’ll be calling you later this week to make sure I remembered to tell you.” Evan observes him in silence, trying to control himself. “Hey, you look kinda tense, buddy, is everything ok? What do you got there?” He directs his eyes to the table.

“Eddie, I think I’m pregnant again.” Evan states, and Eddie snorts. A moment later, he gets serious.

“Wait, you what?”

“I think... I’m pregnant again...” He repeats, slower this time.

“Buck, you... you’re too old for this shit.” Eddie exclaims. “Besides, weren’t you being careful with that? Wait, Tommy knows?

“First, I’m not; second, we were, you said it; and third, no, he doesn’t.”

Eddie makes a pause, confused.

“Why would you think you’re...? What happened? Is that... what I think it is?” He points at the plastic bag. Evan nods.

“I’m feeling funny again, I felt sick yesterday... Like that sick, and last night Tommy told me something that... made me click. I need you, Eddie. I’m fucking dying here.” Evan murmurs, his voice shaky. “If this is true, I don’t even know how I am going to tell him...”

“Ok.” Eddie sighs. “Don’t panic, please. And don’t act like this is a bad thing or that you did something wrong, because remember, you didn’t have the girls alone and you surely won’t get pregnant again by yourself, alright?”

“I guess you’re right.”

“Of course I am!” Eddie exclaims, smiling, which relaxes Evan a bit. “What are we waiting for? Don’t you wanna know the truth? C’mon, let’s do it.”

“I’m nervous.”

“Oh, I know you are. But the only way of ending this terrible bewilderment is adjusting your pants and go for it.”

A few minutes later, Eddie is seating on Evan’s bed, glancing to the bathroom door. This is taking more than expected. He stands up and approaches his ear to the door frame.

“Is everything ok in there?” a muffled Yes reaches out.

“Do you need help?” He laughs. No answer. The door opens. Evan looks like he just finished a twenty-four-hour shift. “Wow, are you ok?”

“Three.” He says, holding three thin plastic objects in his hand. “I made three different tests.”

“Ok, I couldn’t expect you for less.” Eddie jokes. “So?”

“We still need to wait a couple of minutes. I really don’t wanna look.”

“I hope you’re not expecting me to touch that, right? Take it to the kitchen, I’ll take a look for you, if you want.”

Evan waits in the couch. Bare feet on the coffee table, he closes his eyes and tries once again to control his breathing. One, two, three, in... One, two, three, out... He can’t be going through this again... This must be a mistake. He feels bad because two days ago he ate a breakfast burrito from dubious origin. Too much fried beans-sauce, that’s it. The smell of that Risotto made him gag because Tommy definitely bad chose the spices. His mind finds the perfect reasonable answers he needs for a truth his heart is screaming out loud.

“Buck.”

He opens his eyes and incorporates.

“So?”

“We got one NO and two YES.”

“We got a NO?”

“And two YES, Buck. And one of the positives ones is from Barley Pharmacy; this shit is good.”

“But we got a NO.” Evan insists, numb. Eddie sighs.

“Ok, man. You called me and I came to help you. You ran the tests. You got the results. If you were my girl, I would be checking you an appointment with the doctor. And I would be telling Tommy, too.”

“I can’t tell Tommy. What if it’s a mistake?”

“Alright, don’t tell him yet. Make sure first, I can’t blame you. But you need to go to the doctor. I don’t wanna disappoint you, but this really looks like you’re having another baby.” Eddie smirks. “And there I was saying you were too old...”

“I’m not... having another baby.” Evan mutters.

“You can say it out loud, my friend. It won’t change reality. To be honest, I’ve been smelling something in the air lately, but I wasn’t that sure, and... Well, we’re not so close everyday like we used to be back then, so I couldn’t really tell... Look, Buck, tests might fail, that’s true. But this?” He points at his nose. “This doesn’t fail. I knew it back then and I know it now. Your whole house smells like you’re baking a baby... Oh, well, that didn’t sound so good.”

“Would you go with me to the doctor?” Evan speaks, after a moment.

“You don’t need to ask me that, though I’d really prefer you go with the one to blame for this.”

“Eddie...”

“Alright, alright.” They stare in silence. Eddie opens his arms. “Come here, buddy.”

Evan closes the gap between them and locks himself in a deep hug, resting his chin on Eddie’s shoulder. His warm comforts him, letting the lemon verbena smell takes over all his senses. He looks up, holding some fugitive tears of his watered eyes.

“It’s all gonna be ok.” Eddie whispers. “You made it once, you’re gonna make it again.”
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Chapter Text

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Two or three times a year, Bobby and Athena organize a barbecue party at their home, when the complex schedules allow them to gather everyone on a Saturday afternoon.

They are the last to arrive. The house is full of people, music, and laughter. Athena receives them, smiling wide, and hugs the girls as they enter the house. Maddie and Chim are in the backyard, chatting chilled with Bobby, who’s standing by the barbecue, taking care of the hamburgers and the sausages. Hen is there, too, having some fancy drink with a colorful little umbrella on it.

“Hey, where’s Karen and the kids?” Tommy asks her, after a hug.

“She’s helping Athena in the kitchen, and the kids...” She smiles. “Well, apparently they are not so kids anymore, and have some better things to do with their Saturday. Denny is at a trip with some friends, and Mara went to the movies.”

“To cool to spend time with these old people, huh?” He laughs.

“Yeah, you better take advantage of still having the right to command your girls, Tommy. Before you know it, you’re gonna turn into the old boring dad.”

“I think we already are.” Evan says, smiling. “Girls, why don’t you go and find Jee? I’m sure she must be here somewhere.”

“Oh, I saw her with Karen. She’s helping with the chores.” Hen speaks, sipping her drink. “These margaritas are good, Buck, you want one?”

“Oh... no, Hen, I think I pass...”

“You pass?” Tommy asks, confused. “Evan, we stablished I was the designated driver, today. You love drinking with your friends.”

“Not today, sorry. Here, let me go grab you a cold beer. I’m driving back home.”

Evan leaves. Tommy and Hen stare at each other for a moment. Maddie approaches, with also a margarita in her hand.

“Damn, these are fine!” She exclaims. “Hey, there, Tommy! Shame on my brother that didn’t came to greet me, yet. Even the girls did. Where is that ungrateful?”

“He went for a beer.” Tommy says.

“A beer? With these beauties here? Did he hit his head?”

“It’s not for him.” Hen speaks. “It’s for Tommy. Apparently, your brother’s driving today.”

“Oh, that is so sweet of him... He must really love you, Tommy. Giving up some fresh margaritas... And serving you drinks. Did you know what I had to trade for Chim to get me one of these? He went straight to chat with Bobby, and he doesn’t wanna leave his side.”

“What can I say?” Tommy smiles. “I still got it.”

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Evan enters the kitchen, leaving behind the noisy backyard. For a moment, his overwhelmed ears feel relieved. Athena is suiting chopped tomatoes on a big silver plate, as Karen passes by with a bowl of fresh lettuce. She kisses him on her way out.

“Can I get you anything, honey?” Athena asks, grabbing the plastic wrap.

“Oh, no, I-I’m good. Just came for a beer for Tommy and... a-a bit of silence?”

“You’re not feeling well?”

“I’m good, I promise. I'm driving today. And… Lately, noisy spaces m-make me... wanna hide? For a bit? So... If I can be of any help, here, I’d be more than pleased.”

“I’d love a little help.” She smiles. “Eddie was here somewhere until a moment ago, but I don’t know where he got now. I think I scared him with chores... The beers are on the fridge, honey. Take one to that sexy pilot of yours and come back here. Maybe we can cut the buns open.”

“Copied that.” He smiles, taking his fingers to the forehead. When Evan comes back, he sees Eddie, coming from the hallway.

“Buck!” He exclaims, and they both hug. “Didn’t see you since last th... couple of weeks ago.” Eddie corrects himself, glancing to Athena. “How are you, man?”

“Good, good. Nothing new to tell. Chris didn’t come?”

“Chris is in El Paso. He went visiting his grandpas, he’s... been postposing it for a while, so I told him he should go. You never know, right.”

“God, Eddie, don’t kill them yet!” Athena laughs, slapping his arm.

“I’m not, but we’re not getting younger, and specially not them. So, fresh soda for you, Buck?”

“How did you know he’s driving today?” She asks, turning to Eddie. Her eyebrow rises, accusing, as it always does when she suspects something is beyond what’s put on the table. Athena is so good for these things.

“I guessed?” Eddie says, fast, eyes wide open. “I’m pretty good at guessing things.”

“Sure you are.” She insists, her eyebrow upper.

“So, what can I do to help?” Evan exclaims, taking a step closer to them, in his attempt of changing the course of the conversation.

“Below the counter there are some wooden plates I want to take outside, honey.” She says, pointing that way. “Would you mind doing that for me?”

“Of course.” Evan smiles, glancing over his shoulder for a moment before he squats in front of the counter door. Athena is still staring at Eddie, squinting this time. The blood rushes to his head, as he passes his fingers by one, two, three... ten wooden plates suited in a heavy tower. He grabs them all, pulling them in his hands, and secures them when he pushes up his legs to stand up.

His head hurts. His ears muffle the sound around him. His legs weak and give to his weight. He feels how the wooden plates fall from his grip and crash out on the floor, before the voice of a woman screams behind him. Or else he thinks.

He suddenly can feel his whole body tumbling like if it was made of jell-o, and something soft covers his head from hitting the ground.

BUCK! The distorted sound comes to him as if he was under water. But when did they went to the beach? Wasn’t this a barbecue at Athena’s? Oh, she’s gonna get so mad for the wooden plates... This happens for trying to help...

He faints for a few moments.

“Tommy!” Athena screams, looking at the backyard, as she kneels beside Evan. Eddie caught him at time, so his legs function as a pillow for his head. “Tommy, come here!”

Evan doesn’t react. She slaps him soft in the cheeks, and ask Tommy for a glass of water, once he gets to the kitchen.

“Oh, my God, Evan!” He gasps. Then his eyes go straight to Eddie. A sudden heat of unexplained rage invades him. What is this man touching his Omega? Tommy kneels quickly at Eddie’s side, and pushes him a little stronger than he wants. He grabs Evan’s head. “Take your filthy hands off him, Eddie.” He growls, as Eddie tumbles on his side, leaning on his free hand.

“Tommy, what the--” Athena mutters.

“Leave him.” Eddie says, as he moves aside a little more and tries to incorporate. “It’s normal for him to react like this.”

“What happened to him? He hit his head?” Tommy asks, not paying any more attention to anyone else.

“We don’t know.” Athena answers, taking the glass of water and splashing a little on Evan’s face. “He was fine a moment ago, and then he just fainted. Was he feeling ok? He told me the sound made him overwhelmed, maybe he...”

“I don’t know.” Tommy says, taking his phone. “He felt bad a few days ago, but nothing serious... And he was fine this morning... Should we call the ambulance?”

“Give him a minute.” She advices, with a little more water on his face.

“God, he’s pregnant!” Eddie yells, closing his eyes. Everyone turns to look at him, in silence.

“And how the fuck do you know that?” Tommy growls again. It seems he can only refer to Eddie in that tone.

“God, Tommy, you’re the worst Alpha I know!” Eddie laughs. “You seriously didn’t notice it? He's pregnant, he’s having your baby again, Jesus Christ.”

“Ok, if he really is pregnant, this fading out must pass in a moment.” Athena states, and Evan suddenly moves his head.

“Evan?” Tommy says, suiting him into his legs. “Evan, baby?”

He opens his eyes, still a little dizzy.

“Give him some air. Eddie, go and tell the others everything is ok... Don’t... share this new information we got here, alright? Not to the kids, not anyone, please.” Eddie nods, disappearing to the backyard. He closes the window door behind him. “Buck? Buck, can you hear me?” She directs his eyes to Evan, who’s vision’s still a little blurry.

“I’m o-ok...” he whispers, with raspy voice, and frowns. “W-what h-happened...?”

“You fainted, baby.” Tommy says, softly, caressing his hair. “You feel better, now?”

“Y-yeah, I’m... Oh, God, the wooden plates, I’m so sorry...” He murmurs, trying to incorporate. But he can’t. He's still a little weak.

“Don’t worry about that.” Athena smiles. “I need to ask you something, sweetheart, is that ok?” Evan nods. She glances at Tommy quickly and takes a breath. “Is there any chance that you might be... expecting a baby? Maybe?”

“Oh.” He looks above his head, directly to Tommy, who stares back at him. His eyes are loving and smooth. Evan doubts for a moment.

“It’s ok, you just fainted, and we need all the information we can get. It’s... important we know if you really are...”

“I-I th-think I am.” He whispers, not taking his eyes from Tommy. He can see how his husband’s eyes fill with tears. He's containing himself. “I’m sorry, Tommy, I...”

“Shh, it’s ok, baby. Forget about that, for now. Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah, I’m... I-I think I just need some water and... some fresh air...”

Eddie tells the rest of the group that Evan slipped with a melted ice cube on the kitchen, and so they kept taking the party on the Saturday afternoon, with the little detail that now, Tommy doesn’t separate from Evan. Not even for a second. Every once in a while, he takes an angry look at Eddie, not controlling himself. He remembers Evan’s head on Eddie’s lap and that turns some kind of rage fire inside of his core. He knows his friend is the best that can happen to Evan, but right now Tommy just can’t stand the guy.

Even more important, and despite nobody talks about it, because only Athena knows now, Tommy can’t stop thinking about the baby inside Evan. He wants to grab him and the girls by the hand and take them away from all these people, cover them under his wing.

Tommy glances Eddie one more time, across the yard, laughing and sharing a beer with Bobby. Is Evan really pregnant? And if he is, how in the hell does Eddie know first? Tommy can’t think straight. Too many questions pop to his mind, but he promised Evan they would stay for the rest of the party, because what happened wasn’t really a big deal. Maybe he’s not actually expecting a baby, and all this is nothing but a chain of unfortunate events.

They get back home when the sun is already setting on the horizon. Tommy didn’t drink anymore, so he doesn’t let Evan drive. He can’t afford him fainting again with the girls on the backseat.

“So, are you ok?” Charlie asks, once she’s in bed. Evan already went to kiss goodnight to Olivia.

“Yes, sweety. I’m fine. Just a funny accident.” He smiles, softly. He's seated over her mattress, caressing her hair as he speaks. His heart jumps full of love of being able to enjoy these little moments with them. Specially with Charlie, who always seems to be more closed up to him.

“Funny accident... You sure you’re not lying to us, are you?” She squints. “I heard Uncle Eddie saying you fainted.”

“I think you should stop hearing conversations that doesn’t concern young ladies like you two, and concentrate in other things... like school projects, for example.”

“You know, you were never that good at avoiding themes.” She laughs. “You’re just like Oli.”

“That must be because she’s my daughter, just like you.” He murmurs, smiling again. “I promise that if anything important happens with me or your dad, you two will be the first ones to know, deal?” He raises his hand in front of her, extending his pinky finger. She stares at it for a moment, suspicious. Her pinky finger locks with his.

“Deal.” She says. “I love you, daddy.”

“I love you, too, sweetheart. Don’t worry about anything. Your dad and I are just fine, alright?” She nods, as he leaves a soft kiss on her forehead. “Ok, so sleep well, baby.”

“You, too.”

Evan closes the door behind him, and sighs. He has a harder talk to face now. His silent steps take him to the bedroom, where Tommy is already lying down, with his reading glasses and his phone in front of him. Tommy watches him over his glasses, and folds back the blankets for him to join the bed.

“So, how are they?” Tommy murmurs, covering Evan with the blankets once he lays down next to him.

“Charlie doesn’t believe us. She heard Eddie.”

“Eddie...” Tommy repeats, lowering his tone. “Evan, can we...?”

“I’m so sorry.” He interrupts, resting his head on Tommy’s chest, with two strong arms rounding him. Evan’s surrounded by his smell once again, a peaceful place where nothing can go wrong. “I really should have... It was too soon, Tommy and...”

Evan incorporates on the mattress, with Tommy mirroring him.

“First of all...” Tommy sighs. “Are you sure of what you said earlier? Are you... Are we...?”

Evan nods, with a small grin in his lips, and teary eyes pinned on his.

“I think so... I’ve been having these... s-symptoms that were exactly like the ones I had with the girls and then you made me connect the dots, and I freaked out, and I called Eddie to help me, and I ran three pregnancy tests, and one was from Barley Pharmacy, so Eddie said that one couldn’t go wrong, and that said it was positive, so I freaked out again, and...

“Hey, hey, baby.” Tommy smiles, cupping Evan’s face on his hand. “Breathe.”

So, Evan breathes. And again. Tommy nods softly, following his rhythm.

“Better?”

“I still need to go to the doctor to be sure but...” Tommy smiles wider. “What...?”

“Evan...” He pulls him in a tight hug, and Evan can’t help but let those tears roll down his face. “Oh, my baby...” They separate, and Tommy wipes those tears with his thumbs. “Listen to me. But listen carefully. We're going to go to that appointment together, ok? We’re gonna make sure that baby inside of you is growing healthy, and I’m gonna stand by your side in every single moment of this journey. Did you hear me? You are not alone in this, you don’t need to run to, or ask anything to anyone that’s not me, alright?”

“If you’re referring to Eddie, I...”

“Not Eddie, not no one. It was not funny to find out today that he knew stuff about you that I didn’t.” Tommy’s smile fades a bit. “You have a partner, an Alpha, and that’s me. Not him. So, I don’t want you ever again to doubt about coming to me for anything that crosses your mind...”

Evan stares at him with big eyes. He never heard Tommy speaking like that. He's kinda turned on.

“Don’t you think you’re being a little...?”

“Too possessive? Maybe.” Tommy smirks, looking back at him, jumping between his eyes and his lips. “But you know how these things work. You're my Omega. You're my pregnant Omega, and there’s nothing, and there’s no one that’s gonna stand in my way of protecting you and our baby...” He makes a pause. The next words come bitter in his mouth. “I hated Eddie telling me I was a bad Alpha... But I realized he was right. I didn’t notice it. Evan, we... already had our mistakes last time... I’m not gonna repeat those same mistakes again.”

“Is it normal that... I’m kinda hard right now?” Evan whispers, with slutty eyes.

“Yeah, that’s you waving your tail...”

“I’m liking my possessive Alpha... If I knew you were gonna convert yourself in this... protective wolf, biting anyone that dares to look at me...”

“I was about to bite Eddie, and he doesn’t even look at you...”

“But you got so angry at him today...” Evan makes those flirty bottom eyes Tommy loves so much. “I can get used to this...”

Tommy looks down to Evan stomach. His eyes soft once again. Evan lays on his back, suiting himself with his head on the pillow, and Tommy approaches his head to leave a kiss on where he thinks the baby might be.

“So, we’re a family of five, now?” He rests his head on Evan’s stomach, with lazy fingers running though his gray hair.

“We still need to go to the doctor...”

“I know he’s there. I can feel him inside of you. I was blind for so long, paying attention to the harbor, to my subordinates, to our girls’ schedules... I just needed to look more to you, and I’m so sorry for that.”

“Don’t be. I just find out about this, too.” Evan whispers, kissing those gray curls. “And how are you so sure they’re a he? I think they could be our third baby girl, don’t you want the whole ballet class?”

“We already have two and neither of them likes ballet, Evan.” Tommy smiles. “Oli loves doodling and painting, and she’s so good in what she does, and Charlie... Well, Charlie already stated she wants to be a firefighter.”

“Yeah.” Evan laughs. “Can’t tell where she got that crazy idea...”

“A boy... that would be awesome, don’t you think? In fact, I’m gonna manifest from this day that here...” He places his hand in Evan’s stomach, next to his head. “Is our future baby boy.”

“You made it sound like a dream, Tommy.”

“You are my dream, Evan. You and this beautiful family we’re forming.” Evan stretches his arms and turns out the light, going back to hold Tommy again. They remain in silence for a while. “Evan?”

“Mhm?”

“What did I say that made you connect the dots?” After a while, Evan speaks.

“You pointed my... horny side, the other day. The only times I’ve felt sick and horny at the same time was back then, with our girls.” Once again, the silence.

“Evan?”

“Mhm?”

“I love you. A lot.”

“Tommy?”

“Tell me.”

“I love you, too.”

After a few minutes, Evan hears Tommy’s soft snores. The gray hairs in his hands don’t let him catch his dream. He suddenly feels he might be too old for this. A lot of things can go wrong. A lot of things.

----------

Chapter Text

----------

The siren burst in the silence of the Station. Hen gestures the whole team to hurry up as they get on the firetruck; both firetrucks this time. A suicidal adult male is being repeatedly reported by the civilians on the street and the neighbors, and the dispatch already sent the police to secure the area.

“Alright, this is Captain Wilson from the 118, what is the situation?” She asks to the officer in charge, once they get there.

“Captain Wilson, we already delimited the area, and one of our guys tried to speak with him, but I’m afraid we were anywhere successful.”

“Ok, got it.” She turns to the team already expecting commands. “Chim, Ravi, prepare the air cushion!” She yells, rising her hand. “Jack, Devi, get ready to go up there and contain him. Devi, I think the stair gets high enough for you to try and cover the front. Jack, you go to the rooftop. Copied?”

“Copied, Cap!” They exclaim at the same time, running to their positions.

“Hen, w-what can I...?” Evan approaches to her, but she avoids his eyes.

“Buck, I want you to stay here, alright? Prepare the first aids for if anything happens.”

“I-I know I’m trained, b-but I’m not an actual paramedic, Hen, Jack is. Why won’t you send me up there to talk to him? You know I’m pretty good with those things.”

“Buck you... You can’t go up there.”

“And why is that?” He insists, frustrated.

“Because Buck...” She sighs. “It’s Frank. Again. I can’t allow you to face him and his trauma in your state. And yes, Athena told me. I know she promised you to keep the secret, but you’re my responsibility, Buck. If anything happens, I couldn’t forgive myself.”

Evan frowns. Now he’s being serious.

“I’m the most qualified element to go up there and dissuade him from whatever he’s planning to do, and you know that.” He protests. “Besides, this” and he points his stomach. “is not official yet! I didn’t communicate it to the Captain’s office, so, technically, you can’t release me from duties if you got no real arguments.”

“Yes, in fact, you should have told me, Buck, and you didn’t! I’m your Captain, and my order is you stay on the ground preparing the first aids!” She yells. After a small pause, and a couple of tones lower, she adds. “And we’re gonna have a few words later about you not telling me stuff like this, you know? So, please, don’t make this harder, Buck. Don’t make me remind you what happened last time you were pregnant in a call.”

Evan can’t believe what he’s hearing. Not from Hen’s mouth. They stare for a moment, her eyes begging him for understanding, but firm at the same time. His own, disappointed. He takes a few steps back an disappears behind the engine.

“Buck? Buck, c’mon!” She exclaims. “You better be doing what I commanded you to!”

Of course, Evan doesn’t listen. He hurries his trot into the building, glancing back once in a while to check out that no one’s is paying attention to him, and when he enters the hall, he spots Jack, about to step in the elevator.

“H-Hey, wait up!” He exclaims, calming his steps as he manages to stop the elevator doors from closing. Jack observes him confused.

“Buckley? You coming with me?”

“Actually... Captain Wilson sent me in your place. She said you should go to prepare the first aids.”

“She did?” Jack frowns. “But, I heard she...”

“Yeah, she mixed the similar names, you know... it happens.”

“But Buckley and Harrison are not...”

“Are you disobeying your Captains orders, probie?” Evan asks, steady, taking advantage of him being one of the oldest in the Station, meanwhile Jack is still in his first months with them. He knows this is gonna bring him some trouble in the future, but he doesn’t care. He's not staying in the ground. As the elevator goes calmly its way up, Evan runs through his mind images of those last calls back then, before the girls were born, when he had to accept distribute water to the witnesses and the rescued victims. And he hated it. And he won’t let that happen again. Not since day number one.

The elevator opens in front of him to an empty hall. Evan jumps in groups of three the stairs to the rooftop, and gets hit by a strong gust of wind when he finally opens the heavy iron door. A loud noise of static coming from his chest takes him by surprise.

“Firefighter Buckley?”

He grabs the mic and approaches to his mouth, doubting for a moment. He closes his eyes. The mic goes back to its pocket.

“Firefighter Buckley? Please, respond.” Nothing. “BUCK!"

Evan looks around, and spots Frank on the edge, at his left.

“Frank?” He exclaims, directing his steps carefully to meet him. The guy looks over his shoulder, and tenses his whole body.

“What are you doing here? I said no one up here!”

“Frank, calm down.” Evan says, holding his arms up to him. “I just want to help.”

“You can’t help me.” He whines, looking straight once again. “No one can.”

“F-Frank, I... was there the other day, look at me! Remember the last time you asked for help? We respond your call, Frank, we were-- I was there, I helped you once... Let me help you again.”

“You did and for what?” The guy shouts, crying. “Brad’s not coming back, our baby’s not coming back! I keep waking up in the morning and finding I’m still here, when I could be with them!”

“And you will be... with them...” Evan says, taking a couple of careful steps closer. “But at your own time. I-I'm sure that Brad wouldn’t wanted you to...”

“Buck, are you gonna answer me or what?” Hen’s voice comes again between them. “Buck, this is your last warning!”

Evan sighs, bothered, without taking his eyes from Frank, and grabs the mic again.

“Buckley speaking, Captain Wilson.”

“Buck, what the hell are you doing up there? Didn’t you hear me just thirty seconds ago?”

“Cap, I...” He turns around, speaking low. “I was just making a connection with him.”

“Buck, you disobeyed me!”

“Hey, hey, listen. Let me talk to him. I swear I’m gonna take care of myself. You can punish me later, I-I will accept anything, Hen.”

He breathes hard as he waits for an answer, his curls dancing fast on his forehead. He takes a look at Frank, who’s staring down the void in front of him.

“We’ll have words, Buck.”

He keeps the mic down again.

“Frank.” Evan takes another step forward. Only a few feet separate them. “Frank, look at me.”

“Go away.” He says, with shaky voice. “Let me reunite with my family.”

“Frank, I know Brad doesn’t want you to go through this... H-he's the father of your child, I’m sure... He only wants the best for you. Believe me, I know.”

“Oh, don’t come here with that pre-assembled speech you all have. What can you know about this?” He asks, grinning.

“I-I’m just like you, Frank.” Evan exclaims, swallowing hard. “I’m an Omega.” Frank turns his head around to face him. A trade of bewilderment can be distinguished at the distance. “Yes, Frank. I’m like you. And I had a successful pregnancy fifteen years ago; I have two beautiful girls.”

“You’re shitting me.”

“I’m not. I-It's true... I’d show you a picture of them but, I have it down there on solid ground… where we should be right now... So, I really get you, as you can see. Nobody but me to understand what you’re going through... If anything happened to my husband... or my kids... I would go crazy. But-- you never know what life is keeping for you in the future... You can only trust that Brad and your baby are always gonna be there with you, walking by your side in this journey you still have ahead...”

Frank lifts his legs and turns around. Evan closes his eyes, relieved that this means a step forward in his mission.

“So, you have two kids? You carried them?”

“I-I did, I-- have three, in fact.” Evan smiles, with teary eyes. “And I don’t need to tell you how magical that feels.”

“No, you don’t.” Evan never saw a saddest smile in his whole life. “It really is magical...” He makes a pause. “So, how old is the third one?”

“Oh, actually he... will be born in a few months...”

He and Tommy went to the doctor a few days before that call in the roof top. Tommy thanked the skies above for knowing that the old doctor that attended Evan’s last pregnancy was already retired. No creepy Esther, he joked, while they were waiting inside the doctor’s office. About an hour ago they had run some blood tests on Evan, so the results must have been ready in...

"Congratulations, gentlemen. You’re going to be dads again."

The rest was blurred. Evan already knew, but this brought it to earth. It was all joy and tears until the doctor told him something that has been remaining in echoes until today.

"We have to consider your age, though, Mr. Buckley. Your last carriage was..." He browsed vaguely through the medical folder.

"Fifteen years ago." Tommy said, bothered. He was not liking the course of this conversation. "The girls were born fifteen years ago."

"Yeah, right. Sure, fifteen years. So, I think you guess what I mean. You’ll be fifty in a few years, Mr. Buckley, it’s fair for us to keep a close eye in this whole process, and you seriously need to overextend the cares. Do you understand what I’m saying, Mr. Buckley, Mr. Kinard?"

"Let me get this straight." Tommy smiles, and Evan’s fingers press harder on his hand. "I’m ok, baby, don’t worry. Are you saying, doctor, that my husband is not “strong” enough to carry my child?"

"Well, I was not..."

"Tommy, he’s right. I’m not so young. If it's normal for the women at my age to be extra careful, why wouldn’t I do the same?"

"He’s calling you weak!" Tommy exclaims.

It took several minutes for Evan and the doctor to calm Tommy down. They left the office with an ultrasound appointment and a promise to keep Tommy’s mouth shut in the next consults.

“What? You’re... right now?” Frank points to Evan’s stomach.

“He’s right here. All these years later. A-and I’d love to tell you this can be your reality too, if you’d really want it, but I surely understand your hurt and your grief are bigger now... And you have... a-all the right in the world to feel like shit right now, a-and...”

“I’d really love that.” He states, lowering his voice. “I’d really love to have what you have.”

Ok, I can work with this.

“Well, you can have it, if you put all your heart into it... But you got to start somewhere, Frank. And that’s not going to be up here. The only thing you can have up here is a cold in the morning.”

He finally escorts Frank all the way down to the building. Frank hugs him before stepping on the ambulance. Evan's eyes meet Hen’s after that. She's not happy.

----------

The amount of paper works waiting to be signed it’s ridiculous. Tommy sighs, hanging the landline phone. Speaking with the Fire Chief is always an exhausting routine, and he just can’t wait for the end of the shift to come. But he still has several hours ahead: the ticking clock on the wall is in charge of constantly remind him that.

He takes the first paper on the pile. His phone buzzes over the old oak desk. A bubble with a smiling Evan emerges on his screen, making him smile. It's a selfie video taken at the dresser room, and Tommy can tell by Evan’s face that he’s fighting to show himself bright and smiley.

"Heyyy, Tommy... listen, don’t worry about the girls getting back home by themselves, I already spoke to Charlie and I’ll be picking them up later. And tomorrow, as well...". Evan glances over the phone, and tilts his head, greeting someone out of the video sight. "And, for a couple of days?" He frowns, with a smile, as a little kid admitting being the artist of the anonymous crayon paint on the hallway door. "Hen, she... suspended me-- Don't worry, no big deal. I'll explain at home. I have to go now, she doesn’t want to see me around." He whispers, funny. Next, he kisses his hand and blows it to the screen. "Love you, old man."

His fingers run fast over the phone keyboard.

TOMMY: Love you more, kid.

----------

Evan stares at his phone, amused at the fact that, after all these years, Tommy still gets to call him Kid, and sometimes he still feels like he is.

----------

Someone knocks at the door.

“Come in!” Tommy exclaims, putting the phone down. When Eddie comes in, a heavy silence enters with him. Eddie has a folder pressed under his arm. “Don’t tell me you’re bringing more paperwork.”

“Permission to come in, Captain.”

“Don’t Captain me, Eddie. Get in here.”

“Being Captain has its boring side, I assume. These are the recruit aspirant’s forms for you to approve. Stella already checked them and made a first filter.” Eddie murmurs, leaving the papers over the top of the pile.

“Alright...” Tommy sighs, stopping himself from running the fingers through his hair. He needs to stay flawless for the Fire Chief visit later that day. “Guess that smoking break will have to wait.”

“You don’t smoke.”

“I could. Your Chief is making me want to start.”

“Buck will never come close to you if you smell like tobacco.” Tommy tilts his head, thoughtful, and gestures him to take a seat. “Oh, I better-- I really need to--”

“Eddie.” He takes a seat. Something deep in Tommy’s voice makes him obey instinctively. “I think we owe us a little conversation.”

“Look, Tommy, I--”

“Eddie, you and I know each other for a long time, now.” Tommy joins his hands over the desk. “You’re Evan’s best friend, even before I knew him. You’re Charlie’s godfather, for God Sake. We’re family.”

“I know that, and I can’t be--”

“I’m not done, Eddie.” The number of times that Tommy says his name begin to scare him. “But I really think we need to stablish some boundaries, here. I can’t forbid Evan to see you or talk to you. You're like a brother to him, and that would just make him really sad. And I don’t want my Omega sad.”

“Your Om--” Eddie’s mind clicks.

“Besides of the obvious and still crazy fact to me that he was able to carry our daughters, we need to thank you to open our eyes to this whole ABO universe.” Tommy’s tone soothes. “You were the first one insisting us to actually look around on what was happening, and that led us to this present.” Tommy stands up, before Eddie’s eyes, who freezes by the massive look he gets. He rounds the desk until reaching his side and rests his hips on it, arms crossed. “But I didn’t like what happened the other day at Bobby’s. And I don’t want it to happen again. I love you, man, I repeat, we’re family. But if you ever... Ever, touch my Omega again, you’re gonna receive more than a nice push.”

“What? I didn’t touch him! I saved his fucking head from hitting the ground!”

“Still. I don’t want you touching him, and I don’t want you knowing things before I do. He's mine, and I’m willing to do anything to protect him. Him and our baby. Is that clear?

“Ok, man, look. I'm not the enemy, here, it’s not me you gotta protect him from. He's all yours, I’m... not against that for sure.” Eddie snorts. “And you know what? I’m not gonna argue with you in any of these. I know this is the Alpha speaking, not you, and I really can’t blame you. He's expecting, so you’re gonna be extra aware and extra protective of him. And that’s alright.” Eddie stands up too, facing Tommy. “I promise to not get in the middle of you two, but I can’t promise not to answer if he calls. Like you said, he’s my friend and I’m always gonna be there, if he wants me to.”

“I catch you again, Diaz, and you’re dead.”

“Yeah, I get it.” Eddie smiles. “Message received. Permission to leave, Captain?”

“Go ahead.”

He stops just as he passes under the door frame, looking back for a moment.

“And just for the record, I get you, Tommy. And I love seeing you like that. Even though my neck’s on danger from now on.”

----------

Chapter Text

----------

The blue radiance from the TV dances around the living room, as the images slide on the screen. A horror movie seemed like a fantastical idea until it began, and Evan remembered how sudden screams and dark rooms with reduce vision field made him feel a little uncomfortable. It was always a romcom movie with Tommy, or at least, most of the times. Evan used to like horror ones, yeah, but for a long time it was not an option, also because of the infants in the house.

So, after the third time Evan almost drops his popcorn bucket over his head after a jump scare, the girls laugh.

“Oh, ok, make fun of me, now.” He smiles, trying to show himself composed.

“This is fun!” Olivia exclaims, seated at his right.

“I can’t believe you’re afraid of this stupid film.” Charlie, on the other side, shows a sober smile, like it’s her big sister duty to be more mature. Only the age difference is only by a couple of minutes.

“Charlie, mouth!” He stands out. “Ok, maybe it’s time we watch something else?”

“Daddy’s scared.” Olivia laughs.

“I’m not... scared, I’m just... Alright, a little scared?” He smiles, gesturing a tiny space between his fingers. “Lucky me, as your dad’s not here, I have my two beautiful babies to protect me.”

“No babies anymore, daddy.” Charlie protests. “But I’m willing to protect you if you’re in danger. I can face anyone that bothers you, I mean, I’m gonna be a firefighter just like you and dad.”

“I can protect you, too.” Olivia murmurs, and Evan feels his heart couldn’t melt any more than it is right now.

“Oh, I feel so lucky, then, I have two bodyguards.” He kisses her head. Next moment, he does the same with Charlie.

The door opens, after a key sound.

“And that’s my cue.” Evan exclaims, putting down his feet from the coffee table and stopping the movie. “Turn the light on, babe!” He screams. And Tommy does, making the three of us squint for a moment. “Go say hi to your dad.”

“Where’re my girls?” Tommy smiles, closing the door, with the deaf sound of the sports bag he drops on the floor. He hugs them, taking a deep breath of their hair, sure that he’s home. “And you’re not getting up to kiss your husband?” Tommy jokes, directing to the couch, where he grabs Evan cheeks to tilt his head up, and leaves a warm kiss.

“A Prince doesn’t get up.” Evan teases.

“Uh, so, I married a Prince, and I didn’t know it?” Tommy lets himself fall into the couch, next to Evan, and sighs tired. “Where are our servants, if we’re from royalty? I’d really could use a nice massage and a dry martini.”

“You let a stranger touch your feet?” Charlie exclaims, disgusted.

“I’d love a massage, too.” Oli says, standing at the back of the couch, as she leans over and rests her body on the backrest. “When are we going?”

“Actually, I was thinking of asking your daddy to do that for me.”

“Oh, that’s gross.”

“It’s not gross, Charlie. Actually, is pretty romantic.” Olivia smiles.

“Ok, girls. What did we pact? You'd stay awake until dad came from work, right? I think it’s time for you to go brush your teeth and get to bed.

“Oh, c’mon, it’s Friday!” They whine. Evan gets up, tapping Tommy’s thigh quickly.

“A deal is a deal, ladies. Let’s go, I’ll join you, I need to be sure you don’t get lost in the long and winding road to the bathroom.

“Yeah, your daughters get easily distracted.” Tommy adds, closing his eyes. Images of the Station and the last hour Fire Chief visit run through his mind just a moment before he falls asleep.

He’s not sure how much time elapsed since then, but he wakes up to something freezing on his cheek. He jumps, startled, and spots Evan, smiling softly beside him, touching him with cold fingers.

“Shh, hey... easy, beautiful. It's me.”

“Evan, did I-- How much did I sleep?”

“Not much.” He hands Tommy a glass. “Here, your martini.”

“Oh? Nice.” Tommy smirks, taking a sip. “I’m all for that massage now.”

“Actually, I think we should talk about what happened today.”

“Oh, that. Yeah...” He makes a pause. “I seriously preferred a massage, but... I think that you telling me why the hell did you get suspended for is a good option, too. Did you steal a firetruck again?”

“W-what?” Evan smiles. “No, I... didn’t... steal a firetruck. If I knew you would use my old anecdotes against me, I would never have told you anything!”

“Honey, this is a marriage, you know? Between you and me? Everything you tell is and will be used against you.” Tommy sips his drink again. “Mhm, this is perfect, Evan.”

“Thanks. But I might want to reread those small letters, one day, just in case.”

“Just in case you find out that part of my job is to love you, no matter how crazy you get or what trouble are you in, that you got what? Two, three days of suspension?

“Six.”

“Six?? Evan, what did you do?”

“I disobeyed Hen.”

“I’m not sure why, but I feel you’re not telling me the whole story, here. You usually disobey her, but you’re shield by being life-long friends, so. What happened, really?”

“I might... forgot to tell her about our... little baby detail?” Evan squints, glancing to the hallway. He looks like a puppy. Like a puppy being grumbled.

“Can’t tell this doesn’t surprise me.” Tommy sighs. Next words come almost in a whisper, being careful of not being heard by the girls. “And why didn’t you tell her? It's essential information, Evan. Your health and our baby’s are more important than anything.”

“I know, I know!” Evan murmurs. “It’s just that, it’s just the third month Tommy, I still have a lot of time ahead, and I don’t want to be relegated to desk duties again, not so early, I-- I would go crazy! I got this stupid doctor’s report, underlining the words highly risk pregnancy, and only because I’m not in my thirties anymore! If that report gets to Hen’s hands, I can kiss my job goodbye.”

“So, what did you do today, then?”

“I-- Do you remember the guy I told you about the other day? The one who... had a miscarriage? Well, he... H-he was on a roof top, he... was not doing so great, again.” Evan goes silent for a moment, and before Tommy could add anything, he continues. “I was the right one to go up and deter him, I was. And I told Hen that, and she still sent Jack instead of me!”

“Please, don’t tell me you did what I think you did...” Tommy murmurs, grabbing the bridge of his nose.

“Ok, what else was I supposed to do?”

“Obey your Captain?”

“You know I couldn’t just stay there, Tommy. I was the best option, the only one who could actually understand him. And I succeed, which was what mattered the most, right?”

“I understand your reasons, sweetheart. But as a Captain I can’t defend you.”

“Only you’re not my Captain, you’re my husband. You should be on my side.”

Tommy incorporates from the backrest and leaves the drink on the coffee table. Before he speaks again, he turns to face him. His blue eyes look soft and tired.

“Evan. I am on your side. I’m always gonna be on your side. But not when it comes to protect you and our kids... Even though is you I have to protect them from.”

“W-what do you mean?” Evan is confused.

“We already had this very same conversation, fifteen years ago. You, being the stubborn and brave man I love, and me, trying to take care of you and our children. But the thing is... We’re not the same as we were back then. We're older. And wiser. At least I like to think we are.” He smiles. “I know you don’t like to hear people telling you that you can’t do things.” Evan opens his mouth, about to protest. “Hey, listen up. Your impulsiveness is one of the things that made me fall in love with you, since day one. But you need to take care of our baby. And by taking care I'm not saying you stay in bed all day, I’m only saying you should be a little more careful, and not... climb to a roof top to dissuade a man from jumping.”

Evan rolls his eyes.

“To be honest, six days was pretty kind of her.”

“What? Shut up!” Evan laughs, pushing Tommy softly, but his arm is retained and pulled in along with his whole body for a tight cuddle. “So glad you’re not my Cap.”

“I would have given you a whole fortnight.” Tommy kisses his curls.

----------

There's nothing that Tommy enjoys the most that kissing Evan’s lips lazy and timeless, when they get the rare chance of going to sleep together. And maybe these suspension days are not a bad idea, after all.

His kisses continue on the scruffed bearded cheek, on the neck. Tommy was so tired back in the living, but after that wonderful martini and the delicious skin under his tongue, he forgot all about sleeping. Evan smells exactly like he did fifteen years ago, and that drives him crazy, sinking his nose in the hot spot behind Evan’s ear.

“You know...?” Evan’s voice comes raspy in the dark.

“Mhm.” Tommy mutters, licking and breathing hard on that spot.

“We c-could... use tomorrow to... make a family trip.” Tommy stops and faces him, even though they can barely see each other. “I’m being serious.”

“Do we need to talk about this right now?”

“Yes, we have.” Evan states. That's his hormones speaking. Ok, Tommy can feel that his making out session is going to postpone for a while.

“But the girls have... Charlie has basketball training, and Oli-- Spanish lessons?”

“Oh, they can skip a class... Or we can go after that, they’re both in the morning. It’s been years since we have a whole Saturday for ourselves, and I thought... we could take them somewhere they like and... maybe tell them about the baby?”

Tommy takes a second to answer. Telling the girls is something they can’t keep postponing.

“Baby, please don’t tell me you’re spiraling over this. Telling the girls is not a big deal, they’re gonna be so happy to have a little brother.”

“You think? W-what if they don’t wanna? What if they’re jealous of something like that?”

“Evan, our girls are grown up now. They're not little kids to get jealous-fever of a baby coming. Of course they’ll be just as in love with him as we are.” Tommy kisses his cheek, soft and silent, trying to comfort him. “Don’t doubt for a second about their reaction, please. And you know? Is not a bad idea to go out on a family outing.” He says, brushing his nose once again over Evan’s cheek. “We can take them to a place they love, to recall the old times. Do you remember how they loved horseback riding? They were so happy when we took them there. And you looked so sexy on those horses...”

“Are you crazy?” Evan laughs. “I can’t do that. You told me to take care of myself and next thing you want me to ride a horse?”

“Ah, I guess you’re right.” Tommy’s hand directs to Evan’s belly, where a slight bulk already can be noticed. He adores how, according to the doctor, second pregnancies always tend to expand the bellies a bit more than the firsts. And his belly is beginning to look adorable. “It would be a great way to explain why their daddy can’t join the horseback riding, though.”

“I’m not staying in the truck watching how you have all the fun, Tommy, not fair.”

“Well, what do you suggest, then?”

“I was thinking that waterpark we used to go when they had that swimming fixation, remember? When they began to take swimming lessons at the sports club?”

“Oh, not that park with the dreadful dinosaur's giant dolls.”

“They loved those dinosaurs, Tommy. We can eat in that fast food restaurant they have.”

“Hopefully they improved their fat percentage in the meals.” Tommy says, with a grin. “Or at least changed the fries oil.” He makes a pause. “So, it’s a date. With you and the kids. Can we... go back to...?”

“Stop, you horny beast! We need to get up early, tomorrow, plus... I need to search for our swim wears and prepare all.” Evan whispers, sounding a bit tired.

Tommy sighs, again. He lets himself rest on Evan’s chest, joining the up and down moves that match his breathing, heavy and calm. A second later, he’s snoring.

----------

Tommy opens his eyes. The daylight sneaks along the edges of the curtain. Evan is cuddling him from behind, still sleeping, and Tommy can feel that he is not the only waking up in that room. He smiles.

In complete silence he takes his hand back and tries to slip it in between them. Evan's rock hard. That is a wonderful thing to feel in the morning. Tommy rolls on the bed, facing him and rubs his dick softly. Evan smiles in his sleep, eyes closed, and suits his body on the bed, so Tommy can have a better access.

“Morning...” He whispers.

“Morning indeed...” Evan murmurs, barely opening his mouth. Tommy approaches a bit more, rubbing harder, and takes the dick with his whole hand, tearing an automatic growl from Evan’s throat.

“Shh, my love...” Tommy speaks low, before leaving a kiss in this mouth. “Keep it quiet.”

“It feels so good... I... God, Tommy...”

“I know, baby, I want to make you feel good...” Tommy strokes him vaguely a few times, loving how Evan responds with little moans and lazy moves on the mattress. “I’d really love to...”

“Wait, wait.” Evan frowns. His eyes open wide. “I’m not feeling so great.”

Evan gets up from the bed in less than a second, clumsily, and tumbles with the nightstand on his way to the bathroom. Tommy incorporates in the mattress, alarmed.

“Are you ok?” He hears Evan throwing up. Yes, because why not?

“I’m ok!” His gasped voice comes at the distance. Next sound, the toilet flushing, and him brushing his teeth. Evan comes from the bathroom looking exhausted, half hard and rubbing his bruised knee. They both laugh. “Guess this is the universe stopping us from making more babies.”

“Come here, honey.” Tommy taps the mattress. Evan obeys. “Did you get hurt? I’ll have some words with that nightstand, later today.”

“I’m good. Just a bruise, hopefully. I have a hard time controlling these long legs.”

“I know you do, babe.” Tommy kisses his head, cupping him in between his arms.

“Dad?” Oli’s voice comes from behind the door. “Daddy? Are you ok? We heard someone falling?”

“We’re fine, guys!” Evan exclaims. “Go and get your things ready, we’re going to the waterpark!”

“What? Really?” Oli’s voice sounds excited.

“Yes, tell your sister and get ready, we’re leaving soon.”

“Do we have a minute?” Tommy murmurs, getting close to his neck.

“Actually, we don’t. C’mon, Tommy.” Evan gets up again, pulling up his underwear and going round the bed to push the curtain button. It slowly begins to roll up, as he grabs some clothing from the floor. “We have a long day ahead of us.”

“C’mon is what I say...” Tommy protests, more to himself. But Evan doesn't even hear him, he’s already searching for the swim wears.

----------

The park is crowded. The sun is shining bright when they get there, and the girls disappear to the closest pool as soon as they chose a table and left their stuff. Tommy thanks the big parasols placed in each one of the tables, so he can run a bit from the sun.

“Take a shower before entering the pool!” Evan shouts, but he’s not sure if they hear him. He turns to Tommy, already seated on the plastic chair. “Hey, handsome, want to go with me for a swim?”

“Not yet. I want to chill a bit first. Need sunscreen?”

“You have your priorities well lined.” Evan smiles. He pulls his t-shirt over his head, and Tommy can’t help but fix his eyes on the belly. The slightly bulk belly already showing up. That warms his heart. Evan’s pants go next, revealing the red swimming shorts Tommy likes so much.

“I sure do.” Behind sunglasses, Tommy blatantly checks on him, from his broad shoulders to his bare feet. “Looking good, Buckley, I was missing those shorts.”

“Don’t flatter me.” Evan smiles shyly, folding his clothes and leaving them on the table. After all these years, Evan’s scars still give him a hard time when he has to take his clothes in public, depending on his humor. Today he’s in a good mood, but Tommy knows he’s nervous about talking to the girls. The leg is the one that bothers Evan the most, with red deep trades going up and down his skin, cruel reminders of the horrible story Tommy gets to hear again, every time Evan needs to externalize it.

“You’re the most handsome man in this whole park.” Tommy says, making emphasis in the word whole. “More handsome that those freaking dinosaurs right there.”

“Oh, so you’re comparing me with an extinctic reptile.”

“I could compare you with a living one, if you prefer.”

“Ok, I’m getting fooled right now. Well, enjoy your cool shade, my dear bully, this dead reptile is going for a dive.”

Tommy watches him leave, admiring that huge back and that fine ass, and his lips turn to a small smirk. He can’t be more smitten on his husband.

Is after almost half an hour, that Tommy decides to join them in the pool. He takes his clothes off, suits his black shorts on his waist, and keeps the sunglasses on the bag. The sun is kissing his skin with strong heat, so he hurries his steps to the edge of the pool, searching for some familiar face in the multiple swimmers. He spots the girls, competing on which one lasts longer holding their breath under the water.

Evan sees him between the people and waves his arm to catch his attention, but Tommy puts his finger on his lips, in a silent gesture, and points to the twins. He gets into the water, too cool for his taste at first, and struggles a bit as he sinks the rest of his body and walks slowly to where they are playing.

The girls are under the water, for several seconds now. Tommy approaches as cautioned as he can, and touches both their legs at the same time, making them jump over the water, screaming loud.

“DAD!” Charlie screams, gasping for air.

“Oh, you came!” Oli exclaims, hugging him. “Carry me on your back, pleaseeee?”

“I want to be carried, too!” Charlie protests.

“Ok, ok, I can carry you both, alright? Just like you were little.” The girls yell, celebrating.

With each one clung on both sides of his hips, he takes the weight of two almost adult sized girls to where Evan is, grateful to the water that lights the effort on his body.

“Now he has to carry you, daddy!” Oli says, laughing when Tommy suddenly drops them, making them lose their balance.

“We don’t want your dad’s back broken, my sweety.”

“Let your old father rest.” Tommy exclaims, exaggerating a deep sigh. “After this, I need a whole week of recovering.”

“We’re not that heavy!” Charlie says, splashing a bit of water.

“Of course, you’re not. I’m just gonna... stay here for a while, next to this handsome guy I just met.” Tommy gets close to Evan, resting his back on the edge of the pool, and leaves a kiss on his cheek.

“And that’s our cue to leave them alone.” Charlie rolls her eyes. “C’mon, Oli, they’re getting clingy again.” The girls go away, Oli carrying her on her back.

“You know, I tried to flirt with the T-Rex at the dressing room pathway, but he didn’t even look at me.”

“You must be losing your touch, I suppose.”

“Ooh, I hope not, how else would I manage to get you to my bed, tonight?”

“Because it’s my bed, too?”

“Hey, Evan.” He murmurs. “Baby, look at me.” Evan does. Those blue eyes shine under the sun, matching with the sky. Tommy clears his forehead of some wild wet curls. “Did I ever told you how much I love you?”

“Maybe it’s time you tell me again.”

“I love you. And it’s all going to be ok.” He whispers, grabbing his chin. Evan heart stops, right before Tommy kisses him, tender.

“Now, that’s a low blow.” He protests, when they separate. “You know I’m weak when you do that.”

“I know, that’s why I don’t always use this secret weapon.”

Evan smiles, taking a deep breath. Tommy can sense he’s even more nervous than before.

“We need to tell them, Tommy.”

----------

As Tommy guesses, the restaurant inside the park has not improved anything on food since the last time they were there. New branding, new decorations, new huge led screens to study the menu. The same fatty menu as ten years ago. Only this time, mostly everything has Provolone cheese in it. This strong flavored damn cheese has become in the last year the last trend on food, and it seems you can’t escape from it, even if you want it.

“So, are you guys having fun?” Evan asks, finishing his hamburger. He leaves the dirty napkin on the empty paper wrap.

“Yes!” They both exclaims, mouths full.

“That is... so nice to hear...” His leg begins to skip. Evan takes a sip of his soda.

“We wanted to take this family trip, because we want to strengthen the bonds with you two, girls. I know it’s silly for you to hear, but you grow up so fast, and before we know you’re gonna have your own lives and...”

“You speak like if we are gonna abandon you.” Charlie says, grabbing an onion ring.

“Daddy would tie us to the bed before letting us disappear.” Oli laughs. “Even if we are twenty years old.”

“Yeah, right.” She nods. “You don’t need to strengthen bonds with us, dad, I think the four of us are glued tight to each other.”

“I love to hear that.” Tommy smiles, taking Evan’s hand over the table. “So, you guys are happy with the parents you got?”

“Are you crazy? Best dads ever!” Oli exclaims.

“A little too sticky to each other sometimes, but you are cool.” Charlie states.

Tommy glances at Evan and sighs, before opening his mouth.

“So... what would you think if we, I don’t know, maybe someday, we expand this family?”

Evan’s heart is about to explode. His shallow breathing is making his head hurt, as Tommy presses harder his hand. Tommy can sense he’s about to lose it.

“Are we getting a dog--?”

“--a puppy?”

Both girls speak at the same time.

“Ah, n-no..., sweethearts, we--” Evan doesn’t know how to continue.

“A cat?” Charlie says, a bit disappointed.

“Would you like to have maybe a brother, sometime?”

“Oh, no.” Charli frowns, denying with her head. Oli observes them in silence.

“Wait, why now? Wouldn’t that be awesome?” Tommy smiles, saddening his eyes.

“No, what for?” Charlie asks. “We’re just perfect the way that we are, we don’t need a new member in this family. Why you ask...?”

“Oh, no, we’re just chatting nonsense, here, girls. Making a conversation.”

Evan gets up the chair out of a sudden and disappears.

“Is he alright?” Olis asks, watching him leave.

“He just went to the bathroom.” Tommy says, decontracting the tens air between them.

Evan steps out the restaurant and runs his way to the truck, parked right outside the waterpark. He searches the truck keys on his pants and with trembling hands opens it, getting in and grabbing hard the steering wheel. He can only feel his heart bumping hard in his head and his chest. His daughters’ faces show up in his mind over and over again, repetaing the same words. No... We don’t need a new member in this family. Evan is fighting to calm down, not sure if he’s gonna be able to.

This is not good.

----------

Chapter Text

----------

The drive back home is dead silent. With the excuse that Evan had a sudden headache, Tommy tells the girls to go shower and get dressed at the park dressers, while he waits for them in the truck, holding Evan’s hand, repeating everything is going to be ok. He wants to wrap him in a soft blanket, but it’s hard to protect Evan from their own daughters, and the effect their words had in him.

Olivia refers at some point of the road that their daddy has been sleeping a lot and not feeling so well the last couple of months, but no one dares to speak. Charlie is mad that they had to leave the park, and Tommy bites his tongue not to drop the news just like that. Evan just remains with his eyes on the road, looking up once in a while to contain the tears, his throat hurting from the contained cry.

“I think I’ll take a shower and rest a little.” He murmurs, when they get home. The girls enter before them. Tommy nods, closing the door at his back. Evan disappears toward the hallway.

“Charlotte, Olivia. Not so fast.”

“Uh, not the full names, what did we do now?” Charlie asks, turning to face him.

“I think is about daddy.” Oli murmurs.

“Yes, my loves. It's about him. About all of us, in fact.” Tommy points at the couch, and they take a seat. He does the same, across them.

“Do we need to talk about this right now? We’re tired, and I have a facetime with Bethy in a few minutes.”

“Well, Bethy will have to wait. This is more important. Listen, girls, I need to ask you a serious question, is that ok?” They both nod. “Ok, when we... asked you earlier about having a brother, why did you answer... that?”

“Answer what?” Charlie says.

“That you didn’t want him. That we were fine just as now. Is it really what you think?”

“I really don’t mind having a brother.” Oli mutters, looking down. Tommy's eyes soften.

“You don’t?”

“Olivia!” Charlie exclaims, visibly upset. “Did you forget already?”

“Uh, wa-- wait, girls? Forget what?” The twins stare at each other, like they can actually communicate without talking. “Hey, tell me.”

“Is not... that we don’t want a brother is... just...” Olivia sighs.

“We don’t want him to go through all that we went through.” Charlie states. “You know, at school.”

And Tommy remembers. Tommy remembers well their first years, when they were pointed at not only for being so similar twins, but because of the little detail of being born from a guy. The only male pregnancy the school ever had, and took them several years to get rid of being the center of attention. The girls suffered a lot, all the love in the world couldn’t stop the fact that, somedays, they came home with teary eyes. Tommy and Evan did all they could to prevent them from that suffering. They still do.

It's not always easy, so they had been focusing in teach them self-auto esteem and respect and love for everyone surrounding them. They taught them to take care of each other, to be each other’s first option to run to, to face their problems with their forehead up. To always tell them if something was going on. To trust them above all things.

And the girls do. Tommy is sure they do.

“We’re going to have a brother, aren’t we?” Charlie asks, irrupting the silence in the living.

“Daddy’s pregnant?” Oli smiles. Tommy can only nod, taking his hand to the mouth, covering an emotional smirk that tries to help him swallowing the painful lump in the throat. “Oh my God... I knew it. We’re really having a brother.”

“Yes, you are. Daddy, he-- we're expecting for a little brother to come and... I know this is going to change all the family dynamics, and I know you’re concerned about him getting bullied or something, but... People are more open now, and--”

“I assume you already know it’s a boy, right?” Charlie says.

“Uh, no, I guess we’ll know in the next ultrasound. But I do like to think it’s a boy.”

“Well, then he’s gonna have two big sisters that will kick the shit out of anyone that dares to say something bad to him.”

“Charlie, you really need to take care of your mouth.” Tommy smiles, holding the tears. “But I’m so glad we could get through this and... that you really are happy with all of this and... Wait, Oli, did you say that you knew it? How did you know?”

“Daddy smells funny. Different. And he’s sleepier, and I heard him rushing to the bathroom to throw up occasionally. I know it because he always flushes and brushes his teeth right after. Who does that every single time?”

“Oh, Oli, that’s quite an ear you have.”

“Besides, he eats oranges all the time. That must be him craving, right?” Oli smiles, like a proud detective explaining the resolved case to the audience. “He’s been having all the symptoms, I Googled it just to be sure, and it said for him it works just the same as for women, so... I think he doesn’t realize it, but the number of oranges is simply ridiculous. You didn’t notice, dad?”

“Well, I--” Tommy frowns, remembering the last time they went to the grocery store. And the times before. At least two or three bags of oranges came with them in the truck. Tommy turns his head to the kitchen. The fruit case on the isle contains only fresh shiny oranges. “I love how perceptive you are. Did you guys know... what he craved when we were expecting you?” They both shakes their heads in denial. “Pistachio ice cream.”

“What?” Charlie exclaims, grinning, and turns to her sister. “No wonder why you are a weirdo. It's daddy’s fault.”

“Well, I had to drive all around the neighborhood looking for it, because back then it was not so easy to find. That was the only thing that calmed him when he was mad at me.”

“He doesn’t get that mad.” Oli laughs. “He’s the good cop, usually. You're the bad one.”

“Oh, wait to deal with him in the next months and you tell me. I guess I’ll be hiding in one of your rooms to escape from his claws.”

“Yeah, and die, dad! I’m not covering you when he gets hormonal. You got him pregnant; you deal with him.”

“Hey, lady! We were supposed to be a team, here!”

“Oh, no, no.” Charlie smiles. “You did this by yourself, you take care of his mood changes. We will... simply enjoy our little brother and teach him all the bad words...”

----------

Evan can’t sleep. He thought he could, after a warm shower, but apparently his body and mind had other plans. He lays down looking at the ceiling, with his hands on his belly, caressing slowly under the fabric of his t-shirt. He never thought of a second pregnancy, he and Tommy never spoke about another child, and decided after a while that was not an option. So, Evan never had the opportunity to wonder if the fears and the questions would be the same that with the first one.

He's discovering they’re not. In so many ways. Evan's not scared of what’s happening to his body, he knows the changes. He lived them all. He knows how to react when the malaise of a morning nausea hits him out of a sudden, he knows how to count to ten when he feels the hormones are speaking on his name, or at least he tries. He is familiar with his growing belly, and the swollen ankles, and the ultrasounds, and the doctor visits. He knows how to expect from his work.

Well, that is taking harder than he thinks.

He feels he’s able to tell his friends and the people around him more freely, because the weight of them discovering he was an Omega and was pregnant, has already been surpassed the first time.

But nothing prepared him to this. To his daughters rejecting this baby.

"What are we gonna do, baby boy?” He whispers, pressing the finger on his skin. “We need your sisters to love you as much and your dad and I do.”

Ten minutes, one hour? He’s not sure. He gets up again and bare feet walk through the hallway, hearing a distant conversation. He can see the girls’ heads behind the couch backrest, and Tommy seated in the armchair. Tommy is smiling. Evan takes a step to his side, against the wall, and sharps his ear to hear them.

“Most important thing, you need to show your daddy all the love and the support. He needs us, more than ever, and we have to stick together as the family-- No, as the pack we are. Because that’s what we are. A pack.”

“And next full moon we’re gonna reunite in the roof top to howl together.” Charlie laughs, her dark curls shaking in rhythm.

“That sounds fun!” Oli exclaims.

“C’mon, are you serious? That pistachio ice cream really froze your brain when we were inside daddy.”

“Charlie, please.” Tommy whispers, squinting. “Less, can you? We’re having a moment, here...”

“Can I be part of this moment?” Evan speaks, taking a few steps ahead. Before he can notice, he’s tackled by two teenagers, that wrap their arms around him and press hard in a tight hug.

“Easy, girls.” Tommy smiles. “We want your brother to stay in there at least six more months.”

“Daddy, we’re so happy!” Oli cries, her cheek pressed on his chest. “I knew it, I knew it!”

Evan frowns, searching for answers in Tommy’s direction, who just gestures in sealing his lips with a zip.

“I’m sorry for what I said earlier.” Charlie speaks with her mouth against his body, making her words come deformed. “We’re so happy to have a little brother.”

“Oh, my babies...” Evan smiles, tears rolling down his face. “You make me so happy, you know that?”

“Us and dad, right?” Charlie says, hiding her face under his arms. Evan knows some fugitive tears appeared on her eyes that she doesn’t want to show.

“Yeah, and Luca.” Oli adds.

“Who’s Luca?” Evan asks, running his fingers on his daughter’s long hair. Tommy always says that, if Evan let his hair grow that long, it would look exactly like hers. Dark blond and full of beautiful curls with wavy ends.

“Our brother’s name. It's Italian like half of dad’s family, and it fits him well, doesn’t it?” She turns his head up to face him. Full pink lips and big blue eyes under a birthmark. Olivia is true reflection of himself.

“I think it’s a little early to be choosing names.” Tommy intervenes. “Why don’t we wait until--?”

“Until someone suggests something better than that!” Charlie exclaims, and they laugh.

----------

One month later, the ultrasound reveals they’re expecting a boy. Tommy can’t be happier about the fact that his hunch was real. Evan likes to fight with him, saying he was sure it was a girl, but secretly he’s even more excited. His first thought is to run to the paint store and choose the shade of blue he loves so much, but then he remembers last time arranging the baby’s room. He decides to surprise Tommy with his favorite aqua tone, and they get help from the girls to transform the guest’s room in the new family member’s.

“You are aware that’s not aqua, aren’t you?”, Tommy exclaims after opening the first paint can.

“H-how coud-- I chose it myself! If not aqua, what is it, smartass?” Evan tilts his head, hands on his hips.

“This is mint! And you like mint ice cream, you should’ve known better.”

Evan’s mouth drops, as Tommy takes his cellphone and shows him a Pantone green guide of shades, not dropping the paint cover from his other hand.

“Ok, first of all, mint is not a color, is just an ice cream, you said it yourself. And second, Mr. I-know-the-difference-between-lilac-and-violet, I’ll come back to the store and change it, is that ok? No big deal.”

Tommy frowns, taking a glance at the cover.

“What? Mint is a plant, not an ice cream, if you care. And everyone knows the differ-- Ok, Evan, no need to change it. Mint is just fine. It's softer. I like it, do you like it?” When Evan nods, Tommy passes his finger over the paint in the cover and brushes it on Evan’s nose, laughing. “Now you match with our son’s room.”

Evan cleans it with the back of his hand and observes the paint there.

“I like hearing you say that. Makes me feel young again.”

“We are young, my love. We still have a lot of years ahead of us to enjoy.”

Tommy pulls him close, and they share a brief kiss. Next thing he knows, Evan’s hand is spreading all over his face a cool heavy liquid, which he confirms is green paint, when Evan laughs hard and runs from that room.

“I’m not chasing, you, Evan! Don't think I’ll be cleaning paint from all over the house!”

----------

Everyone is so excited with the good news. Of course, Maddie tells them she had her suspicions, since that day he fainted in Athena’s house, but mostly because he didn’t accept a perfect home-made margarita. Knowing his brother, that’s a lot to say.

Hen finally gives him a moment at the 118 to announce it, having her mouth closed as a personal favor to him, until the third month passes and things look safe and calm to their future. He's forbidden to get in the firetrucks again, but he can continue to attend small calls on the fire van or near the station, with the promise that, at the first sense of bad things going on, he would inform it to her and obey in whatever she decides to do.

And that dynamic works for both parts. Hen can trust more in Evan’s actions, and he get used to trust more in her will. She's the Captain, after all.

They don’t share it with people outside the Station, only to the Fire Chief, because of protocol, but every now and then, Hen gets a call from someone asking about the pregnant firefighter under her command. She hangs up on every one of them.

-------------

"Captain Kinard, I need a few words with you".

Under his office door frame, the Fire Chief, holding the hat under his arm. Tommy stood up immediately. He hated surprise visits. Behind him, Eddie gestured to be sorry he couldn’t stop him.

"You tell me what I’m good for, Chief."

"Take a seat, I won’t be long. The other day Captain Wilson from the 118 reported a pregnant element in between her subordinates. Funny thing is the element resulted to be a male." Tommy tensed his hands on the arm rests of his chair. "Firefighter Buckley, I know you’re familiar with him."

"Familiar? He’s my husband, Chief, and that’s public knowledge."

"Yeah, I know it is..."

"So, you would be right to assume I’m the father of that baby. In fact, we already have kids, Chief, and I’m aware that’s vox populi, too."

"I must admit I know that now. I was providing services in another State by that time, and once you become the Fire Chief, so much information come to you, that you pass certain things". Tommy squints.

"You came by to congratulate me, Sir? Because if so, you should do that with him, as well. But I don’t think you go around every Station greeting female elements on their pregnancy, do you?"

"Watch how you refer to me, Captain Kinard."

"My apologies, Chief. But I won’t tolerate anyone coming here to sneak on the curious case of Kinard’s husband, am I clear? Not from a recruit, and of course not from you... uh, Sir. If you came to point something relevant of my performance in command of this Station, I’m all ears and it’ll be more than welcomed, if not... I’ll tell him the Fire Chief sent his greetings, so he can feel a little more observed."

"No need of being on the defensive here, Captain Kinard. I’m not attacking you, so you don’t have to retract like a prey."

"Oh, I’m not a prey, Sir. I’m more like a wolf, if you allow me. And I’ll defend my family with teeth and claws if I have to." For a moment, the Chief studied him in silence, not sure if, across him, was one of the bravest Captains he ever commanded, or a total lunatic.

Tommy is gone in his thoughts when his office door knocks. It opens slowly, before he can even allow the person to come in. Eddie's there, big eyes studying the situation.

“Tommy, are you ok? I’ve been knocking for a while now, I thought you were not here.”

“I’m fine, I just... What happened, Eddie?”

“The first recruit aspirant is here for his interview. Shall I make him come in?”

“Y-yeah. What time is it?”

“It’s almost three. He came fifteen minutes early. And... just for the record, my shift ends now.” Tommy raises his eyebrows. “Meaning I’m going to your house, remember? To visit my nieces?”

“What? Yeah, you can totally do that. Why are you telling me like if asking for permission? They’re your nieces, man.”

“Well, last time we had a similar conversation, you told me to stay--”

“Ok, Eddie. You can go. My girls love you being there, Evan loves you being there. Not big deal.”

“What if I... cross any boundary I’m not fully aware of?”

“You asking me this make me stay more alert that the simple fact of you going home.” Tommy smiles. “But I can always smell him, you know. Him and you... Now, my friend, make that poor victim come in. Suddenly I’m eager for blood.”

One moment later, in front of him is seating a slim man, with grey bags under his eyes. But he doesn’t seem in fact tired, it’s more like long battle eyebags.

“So, tell me, why did you want to become a firefighter, at the first place?”

“Oh, I always wanted to be one, since I was a kid. It's the closest to be a hero, isn’t it?”

“Well, it’s a way of seeing it. We're so much more than TV heroes, buddy. We're public servers, we do it for the altruistic heart that beat inside of us.” Tommy looks vaguely through his papers, his family data, his school, his studies. He stops at his medical record. Everything seems fine. Too fine, to be true. “Why did it take you so long to decide and applicate for a vacancy, son? You're almost thirty. You think you can keep up the pace of the daily training to the test? This is a physically demanding job.”

“I’m almost thirty, is not like I’m fifty or anything...” He makes a pause, eyes wide open. “I-I mean...”

“It’s fine. I eat young recruits like you for breakfast, so.”

“Ok, can we erase the last two sentences, please? Go back to what you asked before the age part... Sir?”

“We can do that. I asked you why you waited until now to apply.

“Yes, that. Well, my life was kinda complicated, I guess? I lived under the shadows of my partner all my life, and it wasn’t until he died that I was able to fully chase this dream of mine.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. My condolences.”

“Don’t be, he was a bit of an asshole. Oh, I’m sorry for my French, sir.”

“It’s ok. You are going to watch it if we get to choose you, though.” Tommy goes back to the first page on his folder. “Francis McHammond.”

He smiles; eyes empty.

“Frank. You can call me Frank, Sir.”

----------

Chapter Text

----------

Evan has to watch his way down the truck when they park in the enormous open space outside the harbor. The wind hits him and the girls with force, so they need to secure her long hair while they hurry their steps under the Station. Evan closes the truck and grabs his belly, automatically, as if in the last couple of weeks, it has exploded in a bulky round ball he has to carry around wherever he goes. It's a crazy thought, but sometimes he’s afraid it would just not stay in its place. The baby is heavier than he remembers, even though, last time, there were two of them inside. Or maybe it’s him, and his back that’s been counting years and adventures along with the rest of his body.

Eddie's there, receiving the twins with a double hug.

“My favorite nieces came to visit me!” He exclaims, kissing each one of them.

“You are meaning it this time, right? Because now we have a new kid in the family.”

“We don’t want him taking our place with you.”

“He could never take your place, girls.” Eddie smiles, as Evan approaches. “You see? You’re my favorite nieces, but he... he will be my favorite nephew, and that’s a totally different thing.”

“Make sense to me.” Evan says, hugging him, too.

“Hey, how’s Eduardo?”

“We’re not calling him Eduardo, Eddie. How are we going to refer to him, as Eddie?”

“That’s actually a pretty cool nickname, man. So, are these two beautiful ladies ready to spend tonight with your cousin and the best Uncle ever?”

“You really want us there tonight, or you’re just doing our dads a favor?”

“Charlie!” Evan grumbles her. “What the hell?”

“What? It's true. We understand you guys need a free night to spend it in... ok, whatever you do when you are alone.”

“Babies.” Oli giggles. “They make babies.”

“Ugh, stop putting ideas in my head, Oli!” Charlie covers her ears, playfully. “Enough that we have to see them smooching all day, and now you make me imagine what they do when we’re not there!”

“Unless you like to think, parents are not asexual. How do you think our brother is there now?”

“God, I know they’re not asexual, I just didn’t want to imagine them doing it.”

“You know, girls? Sex between two grown up adults it’s--” Eddie speaks, and his eyes go to Evan, who’s eyes open wide, for him to change the subject. “I mean, I really don’t need you to explain to you what sex is, I’m sure that you’ve--” Evan rolls his eyes, and now is gesturing to cut his own throat. “Alright, who wants a soda? I know I’m dying to get one.”

“Yes, that’s much better.” Evan sighs. "I’m going to kill you", and "What? I’m sorry", is a conversation they have just by looking at each other, as Eddie disappears to the lounge with the girls.

He doesn’t even have to ask for permission to go to Tommy’s office. Everyone there knows him, and he waves his hand to a few persons as his steps climb heavily the stairs that separates him from the second floor. Once he reaches up, takes a moment to adjust his back. Taking his hands to his hips, he stretches back his body, long and lazy, and it seems like a magical remedy. He turns his neck to both sides, releasing the tension, and his eyes open in the meantime. He observes someone at the distance.

Evan squints his eyes for a better look. A guy he doesn’t know, but reminds him of someone. Or so he thinks.

“Evan?” Tommy’s voice catches him by surprise. “What are you looking at?”

He turns, smiling. Tommy stands with the door open, looking even more handsome than usual, in his Captain uniform.

“Nothing, really. I'm taking the girls to the movies with their friends, and then Eddie’s gonna pick them up, remember? We passed by for them to see you.”

Tommy looks both ways of the hallway. Shorts the distance between them and grabs Evan from the open jacket, dragging him inside the office. The door shuts down loud with Evan’s back against it, while Tommy catches his lips in a hungry kiss, locking him in between his arms.

“Suddenly you made me remember why the girls’ staying with Eddie tonight.”

“You didn’t ask for it, but I know you’d appreciate a whole night just for us.”

Tommy rubs his nose on Evan neck, filling his brain with those fresh baked buns, and he literally can feel as if claws were growing sharp instead of his nails.

“I already brought some stuff to cook later--”

“Who is thinking of dinner?” Tommy growls, tracing a wet path with his tongue toward his mouth, where he uses it to open Evan’s lips and get in, finding another tongue to dance with.

“Mhm, Tom--” Evan’s mouth is prisoner of a pair of lips that doesn't let him speak properly. “Tommy.”

“Can we not wait until tonight?” Tommy whines, taking Evan’s hand to his crotch. “I’m hard as hell, baby, I--”

“And you’re the boss here, and this is your office. Not to mention that anybody could come in at any second.”

Tommy stares at him, jumping from his lips to his eyes, hectic.

“You make me so horny, kid. You... this...” His hand rests on Evan’s belly, cupping it and lowering his path to his fly. “I’m not the only one horny here, I see...”

“I’m not made of stone, Tommy.” Evan chuckles. “And I’d really love you to lock this door, empty your desk from a sweep and climb me over it to give me the fuck of my life--”

“Oh, God, Evan!” Tommy cries, sinking again in his neck. The simple idea Evan’s forming in his mind makes his cock push strong against the uniform fabric, until it hurts. He needs to contain himself if he really doesn’t wanna take a real bite from that neck.

“--But you need to hold that thought for tonight, ok?” Evan searches to meet his eyes, drunk and raptured.

“Yeah, right...” Tommy agrees, looking exhausted. “Just... give me a second before I go down to meet the girls, ok? I’ll meet you there. And... you don’t have to use the stairs, baby, we got the elevator for that.”

“You got an elevator?” Evan exclaims. “And I climbed all those steps?”

“They just installed it last week. As the City Program of Public Building being more accessible, seems like every structure with more than one floor needs to have installed and working an elevator. They didn’t say anything at the 118?”

“Well, yeah, I know the program. Guess we’re still waiting for out turn, right?”

“Sorry I forgot to tell you, baby.”

“Yeah, you and every single one I greeted when I got here today.” Evan snorts.

“We don’t use it that much, and it’s something still kinda new, so...”

Evan presses the Down button, once inside the elevator, thanking he doesn't need to take the stairs again. Lately he’s been more afraid of taking a wrong step and end up rolling down in a tragic accident.

When the doors open before him, the strange guy is looking at him, from across the station. He turns his head fast, getting behind one of the firetrucks.

----------

“Ok, say goodbye to your dad.” Evan says, after a while, when he’s right on time to take them to the movies. They can spot the truck parked from the entrance of the Station, and Tommy smiles at the simple thought of imagine Evan driving with that huge bulk between him and the steering wheel.

“Have fun at the movies and say hi to Chris for me.” Tommy smiles. “And don’t make your Uncle grumble.”

“Technically we have to take care of him.” Charlie drops. “But, don’t worry, dad. Chris and us, we know where he keeps the good stuff. And by good stuff, I mean those swiss chocolates Bobby brought him from his last travel to Europe.”

“What?” Eddie exclaims. “I don’t have a secret place to keep the good stuff!”

“Over the fridge, inside the cat food can.” They recite in unison.

“You never had a cat.” Tommy marks.

“You need to change your treat secret stash, Eddie.” Evan shrugs. “Ok, ladies, wait for me in the car. Eddie, so you pick them after the movies?”

“Yeah, man. Don't worry. My shift ends in a couple hours, so that won’t be any problem. I'll drop them by your place after lunch, tomorrow. How about that? You two enjoy your free night.” Eddie puts his hand on Evan’s shoulder. “You eat something nice, have a few drinks... Well, not you, evidently. And most of all, enjoy each other.”

“That we can do.” Evan smiles.

“Eddie, don’t you have some toilet that needs to be tooth-brush-scrubbed?” Tommy asks, not taking his eyes from Evan, with a deep tone that makes him shiver a bit.

“Yeah, sure. I can do that.” Eddie sighs, taking his hand from Evan’s shoulder. They share a brief hug. “Ok, man. Take care. Enjoy your night, and... I promise not to call you if anything happens.” A quick wink before he goes.

“I know what you are doing with him.” Evan murmurs, stepping closer to Tommy. “He’s a Beta, he can’t disobey you.”

“It should be having same effect in you, though.”

“But it doesn’t. Because you don’t want that.” Next words are almost whispered, as Evan wraps Tommy’s shoulders for a hug. “You love me being in control.”

“And you love to have it.” Tommy mutters, receiving a kiss on his cheek.

“I can’t wait for tonight.” Another kiss. Evan looks over Tommy’s shoulder and spots the same strange guy again. He frowns, separating a bit. “Hey, who’s that guy?”

“Who?” Tommy looks back, and suddenly the guy is not facing them, wiping something from the engine truck with a yellow cloth. “Him? Oh, that’s the newest recruit, McHammond. He’s a little odd, but doesn’t cause major problems. Why?” Evan can’t keep his eyes from him. “You know him?”

“N-no, or... well, yes-- I don’t know? I’m not sure.” He babbles. “H-he reminds me of someone.”

“Maybe someone from a call? We meet a lot of different people.”

“Yeah, maybe...” Evan observes the guy a few more seconds, then his eyes rest on Tommy’s, and he can swear those eyes smile. “So, I better get going. I need to get ready for my date tonight.”

“Oh, you got a date?” Tommy smiles, suiting the front of his jacket. Then his hand caresses softly his big belly. “Doesn’t your date mind of this...?”

“Nah, he has a kink for pregnant guys.”

“I kinda envy him, right now.”

"Yeah, you should, because he’s having a super delicious dinner at my place and then...” Evan licks his lips. “He’s gonna get some good... cookie... for dessert...”

“Ok, Evan, you should go, now.” Tommy clears his throat.

Evan smiles, blowing him a kiss on his way out.

“Excuse me, Captain Kinard?” Tommy turns to the voice calling him. Next to him, Frank fidgets with the yellow cloth. “Is that your family?” He nods, watching the truck directing to the fences. “Firefighter, too?”

“Actually, yeah, how did you know?”

“I guessed? Captain, this is an awkward question but, is he…? He looks…”

“Pregnant? Yeah, almost seven months now.” Tommy turns to look at him, arms crossed. “You don’t seem weirded out at all.”

“Well, let’s say I know some close cases. And if you allow me, I gotta say it’s a beautiful family you got. You should be proud.”

“Thank you, probie.” Tommy smiles. “I really am.”

----------

Evan opens the kitchen water tap and rinses the nitril gloves protecting his hands. A couple of shakes and the gloves can be left to dry on the drainer. He hates the smell of oranges in his fingers. But he can’t help himself to eat one or two when the crave control his mind. He tried to use a knife and fork for avoiding the smelly citric oil, but it didn’t really work out.

He takes a look around: the lasagna already in the oven, waiting for Tommy to get home to be grilled, the green salad ready and the table set, in a romantic style with some flowers in the center and the silverwear they keep for special occasions. This is a special occasion, he thinks, lowering the lights a bit, proud of the intimate mood he has created for his husband.

“Ok, Luca, so after dinner, I’m gonna ask you to keep your eyes closed and sing out loud that Lady Gaga song I taught you the other day, remember it? The one that says I’m your biggest fan, I follow you until you love me..., alright? Your dad and I have some adult business to attend.”

Evan wipes his hands in the apron and takes it off, leaving it on the hanger. The new plum shirt fits him good; well, better than anyone he already has, but he only hopes Tommy likes it. He nervously arranges the buttons in the cuffs and suits his collar. Is not too much, is it? He adjusts the fabric to his round belly and sighs, letting it loose again, trying not to feel ridiculous. Only he’s not. Tommy will love it. Will he?

The front door opens.

“Don’t turn the light!” He exclaims, his heart racing.

“Hey, handsome.” Tommy smiles, kissing him, and then kneeling to leave a kiss on his belly. “Woah, you look amazing, baby, I don’t remember this fancy shirt.”

“That is because I bought it today. None of mine fit me, and I wanted to look nice for you. Is it too much?” Tommy smiles tender, moved by how nervous Evan is. After all this time. “L-let me... put the dinner--”

“I could say you’re the most beautiful guy in the whole world, but that wouldn’t be doing you any justice, so... You look stunning, Evan.”

“Ok...” He relaxes a bit, smirking. “I’ll pour you a glass of wine, alright?”

“Please.” Tommy answers too fast, taking his jacket off. “This is a nice table you set here.”

“Is red wine ok?” Evan opens the wine cooler and takes a bottle. “I bought a Pinot Noir.”

“Ooh, someone knows his wines...”

“Haha, I don’t, I-I just told the seller what I was cooking, and she recommended that one.”

“Ok, works for me. Don't do this too often, Evan. I can get used to this very easy.”

“It’s my duty to spoil you, sometimes. Go, wash your hands. Dinner's ready in five minutes.”

----------

A pair of hands hug him from behind. Evan closes his eyes, smelling the chocolate cupcakes before feeling Tommy’s head resting over his shoulder.

“Leave that...” He murmurs, with a deep breath, and his hands run up and down slowly over Evan’s big belly.”

“I’m just... letting it soak for the dishwasher...”

Those same strong hands grab him from the hips and turns him around, splashing with water everything close to them. Tommy probes to reach out to the tap and closes it.

“Tommy...”

“We can do that tomorrow.” He whispers, kissing him, and opens the lowest buttons of the plum shirt. “I need you, Evan. I want to make you happy. Want to make you feel good... Do you want to feel good?”

Tommy's expert hands keep unbuttoning his way up, moving aside the fabric for him to have access to that delicious skin.

“Uhu--” Evan murmurs, grabbing Tommy’s neck, and before their mouths meet, he kisses Tommy’s jawline, and his cheeks, and his chin.

Evan gestures to fully take his shirt, but Tommy stops him.

“Leave it on. Let's go to the room.”

“No room, tonight.” Evan smiles, between Tommy’s lips. “You are gonna fuck me in the couch, and I’m gonna be as loud as I want, because we have the house.... all to ourselves...”

“Please, Evan, I love when you talk like that.”

“You do? Well, I need a hand, right now, so get on your knees and take my pants off...”

Tommy's eyes go red with lust, disappearing from Buck's sight, and focused on his task, he loses those pants lowering them to his heels. Evan helps himself, resting his hands on the counter, to lift each foot as Tommy remove his shoes and socks. The pants fly away, he’s not sure in which direction.

They clumsily dance their way to the couch, Tommy helping him to rest on his back.

“Is it ok?” Tommy asks, fluffing a cushion on his head.

“I’m ok!” Evan exclaims, breathing hard, as he pulls down his underwear. “Just come here!”

Tommy does. He practically rips his cloth and takes Evan’s underwear to free them from his feet. They laugh, as Tommy leans in to kiss him again. His cock is already rock hard, as the kissing trail begins, covering Evan’s chest, spending a beautiful bunch of seconds in each one, and continues down his belly.

“Now, Lady Gaga, remember? Now’s the time...” Evan whispers, turning his head up in a wave of pleasure that makes his cock tilt.

“What?” Tommy lifts his head, confused.

“Nothing, go on.” Evan frowns, looking down. He barely can see Tommy’s eyes showing behind his bulky stomach. A deep moan emerges from his throat when he feels the warm breath of Tommy on his crotch, and a wet tongue brushing the length of his cock, only to be complete captured by a hot moisty mouth.

Evan loves when Tommy takes care of him. Loves how tender and aggressive he can be sucking up and down, making sure Evan doesn’t explode in extasy before he knows he’s enjoyed enough.

“You want me to work tonight...” Tommy murmurs, passing a finger close to Evan’s entrance. “You want me to work and enjoy as I finger you.”

“You’ll have the whole experience.” Evan smirks, licking his lips.

“Oh, I’m not complaining then.”

Tommy incorporates and gently pulls Evan from his hips a little closer, extending one leg to rest over the couch’s backrest and one on the coffee table. He needs all the space he can to get his job done properly.

First, he goes down again to kiss the base of Evan’s cock, something simple he knows drives Evan totally crazy. A few messy kisses that continue with a nice session of ball-licking, accompanied by some soft strokes of his cock. A louder moan echoing in the living room approves him to go on. Evan is moving slow over the couch, curling his toes, like if waves of pleasure took control of his arms, his legs, his back.

Tommy incorporates, breathing fast.

“Baby, the angle is not right, I’m--”

“I know.”

“Gonna have to--”

“I know, it’s ok. Don’t stop, please. The lube is under the coffee table.”

Tommy nods. A generous amount of cold, sticky lube is spread on his fingers. He makes sure of cover them well, and manages to lean over Evan and kiss him one more time.

“It’s gonna be cold, baby.” He whispers, and Evan nods slightly, before he gropes for his way inside him. He pushes one finger inside, softly, capturing Evan’s gasp with another kiss. “You like that?” He asks, moving it in and out, until the lube quickly warms up. Evan nods again, in between irregular breathes. “You want another one, baby?”

“Put them all.” He mutters, with a whimper. Tommy smiles.

One finger becomes three, searching for a tight space that doen’t need that much time to fit perfect for them.

“My hungry baby, are you ready for me? Do you want me to fuck you now?”

“Yes.” He says, automatically, but then he opens his eyes. “Wait.”

“What happened?” Tommy asks, watching him leaning on his elbows. He doesn’t want to, but he has to retire his sticky fingers.

“Let’s switch the position, my back--”

“Of course. What makes you comfortable.”

A moment later, Evan’s on his knees, over the couch, resting his elbows on the backrest and his belly against it. Tommy's delighted by the nice view this position gives him, and he doesn’t doubt for a second to lean in and pull the shirt fabric up so he can kiss his back, making a trail toward his ass cheeks. He doesn’t even have to ask, he know Evan’s ready.

Tommy strokes himself a couple of times, before aligning it with that sweet entrance before him, and pushes a bit. Evan tenses his whole body, with a deep breath, letting his head hang between his arms. After Tommy waits for him to adjust, and pushes a bit deeper, he lets the air out. That feels good. Is not that long since the last time they had sex, but for some reason, not being attached to their bed gives Evan a sense of excitement beyond expected. Knowing Tommy’s behind him, fucking him standing on his feet, in the middle of the living room, with the lights on and the dirty dishes still to do gives it a new flavor. Evan loves to be free to scream, and that’s exactly what he does when Tommy finally thrusts him with all his length.

The way Evan screams takes hot rushes of heat direct to the base of his cock, commanding him to go deeper. He hugs him from behind, holding strong to his hips, when he begins to move fast. Each thrust gives him new waves of warm pleasure to his core, and Tommy needs to concentrate he wants to last a bit more.

Tommy leans a little over, extending his arms to grab Evan’s cock, and is amazed to find it hard and pumping under his fingers, like begging to be stroked. And that’s what he does, tearing some loud groans from Evan’s throat.

Feels like a continuous cycle between them: Tommy moves faster to make him moan, and when he hears him, it’s like nitro fuel to his running engine. So he rewards Evan with more powerful thrusts, and then the chaos. Out of nowhere, while Tommy’s practically breathing on Evan’s neck, he feels the sudden rush of bite him. He swears he feels imaginary fangs growing in his mouth, and has the urge to sink them in the soft smelly skin, as if he’s gonna take a bit on the fresh baked buns. That single thought freaks him out, but at the same time, makes him lose his mind.

Evan cums into Tommy’s hand, exploding gooey and hot between his fingers, while he’s still being fucked, and helps himself to incorporate from the backrest, to join his back with Tommy’s stomach.

His dirty hand is trapped when he tries to retire it. Tommy watches fascinated how Evan takes that hand to his mouth and sucks his fingers, licking the palm and all the remains he can find.

Evan turns his head to his side and cups Tommy’s nape to pull him in for a kiss, and Tommy can sense the texture and taste the flavor in his tongue: he swallows part of Evan’s cum, and that fires him a ray of heat to his cock, which he can’t control anymore.

Tommy shoots strong inside him, with shaky spasms of pleasure running through his nerves, and for a moment his muffled mind can only hear his own heartbeats.

“Are... you ok... baby?” He gasps, even before thinking in letting himself fall in the couch. He steps back slowly, helping his cock on the way out.

“Better than ok.” Evan smiles, looking back.

“Here, let me help you.” Tommy murmurs, cupping his belly as Evan seats correctly on the couch. “There, do you need anything?”

“I’m fine...” Evan hums, pulling the arms of his shirt to take it off, and fights without any strength to remove it from below his back. He's actually seated on part of it. Tommy helps releasing the shirt from Evan’s ass and throws it away, taking place next to him.

Evan's eyes are closed, peacefully smiling like you can only smile after a good discharge of energy and contained emotions, and lets himself lay on his side, resting the head on Tommy’s lap.

“What did you say about Lady Gaga before?” He asks, playing with Evan’s curls, when that curious phrase he heard comes to his mind.

“I was talking to Luca...” He murmurs, after a few seconds, visibly sleepy.

“Luca...” Tommy repeats, tasting it. “So, did you already choose it?”

“Oli did.” A couple of sleepy breaths. “And now… I only can call him… that...”

Tommy thinks for a second. He can totally see Luca for their son. He tells Evan he likes the name, but Evan is already snoring in his lap.

Tommy can’t help but think of his previous biting urge.

----------

Chapter Text

----------

The same snores that left Tommy speaking to himself last night are the ones who wake him up next morning. The couch is spread open as a bed, with a vague sheet covering the rough fabric, and the cushions as pillows. Evan's on his side, immune to the bright sun rays illuminating the living room. Tommy yawns, stretching his legs and arms, and shivers a little. Evan took all the blanket.

Scratching his hair, he directs his lazy steps to the bathroom, passing by the open door of each girl’s room and the baby’s. Luca. Oli chose it, and for some reason, Evan too. Suddenly the blurry face of his son brewing inside his husband has a name. And he already adores it.

Tommy pushes softly Luca’s room door and stares with proud to the mint walls. One thing that Tommy’s learnt through the years is to make the best of their mistakes. Of Evan’s mistakes, which he loves so much. The mint color really brings to life what he sees in his mind when he thinks of his son.

He remembers Evan hanging the matching curtains, one of the last details. The crib, also made by them, just like they did with the twins, the shelves with already some plushies their friends gifted. Before his eyes, on the wall over the crib, Tommy can imagine a banner made of wooden letters, with the name LUCA in it.

He closes the door behind him on his way out, and something catches his attention, as he heads to the bathroom in his bedroom. The beige handtowel is on the floor, next to the door frame. Tommy rubs his neck, picking it up, and a slight headache pumps to his head. How much of that exquisite wine did he take last night?

Leaving the towel on the laundry basket, he searches for an aspirin and some baking soda for his heartburn. In the monumental silence of the house he takes a pee, snorting to the fact that he’s doing it with the bathroom and the bedroom doors wide open and no teenagers knocking because they need anything from him.

Evan's toothbrush is on the sink, under a thin waterflow coming from the not totally closed tap. Tommy frowns. Evan's always too careful with his hygiene elements, so he must have been really sleepy when he got last night up from the couch after a quick nap and went to brush his teeth. Tommy offered to already go to bed, but Evan wanted to spend the night in that couch, so he took advantage of that moment to spread the couch into its bed shape and adjust a fresh sheet over it. The TV blanket seemed enough to cover them both.

But the blanket disappeared in the middle of the night, when an unconscious Evan wrapped himself in it on his turn around, and Tommy didn’t dare to wake up and fight for his part of the blanket, but was also too tired to go for a new one.

Tommy smiles. Evan's still sleeping, one arm under the pillow, the other resting on his belly. And of course, cocoon-wrapped over his chest in the blanket. Below the couch he sees the underwear he helped get rid of last night. Where are my clothes?, he thinks, glancing around. The coffee table is partly moved from its place, and the almost empty Pinot Noir bottle sticks to the glass cover with a dry stain of wine. Then his eyes move further on the floor. The glass he used is overturned, spilled a little on the rug. Ok, I’m not liking this. Tommy picks up the glass and the bottle of wine and heads to the kitchen.

The scene is no better there. The sink is full of the still soaking dishes. Tommy trips over with Evan’s pants and shoes on his way to put the glass on the sink, and tries to hold to the edge of the counter, forgetting he is still grabbing the bottle, which slips out like butter and crashes against the floor. Pieces of glass and remains of red wine splatter over the kitchen isle, the undercounter cabinets, Evan’s pants, his legs and bare feet.

“Dammit!” He exclaims, stepping back. He needs the broom. And his slippers.

“Tommy...?” Like on a call, his senses alert.

“Don’t come!” He yells, stepping away from the disaster to a safe zone.

Evan's standing on the other side of the kitchen isle, fully covered with the blanket, with a silly smile and big sleepy bags under his eyes. With that and the messy curls, Tommy swears Evan is a professional in looking cuter every time he sees him.

“What happened...?”

“Nothing, babe.” Tommy hugs him, warm belly between them, and kisses his forehead before Evan lets the head rest on tommy’s shoulder. He can’t be more chewable, with sleepy face and drowsy movements. Evan sighs, as if pretending to continue his sleeping hours over him.

“What time is it...?” Dull voice comes to Tommy’s ears.

“Time for you to wash your face and eat something? Want some orange juice? I bet we got some oranges in the fridge.” Evan smiles, stepping back and rubbing his eyes with the blanket. “You can’t be more adorable, can you?” Tommy murmurs.

“And you look pretty sexy doing morning chores in your birthday suit.”

Tommy looks down to his naked body, as Evan goes away. He could search for his clothe and get dressed, but what the hell.

----------

“So naked breakfast, today?” Evan asks, freshly showered, as he takes seat on the table. Tommy, wearing nothing but Evan’s apron, pours some scrambled eggs on both plates. Sliced fruit, toast, and a big jar of orange juice adorn the morning table, but Evan can’t help to stare at Tommy’s naked ass as he turns to leave the pan on the stove. Bacon comes next. “Oh, no bacon for me, thanks. I’m feeling kinda heavy today.”

“How did Luca wake up?” Tommy asks, after taking seat across him. Evan’s face lights up. They stare at each other for a moment, both smiling.

“He had a busy night, you know? He kicked a little, woke me up a couple of times.”

“You need to wake me up next, I can’t believe I still haven’t felt him move.”

“Oh, you’ll feel him soon, he’s quite a kicker. Maybe he’ll play soccer, he’s got strong legs.” Evan smirks, pouring himself some juice.

“Maybe he’ll be a dancer.” Tommy smiles foolishly, leaning close to him.

“Or maybe he’ll be a pilot.” Evan mirrors him, until their noses almost touch.

“Or a great cook.” Tommy steals a quick kiss.

Evan laughs, returning to his position, and grabs a toast.

“You know...? I kinda missed this, between us. Having the house to ourselves, like back when we moved in together... Walk around naked, taking our time, careless....”

“I know what you mean, I love our girls, but... the house in silence is... How much until they turn eighteen?”

“I was...” Evan eyes lost in his memories. “I was remembering the first time the girls spend the night out, at that sleep over in the kindergarten. We were...”

“... exhausted.” Tommy smirks. “We lay on the bed to rest our feet...”

“... and slept all afternoon.” Evan completes the phrase.

“We barely did one or two of the hundred things we wanted. We planned on so many pending chores, and we slept them all.” Tommy makes a pause, drinking some juice. “Speaking of kindergarten, do you remember their teacher? Ms. Davies?” He gestures over his head. “The one with the...”

“The crazy hair? Yeah, I remember her, she was like a horny dog after you!”

“Excuse me? Evan, that woman was definitely crazy about you!”

“Well, she did use to say only cute parents to create cute children.” Evan recites.

“Do you think she still be... there when Luca begins his classes? She would go nuts.”

“Don’t think so... I just think that... so much has been going on since then. Still, I can’t believe how Eddie knew I was pregnant even before I did, and how the hell could I-- we, get along with that absurd idea of... having the girls... And how our lives changed forever and...”

“And how we got to learn about hair styles and boy’s problems and tried not to freak out when Oli came that day with her underwear stained, thinking she got hurt...”

“Tried not to freak out?” Evan laughs. “If I remember well, you hid in the bathroom and left me with a confused girl looking at me like I had all the answers. Lucky me, I already had that guiding conversation with Maddie, so I wouldn’t screw up with her!”

“And you did a wonderful job! I always tell you so, don’t I?”

“Yeah, you do...” Evan makes a pause, thoughtful. “Anyways, do you realize that even though the girls turn eighteen and move out this house, we wouldn’t be totally alone?”

“Mhm.” Tommy suddenly opens his eyes. “Oh, my God. We need to ask Eddie to keep the girls another night.”

----------

That free morning is all they need to establish as theirs every single corner they can get to. From a lazy kissing session on the on the kitchen isle --Tommy's still amazed on how Evan’s strong arms allow him to climb his whole weight over the counter--, to a silly slow dance along their own music on their way to the bedroom. Evan stands under the doorframe, observing in silence as Tommy shaves, as their daughters used to do when they were just little kids.

“If you keep staring me like that, I’m gonna end up cutting my ear, Evan.” Tommy mutters, eyes fixed on the mirror, as the slides the old fashion blade under his chin. He rinses it and continues with his chin. With that, and the gray hair getting lighter each time, Evan can’t help to think on the passage of time. It’s so weird to be able to actually see the physical changes, and all the things they conquer within the years, but still feel like they’re the same guys that met over a cruise ship rescue.

“No electric shaver today?”

“I got time.” Tommy states. “Besides, I know how much you love when I use this.”

“You’re right on that.”

“And I’m sure the girls got that habit of watching me shave from you. You used to do that all the time, and then they began to do it.”

“And you never got a peaceful shaving day.” Tommy finishes with his other cheek and leans in over the sink to rinse his face. Evan comes close. “And now the professional will proceed to approve.” He grabs Tommy’s face and leaves a soft kiss in his right cheek. “Perfect.” He whispers, kissing the left one. “Perfect, too.” Then he kisses his chin. “This is... I think I need a double check out.” Evan kisses it again. “Yes, perfect job for someone who has been deliberately distracted in the process.”

“Now I feel proud of myself.” Evan takes a step back. “Hey, hey, wait up. You forgot one kiss.” He points to his mouth.

“You didn’t shave on the lips.” He protests. “You have to shave it, so I can do my judging job.”

“That’s easy to fix.” Tommy takes some remains of shaving cream and clumsily spreads a small amount on his mouth. “There.”

“Not fair!” Evan laughs. Tommy grabs a bigger amount and gestures to spread it all over his crotch, to which Evan laughs harder and denies with his head. “Go ahead, shave it all, I’m not gonna kiss it right now, either way. I already did that a lot since yesterday.”

“Did you?” Tommy frowns. “I can’t remember anything from last night. Must have been that wine you brought. I think I need another romantic dinner, with my beautiful husband, with a nice talk full of shared memories, and... Definitely I need some more hot sex like we had on that couch, you and me.”

“For being someone who claims not to remember anything, you seem to have all the details.”

“You talk in your sleep, Evan. You did with the girls, and you do it with Luca.”

“Yeah, blame me for what I can’t defend. Well, I’m so sad that you don’t remember it, because I do, and let me tell you... you really became the beast that I adore.”

“You want to meet the beast again?” Tommy smiles, sassy look on his face.

“No, Sir, I need to get ready for work, because I... unlike some others, actually have responsibilities to attend.” Evan grabs his sports bag and leaves it on the bed, searching for his blue 118 t-shirt and pants to keep.

“Well, I like to enjoy a day off after a week of non-stop shifts, am I allowed?” Tommy shows behind the bathroom door frame. “Oh, hey, did you remember to take your supplements?”

“Yeah.” Evan nods, sighing. “Already took them. Though I ran out of the multivitamins, too. I better stop at the pharmacy on my way to the Station.”

“Haven’t... Hen said anything about how much more time... do you have to keep...?”

“Working?” Evan interrupts him. He raises an eyebrow, folding his blue pants. “Apparently, I’m not sick enough yet to stay at home, so...”

“Hey, no one is saying-- Don't talk like that.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry.” Evan sighs again. “I-I just don’t like talking about this. We have still a couple of months ahead, and I love to keep my mind busy, a-and... I want to do all I can since I still can drive and be like, independent?”

“Speaking of which, do you want me to drive you there, today? I can take you and pick you up tomorrow, before my shift.”

“Which part of independent didn’t you hear, honey? Don’t worry about me, I’ll pass by the pharmacy and then straight to the Station. You... better put together the whole mess we made before Eddie brings the girls.

“Ok, ok, no need to bark at me, I was just suggesting.” Evan closes the sports bag and passes by Tommy, leaving a kiss on his baby soft cheek. “See you tomorrow, my love.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Tommy grabs a dressing gown, only to join him to the front door, and watches him drop the bag into the back seat of the truck, parked in front of their garage, next to his own truck. Evan rounds it and takes place on the driver seat, waving Tommy goodbye before turning the vehicle in motion, and heads to the street in reverse.

“Be safe...” Tommy murmurs, slightly waving back at him. Right after the truck disappears by the corner, a gray car parked across the street is turned on and slowly starts rolling.

----------

There's a huge pharmacy inside the giant supermarket recently inaugurated that fits exactly with Evan’s route to the Station.

Evan hates to buy the supplements the doctor prescribed him, because everytime, there’s a new pharmacist that needs to double check the information in the computer, or waits with a squint that Evan gives an explanation.

And this is not the exception. New pharmacy, new pharmacist. Same old questions.

“Yes, the Materna Vit Plus is for me,” He rolls his eyes. “I’m the one expecting. And the Multi-Vit Complex, and the Omega CalMax. All mine. Oh, and that for guys over forty? Yes. That one, too.”

The looks, the elbows between the employees. He’s so over all that, but can’t help to feel kinda jaded.

Evan takes the paper bag, passing by a slim guy half blocking the hallway on his way out. The parking lot is almost empty, except a white van on the other side, and a gray car parked right next to him. He opens the passanger’s seat and the glove compartment, throwing the bag inside.

Something cold and shaky presses his back, as he was about to incorporate.

“Don’t move.” A nervous voice speaks from behind. His blood freezes. “Don’t move, or I’ll shoot you right here.”

“W-what do you want?” Evan asks, trying to sound calm, but inside, his heart is pumping fast, making him breath shallow. My baby, he thinks, above all. “I got money, I can give you-- I got a baby, man, please, I--”

“Shut up!” the voice exclaims. “I know.” Evan’s five senses alert. He looks around, all that he can without moving, but there’s no one to spot. Not even a car passing by. “Turn around. Slowly.” Evan obeys, his hands up, and then he sees him. Using a black cap, and a hoodie too big to be his, Frank looks like he wouldn’t sleep in the days. Or maybe more.

“Frank?” He frowns, looking down to a shiny black gun, pointed at him. “Frank, don’t you recognize me? I’m Buck, t-the--”

“Of course I know who you are, Buck. Buck, the firefighter that saved me twice, Buck, Captain Kinard’s husband, Buck, the father of his three kids... Buck, the happy pregnant guy, who once told me all of that could be mine, one day...” He points even closer, making Evan bump his back with the open truck door. “I came for what you promised me, Buck.”

“W-wait, but, F-Frank, I-I was not-- That was what I meant the other day.”

“Oh, don’t try to trick me now, I heard you well. You said that this could be my reality, too, and that I could have what you have... Well, I want that kid inside of you. You told me I could have it.”

Evan’s mind runs fast, thinking the best way to reach to his phone or look for the way to get out of that situation.

“Hey! HEY!” Someone behind them shouts. Evan looks over Frank’s shoulder, to a security guard staring at them at the distance, and uses that minimum fraction of time when Frank turns his head to quickly to try and grope the gun. A risky move, but not that he has many options.

The gun slips from Frank’s hands and Evan pushes him hard, so he has a chance to escape towards the guard that keeps screaming at them, while he grabs his radio microphone. Frank falls down easy as one simple push from Evan, and tries to grab one of Evan’s legs as he passes by, making him tumble.

Evan sees himself falling in slow motion. His long arms wave on the air, first to keep an already lost balance, but then trying to cushion his falling. One arm to the floor, one arm protecting his baby. Evan falls over his side, rolling on the ground, and feels a sharp and stabbing pain on that side of the stomach, as he lays on his back to confront Frank. He tears a hoarse cry from the bottom of his throat. The pain doesn’t let him think straight, but he manages to see through his teary eyes Frank crawling on the floor and reaching out to his gun. Frank stands up quickly, pointing at him again.

But Evan can’t really focus on Frank. Or the gun at his head. He breathes hard, hissing as a new rush of pain hits him on his stomach.

“You’re coming with me!” Frank exclaims, suiting the gun in his shaky hands.

“Stop there, I called 911!” The guard voice yells, pointing his gun to Frank.

“Call a doctor!” Evan cries, rolling to his side again, and presses his stomach. “CALL A FUCKING DOCTOR, PLEASE!”

“Shut up!” Frank repeats, visibly nervous, jumping his Eyes from Evan to the guard.

The sound of a shot resonates in the ears of the three man there. Then the silence. Then Evan starts to see everything again in slow motion. Frank stares at Evan, with tears in his eyes, shocked of what just happened. The distant sound of police sirens approaches fast, but he can’t react.

Evan feels the heat of a bullet hitting his left arm. He looks stunned at the sudden blood leaking from the jean fabric of his jacket, and for a moment he forgets about his belly. Only for a moment. The stabbing pain comes back. I know, baby, he thinks, trying to incorporate, but his good arm is not strong enough.

Red and blue lights paint the scene, as Frank drops the gun to the ground. Someone who looks like a police officer tackles down Frank.

“Hey, are you ok?” The security guard kneels beside Evan. “Don’t move, the ambulance is coming.”

“Please, my pho-- Call... Tommy...” He gasps, looking to his pockets. “Call-- Argh!!” A new pain stab bends him over.

“Here, rest your head.” The guard takes his jacket and folds it to a bun, to place it under Evan’s head. And so he does, he’s tired. “I’m gonna grab your phone now, ok? You said you needed to call somebody?”

“Please.” He exclaims, barely being capable of moving his wounded arm, so he can protect Luca. That's the only thing on his mind. Please, don’t let anything bad happen to my baby, please.... “Tom-- His name’s Tommy, he’s my hus-- band...”

“Ok, ok, I’ll call him. Look, here are the paramedics, buddy. They’ll take good care of you, don’t worry...”

Evan closes his eyes for a moment, feeling exhausted, and when he opens them again, he has a cervical collar on his neck, and three people around him, asking him blurred questions. He can’t understand them well. Evan only makes sure to repeat the same thing over and over again.

My baby.

“Can you hear us, Sir?” A blond lady asks him, passing a flashlight over his eyes. Evan presses his eyelids hard, blinded. Slowly he recovers his conscience. “How are you feeling?”

“Yeah, I-I'm fine.” He murmurs. “My baby.”

“Stay calmed, Sir.” She says. In the meantime, one of them presses his arm and the other begins to check him. “Don’t worry, the bullet’s there but It’s not a major wound, so everything’s gonna be ok, you hear me?”

“My baby!” He repeats, trying to incorporate again, like a survival instinct, but three pair of hands retain him. “I’m-- I’m fucking preg-- can't you tell?”

“We do, Sir, please stay calmed. Did you hurt in any other way that--?”

“I fell, I-I-- This motherfucker made me fall and I hit the ground and-- The pain, God!”

“Where does it hurt?” She asks, taking her hands to Evan’s belly. His t-shirt has been cut open when he looks at it. She presses on his left side, and thankfully he feels nothing. She moves her hands to the center, and when she presses, Evan swears he see stars. And he lets a loud cry out to let her know.

“Evan? Evan!”

His eyes open wide, directing to where Tommy’s voice comes from. He spots him a few meters from him, trying to get rid of two officers blocking his way.

“Get the fuck off me, that’s my husband laying there!” Tommy exclaims, and a moment later he’s kneeling at his side.

“Sir, you can’t--”

“I’m well aware of what I can do, young lady, I’m the Captain of the 217 Harbor Station.” He grabs Evan’s hands. “Hey, Evan, everything is ok, my love. I’m here, I’m with you, Luca is gonna be just fine, ok? They already told me what happened.”

“Tommy...” Evan pants. “It was Frank, he somehow found me here and he-- Oh, God, is my fault and now our son--”

“Shh, baby, we can talk about all of this later, ok?” You need to get that bullet of your arm first and they need to check on Luca, just in case.” Tommy caresses his hair, as Evan nods, frowning.

“I feel so stupid right now, I shouldn’t--”

“Ok, sir, I told you to stay calmed, for the sake of your child, ok? We need to put you in the stretcher now.”

“Listen, Evan. Let them help you. I’ll be right after you on the way to the hospital.”

Evan nods, feeling a painful rush once again. He doesn’t take his eyes from Tommy as they take him to the ambulance, and his worried smile is the last thing he sees when the metal doors shut close between them.

----------

Chapter Text

----------

Tommy enters the hospital room to a sleepy Evan. He has a bandage in his arm and a tired expression in his face. Tommy comes close to the bed, and rests his hand on his bulky belly.

“Hey, my strong little fighter...” He whispers. “You took care of your daddy, didn’t you?” He observes Evan once again. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect him and you, but I’m here now. And I promise I won’t let something like this happen again.”

“Who... are you... talking to...?” Evan’s rusty voice interrupts him.

“Hey, welcome back.” Tommy smiles. “How are you feeling?”

“Like if I was hit by a bus.” He says, frowning. Evan tries to suit himself on the bed, but his wounded arm reminds him to stay lay down. “How... how is--?”

“Your son? He's just fine. He’s brave and strong, just like you.” Evan sighs, relieved. “I’m gonna call the doctor, now.”

“No, please, wait.” Evan grabs his arm. “Frank. He did this, Tommy. He-- Frank, the guy from those calls I told you about, is the same Frank you got as a probie. That’s where I knew him from, remember the other day, when I went with the-- Wait, where are the girls?”

“Ok, Evan, calm. The girls are ok, Eddie had a shift, so I asked Maddie to stay with them, and I... had to tell them that something happened, but... Not all the details, of course. And they begged me to come and see you, you can imagine, like we’re not kids, dad, we want to go, but I-- I preferred us to be alone first, so...”

“We’re not fucking here, Tommy.” They both snort. “You can’t just keep wanting some time alone with me, you know? That's creepy, even I have my boundaries.” Evan smiles, pressing his lips in a grin of pain, holding the bandage in his arm.

“Does it hurt?”

“Well, a bit. I assume they didn’t give me many painkillers, right?”

“No, just Tylenol, I guess. You can’t take that much, either.” Evan nods, and Tommy helps him seat a bit higher on the bed. “I’m sorry you have to bear all the pain.”

“Nah, it’s ok. The pain reminds us that we’re still alive.” He jokes, evocating some movie they watched one day. Then his smile fades. “What about Frank?”

“Don’t worry about him, darling. Police got him there, I already spoke to them, declared what I knew... The security guard that helped you declared, too.” Tommy lowers his voice. “He’s not gonna be a problem anym-- I'm so sorry, Evan, I really am. I should have seen the signs, I didn’t connect the dots, I--”

“Hey, how could you?”

“That fucker sneaked into my elements only to get to you. Lucy told me just now she saw him getting out of my office yesterday; I’m sure he was looking for our address. And I I saw a damn gray car parked in front of our house when you went to work, I just--”

Tommy's speaking too fast. Evan can clearly see his own spiraling behavior in him. He grabs Tommy’s hand, intertwining their fingers.

“Come here.” He murmurs, pulling him gently. Tommy leans in, to let Evan place a kiss on his lips. He can breathe again. “It’s ok.”

“I’m sorr--”

“It’s ok.” Evan repeats, pressing his fingers. “I’m ok, Luca’s ok.”

“Not because of me.” Tommy states, stepping back. “You were in danger, Evan. I had a bad feeling in my chest right before that guy called me. I just knew that something was wrong.”

“You couldn’t know.” Evan insists.

“Oh, I see my favorite patient woke up.” They both look toward the room door. Tommy wipes a single tear running down his cheek.

“I was just about to call you.” He says, clearing his throat. Evan's obstetrician, Dr. Thompson, approaches with a clipboard on his hands and a slight smile on his lips.

“And how are you, Evan, how are you feeling?”

“In pain.” He whines, trying to seat on the bed again, but he fails. With a sigh, he sinks his head into the pillow. “And too weak to even seat, for I can see.”

“That’s normal. You went through a minor procedure to remove the bullet from your arm, and well, we had to run some tests on you and your baby to assure his wellness.”

“Is he alright?” Evan murmurs, big blue eyes fixed on him.

“Yes, don’t worry. We worried because you had a couple contractions after the fall, so we’ve been monitoring you both since then and... Everything seems normal, Evan. Listen, don’t freak out that we treat you like this was a risk case, because it is. Your situation on this pregnancy makes you highly risky, and we all knew that, right? So, this incident you just suffer, plus your previous medical history...”

“We understand.” Tommy says, glancing at Evan, who’s lost eyes don’t let him acknowledge if he’s at least listening.

“So, after we checked there was no bleeding, nor loss of amniotic liquid, and after the ultrasound, we think everything is ok and the pain was just because of the fall. Let me repeat you, it was normal you had contractions, and that’s why you’re staying here tonight. We still need to look after you a little longer. Just to be sure.”

“Doctor, my baby moves all the time.” Evan says, visibly worried. “He kicks a lot, he’s all the time suiting himself, and stretching, and I--” He takes a breath. “I can’t feel him, Doctor.”

“Don’t panic, Evan. You just woke up. Probably he’s still in shock, just like his dad.” The doctor smiles. Then he looks at Tommy. “The baby is fine; we already told you that. It may take a while for him to move, who knows. You can’t predict a baby’s move.” His eyes place on Evan again, sooth and warm. “But... if you do feel him again, don’t doubt in letting me know, ok?” He looks at his watch. “They’re gonna bring dinner now. Eat something and get some rest. I’ll come by in the morning, if everything is normal.”

“Thank you, Doctor. Have a good night.” Tommy says, shaking his hand.

“Good night to you, gentlemen.”

Tommy turns to Evan, when they’re all alone.

“See? Everything's fine.”

“I can’t feel him.” Evan insists, plain tone in his voice. Tommy looks at his belly, sighing. It's gonna be a long night.

----------

Evan is forced to eat. He barely tries a couple of bites, and keeps his eyes open in the dark, holding his belly, attentive to the minimum sense he can get. But Luca is quiet. Terrifyingly quiet. Evan murmurs in the silence of the room, with a sleeping Tommy next to the bed. He's removed the blanket, and pulled up his hospital gown, so he can actually feel his son through his bare skin. His right side still hurts when he touches it, but it's more like a muscular pain, and not something internal. That surely is about the fall, which calms him a little.

“C’mon, Luca, I know you’re there...” He whispers, more to himself than to his son, looking to his belly, as he caresses it softly all around. He doesn’t know exactly what time it is, but he feels is already several hours to not sensing anything. “C’mon, baby...”

A light turns on out of the sudden. He doesn’t take his eyes from his son.

“Evan?” Tommy murmurs, incorporating from his sleeping position. “What happened? Why are you awake?” Tommy gets up, worried, looking at him naked on the bed. Blanket and sheets on the floor. “Oh, my God, why--?”

“I still can’t feel him.” Evan whines, teary eyes. “Tommy. I stayed awake all night, waiting for some sign, for something and he just-- Tommy, is like he’s not even there!”

Evan tries to incorporate again, managing to seat a bit straighter.

“Oh, no.” Tommy exclaims, coming close, and stops for a second when he sees the huge dark red bruise on Evan’s side, from his hip to beside his chest. He shakes his head. “Baby, don’t say that.”

Tommy places a hand in Evan’s belly, trying not to touch the big bruise.

“You don’t know anything, Tommy!” He exclaims. “You never carried a child! If you did, you would note the difference with--” Evan shuts up, closing his eyes. “Ok, I’m sorry. I know it’s my pain talking through me.”

“Well, good to know the Station’s consultants worth the public money.”

“Shut up.” Evan mutters. “Maybe I’m freaking out, I don’t know. It's just too strange, you know? How many hours since I woke up? And still nothing.”

“Maybe you’re just stressing a bit over this. You know you can’t let the stress get you.” Tommy smiles. “Or maybe he’s teasing you. And he’s laughing at us, right now.” Evan smiles, too.

“If he’s doing that, he just won the medal to the shortest time on gaining a grumble.”

“Yep, he got that from me. Teasing you is my favorite second thing.”

“Oh, yeah?” Evan snorts. “What is the first-- You know? Actually, don’t answer that.”

“Covering you when you’re naked in a public place.” Tommy says, bending to pick up the sheets and the blanket.

“Ok, how many times have you had to do that?” Evan tilts his head, playfully.

“Counting this one... uh, one? Which is kind of a lot, if you consider.” Tommy extends the sheet over his naked feet. “One kiss for my baby Luca before I cover you up.” Tommy presses his lips on Evan’s belly, against his warm skin. “Help me pull down this.” He says then, grabbing the hospital gown.

“Wait.” Evan’s eyes open wide, like coming out of their sockets. “Do that again.”

“What?” Tommy asks, confused.

“Kiss it again.” Evan insists, keeping his eyes on it. “I think he moved.” Tommy's heart races. He leans again and rests his lips a bit firmer on the skin. This time, a sudden kick makes his mouth withdraw. “Oh, my God, Tommy! Luca’s moving! He’s moving!”

“Yeah, I can tell.” He smiles, brushing his lips. “You’re right on his strong legs, Evan. I think this little guy just broke my jaw.”

“See? I told you so.” Evan laughs in relief, resting his head on the pillow, while Tommy places his hand on the belly. The kicks are there. Small bumps pushing against the skin, like he was trying to get out under his own rules.

“Heyyy, Luca... good morning my sunshine. You scared the hell out of your daddy, huh? You, little teaser.” As Tommy speaks, the moves pause. A moment after he shuts up, another kick comes to the surface. “Ok.” He smirks, with his chest full of warm pride. “I know you’re hearing me, champion.” The quiet again. “We’re so happy nothing bad happened to you, my baby... We love you so much, and we can’t wait to finally see that beautiful face of yours...”

Tommy leans aside to kiss Evan’s forehead, feeling a slower move under his hand.

“Seems like he’s stretching.” Evan murmurs. “He likes to do that right before switching the position.”

“I mean, I get him. Don't get me wrong, darling. You're big and all, and compared to another’s, your belly is a PH in a Manhattan’s skyscraper, but c’mon. I'd be all cramped as well.”

“He can’t complain, though.” Evan says, caressing his left side, where the kicks begin again. “His sisters had to share the space through the whole eight months.”

“Don’t compare them, Evan.” Tommy calls him out, affectionally. “Kids don’t like that.”

“Yeah, right. I, above all, should know better.” He sighs, returning the smile on his face. “And I’m just relieved he’s alright and that... he decided to turn around, because him kicking my bruised side was painful as hell.”

“Strong and considerate.” Tommy smiles. “We’re gonna have a long candidate's queue at our front door, I assume.”

----------

First day at home, he lays all day in bed, cuddling with her daughters, each of them on one of his sides. Tommy stays with them, making sure Evan eats enough and gets all the love he can from his family. Tommy stares at them from the door frame, feeling his heart coming out of his chest, and knowing everything that matters in the world is right there in that bed. They don’t need anything else.

Second and third day, he allows Evan to get up and walk around the house a bit, after several protests of him being cramped and bored to death.

I need to stretch my legs and my back!, he yelled, one morning, when Tommy escorted him back to bed after finding him filling the water can to water the plants.

I said you can stand up and walk a bit, not that you could suddenly do house chores.

There is not one single night that Evan doesn’t wake up scared, from a Frank-related nightmare. Frank doesn’t miss the shot. He falls harder. He wakes up at the hospital without his belly, and only because they give the baby to Frank. He's getting what he wants. What Evan promised.

The sixth day, with the girls at school, and Tommy preparing lunch, Evan finds himself staring his reflection on the bathroom mirror. He looks fine, but he feels like shit. He opens the cabinet. He stares at the supplement bottles, and they stare back at him.

Stupid pills, he thinks, grabbing the bottles. He leaves them over the sink. Along the eternal list of vitamins and mineral they provide, he doesn’t see anything about protection against crazy baby stealers. Don’t work for what’s really important. Evan opens the bottle and empties the pills on the sink. One by one, they disappear by the drain.

“Evan, what are you doing?” Tommy asks, dropping the laundry basket on the hallway. He runs towards him, trying to save the pills from getting lost. “Evan, what the hell?”

“These stupid pills are useless.” He exclaims, grabbing the other bottle. Tommy gropes it from his hands. “I’m useless.”

“What? Hey, baby, what are you talking about?” Tommy’s tone soothes, taking Evan’s hands. “Hey, come here.” He shuts down the toilet lid and guides him to take a seat, kneeling in front of him. “Tell me, what happened? Talk to me.”

“I can’t do this, Tommy.” He murmurs, his eyes red and tired.

“No, what are-- Why are you saying that?” Evan nods in denial, closing his eyes, as Tommy speaks. “You’re an incredible father, and you’re--”

“No..., no, no, no!” Evan exclaims, over his voice. “Stop saying that! You don’t know! I’m... I-I'm old, and my body can’t handle this anymore, I-- I have to swallow like fifteen fucking pills every day because, apparently, I’m not able to carry my own child. I mean, how--” He sighs, recovering his breathe. “How am I supposed to conceive a baby if I’m not ready to provide for him until he’s out in the world?”

“Evan, my love.” Tommy murmurs. “Where did you get that silly idea? You just went to a traumatic event, you--”

“Don’t tell me this is my damn trauma speaking.” Evan growls. “I almost lose our baby, Tommy. I have one job, and I can’t even do it well. M-my body, it--” He makes another pause, searching for the words. “My body is worn out, I ca-- I need to take those pills that are supposed to give him everything he needs because I can’t give it to him? What's the use in... Oh, God. My head is about to explode.”

“Calm down, sweetheart.” Tommy mutters, serene. His Alpha heart is broken, howling mournfully for his Omega in pain, and he just has the urge to rip someone’s head. “Stop torturing yourself with all that.”

“The only thing I could do for him was keeping him safe. A-and I should have listened to you, I should have let you drive me to the Station, and buy the medicines for me and--” After a tearing moment, he continues. “Pills can’t protect Luca from these fuckers, can they?”

“I guess they can’t.” Tommy nods. “Only we can do that, honey. And I’m so proud of you, because you acted like a true hero back then, you didn’t hesitate in risk everything to protect him, even your own self. Though I gotta tell you it was a stupid move from you... And you know it.” Tommy makes emphasis in those last words, before Evan can protest.

“You would have done the same.”

“Probably.” Tommy smiles. “For you, for the girls... for him. I’m putting all in the line, without any doubt. And I can totally put in your shoes, baby. Knowing you, I honestly wouldn’t expect any less.”

Evan smiles.

“Actually, I’m kinda disappointed on how you miss the chance of applying him one of the Muay Thai locks I taught you.”

“In my defense, I had a gun pointing at me.”

“Fair enough.” Tommy’s smile fades. “I’m the one who needs to apologize, Evan. I’ve should have seen the signs. I know it was almost impossible, but still. The guy was there, I interviewed him, his papers, he-- faked it all, and we, as a Public Service, let him sneak in into us, probably only with the porpoise of... I don’t even know what, because-- What was he expecting to do then? Take you somewhere, kidnapping...? You certainly weren’t capable of giving--” He smiles, creating in his mind the craziest situations. “Of giving him our baby right there?”

“I didn’t even want to think about it.” Evan states. “I’m just gonna say he’s a crazy poor man, and that I’m glad he’s gonna be locked away for a good while. And that you shouldn’t blame yourself for this. He had it all planned.”

“Ok, let’s do something.” Tommy holds both his hands. “Promise me you won’t be feeling you’re not good enough, and I’ll promise I won’t blame myself for letting him get into us. How about that? We both just need to be a little more careful.”

Evan stares at their fingers intertwined. Then he looks up, to Tommy’s caring eyes.

“I’ll do my best. I promise I’ll do my best.”

----------

Chapter Text

----------

Tommy lowkey smiles at the image of Evan organizing some papers as he deals with the lack of space inside the truck. The passenger’s side used to be way more comfortable, only one month ago. Luca has grown up so quickly, that sometimes Evan can’t calculate very well where he can and where he can’t fit. And that’s how, more than once, he gets stuck in clothes he’s trying and can’t take off without a little help.

“Evan, you can leave the smoothie bottle in the compartment.” He says, glancing how only one hand is not enough to keep the papers in the folder. “You should have done that at home, you know?”

“I know!” He exclaims, cutting. “And I did, I just dropped them getting inside the truck. You know how hard it is to pick things up from the floor with this huge balloon hanging from your guts?”

“Girls, do you wanna give daddy a hand?” Tommy asks, looking at them through the rearview mirror. Charlie looks back at him, jaded eyes.

“Give me that.” She says, extending her arms, and takes the papers out from Evan’s hands.

“I could do that myself.” He protests. Tommy grabs his free hand, kissing it before smiling at him again. “You know? I still can’t believe why do we have to take these forms in person, is not that the internet’s job? Like, make our lives easier?”

“They need your physical signature, Evan. It's your paternity leave.” Tommy’s voice is calmed, with his eyes on the road. “Besides, we can go to the mall after that, if you want.”

“The mall?” The girls exclaim, in stereo.

“Yeah, you like that?” He smiles, looking again through the rearview.

“Well, I do need a new jacket.” Evan grins, after taking a couple of gulps from his smoothie. “Blood and bullet holes are not exactly the latest fashion.” He covers his mouth, forgetting her daughters are there, and immediately turns up the music a bit. Sometimes he forgets that Olivia has some blood-related issues.

“Don’t mind us, daddy.” Charlie says, her eyes on the phone. “Oli has her headphones on, and I saw your jacket before you threw it away.”

“Y-you saw it?” Evan babbles, turning his head back for a moment. She doesn’t look up.

“Yeah. I saw the sleeve out of the box you were gonna discard, and I had to peek. I mean, I’m gonna be a firefighter, right? I should get used to dealing with blood and stuff.”

“You’re not supposed to do that, Charlie. Sneaking around our things.” Tommy states, deepening his voice. Her eyes automatically meet his through the mirror.

“And you’re not supposed to lie to us about what happened to daddy.” She responds.

“Hey, young lady.” Evan intervenes. “Watch your tone, that’s your dad.”

“But it’s true!” She protests, still looking at Tommy. “You didn’t let us visit daddy at the hospital, and you told us it was just a fall. We found out that he was shot by a baby stealer crazy-ass three days after!”

“Charlie!” Tommy yells.

“Ok, let’s all calm down.” Evan raises his voice.

Olivia takes her headphones, when she realizes her dads are yelling.

“What is happening?” She asks, confused. “Why are you fighting?”

“We’re not fighting, sweetheart.” Evan says, soothing his tone. “Girls, we told you we were sorry about that. We didn’t want you to feel nervous or anything, because your dad and I already went through...” He sighs. “The worst moment ever.” After a few seconds, he continues. “What happened that day was awful, your brother was in danger, I... was in danger, and your dad just did what he thought was the best: that was keeping you safe. From all that. But I know you’d chose to be there with us if you could.” Evan reminds himself staring at his belly, begging for Luca to move, with the worst thought crossing his mind. “We’re sorry about that. We shouldn’t have left you out.”

“Yeah, you shouldn’t have.” She assures.

For the next couple of minutes, the air inside that truck can be cut with a rusty knife.

In the radio, a song begins. The heavy rhythm from the early Two-Thousand's pop.

“Hey, that’s the song dad likes!” Oli exclaims, when the first phrases of Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi resonates.

“What?” Tommy turns his head. “I don’t--”

“You like this?” Evan teases him.

“You do, I heard you singing in the shower from my room. You sing it all the time, and not so very tuned, to be honest.”

“Ok, you need to stop listening to private things, Oli, is not correct.”

“It’s not my fault; is like I can’t control the sounds coming to my ears. And besides, my room is right next to yours.” She defends herself. “But don’t worry, I always put my headphones on when you and daddy try without any success to be quiet.”

“Alright, remind me to switch the girls’ rooms when we get home.” Tommy mutters, pressing the steering wheel until his knuckles turn white.

“That’s my good girl.” Evan smiles.

“I’m not good, I’m just self-preserving.”

When the chorus comes, Evan begins to hum, cupping his belly. A strong kick hits him on the left side, followed by two more. Evan takes Tommy’s hand and places it on that spot.

“Oh, he’s kicking!” Tommy smiles.

“Told you he likes this song... Seems like everybody in this family likes Lady Gaga.”

“Did he just said that everybody loved that old people’s music?” Charlie whispers, leaning close to Oli.

“Let them, they’re enjoying themselves.”

----------

Every now and then, Evan believes he can see Frank, staring at him, baggy eyes behind a street banner, a familiar silhouette at the pharmacy, or crossing the street in front of the truck. With a bat of his eyes, he’s gone. But the sensation of being observed is harder to get rid of.

Tommy suits his jacket when they come down from the truck and put his sunglasses on. With a slight wave of his fingers, Evan’s hand grabs his, and they direct to the Station entrance with the girls by their side. As the birth date approaches, Tommy feels he needs to establish to the rest of the world that they are his family, that that blond Omega is his, along with the baby inside of him. Some days, all he wants is to lay in bed with his kids and his husband. Almost like if they were nesting.

“O-oh, my God, Buck, you look huge!” Hen laughs when they arrive at the 118. They share a tight hug.

“And I feel huge, too.” He adds, hands on his hips.

“Tommy, congratulations, my dear, so little for this baby to come!”

“Time flies.” He smiles. “Can’t wait to hold him.”

“Aw, that’s so adorable. He’s a keeper, Buck.” She jokes, chuckling. “But you knew that a long time ago, right?” Hen directs to the girls. “And these lovely ladies, they get bigger everytime I see them. You should bring them more often, Buck, otherwise one day I wont recognize them.”

“We come all the time!” Oli laughs. “Well, now he’s not working, because of our brother, but soon you’ll have us here every day, practically. Charlie swears she’s gonna work here when she grows up.”

“Hey, not the 217?” Tommy asks, playing offended.

“She surely will be able to choose the one she likes the most. This young lady has all the requirements to be a great Captain, if she proposes it... Anyway, girls, your daddy has at least 12 weeks after your brother is born to return to the Station.” She pouts. “So I don’t think he’s returning pretty soon.”

“Yeah, don’t remind me that.” Evan sighs. “Is there a way I can come with the baby? I can... keep him in a kangaroo bag and you wouldn’t even notice he’s there.”

“And you plan on put down fires with our new-born son there?”

“I put down fires with daddy when he was pregnant with us.” Charlie says, swelling her chest. “It’s in our blood.”

“Oh, I want to eat them!” Hen exclaims, gesturing to grab her cheeks. “Ok, Buck, come with me to the office for those papers, would you?

“Yes, ma’am.”

Following Hen’s steps, a guy climbing down the engine lands right in front of him. Tired, threatening eyes cross his under a worn cap, with a creepy smile. Evan jumps, his heart stopping for a second, and secures his belly, instinctively.

“Hey, woah! I’m so sorry.” Standing there is Jack, concerned. “Didn’t mean to scare you, I need to check better before jumping like that from the truck.” Evan doesn’t answer, but he observes Jack carefully. No worn cap, no threatening smile. Just Jack. Just Jack feeling observed. “Buckley, are you ok?” He looks down. “Oh, God, you truly are huge, man, congratulations! You must be already in the countdown, right?” He holds his smile for a few seconds, but Evan is muted, disfigured.

Jack can only turn and watch him continue his way to Hen’s office, bewildered.

----------

When the cold hands touch his skin on his foot, Evan shivers. He's tired. His whole body is tired, but the cramp in his bad leg barely allowed him to reach the bed.

It hit him when he was finishing to shower, tensing his muscles all along and making him grab from the support bar Tommy installed a couple of months ago in the shower wall. He managed to close the water tap, and opened the gray screen. Tommy!, he screamed, breathing fast, felling the pain pumping in his muscles. Tommy, can you come, please?”

Tommy seated him over a towel on the bed, dried his curls, his arms, his back. Was no needed, but Tommy found a warming sense in taking care of him. He even could steal a couple of kisses when they had to come close so he could reach more places to dry. He took special care on passing the towel on his legs, especially on his bad one, tensed straight, resting only on his heel. Tommy could actually point at some involuntary muscle contractions, coming and going.

“Sorry about that.” Tommy mutters, retiring his hands a bit.

“No, it’s ok. Go on.” Evan suits his head on the pillow, panting slowly.

Tommy rubs his hands to warm up the ointment, before touching him again. The scars become deeper and darker just above the knee, and continue like red rivers crossing through his skin, down his ankle. And that’s where Tommy begins, rubbing slow and firm on his way up to the shin and back to the calf. His hands go down again, and up, with enveloping moves.

“Better?” He asks, after hearing Evan breathe deep and slow.

“Yeah... feels nice...” Evan searches the correct words. “You are... totally sure that Frank is behind bars, right?”

“Of course he is, why’d you ask that?”

“Nothing, I... This is gonna sound stupid, but I swear he’s been following me again.”

Tommy’s strong fingers don’t stop their calming path on Evan’s calf.

“No one’s following you.” He says, eyes on Evan’s leg. “Frank is out of the game. You and Luca are fine, and we need to focus on the big things we have ahead. Have you... Have you consider talking to a professional about this? Maybe it would be helpful, due you clearly are experiencing some type of... trauma?”

“I swear I saw him today at the Station, but then it was only Jack. And then, I saw him again at the bookstore queue in the mall. He was with a woman, holding a little boy’s hand, so it couldn’t be, right? But still.” He keeps his silence, processing images in his head. Seeing Jack’s face, focusing and that woman and the kid at the bookstore. “I’m glad we got to throw that damn jacket... I wasn’t able to keep staring at it every time I went to the garage.” His next words come as a whisper. “I can believe we’ve been called out by our own kids about that, today.”

“Why are you whispering?” Tommy smiles, pressing with his thumbs on the calf.

“It’s what Oli-- argh! God!”

“Too strong?”

“No, it’s... perfect.” He whines. “I just wish I could stop feeling I’m this burden for you.”

“What are you talking about?” He runs his fingers down and comes back up pressing firmly with the base of his palm. That repetitive movements calm his pain.

“This. This whole me. I mean, look at us. I’m just a living list of problems and health issues. I'm not even fifty, but I already feel like eighty.”

“Evan, last time we talked about this, you promised that you were gonna erase from your mind these kinda thoughts, remember?”

“I promised I would try.” Evan corrects him. “But moments like these... I just can’t help myself. I'm a walking disaster, Tommy. I got this horrible leg that completely paralyses me when it wants, and people stare at me like I’m a freak or something... I remember well that day we went to the waterpark. And I can’t even use my compressor stocking, because my ankles and knees are fucking swollen. And now I... add a new scar to the list.” Evan tilts his head, looking at his left arm, where a bright, pink scar stays as a reminder of the hateful day Frank made them experiment.

“I think you’re exaggerating.” Tommy focus on the knee, rubbing from the front to the back, over and over again.

“I’m not. I don’t know... I feel like all this late pregnancy is making me put things on perspective. I mean, how could I handle two girls at the same time, even working until the last day? I feel much weaker now.” Tommy sighs, pressing his lips. Evan needs to let it out. And so, he listens, as he grabs some more ointment to continue his massage.

“I get it, baby.” He murmurs, with his hands rounding Evan’s thigh.

“I mean... On one side, I get all these feelings of being useless-- But on the other side, I know without me our son wouldn’t be here, right?” Tommy smiles, brushing his fingers in circles, back and forth the thigh muscles. “It’s like I’m all and nothing at all, at the same time.” Tommy drops his smile. “Does it make any sense?”

“Yes, of course. Don’t we all feel like that, sometimes?” He spreads the ointment remains on the rest of Evan’s skin, and pats it softly, as a sign of finishing the job. “Do you feel better?” Evan nods, seating straighter against the pillows, and bends his knee a couple of times. Tommy rests his hands over the mattress; he takes several seconds to speak. “Sweetheart, do you think I don’t feel like that, too? That I have to be the strong, stoic Captain of a harbor firefighter Station, directing people, commanding them to make the right choices, because people’s lives depend on them...? On me? And then I come home and freak out because I can’t remember which one of the girls doesn’t like boiled eggs and I don’t wanna mix the dinner plates?” Evan smiles. “And trust me, I get more scared of that, than what I can be over the Fire Chief calling me by the phone.” Tommy puts his hand on Evan's bad leg. “These things... These are all part of the puzzle that you are, both physical and emotional pieces. And they hurt, and they bother and make you feel uncomfortable, but they made you who you are. And I am part of that puzzle too, and the girls, and the baby that’s coming... I too, feel old, some days, Evan. I see my gray hair, I see the wrinkles around my eyes, I know the six pack I had on my thirties is no longer there, do you think I don’t notice it? Do you think I didn’t ask myself if we weren’t too old for doing this all over again?

“Guess we’re not.” Evan murmurs, big eyes pinned on Tommy’s.

“Maybe we are. But I have a motto. One that a cute blond firefighter once told me, just the day I met him.”

“Who cares.” Evan smiles.

“Yes. Who cares.” Tommy nods, speaking over Evan’s words. “And I’ve been using it since then, every time I feel odd about doing something. Every time my mind tells me I shouldn’t be doing that, or every time I’m about to take other people’s point of view to stop me from something.”

“That firefighter must have been... someone important, huh? For you to keep remembering some stupid words he said so long ago.” Evan says, shyly.

“The most important. And the one that gave me my other three reasons to live.” Tommy tilts his head, smiling warmly. “So, imagine I owe him completely for the man I am today.”

“How is it possible that every time I begin to spiral about something, you end up making me smile, and actually feeling bad about... me spiraling?” Evan Laughs. “It doesn’t even make sense.”

“Part of my job, I told you that. And listen, how about you call Eddie, tomorrow? Invite him to dinner, maybe.” Evan frowns over those words. “The girls would love to have him here. And I know you, too.”

“You’re not gonna bite him when he passes next to you, are you?”

“Scouts honor.” Tommy raises his fingers. “Never thought I would say this, but despite the uncontrollably force that tells me I should hide you and our baby from the rest of the world, I also know that Eddie makes you good. And that you need him.”

“Not as much as I need you.” Evan murmurs.

“I know. Still, he gives you something I can’t, no matter how much I hate to admit that.” Tommy’s not smiling anymore. “So, call him. Cook something nice for dinner. Just... don’t print your smell on him, I know it's like a brotherhood thing you do, but I bet that’s the reason why he can’t manage to make any woman stay too long.”

“I don’t do that!” Evan laughs. “Ok, if I do, I swear is from him just being my brother, like you said... Now, knowing how territorial you’ve become these last weeks, can’t say I won’t waste this chance to invite him over.” Evan smiles, flirty eyes shining like blue flames. “And I promise I won’t be printing any smell on anyone. In fact, I’m even letting you fuck me right before he arrives, so he can know who’s the Alpha here.”

“Evan, you talk like that and I don’t respond.”

“Oh, but you do need to respond.”

Evan suits again on the mattress, as provocative as he can be, and Tommy automatically climbs next to him, like if he’s not even thinking. With a simple gesture, he commands Evan to turn around, and wraps him in his arms, with his already rock-hard dick rubbing against his back.

“Now, you don’t even open your mouth.” He whispers, on Evan’s ear. “We still didn’t exchange the girls’ rooms.”

----------

Chapter Text

----------

Evan washes the fennel at the kitchen sink, when it’s almost six in the afternoon. The lovely piece of beef chuck he got yesterday at the butcher shop is already slow cooking in the oven. Over the counter, cut grapefruit and dill waiting for some meat juice to be blended on the best sauce to crown the dish.

“This smells nice.” Tommy exclaims, looking at all the ingredients spread on the kitchen isle. Grabs a slice of grapefruit and takes it to his mouth.

“Leave that!” A fast hand slaps his fingers. “It’s for the sauce.”

“Grapefruit for the sauce?” He asks, frowning. “You know it’s Eddie coming, right? Not Alain Ducasse.”

“This has nothing to do with French cuisine.” Evan says, and begins to chop the fennel over the old wooden cutting board. “And how the hell do you know Alain Ducasse?”

“Hey, you think I don’t pay attention when you watch Foodie Channel, but I do.” Tommy smirks, with the repetitive cutting sound filling the kitchen.

“I literally can hear you snore. Besides, Eddie deserves it. You told me to cook something nice, and that’s what I’m doing.” He leaves the knife. “Oh, you think it’s too much?”

“It’s not too much.” Tommy states, placing his hand on Evan’s back, as he returns to the chopping duty. “Whatever it is you’re doing, I’m sure it’s gonna be delicious, and Eddie will love it, so don’t panic about it.” Tommy opens the fridge.

“Oh, no, no!” Evan drops the knife again, running fast to close the fridge, leaving Tommy perplex. “Did you see it?”

“What? That I almost lose two fingers?”

“I made dessert, too, but it’s supposed to be a surprise.”

“Ok, I get it. Can you, please, my love, hand me some ham and cheese for your daughters? The Princesses are hungry and can’t wait for dinner.”

“What? No sandwiches at this time!” Evan denies, offended. He opens the fridge and takes out two apples. “Here. They'll survive.”

“You seriously don’t expect me to enter that room with these. Evan, those girls wait for some protein and carbs. They're gonna kill me!” Evan stares at him, serious. “You know what? I’ll just take these.”

A soft kick bumps him as he watches Tommy go. Only this time, the kick comes too high for the usual positions, as if it is located on the pit of his stomach. Luca has been moving a lot the last few days, so Evan smiles at the thought of him searching for new places to suit. With the next kick, he feels a little pain on the bottom of his belly. For a moment it reminds him at the day the girls decided to be born, in the middle of a call, but the estimated date of birth is almost one month away, and the twinge is not that strong.

“You should stop kicking that hard, Luca, you’re gonna tear me apart, one day.”

Tommy heads to the hallway and checks the time on his watch. Eddie’s supposed to arrive in less than an hour. He knocks in Oli’s door, opening slowly.

“May I?”

The girls are laying on her bed, with the laptop between them, smiling at some silly video. He gets close, and glances at the screen. That firefighter TV show again.

“C’mon girls, again with that stupid TV show?” He protests. “You know how inaccurate those stories are?”

“Yeah, dad, because we’re watching it for the accuracy of the incidents.” Charlie smirks, just when a tall, muscled firefighter slides down the tube of the Station. “Don’t worry, when I want to learn about boring papers and dealing with the Chief, I’ll call you.”

“You don’t need to be rude, Charlie.” Tommy frowns. “I might have some more desk duties now, but I used to do all that cool stuff you admire so much from TV. I was the cool guy, I used to fly choppers, back in my days.”

“Like you ever told us any story about that.”

“Like you ever want to seat down and listen to me chatter. When you were little, you used to beg us to tell you those stories.”

“I can’t remember any of that.” Oli murmurs, saddening her eyes.

“Well, I’m always open for you, if you want one.” He smiles. “Now, this is all I could get from Daddy to calm your hunger.” Before whining expressions, he says. “I’m not the boss in the kitchen, my loves. You’ll survive.” He adds, imitating Evan’s tone. “And you can keep watching that stupid show, for now. Daddy’s creating some... kind of art out there, so try not to interrupt him. Uncle Eddie will be here in a while, and then we can have dinner.” Tommy directs himself to the door. He turns one more time. “Only come out when you hear Uncle Eddie coming, is that understood?”

“Yeah, alright.” Charlie says, fed up. “You don’t need to be a freak about it.”

Tommy rests his head back on the door once is closed. An evil smile appears on his face, as he walks like a silent hunter back to the kitchen. He spots Evan at the distance, pouring some dense juice on the pan, with the tip on his tongue out, as he collects until the smallest drop with the silicone spatula. Tommy adores when the level of concentration he handles makes him do that. Only then, it kinda turns him on.

Evan shakes the pan a bit, leaving the blender on the sink. He wipes his hands against each other. Tommy stands next to the couch, in silence, with his heart racing fast. Evan looks lost, and turns his head all over the kitchen, until he spots the tomatoes.

“Now, where did I leave...? Oh, there.” He murmurs, grabbing his knife. His experienced hands begin to chop thin slices really fast, same shape he sliced the fennel.

Someone hugs him from behind, strong, making him wobble a bit on his place. Evan instinctively holds to the counter, not to press his belly.

“What the--” A hot mouth brushes his ear.

“Shh.”

“Wait, Tommy, what-- The girls are right there!” He whispers, with eager hands unbuckling his belt. “Stop!”

“You promised me I could fuck you before dinner.” He babbles, unzipping the pants.

“I never thought you’d take it literally.” Evan glances to the hallway, not being able to control the sudden heat waving through his body.

“I’m always serious when it comes to sex.” Tommy unzips his pants, as wild fingers run to explore between Evan’s cheeks.

“Easy, tiger, I’m not prepared yet.” Evan breathes fast, his hard dick pressing against the counter, delighted by the danger of possibly being caught up in the act.

“You sure, baby?” Tommy frowns, sensing the entrance area, that yields to his touch like if they were about to enjoy a third round. Evan is about to respond, but Tommy can’t wait another second, so he helps his dick with a couple of strokes before pushing it inside Evan’s ass, that receives it warm and moistened for him. Tommy's free hand covers Evan’s mouth, as he pushes deeper, with a lightning ray of pleasure piercing him. He tries to say something, while he fucks Evan fast, but his mind is dizzy and focusing on enjoying each little detail: the wide hips, the repetitive sounds of his legs clapping against Evan’s cheeks, the mix of scents coming to his nose, from the food cooking, from under his hair, from behind his ears. Tommy closes his eyes, as the thrusts begin to get out of control.

Evan mutters something, tapping his hand for him to lose the pressure.

“N-not i-inside.” He whispers, whining along Tommy’s rhythm.

“Oh, fuck!”

Tommy rushes to take out his dick a second after, and strokes it quickly a few times, before cuming in his own hand, hectic.

“Grab some paper towels.” Evan commands him, pointing to the top of the fridge. He wipes himself, zipping his pants.

“Wait, don’t pull them up yet.” Tommy takes another paper towel. “Stay still.”

“What is it?” Evan asks, looking back over his shoulder. Tommy crouches, wiping some clear leaks running down Evan’s legs. He observes the paper in his hand. “Oh, Tommy, I told you not to do that!”

“This isn’t mine, baby.” He murmurs, his eyes still on the paper. “It’s just that, apparently, you just lubricated yourself... like a lot? That is... odd, you don’t usually do that.”

“Well, must be because not every day you decide to--” He mimic the word fuck “me with the girls being able to catch us... Now, help me with the pants, please.”

----------

Tommy's big smile is the first thing Eddie sees when the front door is open. He smells like perfume and... sex? And something else, Eddie is not sure. He smiles, awkward. When they share a brief hug, Eddie really smells some kind of sexual charge coming from him. But it’s fresh, recent. Eddie really doesn’t want to think about it, but it tells him his two friends had have some intimacy just a few minutes ago, which is crazy when he enters in the house and sees the fancy display Evan has set to receive him. And that something else he is sensing comes, in fact, from Evan.

“This guy is getting bigger by the time.” He smiles, touching Evan’s belly. Tommy tenses, and a muted growl escapes from the back of his throat.

“Don’t tell me, I swear it feels like I’m twelve months now.” Evan pants. “Can’t wait for him to come out, already.”

“You say that and then you’ll miss carrying him around.” Eddie says, and Evan thinks he can’t be more right. But his hand is still on his belly, and Tommy feels a rage fever growing in his core, spreading fast to his chest and his head. His heart races.

Those fingers bother him. Those fingers brushing on the shirt’s fabric Evan’s wearing. His plum shirt. Tommy wants to yell him to get away, to take his hand from his son, from his husband. Eddie never smelled more like a sneaky Beta wanting to steal what’s his. His lips pressed, his eyes pinned on those fingers. Tommy feels his breathing running fast, and he’s not sure how, but it takes only a moment, for him to grab that hand and pull it away. Tommy opens his mouth, as Eddie protests in slow motion, and his teeth end up sunk in Eddie’s arm. The girls scream. Evan screams.

Eddie’s shock doesn’t allow him to react, as Tommy feels the iron taste of his blood in his mouth.

Tommy shakes his head. He's still observing, next to his daughters.

Lucky for him, Eddie has already retired that hand. Good. He'll have five fingers for now.

“Oh, the sauce!” Evan remembers he’s left it in the stove.

“Uncle Eddie!” Oli exclaims, running for a hug, and after her, he hugs Charlie.

“Please, Uncle, when are you taking us with you?” Charlie whines. “Dad doesn’t let us watch Hearts on Fire, and now he’s giving us apples for snacks!”

“Ha, ha, ha, I don’t want to disappoint you, my dearests, but I’m not a big fan of that show either.”

“Well, thank you, Eddie.” Tommy smiles, looking at her pouting daughters. “It’s good to know that, if some day they run away from us, at least you’ll follow our education standards.”

“As long as they don’t give us apples.” Oli adds, frowning.

“Oh, you’re still hungry, guys? Ok, go check if daddy needs a hand, would you?” Tommy commands them, and invites Eddie to take a seat on the couch, watching them whimper as they obey.

“Listen, Tommy.” Eddie says, once they’re alone. “I know this is hard for you, having me here? So hard, that I was this close to reject his invitation, but I know he wanted me to be here.” He crosses his leg, holding his gaze with him. Eddie smiles. “You must hate me now, don’t you?”

“I don’t-- hate you.” Tommy murmurs. “I can’t control it. I just can’t, I’m sorry. Remember before the girls were born? He spent the last days in your house.” Eddie nods.

“Yeah, I remember. He was so angry at you.”

“Exactly. Do you think I could bear that today? I don’t know why this time the whole... Alpha thing hit me so hard.” Tommy lowers his voice, leaning close to him. “I just...” He opens his eyes. “You know... with him right before you came, just to prove you something something I don’t even quite understand. And I-- enjoyed it!”

“Ok, first, I clearly don’t care or need to know about your sexual life, and second, why wouldn’t you enjoy it? I mean, he’s... your husband?”

“No, not that!” Tommy exclaims. “I enjoyed like... marking my territory? Is that it?

“Oh, God, I knew it.” Eddie sighs, funny. “I knew it when I entered this place. Alright, I’d tell you there’s seriously no need to do that with me, and you’ll tell me you already know. But next second you would do it again, and it’s totally understandable. Your kid is about to be born. It’s normal your senses are on the edge, that this... nesting needing you have grows stronger every day... I’m impressed you haven’t marked him yet.”

“Ok, hold on, right there.” Tommy raises his hands. “How on Earth do you know so much about nesting, and territories, and-- What do you mean mark him? What’s that?”

“I’m a Beta with a lot of free time on my hands. But I’m sorry, I’m not gonna explain the mark to you. Use Google, for God’s sake!”

Tommy glances toward the kitchen.

“Is it something important I’m missing? Because you already told me once I was the worst Alpha ever, and--”

“I didn’t mean it like that, man, I’m--”

“No, no, no you were right. To be honest, I was a pretty normal guy until all these things about me and Evan started to show. And I swear that I didn’t even feel a tiny fraction of all this back then, when we had the girls.” He pauses, digging in his memories. “I don’t remember feeling anything like this in these past fifteen years.”

“That’s because there’s not a lot of ABO gene carriers around you, so you can probably leave those instincts aside in your daily routines.”

“Could be...” He thinks of Frank. “Recently this new guy appeared in our lives. Frank, the-- guy who tried to...? Remember him?”

“Oh, yes. Evan told me about his story. There's your answer, Tommy. Having a pregnant partner and going through a traumatic event that put in danger your family, probably woke up in you some instincts that you didn’t know you could have. And sometimes those feelings only develop into something more real with time. It's like when you buy a new car and suddenly you see the same car everywhere. You wake up into something and then the signs can’t be ignored. The same thing happens with this. Something triggered the real Alpha inside, and now you feel you need to howl to the moon and mark your husband for lifetime.”

“Ok, that makes some sense. Because, Eddie, I promise that...” He whispers. “In some very particular times, I actually feel like a wolf? And sometimes I feel this is all just crazy stuff out of a drug bad trip? You know what I mean? Sometimes I have instincts that made me question my own sanity, most of all when it comes to him and the kids... And I want to do it right for them, and for Evan. He... deserves the best Alpha I can be...” Eddie stares at the vulnerable Tommy in front of him. “So please, Eddie. What’s that mark you’re talking about?”

“Ok, man. I’ll tell you, but you promise me you’ll search the details online.” He sighs. “It’s simple, the mark is a symbol of union, between an Alpha and an Omega. It's like a statement of belonging, of life-time partners.”

“Three kids and a paper are not statement enough?”

“Not for the wolf.” Eddie looks up, searching the words to make it easier. “Did you ever have the... urge to... I’m sorry man, to--”

“Go on, please.” They’re whispering again.

“To bite him, during... you know? Tommy opens his eyes, images invading his mind. “Sounds familiar? Well, there. That's the mark.” Tommy opens his mouth. “Uh-uh, that’s my limit. No details, you promised me to Google them. I love you, but this level of intimacy it’s... No. Just no.”

“I didn’t prom--”

“Dad, Uncle Eddie, dinner’s ready.” Eddie jumps up from the couch, kissing Charlie’s hair as an unrequired reward to save him from that talk.

----------

Evan loves to cook for his family. It has always been his love language. And receiving his life-time friend gives it a special touch. Maybe Tommy is not enjoying his best night ever, or maybe he is: the signs Tommy gives him are not particularly clear. He serves a plate for each one of his daughters, and Luca suits again, a little more painful this time. Ok, baby, give me a moment, he thinks, closing his eyes. Tommy observes him, and when their eyes meet, Evan nods, as a sign that everything is fine.

“Let me continue.” Tommy says, standing up. He takes gently the salad tongs from Evan’s hands, and commands him to take a seat, no words needed. Evan obeys, grabbing his belly to help himself. All day on his feet has doing him no good to his back and his bones.

“What is this?” Oli asks, piercing a portion of salad.

“That’s fennel, sweetheart.” Evan answers. She frowns her nose, with a disgusted expression. “Oh, you loved fennel when you were little. You both did!”

“I still do.” Charlie says, mouth full. “And this is delicious.”

“Well, thank you, my dear. Good to know I didn’t cook all day to not be appreciated.”

“This looks amazing, Buck.” Eddie exclaims. “You seriously did all this by yourself?”

“Like it was a big deal. Try the sauce.”

“Yeah, I was about--”

“Try it.” Evan insists, big eyes on him. Eddie glances toward Tommy, nervous.

“Try the damn sauce.” Tommy hums, not looking at him, suiting the cloth napkin on his lap. “He’s not gonna move until you do.”

“C’mon.” Evan smiles, staring. Eddie cuts a piece of meat and soaks it in the bright, thick sauce. “Mhm, this is really good, Buck! Oh, my, what is in this? Is this some Bobby’s recipe?”

“It has grapefruit.” Charlie whispers, leaning close to him.

“Grapefruit? And what has the dessert? Jalapeños?”

“Now, that I can’t tell, I almost lost two fingers when I tried to open the fridge today.” Tommy laughs.

“I know! I know!” Oli smiles, excited. “Daddy let me look but made me promise to keep the secret.

“Speaking of which, sweety, would you mind go and bring the lemonade? I'd go but your brother is destroying me today.”

“I can go.” Tommy says.

“You can’t.” Oli interrupts him. “It’s in the fridge, and you can’t look.”

“Alright, alright.” Tommy smiles, raising his hands. “Won’t argue with the lady, here.”

Tommy watches her as she manages to direct her long legs toward the kitchen, still impressed on how she is a perfect clone of Evan. Genetics are impressive, indeed, crosses his mind, as he directs his eyes on Charlie. That's a bit harder for him to address, but Evan swears she and Tommy are two water drops. She's a bit thicker, sassy temper that during her teenage years is tinged with rude words and bad behavior. Tommy used to be a bit like that at her age, but there’s no need she knows that. At least not for the next ten years.

Oli comes back with a glass jar in her hands, watching her steps. She suddenly stops, frowning, and her eyes fill with confusion, as she stares down the table.

Evan frowns too, leaning to look behind his chair.

“What is--?” Eddie looks at Oli and then down. “Buck? Buck, I think you...”

“Daddy, did you just pee yourself?”

“Oh, my God.” Tommy murmurs, opening his eyes. “Oh, Evan!” He exclaims, but he’s numb.

“Buck, your water broke!” Eddie exclaims, standing from his seat. “The baby is coming!”

“What?” Evan frowns. “No way, it’s too-- Oh, God, another one.” He whines, grabbing his belly after a new piercing rush of pain.

“Another one?” Tommy asks. “Are you been having contractions and you told me nothing? For how long have you--”

“Hey, hey, Tommy.” Eddie says. “This is not the time.”

“Well, If I knew they were contractions I wouldn’t have been cooking on my feet all fucking day!”

“Daddy’s cursing!” Charlie laughs.

“Ok, girls, please stay calmed.” Tommy says, internally shaking.

“Listen, Tommy, this doesn’t mean he’s gonna have it right now.” Eddie tries to calm him. Then he directs to Evan. “Buddy, do you remember how much time you have in between contractions?”

“Well, I’m not sure, not so often. But I definitely felt him like, changing his position? I thought he was just suiting himself more comfortable. This didn’t happen with the girls!” He whimpers, I-I just-- it was different!”

“Each birth is different.” Eddie assures. “Ok, Tommy, this is what we’re gonna do: take him to the hospital, now. Do you have a bag ready? Like, with the baby stuff in it?”

“Of course we do.” Tommy says.

“We do?” Evan asks, pressing his belly, after another rush of pain.

“Go grab it, Tommy, and take him to the hospital. I’ll go right behind you, taking the girls.”

“We’re going?” Charlie asks, visibly nervous.

“Of course you’re coming.” Eddie smiles, cupping them both on a tight hug, while Tommy runs to Luca’s bedroom.

“Uncle Eddie, I’m nervous.” Charlie murmurs, glancing at Evan. “Is daddy suffering?”

“Daddy, are you in pain?” Oli asks, doubting if she should touch his belly or not.

“N-no, my dear, I’m-- not... in pain.” He whines, breathing fast. “I swear I’m fine. Your brother is just... a little im--patient! That’s all.”

“Ok, we’re ready!” Tommy exclaims, coming from the room.

“Oh, God...!” Evan whines again. “We’re gonna miss the dessert.”

“You gotta be kidding me.” Eddie frowns, as Evan leans on the table to get up. “Watch your step, Buck, the floor might be slippery. Girls, get my truck keys! Let’s go.”

Outside, Tommy waits for them with the truck door open and the backrest half reclined. He helps Evan get in, taking his hand.

“Just... drive safe.” Evan growls, pressing his teeth.

“Don’t worry, I’m a professional, my love.”

----------

Chapter Text

----------

Eddie can swear the coffee machine is the same as fifteen years ago, when he has to bump it a little for the plastic cup to drop properly. A rusty buzz indicates the cup is being filled, in the awkward silence of the hallway.

He sees Tommy on the waiting lobby, with each girl by his side. The big clock ticks that it’s almost half an hour since Evan entered the delivery room. And still no news.

“How long is this gonna take?” Oli asks, sighing, resting her back on her seat.

“Soon, baby.” Tommy directs his eyes toward him, as Eddie hands one of the plastic cups. “Thanks, man... You know girls, when you were born, your Auntie and I were so nervous.” He smiles. “When they finally let me in to see your daddy, he was alone and...” Drugged, he thinks. “He looked adorable.”

“I’ve seen tv shows where women give birth and they’re not adorable.” Charlie chuckles. “They look like hell.”

“Well, your daddy did. He couldn’t deliver you, guys, he had a cesarean section procedure. So, he didn’t look messy at all. He was sleepy. And adorable.” He takes a sip of his coffee. Eddie takes a seat next to Oli. “And then I got to see you two, my beautiful babies, so tiny and chubby, and fragile, and I just knew my world was complete. Well, lucky me, I still didn’t know that was a lie. Because now I can’t imagine this family without your little brother in it.”

“Did you imagine us when you met daddy?” Charlie asks.

“Of course not. But don’t get me wrong, sweeties. I mean, I always wanted a family of my own, and I could quickly imagine him in it but... I always thought we could, I don’t know, adopt? There were not many options for us then. But then... the surprise... What we have here is very unique, my loves. You two are the best and most loving surprise I ever had in my whole life.” Tommy searches with his free hand on his pocket and takes out his wallet. Leaving the cup on the coffee table, he takes two photos out of it. “Look, the four of us when you turned one year old. We took it right before we sliced the cake.”

“You look so young.” Charlie smiles, tilting her head. “You don’t show us that many pictures of when we were little, dad.”

“Well, look at you here. We spent hours choosing the right dresses for you to wear, and they ended up all stained in chocolate cake in a couple of minutes.” Tommy passes the photo back and looks at the other. The photo they took on their first flying lesson is still on his wallet, a little more age worn. The bright smiles, their foreheads together, the chopper behind them. He and Evan looked excited and in love, messy hair thanks to the windy day at the Station. “And this one right here... I’ve had this practically since we started dating. Your daddy was so beautiful back then, stunning.”

“Younger daddy was so cute.” Oli says, leaning close for a better look.

“He was indeed. I mean, he still is, but...” Tommy sighs, amazed. “So, did I ever tell you the story of how I fell in love with him?” The girls shake their head in denial. “Never?”

“This is a great time to chat.” Eddie points out.

“Well, remember when I told you that I used to be a cool firefighter? Your daddy, and your Uncle Chim, and your Uncle Eddie... They called because they needed my help. Bobby was their Captain back in those years, and he was in trouble.”

“Bobby-Bobby?” Charlie exclaims. “Athena’s Bobby?”

“Yes, my love. Athena’s Bobby. See that is no lie when I tell you we know each other from so long ago? So, they called me because they needed to fly to rescue Bobby and Athena from a capsized cruise ship.”

“A what?”

“It’s true.” Eddie hums, looking to his phone.

“Oh, yeah. You see it’s not all paperwork and boring fires, right? That’s when I met him. I was... captured by his smile and his shiny vibe. He just... illuminated the rest of us, he... Then he called me a few days later, told me he wanted me to give him a tour by the Harbor Station. The same Station I’m right now, by the way.” Tommy makes a pause. Eddie stares at him, captivated along with the girls by the story. Eddie is remembering those old times, nostalgic, letting himself guide by Tommy’s smooth tone. “In fact, your Uncle Eddie and I became friends even before I could actually date your daddy. And you’re not gonna believe this: I thought I was growing some bad blood between them, because they had a little... argue, to make it simple.”

“They argued because of you? You were jealous, Uncle Eddie?” Charlie says.

“Not me!” Eddie snorts.

“Of course he wasn’t. But you know how... dramatic your daddy can get sometimes. He was no different, back then. He thought I was stealing his best friend’s attention, when actually it was the exact opposite. I wanted his. But daddy still wasn’t so sure about wanting me in that way.”

“Uncle Eddie would have been a cool dad.” Oli giggles.

“They’re brothers, you don’t have kids with your siblings, you dumbass.”

“Well, that’s quite true, but watch your mouth, Charlie.” Tommy says. “So... with our ups and downs... here we are.”

“No, wait. That's not how you tell a story.” Charlie protests. “Who asked who out on a date finally?”

“Actually...” Tommy’s eyes reflect the memories of that night at the loft. That life-changing night. “He offered me a beer to thank me for the Harbour tour, I... went to his old place to talk about his little argue with your Uncle Eddie and... well...” He smirks on the images running again through his mind. Evan's dazzle eyes, his constant chatting... You even made fake mouth static... 'Cause trying to get your attention it's been kind of exhausting... There are, uh, better ways to get someone’s attent--. “I might have given him a kiss to shut him up.”

“Oohhh.. So romantic.” Oli sighs.

“Can’t say we’re surprised; you still do that. Like daily.”

“Some things don’t change.” Eddie hums, sipping his coffee.

“A lot of water has run under the bridge since then, sweethearts. Was a few years later that we discovered he could get pregnant, when... well, you were on your way, and... It’s been a rollercoaster since then.” He pulls her girls close and kisses her heads. “You can’t imagine how lucky I feel to have you here, and to have this wonderful story with your daddy, and to be able to tell it to you...”

Eddie looks at his phone again.

“Maddie says she’ll be here when she comes out of her shift. And if you need anything.”

“Can she accelerate the clock?” Tommy asks, sighing.

“Do you have any more cool stories of helicopters, dad?” Oli says.

“Of course I do, my love. One day, and this is pretty funny, I flew all over LA with your daddy.”

“Like a romantic date?”

“No, more like us having the FBI and the Military behind us.”

“Wow, so cool.” Charlie opens her eyes.

“Yeah, well, I got suspended right after for stealing a chopper... twice. But, funny fact, is that him and I were... kind of estranged, by those days. He asked for my help... again, and I just couldn’t say no.” He whispers then. “I guess you could say it was a bit romantic, too.”

“Aww, I want someone taking me on a flight, someday.” Oli whines.

“I’ve taken you to fly with me multiple times.” Tommy protests.

“By a boy.”

The white heavy door creaks, catching everyone’s attention. Tommy stands up, to a young, tired Nurse.

"So, tell us, how did everything go? Is the baby ok?"

"Yes, Mr. Kinard. Don't worry, your son is here and is healthy."

"Oh, thanks God!" He exclaims. Behind him, the girls gasp happily, and Eddie sighs in relief, pulling them close for a hug.

The nurse stares at him, concerned eyes that Tommy only notice after a moment. The room goes quiet. The joyful wolf that was jumping for his baby inside of him suddenly stops, and sink in his heart the sense of danger.

"So, everything is ok... right?" She sighs, her eyes glancing fast to his daughters and back to him. "How is my husband?" Silence. "Miss, how is Evan?"

"Maybe it would be better if we could... speak somewhere more private, sir?"

He takes a look at the girls, with her big eyes pinned on him. Eddie is holding them by the shoulders. He nods to Tommy, who follows the nurse down the hallways, when they can meet with Dr. Thompson. This is no good.

"How's Evan?"

"Mr. Kinard, first of all, as the Nurse already told you, I want you to know that the baby is fine, he was born strong and healthy, as we expected. He will remain under observance for a few hours, but only because he is premature, and there's some things we need to check out first. Is that understood?

"How's Evan?" The doctor makes a pause.

"You and your kids will be able to see him, then."

"Doctor. How... is... Evan? Don't make me ask you again."

"Mr. Buckley, he..." He sighs. "He might have suffered a stroke during the deliver. He..."

"He might have suffered?" Tommy's tone raises, arms crossed.

"We always knew this was a risky pregnancy. He had some health conditions that we hoped didn't put in danger his life or the baby's. But they were there. And we knew it. The truth is... there was a tiny blood clot in his injured leg, one that... could have been there for a couple of days. The last control he had was fine, so we assume this clot could have developed right after that."

"W-what do you mean a cl-- What happened to him, doc-- Is.." Tommy takes a deep breath, teary eyes beginning to betray him. "Is he--?"

"He's alive, Mr. Kinard, don't worry. But the clot migrated through his veins due to the pressure during the deliver and was deposited in his brain. We... intervened Mr. Buckley immediately, to dissolve the clot. Is not a major procedure, but he got lucky we were with him when it happened. You know? With these things, Mr. Kinard, every second is vital."

"So... Where is he, now? Can we see him? Is he ok?"

"He got out well, yes. He's resting now, but we can't really know how is gonna turn out, not until he wakes up. It's all uncertain, until then."

Tommy's head is spinning. Different emotions are collapsing and crashing against each other.

"What I recommend now, is that you take your daughters and meet your son. He's in the nursery room, but you can see him through the window. In a couple of hours, if everything is fine, they're gonna give him to you. In the meantime, let Mr. Buckley rest. He's gonna need all the strength he can get."

"But, I can spend the night with him, right? I mean, I'm not going anywhere."

"You can, but maybe you would like to take your girls home, to sleep. Maybe comeback after he wakes up?"

Tommy can't believe this is happening. The night that was supposed to be the best night of their lives, now it has become a nightmare. A real nightmare. Tommy only wants to break down those doors and curl up beside Evan, give him his warmth, his strength, his love... His life, if that was possible. He wants to grab his newborn baby, his girls and stay all together in that bed, so maybe Evan will feel in his sleep that he's surrounded by love. But he can't.

----------

Maddie arrives just in time to the good and the bad news. They all go the nursery room, and cry in their joy when they observe one of the cribs with the name "Luca Buckley-Kinard" on it. the girls scream in between tears by the chosen name, and then cry of real pain when Tommy tells them what's going on with their daddy. They want to stay. Maddie offers to take them to her place and rest. Tommy kneels in front of them, not being important if he must raise his head real high to meet their eyes. He commands them to go with their aunt, promising that they'd be the first to know if Evan woke up.

"Congratulations, man." Eddie murmurs, once they're alone, still in front of the nursery window. Tommy don't take his eyes from little Luca, so big for an eight-month-old, looking strong as the doctor says. He swings his arms and legs in the air, as if he's looking for someone, when the rest of the babies there just sleep.

"I just want to... hold him." He says, tensing his fingers in his crossed arms.

"I know." Eddie's not sure how to continue. "So, you're staying with Buck?"

"Of course I am." Tommy sounds plain, eyes on the crib. "I'm waiting for them to give me my son and then we're spending the night at Evan's room. Together. Like the family we are."

"Of course you will. Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine." Eddie palms his shoulder. "Actually, there's something I need you to bring, when you come back."

----------

It’s past midnight, when Tommy is called by the nurse. He stayed in the lobby, alone with his thoughts. He thinks of the stories he told his daughters a few hours earlier, about stolen helicopters and a cute firefighter. He remembers Evan, young and charming, with his blue eyes that always seemed to light up just to meet with his own. Evan, who was the only one capable of making him get dressed fancy for an old rusty corpse’s funeral. Only he was childish enough to buy a Halloween doll in the web only to find out it was real, and the day right after moves him with sweet words about family, and belonging and have people around you to watch your back.

And that's when Tommy knew Evan was something more than just a hot guy to go out with. Evan was for-life material. Evan gave him love and laughs, and hundreds of stories of random facts that he doesn't remember now, and surely didn't care back then. But Tommy loved to listen to him chat. Loved how passionate he was to dig in the internal layers of the simple things. Evan gave him back his lost sense of actually be sexy for someone, made him literally lose his mind with the thousand different things they shared in bed. Made him question aspects of himself and the way he behaves, after madly arguing for things he can't remember now. Evan always wanted Tommy to let it out the best of him.

Evan always went for what he wanted. Tommy remembered how fast he went from their shy tender first kiss, where he stood there, dazzled, to the second one, when practically he jumped over him, devouring his mouth in the middle of the hospital lobby, not caring and maybe not even noticing if someone was there watching. And Evan was like that. Tommy only hopes that the same eager he's always had help him find his way back.

Tommy can feel some of that eager energy in little Luca. So soft and fragile, but so strong in his gestures, first thing Tommy does is take a deep smell of his hair. Orange loaf. Tommy can’t say he’s surprised, but his emotions that night betray him with a couple of tears down his cheeks. Luca stares at him, eyebrows frowned, with a big pair of gray eyes.

“Welcome, my boy...” He murmurs, cupping him in his arms, and leaves a tiny kiss in his red chubby cheek.

“Mr. Kinard, you have an adorable son. We’ll be leaving formula for him in the room, so you can feed him tonight. Please, do it on his demand, understood?”

“Yeah, of course. Not that I’m gonna be able to sleep at all tonight.”

“I understand.” She sooths her voice. “I’m sorry for all you’ve been going through. We’re gonna send something for you to eat, too, is that ok?”

“Oh, is not... necessary. Not hungry, anyways.”

“You must be strong now for your husband and your baby.”

“I know. I just want to see Evan. Please, can you take me with him?”

Evan looks peaceful. Despite the nasal catheter connecting him to the oxygen tube next to his bed, he just seems to be resting. No big belly bulking the sheets. Tommy suits Luca in his arms and takes slow steps toward him. The nurse gives him some indications he really doesn’t hear, because his mind is focused on Evan.

“Hey... look who I got...” He hums, rocking Luca, who was beginning to sleep, but suddenly seems a lot more alert. He opens his big gray eyes and looks around, whining a little cry. “Shh, shh, my baby boy, look. Daddy’s here. We’re both here... Evan, our son is perfect, so beautiful, like you. Evan, I know you can feel him here, with you.”

Tommy gets even closer and leans in a bit, offering him a better look of their baby. Luca’s eyes meet Evan, and he starts to cry out loud.

“Oh.” Tommy smiles. “Look like he recognizes you, already.” Tommy then has an idea, and places the baby delicately on Evan’s chest, hoping this would make him come back. Luca immediately stops crying, at the simple touch with his body, and babbles some drooly noises before falling sleep. Evan doesn’t raise his arms to hold him, doesn’t tilt his head down to look at him.

“Evan, is your son.” He insists, grabbing the little body, so it won’t fall to the sides. “You don’t-- You don’t ignore your son, Evan. You--” He sighs. He needs to calm down. “He already loves you, as you can see. You're the best warm crib he’s been until now.” Tommy makes a pause, his hand still holing Luca on Evan’s chest. “I wish I could join him on that warm crib.”

The nurses bring him the formula when he’s still next to Evan, rocking softly Luca, who was beginning to whine because of the hunger. So, Tommy feeds him, before a sleeping Evan. And he fights with one hand to try his own dinner, holding Luca in his arm, before a sleeping Evan. And starts to close his tired eyes, before a sleeping Evan.

His phone wakes him up a few minutes later. It’s late at night, and neither Luca nor Evan seem to bother about the light or the loud notification.

“Shh, my love...” He murmurs, although Luca is not interested in waking up. He manages to suit him on his own chest, with his little head over his shoulder, as he searches for the phone on his pocket. “Hey, Luca, let’s see who’s needing dad this late at night.”

It's Athena. Ok, that’s odd.

ATHENA: We need to talk. Can I call you?

Tommy calls her.

“I’m sorry to bother you, Tommy. Congratulations for your son, darling.”

“Thanks, Athena, it’s... been a rollercoaster, to be fair.”

"I can imagine, Tommy. How is Buck? We’re all so worried about him.”

“Well, we have to wait. He’s sleeping now, so.”

“Please, keep us updated. Bobby and I will keep you in our prayers.”

“Don’t worry, I will.” Tommy’s eyes rest on Evan, as he suits Luca on his chest.

“Listen, Tommy. Bobby told me there was no reason to tell you this right now, but I think it’s fair you know. Frank, he... escaped from jail.”

----------

Chapter Text

----------

Evan wakes up. The ceiling looks familiar. His whole room looks familiar. The sun enters through the window, like only he knows from... his own room. Their... room. He incorporates fast: Tommy’s side of the bed is empty, with wrinkled sheets. Evan looks down, hands to his stomach. There’s no belly there. What is happening? Voices coming from the hallways catch his attention, as he gets up from the bed. The feeling of not having that big heavy bulk hanging from his guts is kind of relieving, but the only thing on his mind right now is meeting his baby. Luca must be with Tommy now, he can feel it. He can smell the orange loaf in the air, something he couldn’t smell the day before.

He needs to see Luca.

“Oh, look who decided to wake up!” Tommy smiles, behind the kitchen isle. But he looks different. He looks younger? “Good morning, baby.” Evan squints. No gray hair, no chubby abs. Tommy looks fitter and young. “Did you sleep well?”

“Uh, where’s Luca?”

“Who?” Tommy smirks, finishing to pour the milk in two equal glasses. “Girls, breakfast’s ready!” Tommy leaves the glasses on the kitchen table. “Girls! C’mon!”

“L-Luca.” Evan insists, smiling nervously. “W-where is him?”

“I have no idea who you’re talking about, baby, but if we don’t hurry, we’re all gonna be late. Girls, don’t make me call you again!”

“Luca, he... Tommy, our bab--”

“GIRLS! Sorry, sweetheart, your kids are driving me crazy today. What were you saying?”

Evan hears a fast pair of steps behind him, from the hallway. Over his left side the two girls pass running. The seven-year-old version of his daughters. Oli has her golden curls even lighter than she has them today, and Charlie still maintains her sweet innocent personality. They are dressed to school; Evan remembers the uniform gray skirts and the Bordeaux cardigans.

“Dad, dad, can we go to the zoo this weekend?” Charlie asks Tommy, taking seat. He leaves a cereal bowl in front of her and one in front of her sister.

“Please, dad, can we?” Oli insists. “The baby Giraffe is born and they’re gonna name it this Saturday! Maybe we can pick the name!”

“Really?” Tommy smiles. “And what names have you on your mind?”

“I want to name it Sparkle.” Oli says, balancing her legs hanging from the chair.

“No, her name is gonna be Bubbles, I’m going to choose it.”

“Dad, no...!” Oli whines. “Tell her it’s Sparkle!”

“Ok, girls, why don’t you eat your breakfast, and we can discuss the Giraffe’s name on our way to school?”

“That means we’re going?” Charlie exclaims, smiling wide. Olivia cheers.

“I didn’t say...” Tommy rests his eyes on Evan. “You better go ask daddy, we don’t know if he’s... gonna be feeling good enough, remember what we spoke?”

“Daddy...?” The girls cry at the same time, looking at him. Evan is in paternity leave. He's sure about that. He's just not sure where Luca is.

“What? I feel fine.” He shrugs, before a confused Tommy. “But I really prefer you ask dad.”

“Oh, c’mon.” Charlie protests. “All my friends are going!”

Tommy takes his phone from his pocket. He smiles at the screen and a moment later he drops the smile and glances at him, like if he doesn’t want Evan to see it. Evan slowly approaches, insisting to let him take a look, so Tommy turns the phone to his side, showing him the photo he just received. In the photo it can be seen Frank, smiling warmly, with gray bag under his eyes. But these bags are not from long battles at all, but from the hard joy of a newborn. A little pink baby in his arms, eyebrows frowned and a white beanie on his head. Evan’s heart begins to run fast, uncontrollably: that’s his son. That's Luca. What the hell is doing Frank with his son?

“Luca?” Evan can’t take his eyes from that baby. “Tommy, that’s--”

“What? Again with that? Who is Luca?” He asks, smiling a bit awkward. Tommy closes the photo and sees a text sent right behind it.

“This... is Frank’s son. Remember? Frank, from the Station? Let’s see, it says: Hey, Cap, meet my baby boy, his name is... Tommy stops.

“W-what happens?” Evan is curious.

“How did you know the name of Frank’s son?”

“Because that’s not his, Tommy! That's what I’ve been trying to tell you.” He exclaims. “That’s our son, the one he’s been trying to steal from us since day one!”

“Ok, Evan. I... think I’m gonna take them to school now. Are you guys ready?” He asks, not taking his eyes from him. Evan is desperate to be heard. “You and I are gonna talk about those...” He glances the girls and next he whispers. “Happy pills... the doctor gave you.”

“What? What happy-- I don’t take antidepressants...”

Tommy sighs.

“Girls, go brush your teeth and we leave in five minutes.” They obey, in complete silence, and Tommy invites Evan to take a seat, cupping his hands between his. “Evan, the doctor told me this could happen, so, I need to make this question, what... You don’t remember what happened, do you?”

“W-what happened with what?” Evan frowns, smiling. “What are you talking about?”

“Evan, you... we lost the baby, Evan. Four months old when you had a miscarriage.”

“No, that’s not...” He smiles, retiring his hands from Tommy’s grip. “That’s not possible, I-I had a whole pregnancy, I began labor just yesterday! Oli chose the damn name!”

“Evan, please, calm down.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down!” He exclaims, his breathing fast and shallow. “We went to the hospital, I-I broke water during dinner, E-Eddie was there, I cooked beef chuck with fennel, I even made desse--”

“Evan, darling.” Tommy’s tone is beginning to freak him out. “You’re speaking nonsense again. Let me go grab your pills.”

“I don’t need no pills!” He screams, and his heart hurts. He takes a hand to his chest, suddenly feeling that the air is not enough. “I... I d-don't feel very--”

“Evan? Evan, baby, calm down. Breathe with me. Evan? Evan!”

----------

“What do you mean he escaped?” Tommy asks, holding the phone with his shoulder, as he suits Luca in his chest.

“Yes. Like three nights ago. But, don’t worry, I’ve been informed that he went north in attempt to cross the border to Canada.”

“An attempt?” He exclaims, glancing at Evan. “Do you mean he could still be around here? Around us?”

“The Montana authorities reported seeing him just this morning.” She makes a pause. “Tommy. Dear, don’t worry. They’re gonna catch him. You and Buck are safe.”

“I wish it was only me and Evan, Athena. I have three kids to protect. Luca is here now, and I don’t know if that means he’s thinking of coming back to--”

“Tommy.”

He presses Luca against him, instinctively.

“Tommy, all your family is safe. He’s too far away, and they’re gonna get him. The only reason I told you this is because it’s better you hear it from my words. And it’s always helpful to be aware.”

It's only after Tommy hangs up that he takes a seat, open his shirt buttons with his free hand and suits Luca between the fabric and his bare skin. At that moment it seems the only safe place for his son to be.

Tommy doesn’t sleep that night.

“Don’t ask me why, Lu, but I can’t take of my mind a beach trip your daddy and I did once, even before your sisters existed. We went to Mexico, for a whole week of relax and just... spending some time together. I mean, not that we didn’t do that normally, it’s more like a-- a romantic scape, far away from everyone. Just me and him.” Tommy can’t help but smirk nostalgically at the memories coming to his mind. “We got drunk the night we arrived... An all-inclusive hotel, with a huge pool, near the beach... We got dinner at the Italian restaurant, because, as you’ll come to discover soon, your daddy is obsessed with pasta and... we had a long night walk by the shore that night. Just the moon reflecting in the water...” Tommy laughs, fingers to his forehead. “First lesson, my boy: don’t walk along the beach after a bunch of martinis.” Luca studies his face like he is actually paying attention to the story. “I... tripped over some rocks and, well..., your daddy had to help me get up. Or at least he tried, because next thing I knew, we were both laying on the sand, our clothes all dirty, and...” Tommy remembers how they ended up making out over the sand, both dyed on the blue moonlight, until a flashlight yelled at them that they couldn’t be there by that time. “We had a pretty intense night, baby.” Flashes of that trip keep passing before his eyes, and suddenly he remembers Evan’s crop top. The first time Tommy saw him wearing one, he knew things wouldn’t be the same. It was a lowkey crop top, showing only a bold stripe of his under belly, but was enough for Tommy to locked themselves in the room and not going out for the rest of the afternoon. Tommy was not a fetishist guy, he still isn’t, but that simple garment was the closest thing he knew. The crop top stayed. The rest of their clothes flew away.

The first sunrays catch Tommy giving Luca his formula again, after changing his diapers. Tommy doesn’t take his eyes from Evan, not for a moment, hoping that his insistence would make him wake up.

The nurses come, they check on him, give him a quick sponge bathe and change the sheets. Tommy observes at the distance, while Luca rest on his crib, next to the companion chair. Eddie calls, asking for any news. Tommy hangs up with nothing new to tell.

By midday, Tommy’s eyes begin to close, against his will. He’s sleepy on the chair, his hand resting on the crib’s edge, when he suddenly hears a beep coming from Evan’s side, followed by another. The monitor connected to his vital signs begins to beep uncontrollably, as Evan chest moves fast up and down.

“Evan?” Tommy gets up, running to his side. “Evan, c’mon, he-he's not... He can’t breathe!” He screams, nervously, looking to the door and again to him. He doesn’t want to leave the bed, but he needs to go find a nurse. “Evan, baby!”

Luca starts to cry out loud, as the monitor shows Evan’s heart is racing fast, and Tommy knows there’s no time to waste. He goes to the hallway and yells for help. It only passes a moment when two nurses come to help, and ask Tommy to wait outside the room. He grabs Luca on his way out, still crying with all his lungs, and stares from the outside of the room, rocking his son to calm him down.

----------

The beeping in his ears bothers him. The bright light in his eyes bothers him. His whole body aches, and for a few seconds he doesn’t even know where he is. Well, for something more than a few seconds, because when he manages to open his eyes a bit more, he distinguishes the blurred silhouette of a blond woman right on top of him. He squints, hearing some muffled voices. The woman is talking to him, trying to communicate. Is she... asking him something? He’s not sure. The other one seems to be paying more attention to the big monitor beside him.

“...me? Sir?” The woman asks. It’s clearer now. “Sir, can you hear me?”

Evan looks at her, confused, and to the other one again. Then he remembers. Evan tries to incorporate, but he’s retained by them.

“Wait, Sir, calm down.”

“My baby!” His hands inspection his stomach, flat and empty. “Where’s my-- Where's my baby? Where’s Tommy?”

“Everything is fine.” She says, pushing him down slowly to return to rest. “Don’t worry, your son and husband are right there, waiting for you to wake up.” Evan stares at her, not sure if those words are true, or if it is another trick of his mind. “We just need to check everything is ok with you, and they’ll come right away, is that ok?”

He nods, eagerly.

“Ok, Sir, can you remember your name? What day--”

“Evan Buckley, and if I'm not wrong, today must be Wednesday. I was admitted here to give birth to my child.” He sighs, bothered. “Can I see them now?” She grabs a little flashlight and holds his eyelash for a quick pupil check. Then she moves her finger in front of him, for Evan to follow.

“Apparently everything seems fine. How is your head, Sir? Does it hurt?” He denies. “Any buzz you may hear, dizziness?”

“I am fine, I already told you.”

“We’re gonna call the doctor now for a full review. He’s gonna be able to explain what happened, alright? In the meantime, your husband and kid can join you.”

----------

Luca holds Tommy’s shirt as strong as he can, wrinkling it between his fingers. His head rest on his dad’s shoulder, looking to whatever he leaves behinds. Tommy's rocking him softly, humming an unknown out of tone lullaby, while he walks back and forth through the hallway. Luca could feel during his first night that his dad was sad and anxious, but now he feel he’s tense, nervous. But there’s no reason to be nervous, his daddy finally woke up, and now he will have two warm chests to rest. He couldn’t be luckier.

Tommy enters the room when the nurses give him the green light: Evan is half seated on the bed, bare chested with the sheets pulled up to his armpits. He smiles wide by the simple fact of seeing them.

“Sweetheart...” Tommy murmurs, his voice shaky. “Look, look who’s been waiting for you.”

“Oh, my God...” Evan whispers, as Tommy passes him his son, leaning over him and kissing his forehead long and tender. Luca whines a bit as he’s passed between hands, but stops automatically when he realizes is his daddy who’s receiving him. He looks at him with big gray eyes. “He’s frowning so bad.” Evan smiles again, grabbing him softly and suiting his little uneasy body on his arms. “He looks like you when you’re mad.”

“No, he doesn’t… he’s just as perfect as you.” Tommy murmurs, caressing Evan’s curls. “I was so scared, Evan. So scared, you can’t even imagine.”

“It feels like I fell sleep... But I assume by your face that I wasn’t, right?”

“No, you had some problems with a clot. Let the doctor explain that to you, Evan. But our son was born healthy, and he was desperate to see you, and we spend the night here, and-- I sent the girls with Maddie, she came yesterday to meet Luca, and well... Then this happened.”

“I’m sorry.” Evan mutters, looking down for a moment.

“Don’t worry about it. Our medical insurance is pretty good, honey. The Fire Department covers us well for everything.”

“I wasn’t talking about that...” He smiles. Tommy could give the world in exchange to see him smiling like that forever. “I-I mean, for... scared--”

“You did scare the shit our of us, Evan. But I’m glad you came back to us.”

“How can I not? All that matters is here, right? So... How are the girls?” Evan asks, brushing his index finger through Luca’s little hand, which he grabs immediately. Luca holds that finger with incredible strength.

“They’re with Maddie, waiting for news, as everyone. I’m gonna call them all now.” Tommy cups his cheek, smiling softly. “Give me a minute, baby. I’ll come back.”

Evan nods, but he doesn’t even look at him leave, he’s busy staring at his cute little son. He brings him close to his nose and takes a long and deep breathe. His craving for oranges is there. Orange loaf, just like his dream, as if a more perfect scent couldn’t have been chosen for him.

“Hello, beautiful.” He whispers, kissing his cheek. “You’re even prettier than I could possibly imagine... Welcome to this crazy family, my sweety. We got nothing but love to offer you. Well, a couple of big sisters that will drive you nuts, believe me, but they’ll love you just as much as your dad and I.”

Luca’s eyes begin to close, sleepy, as Evan rocks him, and it’s only when he totally falls sleep that he suits him over his chest. Luca feels warm and so calm, like nothing in the world could bother his dream. Evan loves the phase when their kids don’t know about the dangers and the worries out there. He loves to know that, despite all the things that could go wrong, his arms were the right place to be.

Evan remembers Frank. That awful day at the parking lot, the gun pointed at his head. He remembers his lost eyes, his shaky hands, screaming at him, making think that, maybe for a moment, his whole future could be ripped apart. He sighs, holding his baby even closer to him, and tries to erase those memories.

He's safe. His baby is safe. And he can’t be more beautiful.

And Evan doesn’t want to let his child go, not for a second. Not even when Tommy comes back and tells him to put him in his crib, after feeding him. Evan doesn’t want to keep him off his sight.

“What are you looking at?” He murmurs, noticing Tommy has been staring at him for the past five minutes, without saying a word. Seating right next to his bed, he holds a silly smile on his face.

“Nothing.” He says. “You.”

“Me? What's to look about me? I can recognize your thinking face, Tommy. Tell me, what’s on your mind?”

“Earlier I was remembering our trip to Mexico.” Evan tilts his head up.

“Ah... that trip. How can I forget it? You fell on the beach, that I remember well.”

“Uh, we both fell, my dear.” Tommy points out. “And those two ladies at the pool? They almost asked us to--”

“How could they not notice we were together?” Evan laughs. “I mean, I know I’m quite gushy when I’m around you.”

“Drunk, my love. They were drunk. And they could resist your physique, so I’m not blaming them.”

“Yeah... I had to kiss you in front of them for evidence of our relationship.”

“Oh, right, poor, poor baby, he had the terrible duty... If I remember well, those ladies were gone and you were still kissing me, Evan. Was that part of the evidence, too?”

“Well, I-- I got carried away by the emotions. I was allowed, wasn’t I?”

“You were allowed to whatever you wanted, baby. You still are.” Tommy says, caressing his cheek. Then his hand moves to Luca’s head. He still can’t believe he’s here.

----------

“You didn’t have to bring anything!” Evan exclaims later that day, when Eddie appears with a small package in his arms. More like a... plastic container? “What do you have there, Eddie?”

“Oh, something my Captain ordered me.” He says, leaving it over the side table and getting closer to Luca’s crib, who sleeps peacefully. “Oh, guys... He’s so adorable... Congratulations, you took seriously this Omega Gene thing. So, when’s the next one?”

“Oh, no next one.” Tommy snorts.

“I can remember us having this same conversation fifteen years ago.” Eddie laughs.

“This time is serious.”

“Until daddy says he’s pregnant again and you become all melted by the idea.” Charlie says, elbowing her sister.

“No more babies.” Evan states. “I still need to raise you girls and your little brother, do you want me to faint of tiredness?”

“We’re helping with Luca.” Oli smiles. “We’re gonna feed him, and play with him--”

“And teach him the bad words, don’t forget that.”

“No one’s teaching him bad words, girls!” Tommy protests.

“Of course not, dad.” Charlie smirks, glancing Oli. “Promised.”

“Hey, what’s on that container?” Evan asks.

“Now, that’s...” Eddie hums, grabbing it again and giving it to him. “Just for you.” Evan opens it. For a moment, he just stares. “Eddie... my Crème Brûlée.”

“Tommy asked me to pass by your house and bring you some.”

“Did you try it?”

“We all did. Well, except you and Tommy. And let me tell you it was delicious. Sorry I had to... crack the fancy caramel for you in order to bring it here.” Eddie suffers playfully. “It was a damn good caramel, buddy. And then I... took the liberty to take the rest to Maddie’s, so it wouldn’t go bad.”

“Daddy, that was a vanilla cream.” Charlie grins. “What’s so fancy about that?”

“Well, it’s a very fine dessert, if you mind, my love. And not easy at all to prepare. It's time for you and your sister to open up for new culinary experiences.”

“I liked it.” Oli shrugs. “I like all the food you prepare. Except for boiled eggs.”

Tommy raises his eyebrow, and when he glances at Evan, he’s glancing back, same expression.

----------

Luca at home feels like a dream come true. Tommy carries all the baby’s stuff into the house, but there’s no way Evan’s gonna let him sleep anywhere but near him. So, the crib is moved to their room, after a promise that it was only for a few days. Tommy is not sure about that, but who is he to judge Evan and his protective instinct?

Later that night, Evan is rocking Luca back and forth the room. Tommy approaches them, leaving a kiss on Evan’s cheek.

“I’m gonna take a shower. You going to bed already?”

“Once I get this little guy to sleep.” Evan hums, suiting him in his arms. Luca already has a sleepy face, opening his mouth in a lazy yawn, and Evan can’t believe how adorable he looks. All in his son reminds him of early years with the girls.

“Alright. Don’t let him manipulate you with that pretty face, dear. I know he got that from you.”

“I don--” Tommy enters the bathroom. “Manipulate you...” Evan murmurs, speaking to himself. “Ok, buddy, time to go to bed. For you and for us... Let’s just...” Evan looks at the crib. So cold and big. There's no way Luca’s gonna be comfortable in there. What if... something happens and he’s not there in time? Evan shakes his head. Holds Luca in the air and places him over the mattress, deeply asleep.

In complete silence, Evan goes to his own bed and observes Luca at the distance, receiving the streetlight from the window. He’s never been so apart from him, and it’s costing him so much. For long minutes, he seats on his side of the bed, staring at the crib, only hearing the shower running on the other side of the door.

The water warm, hitting his back strongly, relaxing his muscles. Tommy tilts his head up, with flashes of the last couple of days before his eyes. Dinner with Eddie, enjoying a family time, until everything changed. He sees himself driving fast on the highway, nervous and excited at the same time, until Evan’s hand reached out to his thigh, trying to calm him. Tommy glanced at him, for a moment, and the smile on his face mirrored Evan’s. He only wishes he could have seen that same smile right after Luca was born, not that neutral expression of a sleeping man that had no idea of what was going on.

Tommy closes the shower tap and grabs the towel, rubbing it fast over his hair, freeing his curls. Then he wraps the towel around his hips. For a moment he thinks he hears Luca cry, but maybe Evan already has him. A terrible thought crosses his mind, of what could have happened if Evan didn’t wake up back at the hospital. A sudden memory of his phone call with Athena assaults him. The fact that Frank is out there worries him, but he can’t let that ruin the moment. He can’t tell Evan, if he doesn’t want him to become paranoic one more time. Athena said, he’s too far away. The police are after him. He's not a threat anymore. Is he?

“Stop it, Kinard.” He commands himself, looking in the mirror.

When he gets out, a dense wave of steam along with him, he spots Evan already snoring heavy on his side, facing the center of the mattress, where a tiny Luca is waving softly his arms and legs to the sky. Tommy's heart bursts in joy, just by looking at them.

His brain tells him to take his son and put him back in the crib, but all he can do, instead of walking to the drawer chest to pick his underwear, is to lay down on the bed, still a bit wet from the shower, and grab Luca’s little hand, shaking it softly. He's not sure how many minutes he stays there, just observing his son, who suddenly seems not to be so sleepy anymore.

“It’s like a dream, huh...?” He hears Evan whispering in the middle of the gloom. Tommy founds blue shiny eyes pinned on his.

“Thought you were sleeping.”

“Sleeping is overrated.” Evan murmurs. “I used to enjoy sleeping before because I could dream of things like these. Now...” He caresses the thin hair in Luca’s head. “All I ever dreamt of is right here, the real life.”

“Oh, baby...”

“I thought we were complete with our girls, but... Can you imagine a world without him in it?”

“I’ve been asking myself the same question since the day I met you, Evan.” Tommy says, reaching the hand to grab his. Fingers intertwined, he continues. “And you keep raising the bar, every time.”

----------

Chapter Text

----------

The bus goes away with a lot of waving hands until it disappears round the corner. Tommy and Evan, waving back to their girls, along with the rest of the parents, slowly lower their hands and remain in silence for a moment. Evan suits Luca in his hip. His little legs hang on the sides, as he seems to be enjoying the delicious discover of chewing his own fist.

“A whole week.” Evan mutters, still looking to that corner. “Do we have a whole week to ourselves?”

“I’ll just try to use that time to recover of how old I'm feeling right now. Can you believe our kids are on a college tour? I mean, yesterday they were just struggling with their head bands!”

“Oli lost that battle. She quitted them long time ago.” Evan makes a pause, sighing right after. “Lucky us, we still have our baby boy to make us company, isn’t that right, Luca?” He smiles, baby talking, and picking his son’s nose, a copycat of Tommy’s. Luca laughs, trying to grab Evan’s hand.

“Daddy!” Luca babbles. And then his eyes turn to Tommy, extending his arms towards him. “Dadda!” Tommy grabs him.

“Come here, Lu, give your daddy a rest.”

“Hey, Tommy, Evan!” They both turn to find Ms. Davies, below a big nest of gray hair. “So long!” She exclaims, and her brown eyes open wide when she realizes of Luca. “Oh, my God, don’t tell me you had another kid!” They both smile. “Who is this beauty? Just like their dads!”

“H-His name’s Luca. He’s twelve months, now. Say "hi" to the lady, Luca.” Evan says, taking his little hand for a gentle wave in the air.

“Oh, he’s adorable.” She hums. “I can’t wait for you to bring him to the school, guys! I mean, if you’re taking him with us, too.”

“Can’t see why not.” Tommy smiles, polite. “But we’ll see when the moment comes, how... are the different schools acting about the family history Luca has, you know... It’s under your knowledge the few drawbacks we had with our girls...”

“Yeah.” She whines. “Kids, right? But don’t worry, every year our school prepares itself for the new generations and the wide variety of homes they come from. And guess what? Last year, two of our kinder students came from ABO families, just like you.”

“Really?” Evan tilts his head, curious. She nods, proudly.

“Yes, and we’ve been keeping our eyes on them, just in case, but they had no further issues than the usual from new kids on a school.”

“It’s nice to know.” Tommy states, still a bit distant. “I mean, that our children receive nothing but a normal, standard treatment by their classmates and their school authorities, just like any other regular-home kid.”

“Ms. Davies, we have to go, now.” Evan interrupts, shaking her hand eagerly. “It was a pleasure to see you again.”

“Oh, same, guys. Just... you know where we are, for anything you decide.”

“We’ll keep it in mind.” They walk fast toward the truck. “You didn’t have to be so rude, Tommy.”

“What? I wasn’t being rude, I was... kind to her. Too much kind, if you ask me.”

----------

“The house is so quiet.” Evan says, putting his phone down, once Tommy comes back from taking Luca to sleep. The long restless nights with them waking up every two hours over a tearing cry invading the silence has passed. Luca uses to sleep through the whole night, unbothered.

“I’m still mad about what you said earlier.” Tommy frowns, seating in his side of the bed, turning his back on Evan, while he slides his feet off the slippers. The mattress moves beside him, and a couple of warm and big, muscled arms suddenly wrap him. Evan’s head rests on his shoulder.

“Oh, and what was that awful thing I said?” He pouts, rubbing his nose on Tommy’s neck.

“You know I can’t see your puppy eyes from here, don’t you?” Tommy smiles. “You said that we were lucky to have Luca making us company... You used to enjoy spending time alone with me.” He jokes.

“Well, I do enjoy spending time alone with you...” Evan whines, getting closer to him, and presses his body against Tommy’s back. Luca’s one year birthday has passed a couple of weeks ago, but Evan still loves to feel he can actually glue himself to Tommy without any big obstacle between them. “I’m enjoying it right now, if it helps...” He hums, lowering his hand to Tommy’s naked belly, on his way to his dick. Finding it half hard and ready to action makes him chuckle. “And I see... you too...”

“Don’t. I’m still mad.” Tommy protests, tilting his head to the right, giving Evan a better access to his neck.

“Let me take care of you, honey.” Evan uses his flirty tone, rubbing the now full hard dick softly, and whispers. “Maybe I can suck that anger out of you.” Tommy’s dick tilts quick, in response. “Come here.” He says then, guiding Tommy softly to rest on his back, as he suits himself between Tommy’s legs. He smells so fresh and his skin still a little wet from the shower, that Evan can’t help but sinking his face in his stomach, breathing deep. “Do you want me to take care of you?”

“Always.” Tommy groans immediately, barely letting Evan finish the question. Nothing feels better than when Evan sets his mind in one mission: this time, making him see the damn stars in an outer space trip, just with the touch of his lips and tongue. And Evan knows exactly what to do; he knows how to take the lead in time and intensity like if he was both a natural and a professional on the pleasure field.

When Evan’s tongue brushes soft against his lower belly, Tommy feels an electric rush of pleasure going down from his core to the tip of his dick, which begins to ache as it hits against Evan’s jaw. This makes him chuckle.

“Someone’s anxious...” Evan murmurs, rubbing his cheek against it, until it meets his mouth. Soft lips caressing Tommy’s sensitive tip drives him crazy. Next, a warm wet tongue brushes it, one, two, three times. The fourth one comes slower and more intense. Tommy hisses, with his hands in Evan’s hair, and tangles some curls between his fingers, fidgeting his tense away, when a hot mouth capture the width of his cock, covering the first half.

Tommy moans deep, feeling Evan’s hand stroking him with no rush at all, but he’s already so gone by the only vision of having him sunk between his legs, that he’s not so sure how long he can last.

“My Go-- Evan!” He gasps, losing his hair, afraid of pulling too hard. “Where do you learn those things with your-- God!” His whole dick is swallowed by Evan’s throat, who’s brushing his nose against the soft skin of his groin.

With pumping veins on the neck, Evan retires slowly, drawing an evil smile on his lips, and his teary eyes can’t be shinier in the gloom of the room. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, they both breathing heavy.

“I love when you do that...” He manages to pant, sinking his head on the pillow.

Evan crawls on the mattress, over Tommy’s body, and holds his nape for their mouths to meet in a messy kiss. Tommy grabs him from the waist, sinking his fingers in the soft low back skin, and suddenly they both roll over the bed, Evan hitting his back on the mattress.

“Ooh, Mr. Kinard, are you gonna punish me now, or what?” Evan’s hand probes blindly to reach Tommy’s boiling cock, and jerks it fast.

“Don-- oh, don’t do that, or I’m--”

Tommy lets his head fall over Evan’s shoulder, lost in the intoxicant heat sensation that’s taking over his body. But Evan loves to tease him doing always the opposite, so he accelerates the strokes.

It's only an instant, but Tommy feels like if real fangs begin to grow in replace of his own teeth. A rare need for Evan’s skin suddenly hits him, overwhelmed by the smell of baked buns and the pleasure heat on his dick. He has to take a bite of those buns. It's not under his control.

Evan smiles, jerking him fast, knowing by his tense body that he’s close. When Tommy finally cums, he finds himself with an open mouth, teeth sunken in Evan’s neck. A hard bite, but nothing more than some pressure on the skin. Evan feels a delightful rush craving his system, direct to his brain, making his Omega jump in joy.

Tommy retires immediately, shocked. The Omega whines.

“W-what are you doing?” Evan chuckles, taking his clean hand to his neck, and inspecting it right after. He rubs the area a couple of times.

“I-I’m sorry.” Tommy murmurs, leaning back, so he can kneel over the mattress. “I... don’t know wh--”

“It’s ok.” Evan interrupts him, a little, blushed? Tommy can notice. “I liked it.”

“Y-you did?”

“Yeah, I-I mean... For a moment I thought you were... gonna bite me? Like... for real. But it didn’t feel awkward at all.” Evan takes some napkins from the nightstand to clean his other hand. “Could it... Well, I-I read about that some time ago, but...”

“The mark?” Tommy asks, glancing to a pink stain that quickly emerges on Evan’s neck. Too noticeable to be after a soft press of his ordinary human teeth.

“You know about that?”

“As much as you, for what I can see.” Tommy smiles. “Eddie told me about it before Luca was born. We were talking of some...” He sighs. “Alpha... I don’t know, instincts? I was having more and more often, and... Well, the theme came out.”

“Eddie is like your Google Search.” Evan jokes. “Didn’t know you two were having such... intimate conversations... about me, most of all...” Evan raises his eyebrows.

“Oh. No, we don’t. That much.” Tommy snorts, nervous. “I just prefer to talk to someone before the... Google thing you love so much.”

Evan stares at him, loving eyes in the bloom.

“Well, next time you... feel the rush to... mark me...” Now he’s blushed. “Just know that I’m all for it. And I'll be glad to help you for a guide if you need it.”

“Oh, I see you’ve done your research.”

“It’s me, baby. Of course I’ve done my research. I’ve practi--” The baby monitor on the nightstand lights up along with a static cry. They both turn their heads. Tommy extends his legs to the floor to get up. “Nah, let me.” Evan says, crawling out of bed. “It’s my turn.”

He grabs some jog pants on his way out, and after a few minutes he comes back to the room with Luca suited on his hip, swollen red eyes of crying. Tommy is already under the sheets, after cleaning himself in the bathroom and putting on fresh clean underwear.

“Hey, we got company?” Tommy smiles, taking Luca from Evan’s arms. He babbles in his unique language, as Tommy seats him in the middle of the bed.

“He was crying so bad, like... if he had seen a ghost or something. It’s odd, he usually doesn’t do that.”

“Well, maybe...” Tommy smiles, tickling Luca in the stomach, making him laugh in his remaining tears. “Someone was just missing his daddies and wanted to sleep in the big bed tonight, huh? You wanna sleep with daddy and me?” Luca mumbles a perfect Yeah for Tommy’s ears, and that’s enough for him. “Ok, buddy, let's make you some space here, then.”

Evan smiles at the simple image of Tommy opening the sheets for their son to lay. In the huge bed, between their two massive bodies, Luca seems even smaller. Evan swears he can die of love as he suits himself next to his son and his husband. And that’s the last image he goes to sleep with, before stretching his arm to turn off the lamp.

----------

Two nights later, Tommy wakes up at the sudden noise of the baby monitor. The static sounds coming through the speaker makes him seat automatically on the mattress, as he rubs his eyes. Evan moves lazy on his side, but it’s stopped by a hand on his arm. The monitor lights up again, with Luca’s crying filling their room.

“Coming...” He groans, opening the sheets, and sliding his feet on the slippers. He sleepy stags his way to the door, taking his black tank top in the middle of the dark, and closes softly behind him. When he enters Luca’s room, he spots him standing on the little mattress, holding to the crib wooden bars. Tommy finishes to suit the top tank on his waist, turning the light on, which reveals his son red face of crying and swollen eyes. “Hey... baby, what’s up?” He asks. “What’s wrong, my love?”

Luca points to the window, sad grin on his face. Tommy turns and spots one of the panes slightly open, only for a couple of inches. A cold breeze waving the green curtain, direct to Luca’s crib.

“Oh, my boy, we left this open. Is it cold, right?” He smiles, closing the pane and locking it before checking the backyard. Everything is quiet. Tommy comes back to the crib, grabbing an uneasy Luca from below his arms, and suiting him again back to sleep. He covers him with the blanket and leaves a kiss on his forehead. Luca whines in discomfort, waving his arms towards Tommy. “If you want me to sing a lullaby for you, my dear, you better wait for daddy, otherwise you’ll just get nightmares.”

Tommy goes then to the kitchen. Opens the fridge and a chocolate pudding is staring back at him. There’s a long eye-battle before Tommy takes it out and places it on the isle. A spoonful or two won’t hurt anybody, right?

In the middle of the silence, he hears Luca cry again. Then he stops. He’s so restless tonight, he thinks. Mental note: not give him pudding before sleep again. Luca cries again. And once again, he stops.

Tommy leaves the spoon over the isle and clean his mouth, before directing his steps to Luca’s room again. In the gloom, he distinguishes a tall silhouette next to the crib, his back turned to the door. He seems to be rocking him.

Ok, Evan woke up, he thinks, relieved. Evan’s so much better when it comes to calm Luca down, when he’s uneasy like that, so he decides not to interrupt them.

Tommy steps back in complete silence and walks again along the hallway, with a rare feeling that the silhouette was a bit slim to be Evan’s. When he passes his own room, something catches his attention out of the corner of his eye. A giant bulk on the bed. A laying, practically naked bulk, Evan sized. His heart stops. Tommy enters the room, and spots Evan rolling on the bed, suiting himself for a better position, after a long deep sigh. He scratches his left ass cheek through the red underwear fabric, chewing his own sleep.

Tommy feels his eyes are gonna come out of their sockets, and for a moment he freezes.

Evan rolls again on the bed and his idle eyes open. He notices Tommy’s freaked expression, still in the dark, and he leans on his elbow inmediately.

“Tommy?”

“Shh!” Tommy raises his finger. “Don’t move.” He whispers.

“What’s goin--?”

“Shh, shh!” He insists. “Stay here. There's someone in the house.”

“What?” Evan practically jumps from the bed, with a single thought in his mind. “Luca.”

Tommy extends his arms towards Evan, trying to keep him under control, and tries to think of something useful to carry with him. He remembers the silver pocketknife the Fire Chief gave him as a present when he made it to Captain. Despite him having some personal issues with silver things, he always kept it in his drawer, hoping he never had to use it. Until now. Whatever I can use, he thinks, as he opens the drawer and grabs it, slow and quiet as he can, keeping it on his jog pants’ waist, and turning his steps back to the hallway.

“What are you doing-- Tommy!” Evan whispers, eyes wide open, breathing fast.

“Stay here.” He commands, deep voice, and Evan freezes. He hates it, because using his Alpha tone to command Evan is the last thing he likes to do, but it’s necessary. “And call 911. Now.”

----------

Chapter Text

----------

Evan grabs his phone, shaky hands, when Tommy disappears, and curses himself for having so much trouble on dialing a number he knows too well. He can’t think straight, he has only two faces in his mind: his son’s, and Frank’s.

“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?” A female voice responds immediately.

“Someone entered my house.” Evan pants, glancing to the door, unable to move. “Please, send the police, now!”

“Don’t worry, Sir, we already got your address, and... Buck?” The voice exclaims on the other side.

“Maddie?”

“Yes, Buck? What do you mean-- ok, calm down.” She says, after a short pause. “Buck, what-- Josh, don’t worry I got this... Yes, it’s ok. Buck? Listen to me: is someone inside your house?”

“Yes!” He exclaims, trying to keep his voice as low as he can. “Tommy wants to confront him, a-and... I’m afraid something happens to him, a-and-- Oh, God, I think he has Luca! Please, send someone now!”

“Is it a male offender?”

“I’m sure it’s Frank!” He says, taking the free hand to his bare chest. “Maddie, it’s Frank, I know it!”

“Ok, Buck, don’t worry. I’m already sending the cops. Please, don’t do anything stupid, and tell Tommy the same. Help is on the way.”

“Please, hurry, if something happens to Luca, I-I'm just--”

“Buck, stay with me, ok? Where are you, right now? Where is this person?”

“They’re in Luca’s room! Please, Maddie, Luca’s there with them--”

“Don’t worry, I’ll guide them to make this the safest possible for your baby, ok, Buck? Buck! Buck?” On Maddie’s ear, the call ends too soon.

----------

Luca’s room is only illuminated by the streetlight, but this time, Tommy gets a full view of the man standing there, with his son in his arms. A strong wave of anger and caution invades him, as his eyes connects with the stranger’s. Only he’s not a stranger.

“Frank.” He speaks, trying to sound relaxed.

“Oh, hi there, Cap.” He smiles, malicious grin on his face. “Long time no see, huh?” Tommy doesn’t answer. Luca’s teary eyes stare at him, whining loud. “Shut up, my sweet baby, we’re leaving soon.” He murmurs, getting close to his face, and Tommy feels like he could just jump over him and rip his kid off his arms. But he needs to be careful.

“Frank.” He repeats. “What are you doing here?”

“It wasn’t on my plans, but it seems we must now say goodbye to your father, right?” Frank exclaims, looking at Luca again.

“Please, don’t do this.” Tommy begs. “Don’t take my son away. Please... Your husband wouldn’t have wanted that, would he?”

“Oh, that bastard.” Frank sighs, with contempt. “You know what that idiot told me when he found out I was pregnant?” He smiles again, looking up. “That I did it on purpose, only to take his money. Like if I give a fuck about the money.” He suits Luca on his side, shaking him hard, after he cries a bit. Tommy’s blood boils. “Stay quiet, creature. So...” He looks at Tommy again. “I did what every rational person would do... I killed that idiot, and then I got rid of his offspring. I didn’t need any reminder of having something to do with him at all.”

Tommy can’t believe his ears. He thinks of Evan worried about that poor guy at the call, risking his job and being empathic, all for nothing? The dots in his head connect with each other, remembering Frank entering his office, applying for a place under his command, sneaking in between his stuff to get his address... Shooting Evan when he was still pregnant. Evan's concerned words come to his ears over and over again, about that poor man wanting to end his life because he lost everything... Evan just wanted to help him all along... Evan was afraid of him coming back after all that happened. Oh, God... Tommy thinks, holding back anger tears. He was even feeling paranoic about it. And Tommy minimized it. He trusted in that phone call from Athena, telling him Frank was too far away and close to being caught. That was so long ago, how could he forget about that?

“You were never in grief for your family...” Tommy murmurs, frowning. “You... killed them. You killed them all.”

“And now I need a new family to start over, and guess what? I know this little guy since he was in his father’s belly, so I can say we’re family, too. And he has good genes, too.”

“Don’t you dare.” Tommy growls, using his Alpha voice once again.

“Oh, are we really going there?” Frank laughs, turning his body so Tommy can see a shiny blade on his hand, next to Luca’s body. “Keep your barking to yourself, Cap. And where’s my good friend, Buck?” He asks, glancing at the hallway. “Is he too coward to come and say goodbye to his kid? Buck? Buck, come here, you sucker!”

“You don-- Evan has nothing to do here, Frank. This is between us, buddy.”

“Buck!” Frank exclaims, raising his voice, rocking Luca on his side when he starts to cry again. “Oh, shut up already, kiddo! Don’t force me to shut you up. Buck, come out, come out, my darling. Look who I got here... I told you this child was gonna be mine, sooner or later... Oh, there you are.” He smiles, calming tone on his voice.

Tommy closes his eyes, when he feels the caution presence of Evan behind him.

“Please, Frank...” Evan murmurs, with red eyes, as he tries to cover himself from being almost naked in front of him. “Why us?”

“Please?” He smiles, glancing him from head to toe. “Jesus, what happened to your leg, man? You’re a freak!”

“Shut up, I’m warning you.” Tommy says, remembering the blade on his back.

“This kid’s mine, you jerks. You told me so that day, remember, you freak? I’m just claiming what’s mine because someone stepped on my way last time. You could have give me your baby in that parking lot and we wouldn’t be having this conversation, now. You wouldn’t be so attached to him.”

“H-how was I supp--”

“YOU DIDN’T!” Frank yells, and Luca cries even louder. “I SAID SHUT UP!”

Frank shakes Luca strongly, with the shiny blade in his hand swaying way too close to his little body. Tommy holds his breath, observing a tiny chance to act. He lunges at them, as fast as he can, and grabs the wrist that’s holding the knife, struggling as he tries to reach his son. Frank fights back, and in his will of get rid of Tommy, he drops Luca from his grip.

Evan is a numb witness of how Frank’s arm lets go of Luca’s back, and as his child falls in slow motion, his legs react. He's not sure how, but with the blink of an eye, he’s on the floor, cupping his baby between his arms, covering with his whole bare body, as Luca keeps crying. Evan remains there, big human cave for his son, while he hears Tommy and Frank at the background.

Evan can only turn his head towards them, just seeing a couple of bodies on the floor, struggling against each other for the blade, under his son’s crying. Franks manages to lose Tommy’s hand and sways a fast move that cuts Tommy on his naked arm. Tommy tears a loud groan and takes advantage to grab that knife and throw it below the crib.

“Let him go!” Evan yells, from his position, when he sees Frank’s hand on Tommy’s neck, pressing strongly. Blood begins to flow from Tommy’s cut, red and bright.

Is not so difficult for Tommy to force those hands away from his neck, even though with the stabbing pain in his right arm, and manages to tackle him down, grab him from his back and drag him to the furthest corner from Evan and his child. Tommy rests his back on the wall, taking the silver knife from his waist, and holds Frank against his body, with the free arms around his chest.

“Don’t move!” He exclaims, holding him closer.

Frank twists in order to free himself, and sinks an elbow on Tommy’s stomach, making him bend over a bit.

“Don’t!” Tommy orders, deepening his tone. “This is silver made, you fucker. Don't try anything funny, or you’re not gonna like it in your flesh. Is that understood?”

“Tommy, don’t!” Evan cries, still covering his son. “Don’t do anything crazy, please!”

He wants to focus on what’s happening, but Evan can’t help of having flashes of his girls beyond his eyes. The first time they handed those two fragile babies, and he wasn’t sure if he was capable of taking good care of them. Newborn Luca flashes by too, so soft and tiny in Tommy’s arms. How can things turn so wrong so fast? Is not enough to have a loving family in which you can rely on? Can’t they be shield against the dangers of the world, not letting anyone enter their circle?

“LAPD!” A male voice shouts from the hallway, entering Luca’s room, with a gun and a flashlight pointed at Tommy. At his side, another officer, also with a flashlight and a gun. “Drop the gun, now!”

“He’s not the aggressor!” Evan yells. “He’s my husband!”

“Yes, I’m not the--” Tommy murmurs, squinting by the bright light on his eyes, raising his hands, and drops the blade, hollow sound when it touches the wooden floor. “I live here, for God’s sake.”

The officer points at Frank, who remains silent, and half blinded by their flashlights.

“Is anyone hurt?” The officer asks, turning the door light on, as the other one moves toward Frank and grabs him to make him stand up.

“Just my arm.” Tommy says, taking his hand to his bleeding wound. “Nothing serious.”

“Is the kid ok?” The officer asks then, as the other cuffs Frank’s hand over his back.

“Y-yeah, h-he's... ok.” Evan mutters, examining him one more time. No physical signs seem to appear at first glance. “Tommy, are you ok?”

“I’m good, baby. Are you both fine?” Evan nods, noticing Frank’s not in the room with them anymore.

“An ambulance is waiting outside to check on you, guys. Can you stand up and walk or should we call them to--?”

“We can walk.” Evan says, trying to incorporate. He doesn’t let Luca go from his arms, so he struggles a bit to keep the balance on his way up. His bad leg cramps a little, but totally bearable.

“Sir, let me--”

“It’s ok, I got him.” Evan retires a bit, gasping, not wanting anyone to touch his son.

“Let me get you a blanket, Sir. After you’re check out by the paramedics you can get yourself some clothes. And how about you, Sir?” The officer looks at Tommy. “Can you stand up?”

“Of course I can.” Tommy states, frowning. He gets up and next thing he sees is Evan charging himself and Luca onto his body. Tommy opens his arms and holds them tight, with his face sunk in Evan’s messy curls. “Oh, Evan...” He sighs. “My boys... I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” Evan murmurs, still hiding on Tommy’s chest. “None of this is your fault.”

The police officer hands Evan the first blanket he finds, the one from their own bed, and Tommy helps to cover him and Luca on their way out to the ambulance.

----------

The day before the girls come from their trip finds Evan in the kitchen, preparing lemon cookies, their favorite, with Luca’s help. If you can count as help being clung on your daddy’s hip, making the most mess with the flour as you can make.

Tommy is looking at them from the distance, his head tilt to one side, still amazed of how cute Evan looks when he’s interacting with children. With their children. He feels so lucky of just be there, witnessing that simple domestic moment. Evan tells Luca every step of the recipe, as long as he completes it, and Luca laughs of the funny tone he’s exaggerating in his voice. Luca stretches his arms to the lemon juice on the counter, whining to try it.

“O-oh, no...” Evan smiles. “You already tried it once, sweety, and you didn’t like it.” Luca throws a small tantrum. Evan rolls his eyes, grabbing the glass, and brings it close to his son’s mouth. “Here, try it again, stubborn kid. Don’t know where you got that.” Luca frowns immediately, rejecting the glass with his little chubby hands, and cries a bit for the sour sense in his lips. “See, buddy? Told you, you didn’t like it. You’re gonna like it when the cookies are ready.”

“Ok, champion, why don’t you let daddy work in peace?” Tommy smiles, getting close to the kitchen isle. He grabs Luca from under his arms and suits him on his side.

“Be careful with your arm.” Evan says, leaning for a soft kiss from Tommy.

“Mhm, you taste like lemon, sweetheart.”

“Just gave some to Luca and ended up sucking my own fingers. Sorry about that.”

“Don’t mention it. Just tell me when you have other places to suck juice from.”

“Tommy!” Evan laughs, glancing to their son. “Behave in front of you-know-who. Remember he’s already understanding some of the things we speak.”

“He understands commands and simple things, dear. He’s not aware if I tell you that later tonight, I’m...” He hums, raising his eyebrows. “... gonna fuck you so hard against the bedroom wall, that you won’t be able to even say the word straight for a whole year.” Before a blushed frozen Evan, Tommy smiles to Luca, childish tone. “Is that correct, my love? Oh, yes, it is... Yes, it is...”

“I just can’t with you...” Evan denies, condescended, and turns his back to him, partly to continue his recipe and partly to hide from Tommy the massive hard on he just got. “So, how is your arm going?”

“Ah, I can barely feel it.” Tommy lies, pumping ache on his wound. Healing is painful, but it means it’s actually healing. “What are you both cooking?”

“Oh, I’m just baking something to welcome the girls tomorrow.”

Tommy sighs after a minute, saddening his eyes.

“Evan, I... want to say I’m sorry... about what happened the other day.” He holds Luca more firmly in his arm. Evan smiles, pouring the pomade butter into the bowl.

“Tommy, baby. We already--”

“No, listen to me. Evan, look at me.” Evan frowns, confused. He wipes his hands and turns again to face Tommy.

“When you command me to look at you it can only mean two things.” He murmurs, smiling cautious. “Either you're looking for romance, or there's something really serious going on.” Tommy doesn’t answer. “And by what you said just a moment ago, I’m hoping is the first one.”

Tommy takes a deep breath.

“When Luca was born, and you were still... asleep after the birth, Athena called me. She... told me then that Frank had escape from prison, and that he was spotted by the Montana police, trying to cross the border to Canada.” Evan nods, blank expression on his face. “She told me not to worry, that they were already searching for him and... Then you woke up, and well, we got so much going on with the baby, that... For a while I forgot about him, like, completely.”

“Yes. Until he broke into our home to take our child away.”

Tommy is not sure what to answer. Evan’s right.

“I should have told you, baby. I didn’t want to add another worry about that creep in your life... If only I knew he was gonna...”

Evan sighs, searching for words in his mind.

“Ok, I’m not keeping the I told you this would happen to myself, because I TOLD YOU THIS WOULD HAPPEN!” He exclaims. “But on the other hand, I’m not sure if me knowing would have change reality. So... Guess we needed to go through this to finally get rid of him for good.”

“Still, I feel so bad for hiding this from you...”

“Would you let me take the blame if I told you I shouldn't have helped him that first time he took the pills? Or that other time when he wanted to jump off the roof? No, right? We can’t control what’s gonna happen, Tommy. I was doing my job, I wanted to sincerely help him, I-I thought I could... I don’t know, work as a role model for him? I guess? Was I being too delusional?”

“Oh, no, baby. Of course not. You said it, it was your job, and the way you pour your soul in it is just admirable. So, is not delusional at all trying to help someone giving him a light at the end of the tunnel. You really are a great example for other men carrying the gen. You never doubt that.”

“Yeah.” Evan snorts. “I just tried it with the wrong guy, I guess.”

“You did it a noble act back then. You wanted to help him. You can’t never blame yourself for what happened after that.

Evan stares at him for a moment, and Tommy feels his heart swelling in his chest just by looking at him. That handsome, good-hearted, kind, unselfish guy, is there with loving eyes. The father of his kids, his partner in life, his family. The love of his life.

“So, don’t be sorry, then.” Evan speaks. “Just don’t do it again.” He smiles, grabbing the wooden spoon and pointing at him with it. “Or you’re eating burnt cookies for the rest of your life.”

“Come here, my love.” Tommy smiles, leaning again for another kiss, more tender this time. Luca laughs between them. “I’d rather kiss you a thousand times before you keep threaten me with that wooden spoon of yours.”

----------

Chapter Text

----------

Tommy’s close. He knows it. It's late at night, and for some reason he doesn’t want to know, he’s able to manage Evan’s whole weight on his arms and hips, having him pinned to the wall, while he fucks him nice and silent. And it feels so good, all his senses are poured in their tangled bodies. Evan’s arms rest on his shoulders, pulling his hair when an electric pleasure rush invades his body, enjoying that exciting position they don’t share so many times. Evan gasps with an open mouth, being careful of not moaning too loud, as he feels Tommy’s cock thrusting him over and over again.

Tommy opens his mouth too, hectic, brushing his teeth on the soft skin of Evan’s neck. He swears his teeth feel sharper that night, capable of tear apart a raw piece of meat if necessary.

“Baby...” He pants, pushing hard his cheek against Evan’s.

“I-- know...” He whispers, in between thrusts. “Do it...”

“Are you-- s-sure?” Tommy asks, eyes closed, feeling the imminent need of cuming. He also feels like his cock's swelling even more inside Evan, if that’s possible.

“Y-yes!” Evan exclaims, tilting his head a bit, so he can take a long, wet lick of Tommy’s skin. And just like if he was guiding him in a hypnosis session, he adds: “Bite me-- argh! Bite me as you c-cum...” Evan gasps, feeling the heat of being close too, and with a subtle move, he offers his neck. “D-don’t worry about me, just... sink you-- your teeth into me.”

So, Tommy does. He thrusts him one, two more times, losing control, and suddenly he finds himself with his open mouth glued to Evan’s neck, teeth pressing as hard as he can, while he cums. The double sensation of pleasure blows his mind, making him roll his eyes. But he doesn’t let go of that neck.

He feels like those dreams he has sometimes when his Alpha inside howls to he moon, free and happy to run between the pine woods. Tommy can actually feel his Alpha there right now.

Evan feels those teeth in his flesh, pumping fast rushes of extasy from his neck to his heart, travelling all around his body through his nerves. That feeling makes him shiver, repeatedly, as he lets his breathing calm down.

Tommy still holds Evan against the wall, his legs wrapped around Tommy’s hips, in an endless hug of enhanced sensations. When Tommy finally retires his mouth, he tastes the iron of blood. A dark bloody mark of his teeth swells quickly, reddening the area. He helps Evan to climb down his grip.

“You’re bleeding.” Tommy murmurs, dazzled by the mark that seems to glow before his eyes.

“I know.” Evan says, brushing a bit of blood with his fingers. “It doesn’t hurt. Did you-- did you feel that? I-I mean, I swear I could feel your-- you running through me... if that makes any sense.”

“It makes. I could feel you, too. Like if we were really connected.” Tommy makes a pause. “I’m sorry, Evan, I just can’t stop looking at it.” He follows a thin trace of blood rolling down Evan’s chest. “You should...” He gestures for him to clean it.

“I’m not sure if I want to clean it yet.” He says, blushed, directing to the bathroom, and meets his fresh new mark thanks to the mirror. He smiles, pleased. But his mind runs faster, and it has him already thinking of everything that mark represents. He already feels even more bonded to Tommy. Like if he could even know what he’s feeling. Evan smiles wider. “You don’t need to be worried, Tommy. It’s not harmful to me.”

“I’m not worried.” Tommy says, leaning on the door frame, as he rinses his mouth with a glass of water he swallows. He wipes his lips with the back of his hand. “I’m just loving you so much more, now. It’s funny, because I never thought I could do that. Love you more.” He gets close and kisses his cheek. “But you should at least wipe those blood drops from your chest. They're gonna stain the carpet.”

“Let them.” Evan shrugs, still observing the mark, that now seems to show him the teeth shape a little clearer. He loves it. Tommy’s in that mark. Forever in his skin. Evan feels the discomfort of an open wound, but no pain at all. If something pumps from it ever occasionally, is a slightly wave of pleasure.

“Can’t believe I marked you.” Tommy murmurs. “Can’t believe we lived all this time without a mark in your beautiful neck. It fits perfect on you, my love.”

“I know.” Evan brushes it softly with his fingers, coloring them in red. “It’s perfect.” Evan turns to him. “You are perfect, Tommy. And now we’re bonded in every possible way. And you know what I read? That you can re-mark me again in a few months if you want to... keep the bond alive...” Evan looks down for a moment, as if he still needed to act like a young guy in love before Tommy’s eyes. “I wouldn’t mind if we could do this again, sometime.”

“We can do this whenever you want, sweetheart.” Tommy smiles. “I can fill your whole skin with marks if you ask me to. I’m here to serve you and to love you, until the day we’re no longer in this Earth.”

“To serve me?” Evan squints, playful look in his eyes.

“Well, as always as is not like when you’re craving. My days of going around town searching for ice cream are over, I promise.”

“Oranges were pretty normal.” Evan shrugs again, looking himself in the mirror one more time. “Next baby I hope it’s just something like dark chocolate or else.”

“Next baby?” Tommy exclaims. “What happened with no babies at all?”

“Well, suddenly I want the whole football team. A hundred babies with your face, to be more specific.” Evan turns to him, smiling with that delicious evil way. “But we don’t have much time, so we better hurry up.”

“W-well, I can give you the practicing part of ordering a baby. I’m all for that.”

Evan glances at him, funny.

“I’m joking, Tommy. No more babies, we stablished that. But I take the practicing part you offer, just...” He stares to an imaginary wrist clock. “He must have a couple of hours of nice sleep until your son wakes up demanding for food...”

“Two hours is perfect.” Tommy approaches and hugs him from behind. They stare at each other through the mirror. It seems like Evan’s image wasn’t complete until that mark appeared there. Now is his whole Evan. “We can rest, after another round?”

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