Chapter Text
They had custody for almost three months when it happened. A cool day in June right after school finished for Robbie. It had been three months of paperwork, appointments with doctors, social workers, and lawyers, non-stop juggling mess as they tried to be settled with their new family arrangements.
Month one had brought the good news from the doctors, bring tentatively optimistic with Danny’s bloodwork and testing as another month of being in remission went by.
Month two brought the strange night Bobby and Marcy had celebrated Evan throwing a tantrum, the tiny three year old finally willing to raise his voice louder than a whisper around the adults, ending with them getting everyone ice cream.
But even as the months passed Marcy worried about her niece. The eldest Buckley was independent and generally confused about the fact she didn’t have to hover over her youngest brother. She had been wrong footed since Marcy had taken over supervising bath time and Bobby pouring over packets from the doctor trying to get Evan back on track weight wise. She was so use to being in charge, of not having any authority… problems were bound to come up.
Marcy was not panicking... too badly.
Her heart was pounding in a way she was beginning to associate with blind panic. A feeling she was very familiar with after that phone call those four months ago. She had been doing laundry, as it was a never-ending job especially now their kid count had gone up. Folding towels and waiting for the dryer to be done with some of the clothes she had taken from the kids’ room just this morning. Realizing she had more time then she expected before the clothes were dry, she had ventured away from the washer to make sure the laundry was caught up for the week. Only the second she had stepped away from the machine she realized the utter lack of sound in her house. No Brooke chattering to Evan, happy to tell the little boy all about her favorite Disney movies. No sounds of Danny and Jr at the computer chair in the office playing some of the learning games she had bought ages ago. And with a dawning realization, she couldn’t remember Maddie asking if she needed help- something she had been working on with the girl that had shouldered too much.
The TV wasn’t on.
She thought hysterically.
There was no noise.
“MADDIE?” she yelled, nearly sliding into the wall as she ran upstairs hoping-
“ROBBIE, DANIEL?!” She shouted, swinging open the door, the painted dinosaur sign swung wildly with the door banging against the wood like a final count.
“BROOKE, EVAN?”
But their room was empty to.
She slammed every door open.
The bathroom- empty.
The master bedroom- empty.
Each children’s room- empty.
Kitchen, living room, back yard.
All empty.
The air couldn’t get into her lungs. Her chest heaved. Shaking she scrambled for the house phone.
A polite and kind voice sounded over the receiver.
‘9-1-1 what’s your emergency?’
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
“Thank you,” Maddie said, nodding politely to the librarian, clutching the new library card in her hand.
The librarian smiled, looking behind Maddie. She wasn’t sure what the librarian thought, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. In Hershey, she had been on first name bases with the entire library staff. They had always been kind to her, giving her shelter when her parents would spend days in the hospital and leave Maddie and Evan behind. Evan had learned to walk in that library.
Now she stood with more than Evan in her arms. Danny was besides her, peering at the colorful flyers advertising the programs for the summer months, his beanie still snug on his head. Robbie was already walking away, heading deeper into the library and leading his sister and Evan towards a colorful art display of a giant tree where Maddie could only guess the children’s area resided around.
She trailed behind them, waiting just long enough to see the three youngest sit down with books- Evan plopping straight on the ground without a care, while Robbie and Brooke took the seats decorated like giant blocks. Danny had already gone to the wall of middle school books, grabbing a copy of the Narnia book she had been reading to him before they left.
“I’m going to be over there,” she said, pointing to just out of the kids section. Waiting for a response, she took off, already setting out to see if this library had the fourth book in the series unlike Hershey. Making a pleased noise when she did find it, she made the way back towards the others and sat down to wait for them to pick out books.
“We’ll get them all on my card,” she told Brooke, “And when their due, we’ll come back. That’s how libraries work.”
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
It is a firefighter’s worst nightmare to be called to their own address. So when Captain Stewart levels him with a serious but concerned look Bobby already knows something is wrong. His heart was beating quickly and Bobby could already feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins. Pulling up to his house, he doesn’t wait, throwing himself across O’Malley and Richardson’s laps to fall onto the road and sprint up his driveway. There was already half a dozen cop cars. There is no smoke so and cops are heading in so there is no fire- but it doesn’t mean anything.
“Marcy!” he shouts, shoulder checking an officer to get to the kitchen. Marcy was leaning against the counter, eyes red and tears rolling down her cheeks.
“The kids? Who’s hurt?”
“I can’t find them!” she sobbed, throwing herself into his arms and clutching at his jacket. “I was just doing laundry and when I came to out to start lunch everything was silent!”
He barely acknowledged his team coming in, heads pulling together to start a search with the police probably. Bobby couldn’t look at them, stead he pulled Marcy close and looked at the police officer, Bobby knew him, had worked a couple different accidents with him before but to see the solemn face- a first responders victim face- plastered on his features made Bobby want to break.
“Please John, say you have something.”
“I just sent a squad car off to the Park, we have a few driving around the surrounding neighborhood, and we got K9 units on the way. We’ll find them.” He assured.
You’re not supposed to promise anything. Bobby’s brain supplied, unhelpfully. What if Margaret and Phillip came for her kids? Would she even do that? Who else would take them though? Give Marcy and him a taste of what they were going through. Dear god, what would they do to the children?
“It’s all of them,” he continued, “So we don’t think foul play or anything. But if you know anyone in the area-“
“I already called Father Peters and called some of the neighbors.” Marcy said, sniffling, “They’ll keep an eye out.”
“That’s a good start.” John assured.
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
Maddie flipped the page, waiting for tiny hands to slowly go across the words before speaking.
“I do not like them in a house. I do not like them with a mouse.” She read slowly, looking up to catch Danny smirking at her in amusement.
Their little corner of the children’s area had gotten guest, after the first Dr. Seuss book she read to Brook and Evan. Now she had four other toddlers sitting crisscrossed in front of her staring with rapid attention. Amused parents milled about, cooing or chattering quietly between each other.
She was so caught up with reading the story book, she hadn’t done anything but move her arms up to let Brook sit on her lap tiny fingers trailing across the words as she spoke. Evan had moved back, leaning against Robbie and taking the toy car from a small toy chest they had bull of blocks and Duplo Legos and cars. Evan would look up every time she’s turn the book around to show the pictures before his head would drop back down to the car, making whispered vroom sounds as he rolled it around. So, she didn’t notice the police office come into the library, or the worried looks shot between parents when the librarian led the officer over to the children’s area.
“I would not eat green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam-I-am.”
Looking up Maddie couldn’t help the way her voice trailed off, tilting her head to meet the officers eyes.
“Sorry to interrupt.” He spoke, his voice deeper then Maddie thought it should be, he didn’t look that much older than her- he looked like one of the high schoolers that tutored Danny while he was in the hospital for volunteer work.
“Maddie Buckley, do you mind stepping over here?” he requested, gesturing to just outside of the children’s area.
Setting the book down, Maddie picked brook up and moved her to the boys, whispering a stay here before ducking through the parents.
“NO!” Evan screamed, jumping up and grabbing her hand, pulling with all his might. Big fat tears rolled down chubby cheeks as a sob built up, “Can’t ‘rrest Maddie!” he sobbed.
“You arresting Maddie?!” Robbie shouted, standing up and nearly toppling his sister over.
Danny looked around wildly, scrambling to stand up and reach them.
“I’m- no-“ the police officer stumbled, waving his hands. “No one is arrested.”
“No take Maddie!” Evan screamed.
Shooting the officer a grimace, Maddie knelt down, getting Evan to let go of her hand just long enough for him to throw his arm around her, shoving a snotty face into her neck.
“It’s okay.” She soothed, rubbing his back with practice ease as she stood up, taking his weight easily.
Danny was by her side then, gluing himself to her left, eyes wide as they darted around.
“No one is getting arrested.” The officer repeated, looking at Danny like he could calm the situation.
“If you ‘rrest Maddie, I’ll call my daddy.” Brook declared, as her and Robbie moved to stand next to them.
“Alright, you know what. Just stay in the library.” He said, waiting for Maddie’s nod before he took his radio off his shoulder with a muttered thing about not having kids.
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
“Mommy, that man tried to ‘rrest Maddie.” Brook tattled the second Marcy ran through the library’s front doors, Bobby half a step behind her,
Brook stood protectively in front of the older girl, pointing an accusing fingers at the young officer who looked put-upon with a small frown. Maddie was shifting foot to foot, looking nervously at them with a red bitten bottom lip, Evan head tucked into her shoulder and small snuffling snores coming from the three year old. Danny was holding onto Robbie’s hand, looking like he wanted to hide.
“I wasn’t- “ he tried, holding his hands up in surrender.
Marcy didn’t care, scooping Brook and Robbie up in her arms and hugging them close, she reached out beckoning Danny and Maddie to come into the hug. Her eyes darting between faces, rubbing the tear stains off of Danny’s cheek and gently patting Evan’s back. Bobby joining them a second latter, encompassing the children between their protective arms. An arm around Maddie’s back and a leg pushed into Marcy’s side.
“I was so worried.” She whispered, looking up into the brown eyes of her niece. She could see the confusion and uncertainty dancing in them.
“I’m sorry,” she muttered after a moment, red bleeding in her cheeks, “You were busy, so I thought – mom would always send us out of the house on cleaning days.” She said meekly.
“That’s, oh Maddie. “ Marcy looked to Bobby, “it’s- you’re not in trouble.” She settled on, “But you have to tell us where you are, I was so worried.”
“I’m sorry, no one’s cared before... is it because I have Danny with me?”
“No baby, I was worried about all of you. I didn’t know where you were and fi you got hurt.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Hey,” Bobby whispered, tugging the nearly 14 year old to his side and hugging her close, “You’re okay. We’ll set some ground rules, later, but for now, let’s get everyone home.” Releasing her, he helped Marcy up and took Robbie from her arms.
That night the biggest piece of yellow construction paper Robbie had was put in the kitchen.
Nash Family Rules
Always let someone know where you are.
Was the first thing listed.
Chapter Text
Danny had been sick for most of his life. In and out of doctors’ offices, hospitals, waiting rooms- sitting through tests and blood work and IVs. It had been scary at first. Between dad’s silence and mom’s tears, he had only been four and he felt like the world was on his shoulders. The weight of the whole family. His big sister’s trembling lips as she stumbled through telling him about school. The tension that seemed to take his loving parents away. The laughter and light gone like the bonfires they use to roast marshmallows over. At six years old, Danny stopped living. A passenger, as his family slowly self-destructed over two years before mom had finally come into the hospital room with a smile that wasn’t fake, wasn’t force, was true and happy. She had taken his thin wrist and rested his hand against her stomach.
“This is hope.” She said softly to him as if it was a secret.
It wouldn’t be for years, until Danny was in high school before he knew what she meant. But that came later. What came first was a bright eyed, angel kissed, little brother who didn’t treat him like glass. Who loved to sit in his hospital bed while he read chapter books aloud to him. Who brought him pieces of candy he got from the gumball machines. Danny learned how to be brace for him. He held his hand because nothing scared baby Evan like the hospital did, the only room he wasn’t scared in was Danny’s own. Danny also wouldn’t figure out where Evan’s phobia of doctors came from until high school.
But that would come later. Right now, Daniel Everett Buckley was ten years old and in remission. He was ten years old and for the first time in what felt like his whole life he was not forced between hospital rooms and his bedroom and quiet activities. He was outside. The sun was on his face-
“Danny move!” Robbie shriek, jerking his scooter to try and go around him.
Blinking past the dancing dots from his now opened eyes Danny moved back and unintentionally straight into Robbie’s jerking maneuver.
He hit the ground hard. Laid out on the asphalt his ears ringing as he blinked up at the sky. His tongue stung from biting down on it, elbow and back aching fiercely with a pain he hadn’t felt in years. He tried to catalogue it. The sting of a scrape, the trickle of blood rolling down his arm, the sharpness of it all. It felt different then the sting of the needle or the bone aching internal pull from chemo. It wasn’t new but something he hadn’t felt in ages- not since he got the training wheels off his bike a week or so before his diagnoses.
He was so set in trying to remember this feeling, the grain from the dirt on the asphalt, pain from the fall; he completely missed Robbie crying next to him. The younger boy stood up with his knees and palms scrapped, tears already rolling down his cheeks.
Danny wanted to shush him. Wanted to stop. Didn’t he know what would happen? Any second mom would come rushing over and he’d be locked away again. He wouldn’t be allowed outside and to feel the sun on his skin. Mom would keep him away from the others and it would be months before he would see Evan and Maddie. Mom would punish them again, she’d scream until her face was red and leave marks on Evan’s arms the bruises that lasted longer than Danny’s imprisonment. He couldn’t be locked up again- Evan couldn’t get punished- he wanted to see Maddie-
“Deep breathes.” Uncle Bobby’s voice rumbled, pulling Danny up and curling his arms around the hyperventilating ten year old. He took Danny’s hand and rested it against his chest, taking exaggerated deep breaths for him to copy.
“That’s it you’re okay. It was just a little fall.”
Aunt Marcy and Uncle Bobby waited until bedtime. Brook and Evan had been asleep for hours, Danny had scurried into his own room when Bobby had taken them to brush their teeth. He waited. Sitting on his bed, he waited with his eyes trained to the door for the rules to bed read out. He wondered if they would be less strict then mom and wouldn’t keep him separated and locked up for months on end waiting to see for infection. He hoped it wouldn’t be too long. Aunt Marcy had already been so kind letting him stay with everyone the rest of the day before whisking him off. But now, Uncle Bobby was probably explaining how he’d be locked away until they were sure there was nothing to worry about. He could already hear the ‘Danny’s just a little different- his system is delicate.’ He hoped they would mind if Maddie or Evan sat outside his door to chat. He-
“Tired Bud?” Uncle Bobby asked, his knuckles brushing over the doorframe with gentle knocks.
Danny hummed.
Uncle Bobby frowned, crossing the room and gentle putting his hand to Danny’s forehead.
“Well, let us know if you’re not feeling good okay? And we’ll get new bandages on in the morning.”
He nodded along. With a frown and concerned look Uncle Bobby left the room. Danny waited a second before scrambling up, stopping just at the door before hesitantly grasping the doorknob and turning it, it turned with no problem and the door swung open. Bobby was already several steps up the stairs and had turned back at the nose.
“You okay Danny?” he asked gently.
But his mind was blank. A flood of confusion filled him to the brim until he couldn’t help but blurt out into the hallway. “You didn’t lock the door.”
Bobby’s eyes danced across, his frown deepening, “No,” he agreed, “I didn’t.”
“But I got hurt?”
Marcy had made her way to the top of the stairs peaking down at them. But Danny’s only focus was his uncle, watching the confusion and uncertainty color his features he glanced back up at her.
“Can you explain what you mean?”
But Danny’s lips were trembling and another sob was building in his throat.
“Mo-mom sa-sa-said it was for my protection.” He cried, dropping to the floor and wailing through hitched breaths.
Marcy flew down the steps as Bobby turned and met him on the floor, on his knees as he cradled the sobbing ten-year-old. The night Marcy had made sure to prop his door open, and every night after that as well. The following dad Bobby would show him each door and gently tell him how none of them can lock from the outside. It also led to the next few Nash family rules.
Any punishment will be negotiable
No one will be locked in
Which was a little interesting to keep with the younger kids, having to sit little Robbie, Evan, and Brook down and explain more than once that the time out for having a stuffed animal pillow fight that turned into an actual fight was warranted even if toys were mixed up, or leading a ‘prison break’ of the classroom hamster in kindergarten wasn’t okay- even if Evan read the cage was to small, or Robbie informing their first grade teacher her fire safety rules were dumb was not up to code according to his dad and to please just tell Bobby next time… or- Bobby and Marcy got into a lot of practice of informing the younger three that while what they did wasn’t bad they could have done something else- if Bobby almost always caved and got ice cream after ten minute time outs that is no one’s business but his own.
If it did lead to Bobby brining his ten year old to a fire station one day and gently telling him nothing is impossible to open with the right tools.
Marcy might have scolded her husband as he outfitted Danny with his own tool kit after another set of unlocked doors was carefully taken off its hinges.
Power tools are not gifts for kids
Neither are lock picks
Might have been written on sticky notes and put in Bobby’s sock drawer. Years later it would officially be added to the list, when little Evan and Brook expressed interest in firefighting too.
nightmare_elmst on Chapter 1 Mon 30 Jun 2025 03:38AM UTC
Comment Actions
embracedself on Chapter 1 Mon 30 Jun 2025 12:23PM UTC
Comment Actions
Account Deleted on Chapter 1 Mon 07 Jul 2025 11:28AM UTC
Comment Actions
Notellenfromtv on Chapter 1 Sat 12 Jul 2025 01:47AM UTC
Comment Actions
Depressed_BF_Stan on Chapter 1 Wed 30 Jul 2025 03:50PM UTC
Comment Actions
MoonandStardust on Chapter 1 Sun 24 Aug 2025 01:48AM UTC
Comment Actions
EunSiHae6 on Chapter 1 Mon 15 Sep 2025 02:19AM UTC
Comment Actions
nightmare_elmst on Chapter 2 Wed 22 Oct 2025 04:32AM UTC
Comment Actions
Bennu315 on Chapter 2 Wed 22 Oct 2025 04:55AM UTC
Comment Actions
wildreckless on Chapter 2 Wed 22 Oct 2025 10:50AM UTC
Comment Actions