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Chapter Text

The following shift, after Buck was emotionally guilt-tripped to having dinner with his egg and sperm donor by Maddie using his unborn niece against him, was pacing in Bobby's office, "Can I please hideout at your house or work overtime for B and C-shift as the man behind for the next week or longer?" asked Buck.

"Is this about your parents coming to visit?" asked Bobby.

Buck nodded, "Even if I had promised Maddie to show up, I don't want to see them."

"Why don't you want to see them?" asked Bobby.

"Before leaving Hershey in 2012, I barely got any attention from them unless I got injured or in trouble. My egg donor would always scoff when I talk, called my stupid when I was 12, and they both call me Evan in a condescending way. They also never showed up when I graduated from the LAFD Academy, finished my probationary period, when I had an emergency traceomoty, when my leg got crushed, the blood clots I developed from the screws, and being caught in the tsunami," said Buck.

"But they're finally showing up because of your sister being pregnant," said Bobby.

Buck laughed sarcastically, "Until Maddie got involved with Doug, Maddie was the golden child. They praised her report cards, attended her chorus concerts, drama club productions, and threw her a graduation party. They never showed up at my soccer games, football games, swim meets, but only attended my graduation because if was mandatory for them to show up due to them teaching at my high school."

Bobby felt anger towards the Buckley parents, "I'm sorry."

"I know they favor Maddie over me because they blame me for Daniel's death," said Buck.

"Who's Daniel?" asked Bobby.

"My older brother who was dying from juvinele leukemia and I was born to donate bone marrow and any other parts of my body to. He dieded when he was eight and I was one," said Buck. He angrily shook his head, "I never knew about Daniel until the background check that was done when I attempted to become a Navy SEAL, and thankfully I wasn't charged with anything for not disclosing a dead older brother and donating bone marrow when I was one when they realized I never knew about Daniel, but I was kicked out of training."

"I'm sorry," said Bobby.

"After my emergency session with Dr. Copeland earlier, she reminded me that I'm not required to have a relationship with emotionally abusive family members and it'll be bad for my mental health if my egg and sperm donor are going to treat me the same way they treated me as a kid. I don't want to see them," said Buck.

"Then come over to my house for dinner instead and tell Maddie that you forgot you already promised to come over to my house for dinner, but going to Texas to help out with the wildfires and the bombshell she gave you made you forget," said Bobby.

Buck sighed in relief, "Thank you."

"Now I think it's time to bring Chimney in here to set up workplace boundaries," said Bobby.

"Due to me being told that either Chimney or I will be transferred if Chimney dating my sister affects our ability to work together?" asked Buck.

Bobby nodded, "Yes, and with me being Captain, I can be a mediator."

"Thanks," said Buck.

A few minutes later, Chimney was in the office.

"Why was I called in?" asked Chimney.

Buck looked at Chimney, "I'm not coming to dinner."

"You promised her you'd come. Maddie needs you there," said Chimney.

"I can't be around my egg and sperm donor who have belittled me, called me stupid, or scoffed whenever I talked when I was a kid due to blaming me for Daniel's death," said Buck.

"You know about Daniel?" asked Chimney.

Buck nodded, "I found out when I attempted to become a Navy SEAL, and got kicked out for not disclosing that I had an older brother who died from cancer after I was engineered in a lab to donate bone marrow to him. If I knew and didn't disclose that information, I could have ended up in prison."

Chimney sighed in relief. "Maddie told me that between you admitting that you're talking to a therapist and leaving for Texas, I've been acting squirrely around you."

"And you're not the best secret keeper," said Buck.

Chimney nodded. "Thank goodness you told me you knew, or I would have burst into tears and told someone else before you."

"Even if I know about Daniel, my therapist told me I shouldn't allow my sister to use my niece to emotionally guilt trip me into seeing two people I barely have contact with or talk about," said Buck. 

"Even if you and both Maddie said they're good people but bad parents, your sister needs you," pleaded Chimney.

"How would you feel if Albert went behind your back and invited your father and stepmother to visit you so they could get to know your girlfriend and eventually their granddaughter without your permission?" asked Buck.

Chimney looked thoughtful, "I'd be pissed, and I'm grateful that the pandemic makes it more difficult for them to travel overseas right now."

"And that's how I feel about Maddie inviting my egg and sperm donor without my permission right now," said Buck.

"Speaking of the pandemic, I understand Maddie misses her parents and wants to see them, but I'm not happy about Maddie wanting the two of you to spend time being around two people who aren't inside your bubble right now. Since we're already risking ourselves by facing people during calls, we're supposed to be careful to keep ourselves and the family members we live with safe from getting sick so we don't end up having to put an entire shift in quarantine."

Chimney paled, "Even if Maddie stated her parents rented an RV so there's no staying in hotel rooms and they can eat and sleep in the RV, Mr. and Mrs. Buckley could have not followed masking or social distancing protocals, which puts Maddie and my unborn daughter in danger, too."

Buck nodded, "Maddie's putting everyone she works with at the Dispatch Center at risk, too."

Bobby looked at Chimney, "You need to respect Buck's boundaries about not wanting to meet up with his parents or I'm going to transfer you to a different shift or station."

"Transfer me?" asked Chimney.

"Following the lawsuit, aside from offering to transfer Buck due to how everyone felt and I refused, the Chief and HR voiced their concerns over you and Buck remaining professional regarding you dating Buck's sister. They almost decided to transfer Buck due to it being easier to place him somewhere else following the reasons for why he was off work."

"But you convinced the Chief to allow Buck to return to the 118 despite you making him the man behind the first two days back and everyone else but Hen and me giving him the cold shoulder," said Chimney.

Bobby nodded. "I didn't want to lose Buck to a different station, but I was warned that you two have one chance to remain working together due to your relationship with Maddie, or one of you will be transferred," he said. He gave Chimney a pointed look. "This is my warning about you needing to respect Buck's boundaries when it comes to his sister and parents, or you'll be transferred."

"I understand," said Chimney.

"While I was already warned when I signed the paperwork when I got reinstated," said Buck.

Bobby nodded.

Buck looked at Chimney while pleading, "Please don't force me to see my egg and sperm donor so I don't put Maddie under anymore stress due to you stating she needs to be careful about stress. The idea of having to face my egg and sperm donors is putting me under so much stress to the point I might not be able to keep a level head during a call and do something that puts you, Bobby, the rest of the 118, and myself in danger."

"Buck's right that I rather have my firefighters and paramedics be level-headed, so you and Maddie shouldn't force Buck to face people he doesn't want to interact with," said Bobby sternly.

Chimney looked at Buck, "I respect your decision on not wanting to be around people who mentally abused you fo the sake of your mental health while working a job like ours."

"Even if they keep on coming here for Maddie's and my niece's sake, here's a warning I won't be spending time with you, Maddie, and my niece when they're around after Maddie gives birth. My niece doesn't deserve to see her maternal grandparents treat me horribly around her," said Buck.

"I second that. I told Maddie that she didn't owe them anything and to just tell you the truth about Daniel instead of keeping a promise she made when she was nine," said Chimney.

"Thank you for understanding," said Buck.

"I don't get along with my father, and I agree that I wouldn't want him around my daughter or me," said Chimney. Looking into Buck's eyes, he said, "I want you to promise me something."

"What?" asked Buck.

"I suggest you block your parents', Maddie's, and my phone numbers and turn off location sharing before you go, stay somewhere else where you won't be alone every night, we're not on shift. Don't tell me where you're staying so I don't spill the beans about your location," said Chimney.

"I'll stay elsewhere," said Buck.

"Tell Maddie that Buck is filling in for another firefighter on tonight's 12-hour shift, and any visitors that don't have a medical emergency will be arrested for trespassing," said Bobby.

Chimney, who knew Bobby and the other Captains were strict about visitors to keep all the firefighters and paramedics safe, nodded. "I'll tell her."

"Now go home so you can talk to Maddie," said Bobby.

Buck, who had his phone out, looked at Chimney and said, "I already blocked yours, Maddie's, and my egg donor and sperm numbers. I even turned off location sharing for both you and Maddie."

"Good," said Chimney.

"And please tell Maddie we'll talk in a couple of weeks. Our talk will be stressful due to boundaries I'll be setting, and I think it'd be best for her to get over the stress of seeing her parents for the first time in years first," said Buck.

"I'll let her know," said Chimney.

Maddie was finishing up getting the apartment ready when Chimney entered the apartment, "You're home early."

"Bobby sent me home early because we need to talk," said Chimney.

"What's wrong?" asked Maddie.

"Buck's not coming," said Chimney.

Anger flashed through Maddie's eyes, "He promised me he'd come."

"Only because of you emotionally guilt-tripping him into doing something he doesn't want to do by using the excuse that our unborn daughter needs a normal family of her parents, Uncles, and grandparents," said Chimney.

"She needs her biological grandparents in her life," pleaded Maddie.

"No she doesn't. I didn't even invite my father and stepmother here," said Chimney.

"Due to overseas travel restrictions, but if there weren't a pandemic, I'd tell you to invite him here or ask Albert to invite him for me," said Maddie.

"I'd never let my father into our daughter's life because he left me here and had a new family after my Mom died. I now have the Lees as the people I see as my parents, just like Buck looks up to Bobby and Athena as his parents," said Chimney. He gave his girlfriend a pointed look. "After the whole incident with Albert showing up unannounced, it makes me think Buck had the right idea of going to therapy about his birth family."

"I still need Evan here tonight," said Maddie.

"Buck doesn't deserve to be around two people who emotionally abused him," said Chimney.

"They love him," said Maddie.

"If they loved Buck, where were they when Buck had an emergency tracomety, celebrated the end of his probationary period, and showed up the times he ended up in the hospital? They didn't even show up to visit you when Doug nearly killed the both of us," said Chimney.

"They don't like hospitals due to watching Daniel die form cancer," said Maddie.

Chimney shook his head as he looked at his girlfriend, "Buck knows about Daniel because he was booted out of Navy SEAL training due to him not mentioning he had an odler brother who died from leukemia or he donated bone marrow when he was one on his application. Buck could have ended up in prison for lying to the Navy due to you and your parents never telling him about Daniel."

Maddie paled, "He never told me he found out."

Chimney thought about his brief conversation with Buck while he was changing and was given permission to tell Maddie, "He didn't tell you because he was mad and then everything that happened after you showed back up in his life made him not say anything."

Maddie started crying.

"I know you care for your brother, but your parents emotionally abused Buck for Daniel's death when it wasn't his fault. I love you, but I will be on Buck's side because I work with your brother who introduced us and didn't even tell me to stay away from you if he was uncomfortable about you dating someone he works with. Forcing your brother to see two people who he doesn't want to see will make him emotionally compromised on the job that could result in his death, others getting injured or killed, or he-"

"Runs away again like he, my parents, and even myself did before,' said Maddie.

Chimney nodded, "You forcing Buck to do something he's not comfortable with doing could make him run away and refuse to be part of his niece's life if you force him to be around your parents, Maddie."

"And I want our daughter to know her Uncle Buck since she'll never get to know her Uncle Daniel except through stories," said Maddie.

"Same with my own mother," said Chimney. 

Maddie nodded.

"There's something else about your parents visit that needs to happen," said Chimney.

"What?" asked Maddie.

"When they're around us, they must mask up and stay six feet from us. Even if restrictions are lifted a bit, a pandemic is still ongoing. They aren't in our bubble, and their visit is putting the 118, the Dispatch Center, the bubbles of everyone our coworkers are part of outside of work, and people I assist on calls in danger," said Chimney.

Maddie paled, "You're right."

Chimney nodded. "Bobby's not pleased that you're inviting your parents to visit during the middle of a pandemic. He told me that your parents aren't allowed to show up at the 118 to visit me or try to confront Buck for not coming to dinner. If they show up and don't leave when asked, police will be called to escort them out or arrest them."

"Threatening to call the police on my parents is harsh," said Maddie.

"It is, but a pandemic's still going on while Buck deserves to feel safe at the 118 without your parents berating him for not showing up for dinner, Maddie," said Chimney.

Maddie nodded.

"That means you shouldn't call Buck or even show up at his loft or the 118, to confront Buck about having me tell you he's not coming over for dinner tonight or not telling you he found out about Daniel," said Chimney.

"Or police will be called on me, too?" asked Maddie.

Chimney shook his head, "I want you to give Buck space, which means letting him focus on his job and doing what he wants outside of work."

"I still need to tell Buck he doesn't need to come," said Maddie.

"I told him he didn't have to come when he told me he wasn't comfortable with Bobby being a mediator during our conversation. Buck told me he'll contact you or visit you in a couple of weeks," said Chimney.

"Thank you," said Maddie.

"You're welcome. Here's a heads-up that Bobby also asked me to tell you that you are not allowed to interfere with Buck's and my professional relationship again," said Chimney.

"Why?" asked Maddie.

"After the lawsuit, the Chief brought up transferring Buck to a different shift or station due to my relationship with you, but Bobby talked them out. He was warned that Buck and I can work together as long as we keep family matters outside of work or one of us will be transferred," said Chimney.

Chapter Text

An hour before Buck knew that his egg and sperm donors would arrive at Maddie's and Chimney's apartment, Buck was safely at Bobby's house for the night.

Bobby looked at Buck, who was mixing the dough for the homemade ravioli they were cooking for dinner. Buck looked less tense than he had before talking things out with Chimney. " Are you doing alright, Kid?" asked Bobby.

Buck nodded, "I know I did the right thing by deciding not to show up for dinner at my sister's apartment and asking you to help me talk to Chimney in private."

"You did, Kid. You were tense when coming into shift after Maddie told you what was happening. I'd rather have it that my firefighters are objective and leave family drama at home," said Bobby.

"I know Maddie's been worried when I told her I started going to therapy after she and Chimney thought I was dating someone new, but I think going to therapy is what led Maddie to deal with pregnancy brain over remembering that there's a pandemic going on and invite them over when I told her I'm going to therapy," said Buck.

"Speaking of your sister, I already asked Mrs. Belvins from the Dispatch Center if she knew Maddie invited her parents to visit during the middle of the pandemic. It turned out she didn't, and I brought up my concern over Mr. and Mrs. Buckley possibly exposing Maddie to the point of exposing my stepdaughter," said Bobby.

"Which affects even Harry and Michael even if his brain tumor went away," said Buck.

Bobby nodded, "Then Michael getting exposed affects Michael's boyfriend, David."

"Then Dr. Hale's coworkers and patients can be affected if Dr. Hale has to cancel surgeries or get patients sick," said Buck.

"It's a whole mess on how two people visiting can affect the health of dozens to even hundreds of people right now," said Bobby.

"Even if I ended up getting deployed to Texas to help with the wildfire," said Buck.

"Pandemic or not, firefighters in Texas needed as much help as possible, and you signed up for special deployment a few years ago. Due to you having a normal temperature no symptoms, you were following guidelines and not recovering from any injuries you were expected to go," said Bobby.

"I know, and we all made sure to take tests when returning," said Buck.

"How long are you thinking about keeping your distance from Maddie?" asked Bobby.

"As long as I can because I know I can't avoid her forever unless I file a restraining order against her even if it means she won't allow my around my niece," said Buck.

"And it helps that I already banned your parents and even Maddie from visiting the 118 with Chimney's blessing," said Bobby.

"You banned Maddie from visiting me the 118," said Buck.

Bobby nodded, "Chimney said you don't deserve your sister showing up to berate you if he can't get Maddie to understand that you have a right not to see your parents if you're uncomfortable."

"Aside from my sperm donor dropping around $300 into my bank account every month since I left, they always sent me to voicemail even when I called to say Maddie killed Doug," said Buck.

"Your father's been $300 into your bank account?" asked Bobby.

"I consider it stay away money because I remember hearing my egg donor yelling at my sperm donor that they have to live with a reminder every day when I was five and just crashed the bicycle that Maddie tried to teach me how to ride that most likely belonged to Daniel. After hearing what they were yelling and Maddie patched up the scrape on my knee, my sperm donor took me to the store to buy a new bike and get some ice cream," said Buck.

"After knowing you spent a couple of years traveling around the country and even Peru before moving to LA, I can imagine that money helping you with gas, food, and the occasional hotel room so you wouldn't always have to sleep in your Jeep or a tent on a campground," said Bobby.

Buck nodded. "The extra $300 a month helped me stay afloat, between the money Maddie gave me to help me get started and the money I made from all the jobs I tried out."

Maddie held back from hugging her father at Maddie's and Chimney's apartment.

"No hug?" asked Phillip.

"It's rude not to greet your father and me, Maddie," chided Margaret.

Maddie thought about the call she got from Sue 30 minutes prior, "My boss at the Dispatch Center heard about me inviting you two to visit during the middle of a pandemic, and she suspended me with pay for the next few weeks."

"You got in trouble for our visit?" asked Margaret.

Maddie nodded, "Pregnancy brain and not seeing you two in years made me forget that we're in the middle of the pandemic. I didn't think about the bubbles my brother, Chimney, and my coworkers formed to keep themselves and the people they interact with outside of work safe."

Chimney nodded, "My Captain told me he's furious with Maddie for not thinking about how having a family visit from another state during a pandemic could affect the health of Buck, myself, the 118, their family members, and the people Buck and I are called to assist. We mask and glove up during calls, but every firefighter and paramedic were given strict rules to prevent the firehouse from going out of commission for up to two weeks."

"You and Maddie are right about needing to keep everyone you two and Evan work with safe," said Phillip.

"And if Maddie told me she was thinking about inviting you two to visit, I would have suggested a Zoom call happens instead to keep everyone safe," said Chimney.

Phillip remained silent at what Chimney said.

Margaret looked around and noticed her youngest was absent. "Speaking of Evan, wasn't Evan supposed to be here, too, Maddie?" she asked.

"He was," said Maddie.

"Where's Evan, then? Even if this visit was for your father and me to finally meet your boyfriend and your father and me becoming grandparents, it's very selfish of him not to show up when he promised you," said Margaret.

Chimney inwardly winced at Margaret's condescending tone while being grateful Buck had decided to cancel. "Buck was asked to cover a shift at the last moment when the Captain from tonight's shift asked if one of us could fill in when his shift's heavy-set rescue assets twisted their ankles while slipping on a wet floor."

"If Evan mentioned his father and I were coming to visit, no one else could fill in?" asked Margaret.

Chimney shook his head, "Currently, the 118 prefers to cover shifts in-house if no one was exposed or tested positive for COVID. With being the only one who doesn't have a wife, girlfriend, or kids to go home to, Buck offered to fill in."

"Will he be coming to the next dinner?" asked Margaret.

Chimney shook his head. "He had already promised to babysit his best friend and field partner's kid so Eddie could cover the next shift since the injured firefighter would be out for at least two weeks due to the severity of the sprain. Buck and Eddie are taking turns filling in for Hector."

"Evan's trusted to babysit children?" asked Margaret.

" Buck is a favorite between all the kids at the 118 and even the children he encounters during calls," said Chimney.

"Evan could bring his best friend's son so Phillip and I could see Evan," said Margaret.

Chimney shook his head, "Our coworker's son has Cerebral Palsy, and his father is very strict about who can be around his son right now."

"Evan's allowed to be around his best friend's son during the pandemic?" asked Margaret.

Chimney nodded. Eddie feared his son would throw a tantrum if Buck weren't allowed to be around him after quarantine ended."

"I'm not sure if I'd want Evan around my granddaughter. He's too immature, reckless, and irresponsible," said Margaret.

Chimney glared at Maddie, who didn't speak up to defend Buck, before glaring at Margaret, "I trust Buck around my daughter more than you and even your husband."

Maddie looked at her boyfriend, "Howie, you must be polite to my parents."

Chimney glared at Maddie, "I'm not going to tolerate your mother speaking awful about your brother like the way she is, Maddie. It's already bad enough that you and your father aren't stopping your mother from speaking up about your brother the way she is."

Chimney was getting himself something to drink when Phillip approached him, "I take it my son didn't show up because he didn't want to see his mother and me?" asked Phillip.

Chimney nodded, "He's furoius with Maddie for not asking him if it was OK to invite you and your wife when he's content on not seeing either of you after he left Hershey."

"I know Margaret and I weren't the best parents to him," said Phillip.

Chimney nodded, "Even if I'm being blunt to the point that you and your wife might disapprove me dating your daughter, but you two are both horrible people and parents. Treating Buck the way you two did when he was growing up for not being unable to save Daniel and forcing Maddie to take care of Buck when she was still a kid herself is now considered child abuse."

"You know about Daniel?" asked Phillip.

"Maddie told me over a week ago," said Chimney.

"I don't blame him for saving Daniel. I was warned that Daniel was very sick and Evan's bone marrow wasn't fully developed," said Phillip softly.

"You two and Maddie are also lucky that Buck wasn't sent to prison seven years ago," said Chimney.

"Sent to prison?" asked Phillip.

Maddie and Margaret entered the kitchen.

"What about prison?" asked Margaret.

"Buck attempted to become a Navy SEAL between leaving Hershey and moving to Los Angeles, but during training, he was approached about withholding information on his application that was discovered during a deep background check that was performed," said Chimney.

Phillip realized what the information could be, "The background check caused the Navy to confront him about Daniel and donating bone marrow to Daniel."

Chimney nodded, "Pardon my French, but you two and even Maddie fucked up by keeping Daniel hidden from him before he left Hershey. If the Navy didn't believe Buck about not knowing about Daniel or if he donated bone marrow when he was one, he could have been sent to prison instead of being booted from the Navy for lying on his application."

Margaret ran out of the kitchen while crying.

"Howie," snapped Maddie.

Chimney glared at his girlfriend, "Your parents and even yourself need to know how much the three of you fucked up after Daniel died."

Phillip nodded, "Howie's right, Maddie. None of us considered how keeping Daniel a secret from your brother would affect your brother's future."

"At least you're being sensible, Phillip," said Chimney.

Phillip nodded. "Hearing how keeping Daniel a secret and forbidding Maddie from telling Buck about Daniel could have landed Buck in prison has woken me up about how I handled Margaret's still ongoing PPD."

"Margaret hasn't been getting treatment for postpartum depression for the past 29 years?" asked Chimney furiously.

Phillip gulped, "Margaret developed PPD after Buck was born, and it worsened after Daniel died. Even if moving to Hershey helped a bit, she refused to seek treatment even if her depression improved a lot after Buck left Hershey," said Phillip.

Chimney looked at Maddie, "Aside from not wanting Margaret and even Phillip to visit us and our daughter ever again, I'm going to get us an appointment for couples counseling tomorrow and ask your gynecologist to evaluate for prenatal depression ASAP."

"I hate therapy," said Maddie.

"Even if you were forced to attend therapy after the whole mess with Doug and you nearly lost your job over stalking someone who was in the same situation as you were, all the traumas you have never gotten help for, your age, and even the pandemic causing you to isolate more is going to be giving you a higher risk of developing both prenatal depression and postnatal depression, Maddie," said Chimney.

"What will happen if I refuse to be evaluated, put on medication, and attend therapy?" asked Maddie.

"I'll break up with you," said Chimney.

"Break up with me again?" asked Maddie.

"With how you're acting is making me realize I shouldn't have agreed to a second chance after your brother's leg got crushed until you sought therapy for almost losing Buck two months after you killed Doug," said Chimney.

"I'll fight for sole custody and make you pay a lot of child support if you break up with me," snapped Maddie.

"No judge will grant you sole custody if I mention my worry over you having prenatal depression right now due to your traumas you never sought therapy for. Being a good parent would involve forbidding past traumas from affecting your children by working on yourself," said Chimney.

Maddie looked at her father, "Are you on my side, Dad?" asked Maddie.

Phillip shook his head, ".I agree that Howie's right to worry about your mental health, Maddie.The judge you and Howie would see about custody and child support would worry about whether your daughter will be safe or not with you when they're told about the traumas you never sought therapy for and it's revealed you have a high risk of developing PPD due to your mother still going through it herself."

Chimney looked at Maddie, "Either agree to seek therapy now, or we'll break up."

Maddie stormed off.

Chimney looked at Phillip, "I accept if you don't aprove me for your daughter."

Phillip looked at Chimney, "Unlike Doug, I'm glad you're insisting that Maddie gets therapy for the traumas she never sought help for, even if it ends your relationship with her. I'm for sure going to be seeking therapy myself and send Buck a letter apologizing for how I treated him over the years."

An hour later, Maddie, who knew Chimney was lying about Buck being at work while knowing that her brother blocked her from contacting her, was pounding on her brother's apartment door, "I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE, EVAN! LET ME IN NOW!"

After pounding on the door for 20 minutes, Maddie was arrested by officers who neighbors contacted.

Two hours after Maddie was arrested, Bobby woke Buck up.

Buck rubbed his eyes, asking, "What's wrong, Bobby?"

"I got calls from Athena and Chimney stating that Maddie was arrested for disturbing your neighbors by pounding on your apartment door when refusing to leave when the officers told her to leave," said Bobby.

Buck gulped, "Even if Chimney told me he'd tell me how dinner would go during our next shift, Maddie must have been pissed about me not showing up, blocking her number, and ceased sharing my location with her."

"She is," said Chimney.

Buck turned to find Chimney standing in the doorway, "What are you doing here?" asked Buck.

"After to telling you t block my number so Maddie couldn't use my phone to contact you or track you down, I figured I needed to tell you what happened now instead of waiting until we're on shift," said Chimney.

"What happened?" asked Buck.

"The police told me they took Maddie to the hospital because of how she was acting when they arrested her for refusing to leave the apartment building, and her gynecologist, who was on-call tonight, decided to place Maddie into a 5150 psych hold. A 5250 hold might happen after her current hold due to me mentioning I'm afraid about Maddie developing prenatal depression following the traumas she never got therapy for as a child and even an adult."

"Even if getting arrested could affect her job at the Dispatch Center, I'm not sorry that a psych hold will force her to take therapy seriously if she wants out of the hospital," said Buck.

Chimney nodded, "I have to agree," said Chimney. He sighed, "Even if I don't blame you for never telling me you had an older brother who died from cancer due to you only being one when Daniel died, Maddie kept a major secret from me. I had a right to know since there's a history of cancer on both sides of the family."

Buck nodded.

Chimney sighed. "Even if I'm excited about becoming a father, I wish I had told Maddie that she wasn't ready for another chance at a relationship with me shortly after your leg got crushed. She needed therapy instead of a romantic relationship."

"Even if it's badmouthing my sister, she's a hypocrite for deciding to date a paramedic who's at risk of catching diseases from blood, catching illnesses, ambulance crashes, and still does rope rescues and runs into burning buildings when she wanted me to quit being a firefighter," said Buck.

"I'm sorry," said Chimney.

"For what?" asked Buck.

"I understand you and Bobby had a lengthy conversation after he acknowledged his mistake of holding you back from work. I regret telling Bobby what the ER doctor said before the tests were completed to identify the clots' cause," Chimney said.

Buck opened up his mouth, only for Chimney to hold up his hand,

"I also apologize for not realizing that being a fire marshal would have been more dangerous than firefighting for you, especially while you were on blood thinners. As a paramedic, I should have spoke up for you than think about Maddie's wishes of wanting you safe," said Chimney. He took a breath. "I’m uncertain about what will happen between your sister and me since I signed the paperwork to place her in a psych hold, but I'm willing to switch to a different shift or station. I hope we can attend therapy together because we'll always be connected through your niece."

"We can talk about you two attending therapy together and your place at the 118 after we all get some more sleep," said Bobby.

"I'm too keyed up to get some sleep now," said Buck.

"Let's make some hot chocolate," said Bobby.

A few minutes later, Buck, Chimney, and Bobby were drinking hot chocolate in the kitchen.

"How did my egg and sperm donor react to me not showing up?" asked Buck.

Chimney then told Buck about what everyone had said.

When Chimney was done, Buck looked at Chimney, "You told my donors and Maddie that they fucked up when you told them that keeping Daniel a secret from me could have landed me in prison when I attempted to become a Navy SEAL?" asked Buck.

Chimney nodded. "I did, so I won't be surprised if Maddie breaks up with me for speaking to Maggie, Phil, and even your sister the way I did, even if Phil's on my side about Maddie needing therapy and me standing up for you."

"He's not mad about you threatening to break up with Maddie?" asked Buck.

Chimney nodded, "He regrets how he handled the aftermath of Daniel's death and agrees with my realization that Maddie needs a lot of therapy. He said that he's proud that you're seeking therapy."

"How does he know that I'm in therapy?" asked Buck.

"Apparently Maddie called your mother to ask if she knew you were in therapy," said Chimney.

Buck sighed. "It's a good thing I'm planning on having a long talk with Maddie about boundaries. Dr. Copeland told me that I needed to set boundaries when I told her Maddie invited Mom and Dad out here without asking me if it'd be alright."

Chimney nodded. "And I'll be working on boundaries in therapy, too. I shouldn't tell your sister or anyone else about what you've done before," he said. He shook his head. "If how I acted around your parents and sister ends my relationship with Maddie, I'm never going to date a sister of a coworker again."

"Good because there's a bro code about sisters of friends being off limits," said Buck.

Chapter Text

A week after Maddie was sent to the hospital for a psychological evaluation, Buck and Chimney were having a three-way Zoom call with Dr. Copeland.

"I want you to know that Maddie did get diagnosed with prenatal depression after your father and I mentioned the traumas Maddie didn't seek therapy for," said Chimney.

"Were there any other diagnoses?" asked Buck.

Chimney nodded, "Maddie also has prenatal thyroiditis and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder."

'C-PTSD makes sense," said Buck.

Chimney nodded, "It does because the first trauma started when Daniel got sick with leukemia. Your parents never got Maddie to talk to a therapist when Daniel got diagnosed and after his death."

Buck nodded, "Then Mom's and Dad's grief forced her to be a mother instead of a big sister to me before she started middle school. When I wasn't in school or at practice for one of the various sports I played to get me out of the house, Maddie had to give up a lot to babysit me."

Chimney nodded. "Then, at 19, she decided to date and eventually marry Doug despite your and your parents' disapproval. She saw marrying Doug as her ticket out of taking care of you."

"Then she eventually killed Doug and then watched me being trapped underneath a fire engine on live TV," said Buck.

"And instead of seeking therapy like Sue suggested, she decided to try having another relationship with me," said Chimney.

Buck nodded, "And she only attended therapy after killing Doug to get back to work and then when a complaint was made about her for stalking a 9-1-1 caller."

Chimney nodded, "Aside from a psych evaluation before returning to work after being held hostage. She only talked to her therapist once for clearance."

"I take it that they're going to be watching for postpartum depression and postpartum thyroiditis after Baby Girl Han is born?" asked Buck.

Chimney nodded, "Yes."

"Good," said Buck.

"Are you breaking up with Maddie, or will you continue dating her?"

"During the ten minutes I was given to talk to Maddie when bringing her some personal belongings this morning, she broke up with me and will be giving me primary custody of our daughter," said Chimney.

"I'm sorry," said Buck.

"Our breakup isn't your fault, Buck. I told you last week that I should have told Maddie no when she showed up at work to tell me she was ready for another chance after your leg got crushed. Aside from being pissed at me for how I spoke to your parents, Maddie realized she's not in the right head space for a relationship, and it'd be best we co-parent our daughter with Baby Girl Han living with me full-time until she's in the right headspace for motherhood," said Chimney.

"Howie's right, Evan.," said Dr. Copeland.

"What will you and Maddie do about living situations when Maddie is discharged from inpatient treatment?"

"Maddie will stay with Sue and Don in the guest bedroom when she's discharged. Then, six weeks after she gives birth, Maddie will be going to Boston for further treatment at a women's center. She'll get to know her daughter through Zoom calls," said Chimney.

"Even if I haven't talked to Maddie in the past week, did she have any messages for me?" asked Buck.

"Maddie pinky swears that she won't abandon you again," said Chimney.

"No apology for inviting my donors out here without asking me my thoughts first?" asked Buck.

Chimney shook his head, "No apology."

A week after Buck and Chimney's joint therapy session, Buck was on Bobby and Athena's couch, with Bobby and Athena on either side of him, as he opened the letter his father mailed from Hershey.

"I don't know if I can read this if his letter sounds like he's yelling at me. He was yelling the last time I saw him in person," said Buck.

"You don't have to rush to read the letter, Baby," said Athena.

"I also know the sooner I read the letter," said Buck.

Buck,

After the way your mother and I have treated you the past 29 years, I respect your decision of refusing to show up for dinner when it came to you needing to keep yourself, your coworkers, and your coworker's family members safe during the middle of the pandemic. I also respect your decision not to come when Maddie told you she invited your mother and me to Los Angeles for a visit without asking your thoughts. I also don't condone Maddie using your niece as a way to guilt-trip you into seeing your mother and me when you didn't want to see your mother and me.

Howie told me you learned about Daniel during BUD/S training to become a Navy SEAL. He told me your mother and I should be lucky that you didn't get arrested for not disclosing that you donated cord blood and bone marrow to an older brother who passed away from leukemia when you told the Navy you never knew about Daniel. If I knew you were going to face professional consequences for hiding the fact you were a savior sibling for an older brother who died from cancer, I wouldn't have kept that information a secret from you. You had the right to know about Daniel for future professional and health purposes.

I want you to know I'm proud of the man you became. Being a firefighter suits you, and I'm glad you found a job you love and a chosen family. Howie mentioned you found yourself parental figures in your fire captain and his wife, and I want you to know I'm not jealous. I'm happy you found people you admire during the last few years. In a picture Howie showed me of you cooking dinner with your captain, I did a doubletake because you and Captain Nash look like you two could be father and son.

I want you to know I'm proud of you for deciding to seek therapy about your childhood and the traumas you have faced as an adult. You're a bigger man for knowing it's alright to seek professional traumas instead of burying everything as I've done. I'll be scheduling therapy appointments for myself.

I understand if you don't ever want to see or talk to your mother and me again, but I want you to know I'm one phone call/email away.

When Buck finished the letter, Bobby rested a hand on his shoulder. "Are you going to let him back into your life?" Bobby asked.

Buck shook his head, "I don't need him or my egg donor in my life."

"What about Maddie?" asked Athena.

"I'll be cutting her out of my life if she doesn't accept my boundaries," said Buck.

Two months after Jee-Yun was born, Buck finally had a Zoom therapy session with Maddie because her doctor insisted they wait to talk until Maddie was no longer pregnant.

"Dad sent me a letter to apologize for being an awful father by not telling me about Daniel and to tell me that he's proud of the man I become," said Buck.

"He did?" asked Maddie.

Buck nodded. "He's also glad I found a job I love and a family through the 118."

"Did you write or call him back?" asked Maddie.

"I haven't responded yet because he told me he understands if I never talk to him or Mom again," said Buck.

"They're your parents. Regardless of how they were after Daniel's death, you should be talking to our parents," said Maddie.

"They might share my DNA with me, but I'm allowed to cut toxic family members out of my life."

"They're not toxic," said Maddie.

"If a parent emotionally abuses you by calling you stupid, scoffs whenever you talk, can barely look at you, yes they are. Chimney told me everything that was said, and it's emotionally abusive behavior," said Buck.

Maddie scoffed, "Whether you like it or not, they're still going to be part of our lives."

"Not my life," said Buck.

"If you want to see Jee-Yun, yes, you're going to see them," said Maddie.

"Your father told me in the letter he'll support my decision of not wanting to speak to him or your mother ever again," said Buck.

Maddie scoffed, "They're your parents."

'I consider Bobby and Athena my true parents," said Buck.

"Robert and Athena are not your parents," said Maddie.

"I don't think you're taking therapy seriously, Maddie," said Buck.

"Why do you say that?" asked Maddie.

"You're acting like your mother by siding with how she has always treated me. I'm going to cut you out of my life for good," said Buck before ending the Zoom call.