Chapter Text
Buck looked at Eddie and Bobby after Hen and Lucas left with the 15-year-old boy and his father, "Remind me that Erica and I should hide our car keys when Kat and Wolf start learning how to drive."
"Did you steal your parents' cars for a joy ride when you were a teenager?" Eddie asked.
"No, but Reverend Ryan and Tina took time teaching me how to drive along with Erica and Isaac after I got my temps."
"Speaking of Kat and Wolf, are you ready for them and Alligator to get their tonsils removed at the same time tomorrow?" Bobby asked.
"Stocked up on popsicles, ice cream, Jello, and ingredients to make soft food for all three kids," said Buck.
"Even if I only have one kid, I don't think I can handle all three kids having surgery the same day or keep on spending the past six months spreading strep throat to each other," said Eddie.
"It helps that the ear, nose, and throat doctor was able to schedule three tonsillectomies for the same morning, so Erica and I only have to take the kids to the hospital for surgery once than three separate trips to the hospital for surgery," said Buck. He looked at Bobby, "Even if I took seven weeks off with a broken leg, thank you for giving me the next week off for the kids' surgeries."
"With you spending part of the summer filling in for other forefathers from various houses, you're owed some vacation days," said Bobby.
"Even if it means I'll be spending a week taking care of my three kids since Erica will have court during two days of the next week," said Buck.
"Are anyone else going to help?" Bobby asked.
"Tina and Reverend Ryan won't be helping since they rushed to Colorado this morning after Jane had an emergency c-section and hysterectomy at 4 AM today after Samuel was born," said Buck.
"We can help out on days off," said Bobby.
The next morning at 5 AM, Buck was carrying a pajama-clad Eleanora on his hip as Katherine wheeled herself into the hospital with Ethan walking between him and Erica. Within a few minutes, the family of five was taken to the pre-op room, where all three kids were weighed and got their temperatures and blood pressures checked before Erica helped Katherine into a hospital bed, Buck helped Eleanora into a toddler-sized hospital gown before setting her into the provided hospital crib, and Ethan helped himself into a hospital gown and settled himself in the bed next to Katherine in the large private pre-op room they were given to fit two hospital beds and a crib.
"I'm scared about having surgery," said Ethan.
"As someone who had back surgery last October, we're going to be fine, Wolf," said Katherine.
"You've already gotten tubes in your ears when you were two years old," said Erica.
"Can we pray as a family again like we did at bedtime for today?" Ethan asked.
"We can, sweetheart," said Erica.
After Erica led the family in a prayer, a nurse came into the room to put IVs into the kids.
"Who wants to go first?" Nurse Fiona asked.
"I'll go first for the IV, Wolf," said Katherine.
"You're a brave girl, Katherine," said Nurse Fiona.
Katherine gave a grim smile, "I survived injuries from doing gymnastics and got paralyzed from the waist down when a bully pushed me so hard almost 11-months ago, so I'm used to IVs and surgeries."
Two minutes later, an IV was inserted into Katherine's arm.
"Do you want to go next, or should Eleanora go next, Ethan?" Nurse Fiona asked.
"I'll go next to spare Eleanora for another few minutes," said Ethan. He looked at his father, "Since you know how to give IVs due to taking a paramedic course once, can you put in the IV, Dad?" Ethan asked.
"It wouldn't be ethical for me to give my own kids an IV, Ethan," said Buck.
"Want your father or me to hold your hand?" Erica asked.
"You, Mom," said Ethan.
Two minutes later, Ethan had an IV in his arm.
"I'll hold Eleanora on my lap as she's given an IV," said Buck.
"Just keep her arm still," said Nurse Fiona.
Two minutes later, Buck was making funny faces at his youngest daughter to get her laughing as the nurse inserted an IV.
Eleanora started crying when she felt the needle insert her arm, "Owie, Dada."
Buck stroked his youngest daughter's curls, "I know, Alligator."
After the poke was declared successful, the IV was taped to keep Eleanora from removing it.
A while later, Katherine and Eleanora were taken to two separate operating rooms because two surgeons were available at the same time, and Ethan would be heading into surgery when they were out. The operating room that got disinfected first.
Two hours after Katherine and Eleanora were taken into surgery, Ethan went in an hour after his sisters, Buck and Erica, finally entered the shared pre-op room to find Katherine and Ethan in their hospital beds and Eleanora in her issued crib.
"There are my three babies," said Erica.
Katherine, who had learned sign language due to a deaf classmate in kindergarten, signed 'Not a baby. I'm a big girl' to her mother.
Erica, who had learned sign language for her clients, shook her head, "No matter how old you and your siblings get, you three will always be my babies."
Katherine gave her parents a worried look as she signed 'Will I be able to sing in church on Sunday?
"You're not allowed to sing on Sunday because your throat needs to heal," said Erica.
Katherine pouted.
Buck, who was now cradling Eleanora on his lap as Eleanora drank some juice in a sippy cup, looked at his son, "How are you doing, Wolfie?" Buck asked.
Ethan pointed at his throat as he signed the word 'Hurt'.
"It's going to hurt for a few days, but in a little bit, the nurse will bring some ice cream or popsicles," said Buck.
'Ice cream w-i-t-h sprinkles?' Ethan asked through sign language.
"No sprinkles because of the cuts the surgeon made on both sides of your throat," said Buck.
'I want chocolate ice cream,' signed Ethan.
Buck grinned, "I think chocolate ice cream can be arranged, Wolfie."
After Katherine, Ethan, and Eleanora ate some soup and either chocolate or vanilla ice cream, Buck was pushing Katherine's wheelchair, Ethan was being pushed in a wheelchair by a volunteer, and Eleanora was being pulled in a wagon by another volunteer to go home.
When the family of five returned home, the five Buckleys were taking a nap in Buck's and Erica's king-sized bed with Katherine, Ethan, and Eleanora sleeping between their parents.
During the next week, Buck and Erica spent time taking care of their kids, doing activities that kept Katherine, Ethan, and Eleanora calm as they could be by watching movies, drawing pictures, reading out loud to their kids, and helping Katherine and Ethan with their homework that their teachers provided for them to work on so they didn't fall behind. At the same time during the week, Bobby, Athena, Hen, Karen, Eddie, Lucas, and Samantha would pop by to visit and sent Buck and Erica out of the house to take a break for two hours as whichever adult was there watched the kids.
The evening before Buck's first shift back at the 118, all five Buckleys were eating dinner together.
Katherine, who had started talking again three days ago, looked at her mother, "Are we still on getting our nails done with Athena and May tomorrow, Mom?" Katherine asked.
"We are, Katherine," said Erica.
"Am I able to visit the Griffith Observatory with Denny tomorrow?" Ethan asked.
"That's the plan because you're feeling much better, and you two are back to school on Monday," said Erica.
Katherine and Ethan groaned.
"Don't you two miss your friends?" Buck asked.
"We do, but I don't like Miss Flores," said Katherine softly.
"What about Miss Flores?" Erica asked.
"She is like Eddie's mother. She yells at me for playing four-square with my friends and thinks Chris and I should just spend recess in the library reading books. When she's not paying attention, she's just gossiping about the single parents of her students. I heard her gush about Eddie being single, and how he'd be the perfect husband for her," said Katherine.
The lawyer in Erica quickly spoke up, "Teachers not supervising students properly during recess is a huge risk of teachers being sued for child endangerment and child neglect if something happens to the kids during recess."
"Why didn't you say anything sooner?" Buck asked.
"A lot of students like her, and I don't want to get a bad grade for tattling about how Miss Flores is treating Chris and me," said Katherine.
"Teachers shouldn't limit the abilities of kids who are paralyzed, have CP, spinal bifida, or any other disabilities. It's also dangerous for teachers to stand and gossip than to watch the children to ensure every child is safe and accounted for. Plus, it's unethical for a teacher to start dating a current student's parent during the school year," said Erica.
"I'll let Eddie know what's going on. We'll call Principal Summers on Monday to set up a supervised meeting with Miss Flores," said Buck.
"Good," said Erica. She looked at her two eldest, "What other teachers are gossiping with Miss Flores?" Erica asked.
Katherine and Ethan then named the teachers that were gossiping as Erica wrote down the names.
Buck's phone then rang.
"I thought there was a rule about no phones at the table?" Katherine asked.
"My phone is set only to go off when Bobby or another Captain calls me because you know I sometimes fill in for another shift at the 118 or another house on my day off due to my certifications," said Buck. He then frowned when he saw he had a call from Captain Cooper. "Buckley speaking."
"Is this a bad time, Buckley? I heard through the grapevine that all three of your kids just got their tonsils removed a week ago," said Captain Cooper.
"Just eating dessert after eating dinner with my family. We'll soon be settling down for a movie before we have an early night since I'm returning to work tomorrow. What can I help you with?" Buck asked.
"I need you to cover for Sandars. His kid got their appendix removed this morning, and Nash already cleared it with me to borrow you for your skills tomorrow," said Captain Cooper.
"I can fill in tomorrow," said Buck.
"Thank you, and my house will owe the 118 one," said Captain Cooper before hanging up.
Buck looked at his wife and kids, "I'm going to need to head to the 118 now to get my gear because I'm subbing at the 136 tomorrow morning."
"Can I come with you, Dad?" Ethan asked.
"Sure, Wolf," said Buck.
"Drive safely," said Erica.
After Buck and Ethan finished up their dessert, Buck drove Ethan and himself to the 118 so he could grab his uniform, a spare uniform, his turnouts, boots, and any other belongings he'd need.
When Katherine, Ethan, and Eleanora were all in bed, Buck messaged Eddie, Hen, and Lucas to let them know he's subbing at the 136 in the morning, and that Bobby's aware.
The following day, Buck was heading to the 136, Ethan was spending the day with Karen and Denny since Denny invited Ethan to join them on a trip to the Griffith Observatory, Erica and Katherine had a nail salon date with Athena and May, and Eleanora was spending the day with her Aunt Alice and Uncle Leon at the zoo due to Reverend Ryan and Tina still being in Colorado helping Jane and Isaac.
When Buck arrived at the 136 in the Jeep that he used when he wasn't transporting Katherine, he was introduced to members of the 136 he didn't know.
When he was done looking around the station and equipment, so he knew where everything was, he was getting his hour of PT in and saw Lena Bosko going at a punching bag with punches and kicks. When he noticed the bruise on Lena's torso, he asked, "Are you alright, Bosko?" Buck asked.
"I'm fine," said Lena.
"That bruise looks like it hurts. You should get checked over to make sure you don't have internal bleeding or any other injuries," said Buck.
"I told you, I'm fine," said Lena.
Buck then found Captain Cooper working on paperwork, "Is Lena in a relationship?" Buck asked softly.
"Aren't you married?" Cooper asked.
"I am, but I saw a big bruise on her abdomen," said Buck.
"She's single, but I'll ask her about the bruise," said Captain Cooper.
"Good because she's putting her teammates and victims during calls at risk by working injured," said Buck.
"I'll call her to my office now," said Captain Cooper.
The alarms went off about a possible heart attack at the Santa Monica Pier.
"I'll ask her after this call," said Captain Cooper.
Erica, Katherine, Athena, and May were having their monthly outing of getting their nails done together. During the appointment, the tech was gushing about May being in her senior year and soon looking for colleges, while Katherine was asked about how she's enjoying the third grade.
As Buck did crowd control while the paramedics from the 136 dealt with the costumed man, he heard a child's sound.
"BUCKY!" shouted Christopher.
Buck turned around and grinned when he saw Christopher with Shannon, "I heard you had visitation with your mother this weekend."
"Yep," said Christopher.
Buck looked at Shannon, "I see you're spoiling Christopher with a trip to the pier because he looks hyped up on sugar."
"Benefit of sharing custody with Eddie. Spoil Christopher before I give him back to his father," said Shannon.
"That's the best thing of spending time with my kids when Erica's at work or she's with her parents or sister. I get to sugar the kids up as the fun parent," said Buck.
Chris frowned, "That's not Daddy, Bobby, Hen, and Cricket, Buck."
"I'm helping out at the 136 today like the times your father has helped out at other stations during his year as a Probie," said Buck.
"OK," said Christopher. He tilted his head, "Who are Kat and Wolf playing with today?" Chris asked.
"Wolf is with Denny and Karen, and Kat is with Erica, Athena, and May," said Buck. He then came up with an idea, as he
grinned at Christopher, "Should we take a selfie to send to your father about who I ran into?" Buck asked.
"Yes, please," said Christopher.
"I can take the picture," said Shannon.
A few seconds later, Buck was grinning in a picture with Christopher before Shannon took a picture. Then Buck sent Eddie the picture.
LOOK WHO I RAN INTO WHILE AT THE SANTA MONICA PIER FOR A CALL. SHANNON IS SPOILING CHRIS ON HER WEEKEND WITH HIM.
"TIME TO GO, BUCKLEY!" called out Captain Cooper.
"Coming!" shouted Buck.
Chris, who was now watching the water, spoke up, "Mom? Buck?" Christopher asked.
"Yes, Superman?" Buck asked.
"Where did all the water go?" Christopher asked.
Buck's eyes widened when he looked down and saw the water gone before looking towards the horizon, "Tsunami."
A moment later, Buck was making a call on his radio, "This is Firefighter Buckley subbing at the 136. There's a tsunami coming, and there was no warning."
Buck then shouted to everyone that they needed to run as he scooped up Christopher for Shannon, and everyone started running before Buck, Shannon, and Christopher took shelter in a game booth.
"Whatever you do hold your breath and swim to the surface before hanging onto something," said Buck.
Shannon looked at Buck with fear in her eyes as she covered Christopher's ears with her arms, "If I don't make it, save Christopher for Eddie."
Buck nodded just as the water crashed over them.
May was sitting in the back seat with Katherine as Erica sat shotgun by Athena, "Excited to show off your pretty nails to your father?" May asked.
Katherine grinned, "Yes, May."
Then Athena and May were starting to talk about colleges before another vehicle hit them.