Not Even Death Can Keep Us Apart

Chapter Fifteen: What's Your Name Darling?

Buck spent every waking moment he could at the NICU with his daughter, watching her gain strength and grow more and more everyday. The nurses tried to reason with Buck, to go home and get some rest. The only time he went home was when he had to shower, that was it. Then he was back with his daughter. The entire 118 already warned the nurses how stubborn Buck was, so there was no point in trying to reason with him. The only day he left for longer than an hour was the day of Natalya's funeral. The whole 118 was there for Buck, but the passing days he barely was there himself. The only thing he kept holding onto was his daughter who needed him, other than that he was hollow. Lost into his own sea of his mind. Buck always wore his heart on his sleeves, so to see him so isolated broke anyone who looked into his direction. He kept his gaze fixed on her casket, expressing no emotion. His face was a blank page while he stood there. Maddie and Eddie were right by his side, the rest of the 118 was right behind him. Bobby placed his hand on Buck's shoulder, he didn't even budge.

Everyone eventually left after the service, all except Buck and Maddie. She was so worried about Buck, so she barely left his side.

"I promise I'll make sure our daughter is taken care of. You won't ever have to worry about her, I got her back. I pinky promise," Buck whispered towards the grave. He swallowed down the lump in his throat, and finally left with Maddie.

"Buck!" Buck heard in the parking lot. He looked up from the ground, searching for Eddie's truck for the owner of the voice. Then he saw Chris, with Eddie standing close behind. Buck smiled looking at Chris.

"Hey Bud!" Buck said softly as he walked up to Chris and Eddie.

"Buck! I missed you!" Chris said as he flung his arms around Buck's neck. Buck sniffled a little bit, stray tears threatening to fall from his eyes as he tightly hugged Chris.

"I promise I will come see you soon buddy! I have been super busy lately," Buck whispered to Chris, while still hugging him.

"I know. Dad told me about your baby being born," Chris said softly. Buck gulped and released Chris before holding out his pinky.

"I pinky promise I'll be by to hang out soon enough, I haven't forgotten about you Chris," Buck said smiling.

Chris giggled and hooked his pinky with Buck's. Eddie smiled looking at Maddie, who was also smiling down at her brother.

"Alright bud I've got to go. How about I FaceTime you and your dad when I get to the hospital, and you can see her?" Buck asked. Chris smiled and nodded so fast that Buck started laughing before hugging him again.

"Okay! I'll call you as soon as I get there," Buck smiled before he got up. He looked over at Eddie, who leaned against his truck. Eddie saw Buck's face switch from happy to blank, as if he was wearing a mask that was taken off. Eddie grabbed his arm and pulled him into a tight embrace, his heartbreaking for Buck. Buck sighed and hugged Eddie back, not wanting to let go.
After a few moments of the embrace, Buck pulled away and headed back to the hospital. Once he was there, he greeted all the nurses and went straight to his daughter. He situated himself after picking her up. He looked at the monitor and smiled, her stats were improving. He talked to her softly about everything before he pulled out his phone to FaceTime Chris and Eddie. Once their faces appeared on the screen, Buck smiled and showed her off to them while she was sleeping on his bare chest. He forgot all about his marks when he started the call.

"Hey Buck... What happened to your chest?" Chris asked. Buck bit his lip nervously, looking down at his chest.

"This was from when I got struck by lightning.." Buck answered honestly.

"Oh that's so cool!" Chris exclaimed, smiling. Eddie looked at Chris, before looking back at Buck. His eyes trailing to the marks and his bare chest before looking back at him.