Chapter Text
Buck watched his Alpha with amusement. Eddie had told the kids to be packed and ready by ten in the morning. It was now quarter past ten. Aurelia was ready. She had been sitting on the living room couch since nine, excitedly rocking back and forth.
Eddie was standing there, trying very, very hard to be patient. Buck loved this man.
“Are you excited?” Buck nudged his daughter.
“Yes.” She nodded happily. Her blonde curls were loose around her shoulders, which was a rarity, but important. Today they were shifting to head to the lakehouse, just for a little family vacation. Apparently shifting when your hair is braided makes it tug.
“I’m ready!” Mirabelle announced, running in. “I packed everything important.” She held her bag out for Eddie. Eddie looked over to Buck with a raised eyebrow, but it was a fair assessment. A four year old insisting that they had packed for themselves was suspicious.
“Well, I packed your boring clothing yesterday, so now you’re okay to just pack your toys.” Buck clued Eddie in.
“Okay, that sounds good.” Eddie slung the bag over his shoulder.
“I’m ready too.” Christopher came in, grinning. His Dad could never stay mad at him while he smiled.
“Perfect.” Eddie smiled. “Okay, hands those over.” It was faster for them to travel shifted, so Eddie had prepared their bags so he could carry it easier. “Is everyone ready to go?”
“Yes yes!” Aurelia jumped up, spinning to grin at Buck. “Ready Papi?”
“Ready.” Buck promised her.
“Pops!” Mirabelle spotted Bobby, shuffling past Eddie to run outside.
“Hey you.” Bobby smiled softly, scooping her up off her feet. “Just here to see you guys off. Have you packed everything that you need?”
“Yes!” She repeated.
“Good. How are you?” Bobby asked Eddie, who still looked a little stressed.
“I’m good.” Eddie promised him.
“You’ll feel better once we all get to the house in one piece.” Buck assured them both. His Alpha settled with a soft smile, nodding and swaying to nudge his shoulder onto Buck’s.
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
“Let’s go!” Mirabelle announced, jostling in Bobby’s arms.
“Mia.” Buck said with his best firm parenting response.
“Sorry for shouting.” She apologised, grinning at Bobby. “But can we go?”
“Yes, let’s do it.” Eddie announced. “He pulled off his jumper, folding it and placing it into their bag. He shifted first, the girls giggling as usual as they pet his fur. Eddie playfully huffs, making them jump back and giggle again. Buck loved them all so much.
“Come on! Shift oh-” Christopher’s wolf (who really was a wolf these days, more than a pup (Buck wasn’t teary, he wasn’t)). “Yep, copy your brother.” A yip behind him. Aurelia, blonde fur still poking in random directions as she stared at him with big blue eyes. Buck knelt, helping secure the bag to Eddie.
“There you go.” Bobby groaned a little, lowering Mirabelle’s paws to the ground. She came scurrying around, going immediately to Christopher and rolling under him. She yipped again and Christopher huffed (a lot like his father) before trotting over to Aurelia.
“Thank you Bobby.” Buck said, smiling over at him. “I appreciate you.”
“Always.” Bobby smiled, reaching over and wrapping an arm around him. “You take care of yourself.” Buck gave him a proper hug, before pulling back to shift. It was pretty easy actually to round the kids up in the right direction. Sometimes Mirabelle would see something cool and steer her sister off course, but mostly they all stayed together.
Eddie led the way, making sure that it was safe for the pups to proceed. Buck and Christopher mostly tried to stay behind the twins, but sometimes they disappeared off to the side and Buck kept track of them by scent. When Eddie and Buck go down for their cycles, it usually takes them about forty five minutes one way, but with the kids it took an hour and a half.
They reached the front door and Buck shifted back, drigging around for their keys to open the place up. Eddie huffed, loudly, nudging Buck back from the door. He helped him shed the bag, then let Eddie walk in. He got out a spare outfit for each kids out so they were ready to go. Once Eddie had determined the house was clear and ready for them to enter, Buck led them in. The girls knew what room they liked and headed up.
“Hey beautiful.” Eddie greeted as he pulled on his clothes. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m good.” Buck insisted. “How are you?”
“I’m quite excited actually.” Eddie shuffled forward, wrapping his arms around Buck. “Just you and me and-”
“Dad!” Christopher called out.
“And.” Buck nodded happily, moving away. “Off you go.” Buck teased him. He went to check on the girls, who shared a room with two single beds. It was the kid's room, which made Buck feel so happy. “Have you picked a bed?” Both girls were perched on one and from this angle Buck could see there were leaves in Aurelia’s hair. He would have to brush that out later.
“Yes.” Mirabelle replied before they both giggled. Ah, so there was a secret third option Buck hadn’t considered. He wasn’t going to stop them though. Whatever plan they had built up in their minds, he was going to let it be.
“Look at you two, being so grown up.” Buck walked over, kissing both their heads. He spent twenty minutes unpacking some of their clothing while Eddie did the same with the food downstairs. They would be here for a week, this would help them adjust a little. The day went by in a blur of giggles and card games, all of which made Buck feel like his heart could burst. His children never had to worry about being loved, because every day it was more evident than any other point in Buck’s life.
They had dinner outside on a picnic blanket, which the girls absolutely adored. Buck made a mental note that they should do this more often back at home.
“Can we go play now?” Aurelia asked, once they were done with dinner.
“Only if you take your plate inside.” Buck offered.
“Yay!” She jumped up, Mirabelle running inside ahead of her. “Chris, coming?”
“Yeah.” The boy smiled, shifting to get himself up. Buck smiled again as he saw Aurelia pick up Christopher’s plate, running it inside with everything else. They could hear the little thuds of small feet running up stairs inside, before there was a silence. Eddie lay down on the blanket, staring up at the stars and opening his arms.
“Come’re?”
“Of course.” Buck lay down, resting his head on Eddie’s chest and staring up at him.
“What are you staring at?” Eddie teased him softly, dragging his fingers through Buck’s hair.
“My beautiful mate.” Buck shrugged unapologetically.
“Is that so? Doesn’t that mean I can stare at you too?”
“Seems fair-”
“Papi!” Mirabelle’s scream from inside made Buck feel sick. They launched up, sprinting back inside the house. Eddie beat Buck inside as they heard her start crying. He saw Christopher appear from his room, moving towards her.
“Mia!” Buck shouted.
“Papi.” She came running into the hallway, and he picked her up, immediately cradling her to his chest as she cried. “I can’t find Bunny.” Buck let out a shaky breath as he realised she wasn’t hurt. “I can’t- he’s lost in the woods Papi, what do I do?” She sobbed into his shoulder. She was over tired and the stuffed toy was gone. Buck’s heart was broken for her.
“Okay, it’s okay.” Buck assured her. “How about we go check your bag?” Eddie took his shoulder, helping him stand and move into their bedroom. Aurelia was sitting on the floor, where Mirabelle’s things were all over the floor, which made him frown. They should be able to see Bunny.
“You did really well to lay everything out, mija.” Eddie mumbled as he looked around the room. Bunny wasn’t here.
“Are you sure you grabbed him?”
“Yes. I put him on my bed and everything so I wouldn’t forget.” Buck bit back a smile. Just like Eddie had taught her.
“Okay, that’s good.” Buck praised her again. “Okay. You and Dad keep searching, I am going to call Athena and see if she can check your bed.”
“What if he’s alone in the woods?” She still had tears running down her face. Eddie picked her up into his arms, sitting on the bed and holding her close to him.
“Then we’ll go find him.” Eddie promised. “He can have an adventure tonight and-”
“No!” She pulled back, horrified. “Daddy, we have to go get him now! What if-”
“Mija.” Eddie soothed her. “We will find him.” Buck nodded, standing and going to get his phone.
“Is she okay?” Christopher whispered.
“Bunny is missing.” Buck explained. It made him feel proud that Christopher didn’t make fun of her at all. He nodded, knowing how serious this was to her. He clicked Athena’s phone number, waiting for it to ring.
“Hello Buckaroo.” Athena answered, her voice immediately soothing. “Are you guys okay?”
“Hey Athena.” He smiled softly. He sat down on the bed, letting out a small sigh. “I’m hoping you could do me a favour. Mia can’t find Bunny.”
“Oh no.” Athena mumbled, and he heard shifting on the other end of the line.
“There’s a good chance that he was put on her bed so she wouldn’t forget and-” he trailed off as Eddie and Mia came in, Aurelia trailing behind them.
“Okay, I’m going to check now.” Buck covered the receiver and smiled at them. “Athena is going to look now.” He sat with his daughters, cooing gently. Christopher loitered in the doorway a little, watching them until Eddie held his arm out. He happily snuggled up next to his Dad, watching Mirabelle.
“Buck? Are you there?”
“Yeah.”
“Bunny is here. I can see him on Mia’s bed.”
“Bunny is safe.” Buck reported. “But at home.” Mirabelle nodded shakily, probably slightly soothed by the fact they knew where the toy was. “Thank you, Athena.” He said into the phone.
“You’re very welcome Buck. You call me if you need anything.” He hung up, smiling over at her. Mirabelle’s brain turned a couple times, before she perked up and turned to face Eddie.
“Daddy?” Full pout and puppy eyes.
“Yes?” He hummed, amusement coming through the bond.
“Do you think maybe you could go get Bunny?” Eddie hummed again, expecting the question. The Alpha looked out the window, narrowing his eyes just a little.
“We would be very good while you’re gone.” Aurelia offered.
“You always are.” Buck caught Eddie’s eye and saw the hesitation. It was dark. There was no pack here. The chances of something going wrong in the hour that it would take Eddie alone to get there and back is low. Realistically very low. But it was there. There were other wolves in these woods. There were other people. Buck would be alone with the kids in the dark.
“Mija-” she caught his tone and sighed in disappointment. “I will go in the morning. I promise. Okay?” She looked up with watery eyes, nodding.
“We could sleep together!” Aurelia announced. “So you don’t get lonely.”
“Sleepover.” Mirabelle nodded. Buck’s heart was so full at the idea of his girls together, facing the scary things together. “Chris too!” As always, Buck and Eddie turned to check his reaction. Christopher was not only older, but not necessarily always interested in whatever game the four year olds had constructed.
“That sounds great.” Chris agreed. “The more protection the better.”
“Yay!” Mirabelle hopped up, before turning around and looking up at Eddie. “But can we go get Bunny in the morning?”
“I will go right after breakfast.”
“Okay.” She whispered, before shuffling back forward for another hug. Eddie wrapped her up happily. They moved the mattress together on the floor, then moved one in for Christopher. Buck stood, leaning against the doorway and looking at his beautiful children. Their children, who wanted so badly to comfort Mirabelle that they teamed together.
“Alright, is that all you’ll need?” Eddie dumped Christopher’s blanket right on his head, making the boy laugh. “Oops. Here bud, I’ll help.” Eddie knelt, wrapping him up, tight.
“Dad!” Christopher laughed again. “I can’t move!”
“Me next!” Aurelia requested.
“If you insist.” Eddie shrugged, grinning as he moved over to his daughter and wrapped her up tight.
“Me too?” Mirabelle scooted closer, blanket in hand.
“Third child burrito coming up.” Eddie wrapped her up, kissing each of their heads (as Christopher rolls to untangle himself). “Good night, my darling children!”
“We love you.” Buck added on, reaching out to trail his fingers along Eddie’s arm. He turned, smiling and wrapping his arms around Buck.
“Love you!” The chorus came back.
“Look at what we made.” Eddie whispered, kissing Buck’s head.
“We did pretty good.” Eddie laughed and guided him out, switching off the main light as they headed across the hall.
“And to think that if we had made a baby in here-”
“That’s enough out of you.” Buck gave him a stern look.
“What?” Buck climbed under the blanket and Eddie launched himself to land on Buck. The Omega laughed, playfully going to push Eddie off him.
“Get off me you galoot.” Buck groaned, pushing weakly at Eddie’s shoulder.
“Nope.” Eddie shuffled up, pressing kisses into Buck’s neck and cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Now we need to get to sleep. I have a run to do in the morning.”
“Well of course. We need to get Bunny.”
“Yes we do.”
-
Buck propped himself up, back on the blanket outside in the sun. The girls were running around in circles, Chris inside grabbing another snack. Buck watched his mate happily, despite Eddie’s fretting.
“We’ll be okay.”
“Buck.” Eddie bit his lip. “I’m not sure about this. Maybe we all just go together.”
“Eddie.” Buck hummed, shifting over to throw a leg over Eddie’s lap.
“I know.” He sighed, nodding. “You’re strong and can’t take care of the pups-”
“For an hour. That’s all it will take you alone.”
“I just- something feels wrong.” Buck nodded, reaching out to hold Eddie’s face.
“You care about us, that’s why you worry.” Eddie twisted to kiss the inside of Buck’s wrist. “You’ll be so quick. Mia can’t sleep without Bunny again. We’re lucky we got away with it for one night.” Eddie nodded again. “Hey, if you feel really off, we can come with you. It’ll take a little longer-” he cut himself off as Christopher approached them again. Buck loved Christopher with his whole heart (all of them got his whole heart, math doesn’t count in love). The pup couldn’t do the journey again so soon. His muscles would hurt for days.
“I’ll be an hour.” Eddie decided.
“One hour.” Buck agreed.
“Okay.” He clapped his hands together, getting up and kissing Christopher’s head. “Be good for your Papi?”
“Always, Dad.” Christopher laughed. Eddie shifted and headed out into the treeline. The girls giggled, waving towards the trees.
“Papi? Can we play a game?” Mirabelle requested, skipping over to him.
“Absolutely we can.” Buck jumped up, running after her to hear her giggle. They played a game that Buck didn’t really understand the rules to, but Christopher and the girls understood so that’s enough. He went to do a roll, then landed weirdly, laughing with them. He blinked, regaining his bearings and staring at the trees.
It was nice here, quite and-
Buck squinted, catching the tail end of a movement. What the hell was that? Something moved to the right, his eyes flicking over. A wolf. Two, at least. Eddie knew. He knew something was wrong.
They weren’t approaching. They were stalking. They were watching for their moment. What the hell did they want?
He had heard about packs that take pups. He glanced over at the two mops of brown curls being chanced by blonde. Not his pups. Not a chance.
“Hey, why don’t we go play inside?” Buck suggested, getting three pairs of puppy dog eyes. He felt like he could hear his heart beat pounding over his words. “Yeah, come on. We can play a fun game.” Buck shot Christopher a desperate look.
“Okay.” He agreed, narrowing his eyes a little. “Yeah! Come on!”
“Okay.” Mirabelle stretched out every syllable.
“Inside, quickly now.” Buck chuckled, trying to stay calm. He can look at them in the bedroom. He can shift. He can keep them safe. Buck kicked the door shut behind him, taking shaky breaths. “Upstairs now, come on.” As he watched them run up the stairs, he, for the first time, reached and pressed the distress button.
“Papi?” He would keep them safe. No matter what.