SUMMARY: Eddie Diaz is dead. At least most people think he is, and it’s better that it stays that way. As Eddie Diaz died, Edward Herrera was born and flew to Lakeside, Montana, as far as possible from his old life, his friends, and family, in order to protect himself and everyone he knew. Right there, Philip and Margaret Buckley manage their ranch with the help of their son Evan Buckley, and they are the most influential family in town. In a town where everyone knows everyone, the new stranger surely doesn’t go unnoticed.
FANDOM: 9-1-1 (TV).
CHAPTER: 17/20
RELATIONSHIPS: Evan Buckley / Eddie Diaz; Maddie Buckley / Howie Han; Henrietta Wilson / Karen Wilson.
WORDS: 8.6k.
Preview under the cut.
“Edmundo?” The shocked voice of her mother comes out feeble, out of shock, Eddie almost can’t hear it. He smiles softly, somehow afraid to come forward and re-meet his family who believed he was dead until a few seconds ago.
“Eddie?” His sister Adriana asks while the others can’t even speak.
“I’m sorry.” He tilts his head down a little, sighing. He always thought his family should have known about him not being actually dead, but Agent Sanchez convinced him that it was for the best to keep them unaware of all that situation. Now he’s here, alive, in front of them. “It’s a long story. Please, forgive me. That woman is an FBI agent. I’m a witness.” It does help the fact none of his family members seem able to speak, so he can continue. “They faked my death and sent me to another state under a false identity to keep me safe, and you didn’t know about this because it was the best way to keep all of you safe as well. I can’t say anything else about the situation, I’m… really sorry, about everything you’ve been through. Abuela, tía Pepa, please…”
“Don’t ever apologize for doing your job and keep yourself and us safe.” Helena Diaz finds the strength to speak and face the reality: her only son Eddie is alive and well, and he’s right in front of her. “The only thing that matters right now is that you’re alive, Eddie.” Adriana and Sophia rush to hug Eddie as well, and so do Josephina and Ramon. When they all step back, Eddie finds his grandma in front of her.
“Abuela…”
“Welcome back, Edmundo.” She smiles through the tears: her grandson is there with all of them, the Diaz family is reunited, and they didn’t lose him. She doesn’t care about what happened or what he has done to get himself involved with the FBI, Eddie’s there.
“Where did you go?” Sophia slaps his shoulder, still laughing and crying at the same time.
“Montana.”
“That must have been quite the cold place.”
“Not really.” Eddie smiles: Lakeside could’ve been a bad experience if it wasn’t for the warm welcome of one Evan Buckley, and the loving company of his family – except his parents – and all the other amazing people he got to know. It seems too soon to tell to his family he has a boyfriend now, especially because the 118 is about to get there and he has to surprise them as well.
“Is my team already here?” Agent Sanchez told him that the whole ceremony was an idea of his station and his family was so happy to contribute as they could and visit the commemoration. He doesn’t know much more about it.
“Not yet.” Ramon still hasn’t spoken since he saw Eddie walk through the entrance door, and now he can’t stop looking at his son. He hugs him again in disbelief, holding back the tears. “They’re coming soon anyway, we were told we had some time for ourselves to stay here. Do they know?” They were supposed to have a family moment remembering Eddie, they didn’t really expect to have him walk through the entrance door.
“No, absolutely no.” He shakes his head as he’s still being cuddled by everybody they take turns. While they give Eddie another group hug they can hear mumbling voices come up from the hallway that leads to that room.
“Why there’s an FBI agent out… DIAZ?” Captain Parrish literally screams as he and the team resist the urge to run towards Eddie to tackle him. Only one person isn’t fully understanding what is going on, even though he saw Eddie’s commemorative plaque in the station.
“That Diaz?”
“Yes, that Diaz, probie. Eddie Diaz of the 118. Presumed dead last year on the line of duty inside a building in fire. That Eddie Diaz.”
“Hello, captain. Tommy. John. Eli.” Respectively a firefighter and two paramedics. “And…” Eddie looks at the new guy, probably the recruit who took his place in the station.
“Ravi. Ravi Panikkar.” The guy introduces himself to who’s actually the man he replaced. “Probie to the 118. Not for so much longer, anyway. I hope.”
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