Fics like the best laid plans

Eddie spots his mother first, standing near the living room with a glass of wine frozen halfway to her mouth. Her eyes track from Eddie's face to Buck's face to their joined hands, and Eddie watches her go through the five stages of grief in the span of two seconds. Her right hand moves automatically, decades of muscle memory taking over as she touches her forehead, then her chest, then her left shoulder, then her right, her lips pressing together as she mutters what Eddie can only assume is a prayer for his immortal soul. Across the room, Eddie catches Shannon's eye. She's standing by the fireplace with a drink in her hand and Chris at her side, and she looks like she's having to physically restrain herself from applauding. Her free hand is pressed over her mouth, shoulders shaking with laughter. When she catches Eddie looking she raises her glass in a tiny salute, eyes sparkling with mischief. Chris, bless him, has no such restraint. His face splits into a massive grin and he turns to his mother and says, in a voice that is so loud it echoes, "Mom, you didn't tell me Dad's boyfriend was cool." Or, Eddie needs a fake boyfriend. Maddie's brother is happy to help.

Fics like the best laid plans

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