Okay, so maybe Eddie had been quick to judge Lucifer. Seeing him in a different light, seeing how clearly he was smitten with Chloe Decker put a few things into perspective. Sure, the man was still a bit too physical with Buck for Eddie's liking, but that was probably due to the fact that Buck was also very physically affectionate if given the chance.

About a week after the party at Lux, Lucifer dropped by the station with a "wonderfully sinful assortment of cream puffs". Eddie actually tried one this time and holy shit it was good.

When Buck left the loft to take a phone call, Lucifer turned to Eddie with amusement dancing in his dark eyes. "Ah, so you've finally worked out that I'm not bedding Evan...at least not any time recently."

"What?" Eddie sputtered, causing Chimney and Hen to snicker. Bobby at least was kind enough not to laugh.

"Come off it" Lucifer said, sitting forward and waggling a finger at Eddie. "I could see the green eyed monster lurking in your gaze, aching to be let out in some probably impressive display of possessive machismo every time I laid hands on our handsome blond fireman. Fear not. Though Evan does hold a distinction as not many of my lovers are invited back to my bed again, we are now simply dear friends. After all, how could I not feel a kinship with a man who's deepest secret desire is to have a family who loves him as much as he does them?"

That bombshell sobered everyone and Lucifer hummed, "Of course, I asked him that question several years ago, perhaps his wish has changed...or come to pass." He glanced down at his phone. "Oooh, someone has been murdered in a grotesque and interesting fashion, I must be off!"

A few minutes later, when Buck returned, they were still considering Lucifer's words.

"Okay, Little Man, your dad cooked, so we're on clean up duty."

Eddie smiled to himself as Buck and Christopher began to clear the table. Christopher had been adamant that Buck had to have dinner with them that night and Eddie wasn't about to deny either of them the company.

The meal had been full of comfortable conversation and laughter. Christopher had even eaten all of his green beans, likey taking his cues from both of them. Eddie knew he was lucky that Christopher wasn't a particularly picky eater, but occasionally it was a struggle to get him to enjoy his vegetables.

With Buck washing and Christopher drying, the dishes were done in short order. The two traded a high-five and Eddie asked, "Ready to watch a movie, Bud?"

"Yes!" Christopher enthused gleefully, climbing carefully off of the small stool he perched on to wash dishes. Buck let him do it on his own, though he was close in case Chris needed him. It could be hard sometimes to know when to reach out to help and when to step back and Eddie appreciate that Buck was so good about knowing the line.

"What are we watching?" Buck asked Christopher as they made their way into the living room.

"Star Wars!"

Since the release of The Rise of Skywalker, Christopher had been on a Star Wars kick and, as it was a break from animation, Eddie didn't mind. The three of them sat on the couch and watched A New Hope, Christopher tucked between them.

By the time the credits rolled, Christopher was dozing. He was alert enough to insist Buck carry him to bed though.

Eddie watched as Buck carried his son into his room and tucked him in. For a man with no children of his own, he was so good with them, so careful and honestly kind. It was a heartwarming sight as Buck smoothed Christopher's hair back and whispered, "Night, Christopher."

"Hey, Buck?" Christopher breathed in a sleepy voice. "Can you come to Family Day at my school this week?"

The question made Buck blink and his eyes darted to Eddie, who nodded, letting him know that he would be okay with whatever Buck said. "If you want me to come, I'll be there," he assured Christopher, who beamed up at him before accepting Eddie's goodnight hug.

Once they exited the room, Buck turned to Eddie and asked, "Are you sure I won't be intruding? I don't want…."

"Buck," Eddie said, cutting off whatever his friend might have said. "You're never going to be intruding with us. You're family."

At that statement, Buck swallowed, jaw working as he blinked rapidly. The hug he wrapped Eddie in was tight and warm and Eddie returned the embrace as Buck breathed, "That...that means a lot. Thanks."

Eddie didn't really know what to say to that, so he simply nodded and let their heads rest together. If they held onto each other for a bit longer than could be explained by a platonic bro-hug...well, that was no one's business but their own and neither of them were complaining.

"Dad! Buck's here!"

Christopher had been talking about Family Day non-stop for the past few days. He was very excited to show them his art projects and some of the experiments they done in science class.

The door opened as Eddie joined his son in the living room. "Hey, Christopher!" Buck greeted him, bending down to hug the boy who had already collided with his side. "You ready to show me and your dad around school? I've been looking forward to this all week."

"Really?" Christopher asked, clearly delighted by Buck's interest.

"Really," Buck confirmed, then grinned up at Eddie. "I brought coffee."

He returned Buck's smile, then blinked. "You dressed up."

The tall young man was wearing a pair of slim, charcoal grey trousers and an equally fitted pink and white gingham Oxford shirt under a black leather jacket. His belt and boots, also black, completed the look. Aas Eddie stared at him, Buck fidgeted. " Well, I didn't want to be underdressed and embarrass Christopher."

"I don't care what you wear, Buck!" Christopher said, patting Buck's sleeve as a blond stood. " As long as you're here, I'm happy."

Like the other night, Buck took a breath and swallowed, his eyes locking on Eddie's for a long moment before he refocused on Christopher. "I'm happy to be here too, Christopher... I got a smoothie for you in the car."

"Hulk Juice?" Christopher asked as they made their way out to Eddie's truck.

Buck ducked to his jeep to retrieve the insullated cups. "That's right," he agreed, handing Chris his drink once the boy was strapped into the back seat. "Extra pineapple, just for you."

Whatever else was in the smoothie made it bright green as he slurped it up through the straw. "Hulk Juice?" Eddie asked as he sipped his own coffee, made just how he liked it, earning a wink from Buck.

The School had gone all out for the Family Day, setting up a little Carnival outside (games for the kids and snacks), so the children could let off some energy before bringing their guests inside.

When they signed in with the administrator, she'd handed over 3 name badges. Eddie had given their names ahead of time everything was pre-printed.

Christopher Diaz

Eddie Diaz

Buck Diaz

Seeing the final badge gave him a jolt and Buck sucked in a breath before huffing, "Guess I really am a Diaz today, huh?"

"It suits you," Eddie said before he thought about what he was saying. The words caused Buck to flush to match his shirt, but he looked pleased.

The blush suited Buck too.

Together, they followed Christopher around, chatting with other parents as the kids played games. It was always wonderful to see Christopher having fun with kids his own age. Occasionally though, there were stations set up with activities for the parents to join in on.

One of the stations was an adapted President's Physical Fitness Challenge, where the kids could show off their physical progress or giggle as they watched their parents attempt the stretches and exercises. Christopher convinced Buck to join him for that one and Eddie found himself grinning and holding Buck's jacket as he watched the mand do push ups in dress clothes with Christopher perched on his back.

Some of the other parents were watching appreciatively while some were obviously a bit jealous.

"Mr. Diaz?"

Eddie turned when a woman approached him. "Hi! I'm Miranda Lewis-Morgenstern, Presley's Mom."

"Oh, right. Christopher says they have a lot of fun together during their reading group," he said, shaking her offered hand. "I'm Eddie, please."

"Nice to meet you, Eddie," she said, then smiled over to where her daughter was laughing as she watched Christopher hold onto Buck's shoulders. "I just wanted to say, I know it's been a rough year for Christopher, so it's nice to see how happy he is with you and your partner. A new parent can be an adjustment."

For a moment, Eddie froze. Of course he'd had to let the school know about Shannon's death and Chris's experience in the tsunami, but he hadn't thought anyone would bring it up. Not to mention the fact that she clearly thought Buck was more than a friend….

Which actually happened quite often.

"Buck's great with him," he found himself saying, watching as Buck held himself steady in a plank position so Christopher could comfortably climb off his back. "It hasn't been an easy year, but Chris knows we're here for him and we love him."

"It shows," she said, then nodded as Presley waved for her to come over. "Nice talking you you."

"Dad, can we go get pictures?"

"Sure, Bud," Eddie said, taking Christopher's free hand. The boy was already hand in hand with Buck, so the three of them made their way to the little photo booth.

"We all need to be in the picture," Christopher insisted, even as Eddie eyed the small seat inside the booth.

"Maybe if we really smush together," Buck said, tipping his head to the side in consideration.

Eddie sighed because clearly this was going to happen. "Okay...if I sit, Buck, do you mind sitting on my lap and having Chris on your lap?"

"Dude, I'm taller, I should be on the bottom."

Okay, that statement might have caused Eddie's brain to go fuzzy for a moment, but he rallied. "Yeah, you're taller cuz of your freakishly long legs. When we sit, I'm taller."

As soon as Buck planted his firm but somehow plush ass on Eddie's lap, he began to reconsider his plan. But then Chris was in Buck's lap and laughing at something the blond said and Eddie smiled down at his son fondly as the camera flashed.

He managed to look up for the next photo, before turning and meeting Buck's eyes. They were so close that he could see the little flecks of gold around the pupil of Buck's eyes and smell his light, woodsy cologne.

Buck was smiling at him, so soft and happy that it took all of Eddie's will not to lean in and kiss him.

This wasn't the time though, so he held back.

The four little photos that the booth printed out definitely looked like they were the family everyone assumed they were...the family they had become without any fanfare or discussion.

It had happened as naturally as falling for Buck.

Eddie knew he'd soon have to talk to Buck about how he felt, see if he might feel the same...but not today.

Today, they were going to enjoy being a family.