quiet before the storm

With their partners away to hose down the rapid wildfires in Texas leaving them to care for their energetic toddlers alone. Sasha and Karen collaborated on an ideal playdate involving a fresh day outside at the park. Specifically for Monet, who began to have separation anxiety from her father.

"Nia, play nice and share. Be careful, Monet is smaller than you."

Karen's authoritative voiced to her two-year-old daughter at the other end of the blanket with Monet marveling at the scattered toys in front of them. Sitting beside her was Sasha observing the interaction between the mother and daughter duo at the park.

"Okay, mommy." Nia said, resuming to play with Monet.

Sasha's heart swelled at the exchange with their daughters. Her eyes loomed over at Karen. "She's a sweetheart."

"If only you could see her how she is at home." Karen let out an amused laugh.

"I can imagine with Monet not too far behind."

"Having two is a whole different rodeo." As Denny came as a surprise into her and Hen's lives, the addition of Nia set a new tone in the household. Finding an ounce of peace became a rare occasion when your children summoned you nearly every hour.

A small giggle slipped from Sasha's lips, "My two consists of a toddler and my grown adult boyfriend causing a ruckus at home." She mentioned to Karen. Shrieks that belonged to her daughter captured their attention where Monet played happily with Nia. "Thank you for agreeing to this playdate, by the way."

"No problem. It's good that these two get some fresh air out of the house."

Sasha quirked her brow at her, jokingly. "Just them?"

Karen sighed in defeat, laughing out a little. "I've been feeling an incoming burn out from work, so, it feels nice to not be cooped up back at the house and think about work." She confessed to the young mother.

The rest of the playdate went well watching the two toddlers running around. Nia and Monet have adored each other since Nia was introduced as Hen and Karen's foster daughter. Despite attending the baby classes, Sasha was fond in this little friendship.

Much to both woman's pleasure, they had a feeling bedtime would be a little easier at night.

Sasha pushed the stroller down the pathway towards the parking lot after bidding her goodbyes to Karen and Nia. She glanced down at her daughter clutching onto her stuffed bunny. "Mommy is craving some ice cream. What'd you say we buy some on the way home?" She caressed the chubby cheek.

When she brought her gaze up, her eyes landed on a masked familiar figure on the grass standing in front of a canvas.

"Matthew?"

Guaranteed it turned out to be him after his head perked up along with his dark curly locks. "Oh hey, Sasha." He placed his paintbrush down as Sasha stopped in front of him.

"Do you always come out to paint here?" She peeked at his unfinished painting.

"I do like a change of scenery especially with the predicament we're living in. Helps me find more inspiration when I'm stuck." He rested his hands on his hips. "This must be Monet, your daughter." He narrowed into the stroller meeting the pair of curious eyes staring up at him.

"Took her out for a playdate with a family friend. Can you say hi to Matthew, baby?" Sasha cooed to Monet who blinked then waved shyly before hiding her face behind the stuffed bunny.

Matthew chuckled out, "She's adorable."

"Well, she is my daughter." Sasha winked at him.

"Where's your boyfriend, Buck?"

"He's in Texas helping with the wildfires out there. He'll be back in a day or two."

The dark curly haired artist nodded shortly, "Oh yeah, heard it's crazy out there. Hope he's careful out there."

"Careful is barely in his vocabulary but thank you. I should get going since it's someone naptime soon. I'll text you about the event."

"Yeah, I'll talk to you later."

Sasha began stalking away, waving at him. "Wish you luck in finding your inspiration." She directed back to the pathway.

Matthew's eyes remained intact on the figure growing small in the distance. "Already found my inspiration." He mumbled out and then proceeded to work on his painting.

Maddie hovered a hand on her stomach as the other raised to knock on the door of the apartment she stood in front of. After pounding on the door, she waited anxiously while running through the words in her head on the drive over. She was slightly startled by the time the door burst open reeling out of her trance.

Sasha ushered the brunette inside the apartment before closing and locking the door behind them. Maddie went to remove her mask and placed it in her purse, pivoting to her friend. "Hey, thanks for letting me come over." She breathed out.

"Of course, you're always welcomed, and Monet loves her Auntie Maddie." Sasha teased, leading her to the living room where children's music played. She unlocked the baby gate. "Monet, look who's here to visit you!" She called to her one-year-old amid engrossed with her toys.

Monet snapped her head towards her mother and aunt across the room. She dropped her toys and raced up to them excitedly. Sasha scooped her daughter into her arms before passing her to Maddie.

Maddie gasped dramatically, accepting Monet into her arms. "Hi, pretty girl." She bounced her and pressed a loving kiss upon her cheek.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about? Sounded pretty serious." Sasha's voice echoed from the kitchen to pour two glasses of water.

"Well, um, with my little girl coming into this world soon. I thought about inviting my parents to come down for a family visit. Actually, I did invite them." Maddie shared, briefly shifting her eyes to Monet distracted by her necklace. Sasha had an unreadable expression when she placed their glasses on the table. "Since you are family, I figured you should at least get a heads up and tell me this isn't a bad idea."

Her raven-haired friend took a seat next to her. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to have your family involved in your daughter's life." She sympathized for Maddie. There are days where she wished her parents were alive to see Monet. "I'm probably not the best person to ask considering I don't really know how your parents are. I've only met them days after recovering giving birth. It might be good for Monet to become more familiar with her grandparents."

"That's what I thought too. It'll give a chance for the both of you to establish a better relationship."

Sasha twirled one of Monet's curls with her finger. "What about Evan? Does he know about it? Because I'm not going to be the one to bring in the news."

"Kind of hoped that you would for me." Maddie proposed with her bottom lip poking out.

"I love you but that is Buckley family business."

The brunette huffed in defeat, "One day you're going to become a Buckley." She sang out.

A smirk graced Sasha's lip, "That is not today. It's Carter for now."

The Grant-Nash residence felt livelier in months due to the presence of a toddler screaming of joy and roaming around the family room. Sasha glanced over her shoulder from lounging in the back patio to see May had brought out the tickle monster on Monet. Meanwhile, Bobby had been occupied cooking dinner in the kitchen and Athena pouring two glasses of iced teas for herself and her niece.

"Feels so good to have my babies around." Athena breached the patio, carrying the drinks in her hands. The second Sasha and Monet arrived; she brought them in a tight embrace mostly her granddaughter by smothering with a grandmother's love.

Sasha accepted the drink, watching her aunt settling in the empty chair next to her. "We missed you too." She shared a warm smile.

There were some quiet moments in the duration of their conversation, mostly Sasha flustered by her internal thoughts to which Athena noticed. More so, her niece beginning to toy with the locket worn around her neck as a sign.

Athena placed her drink on the table, confronting Sasha. "Something is on your mind. Tell me." She quipped.

"Maddie swung by at my place earlier to tell me she invited her parents down for a visit. Chimney hasn't met them yet, so, it's great for him to meet them prior to the birth. And for us because we haven't seen them since Monet's birth." Sasha explained, tapping her nails against her glass.

"But..."

"I feel conflicted." She confessed to her aunt as the frustrated feelings unleashed. "Not trying to compare but they've done little effort to be consistent grandparents in Monet's life. You would think because they live in a different state, they would ask about her. They don't. I send pictures and videos so they wouldn't miss out." It confused her about her boyfriend's parents' distant behavior towards her and her daughter. But she didn't know them, and Buck could only give a vague answer.

Athena furrowed in disbelief, being the first they've really discussed about Buck's parents. "What does Buck say?"

"He's not surprised. They're not exactly close." Sasha mentioned. Buck was confused like his girlfriend when it came to his parents. The affection he received would be the times he purposely hurt himself as a child. Other than that, lecture after lecture came at every little thing he did. "I'm letting myself believe that this visit is an opportunity for them to bond with Monet. Maybe see if they'll feel guilty for not acknowledging how wonderful their first grandchild is." She humored dryly.

"There's nothing wrong with you feeling that way. Every family has their struggles specifically the in-laws. You've seen it firsthand. Keep your focus on Monet, like you've been doing." Her aunt advised in taking the high road when it comes to complicated relationships in the family.

Sasha nodded in agreement to the suggestion. "Evan doesn't know about the visit yet. I'm not sure how he will react, but I feel unprepared for what will be a long week." Her boyfriend would be returning from Texas soon. If only he knew the bombshell that will drop on his lap.

"Welcome to the life in dealing with the in-laws."

Later that night, the front door to Sasha and Buck's apartment opened slowly revealing an exhausted Buck. He shuffled inside quietly before closing and locking the door behind him. Between putting out fires and the long drive, he was eager to lay back in the comfort of his bed with his girlfriend. He traveled to their shared bedroom trying to make the least amount of noise to wake anyone up in the apartment, forbid it be Monet. No doubt he'll be confronted with fury eyes belonging to Sasha.

He made it to the room dropping his duffel bag to the side. His eyes darted where Sasha was in deep slumber on her side of the bed. He broke out a small grin before heading to their bathroom for a quick shower.

Buck exited in a pair of his pajamas and slid underneath the comforter besides his girlfriend. His arm secured her body as they've always slept. He sighed softly and almost shut his eyes when a hand rested over his.

"I hope this is my boyfriend and not some stranger in my bed." Sasha murmured without opening her eyes. She decided to tease him as she already known it was her boyfriend.

"You're in luck because it's me." He whispered, tugging a smirk then pressing his lips upon her cheek. "I missed you." He intertwined their hands together.

Sasha hummed soundly, "Me too."

"It's good to be home."

-This is a filler chapter before the arrival of Buck and Maddie's parents. Wanted to fill in the void in the duration of the crossover. Of course, added a little Sasha and Buck moment at the end. Hope you like it! Tell me what you think! Don't forget to vote and comment! Stay tuned!-

WRITTEN: 3/26/23

PUBLISHED: 3/27/23