"Liv, it's fine." Ed said with a hint of exasperation in his tone. "Come to bed."

He was sitting on the edge of the bed watching her skitter around the room looking in the two suitcases on the floor at one end of the room. She'd been reviewing the items they'd packed for over an hour.

"I just want to go over my list one more time," she said as she thumbed through the note on her phone. She'd made a list of everything they needed for their 10-day trip to Iceland and Paris a month before their departure date. She'd agonized over it and edited it dozens of times in the past few days and weeks.

"You packed everything," he said trying to sound supportive and not annoyed. "And anything you didn't pack, we can just buy when we get there."

Olivia stopped and looked at him. He just gave her a smirk telling her that he thought she was being ridiculous. She tried to believe him. It's not like they were going somewhere so remote that they couldn't simply buy a sweater for one of the kids if they forgot one or if was colder than they thought.

"Come on," he urged starting to get back out of bed to get her. "You need to get some sleep, so you won't be too exhausted tomorrow. It's a long day of flying and jet lag."

"You're right," she sighed and headed to plug her phone into it's charger. That made her think of the voltage adapter, so she headed over to Ed's carry-on bag.

"It's in there," he said not even trying to hide the mocking tone at this point. "Liv, it's almost midnight."

"Fine," she pouted. She went over and climbed into bed. "Sorry, it's just…it's the first time we've taken both the kids on such a long trip. It's a different country."

They were taking a family trip to Paris to celebrate their five-year family anniversary, and they had a stopover in Iceland. Ed and Olivia had celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary eight months earlier, but this November they'd celebrated five years with all of them officially together. Ed, Olivia, Noah and Nicole were a family.

Noah was old enough that he'd probably remember before Ed. Nicole wasn't. But early on in their marriage and family, Ed and Olivia decided they wanted their children to know they were chosen. In one way or another, they were chosen. So they opted for family day. They usually celebrated at Thanksgiving or between that holiday and Christmas. Because they'd gotten Nicole in early November and finalized Noah's adoption just before Christmas.

In planning a family trip. They'd talked about Thanksgiving, but that didn't give them much time. The kids were finally both old enough that they could enjoy it and make memories of a family trip. Ultimately they decided to take a repeat Paris trip, only this time for Christmas and with all four of them.

Currently, Olivia was stressing out about every single detail. Ed was trying to be supportive.

"Were you this way the first time we went to Paris the first time?" He asked, genuinely curious. He didn't remember her being wound so tight, but things had been a bit different then.

"Did I plan like a maniac? Yes." She answered and snuggled up next to him. "I just didn't let you see the full-on crazy back then."

"Good thing." He chuckled and wrapped his arm tightly around her. She gave him a playful swat on his chest before leaning up to give him a kiss.

"Sorry I get so anxious," she said and gave him another little peck. "I just want everything to be perfect for Noah and Nicole."

He gave her a small poke in the ribs.

"And you," she added with a laugh. "I want it to all go smoothly."

"It will," he assured. "And if it doesn't, we'll make the best of it."

"I know. I know."

"Remember that time we tried to do a romantic stay-cation right after Nicole's second birthday?" He asked with a smile.

"Ohh yes," she answered and laid her head back on his shoulder. She knew what he was trying to do.

He was distracting her from the current trip, so she'd fall asleep. Olivia appreciated the effort. She also hoped it was successful. She needed sleep.

"The hotel lost our reservation, and I thought the weekend was ruined." She recalled. "But then you went all Tucker-interrogation mode."

"I did not," he said in feigned protest.

"Oka-a-ay."

"Well, maybe a little of the old IAB came out."

"Just a little," she continued the tease. "But, boy did it work."

He laughed again. Then he rubbed her back and kept her talking about that crazy weekend.

It had been almost four years ago. Nicole had just turned two, and was still a relatively new addition to their family. It had been an easy transition for the most part, but they'd had their challenges growing from a family of three to one of four.

Ed had known that Olivia needed a break. He'd also known she wouldn't go too far from the kids, so he'd made the arrangements and surprised her with a two-night stay at a boutique hotel on the upper West Side.

When they'd arrived at the hotel, a sufficiently surprised and excited Olivia tried to hide her disappointment when the attendant told them she didn't have a record of their reservation. Ed remained calm as he firmly asserted that they did have a reservation. He showed her the confirmation email and everything.

Within minutes, the manager of the hotel was at the counter talking to Ed. Apparently it was some stupid computer glitch. The manager wanted to accommodate them, but the hotel was booked solid for the weekend. Ed refused to back down. He made a reservation and had a confirmation.

The manager offered to buy the couple a drink at the hotel lounge while he checked with some of their sister hotels in the city. Olivia, viewing the mistake as a bad omen, wanted to just call it a failed attempt and head home. Ed encouraged her to stick it out for the free drink at least. If they didn't like the hotel's offer, he'd just request a voucher for another weekend or something.

To their amazement, the manager came back with an offer they couldn't refuse. They did have a sister hotel with a vacancy, but it was way down in Soho. However, the hotel had already arranged for their limo to pick come transport them to the new location, and they'd have a luxury suite instead of just a regular room.

What was going to be just a couple nights in a hotel uptown and maybe a nice dinner or two, turned into a VIP retreat. The hotel staff went out of their way to make up for their mistake. Their new hotel had a spa, and they were given 50% off of a 90 minute couples massage.

Ed and Olivia reminisced for half an hour about their turn of fortune on that night several years ago. He finally felt her relax against him. His diversion tactic seemed to have worked, and she drifted off into a light slumber.

Ed sighed as he rolled over and felt the empty space next to him. He'd heard Olivia get out of bed a little while ago, but a check of the clock told him it was still before 7am.

Hearing the shower running, he decided to stay in bed until she finished. One of them should be well rested for the journey, he mused. Twenty minutes later he stirred again when she emerged from the bathroom.

"Hey," he mumbled, his voice full of sleep. "You're up early."

"I know you're not surprised." Olivia dropped her robe and started getting dressed. She'd set out her travel clothes the night before.

"Hardly," he said. Ed sat up and watched his wife. She pulled a black v-neck tee over her head and bent to grab a pari of grey pants. The grey and black sweater that would round out her ensemble was stilled laying over the back of the chair.

"Stop staring at my ass," she half scolded, half teased. "Get up and start getting ready."

"We don't have to be at the airport for at least a couple hours."

"I know," she said as she shimmied into her pants. "I don't want to be rushed."

"Okay, okay." he muttered. He climbed out of bed and headed over to kiss her good morning before heading to take a shower. By the time he reached her, she was buttoning her pants and already looking around the room to see what else needed to be done.

"Hey," she yelped as he slipped an arm around her from behind and planted a kiss on her neck.

"Good morning."

"Morning," she said quickly and tried to wriggle from his grasp.

"I said… good morning," he repeated and kissed her neck again. His grip was firm around her waist.

"Okay, good morning," she said and relaxed against him. He loosened his hold on her, and she spun around and gave him a proper kiss.

"That's better." Ed smiled at her.

"Now, go. Get ready." Olivia turned him and swatted his behind as he headed toward the bathroom laughing.

While Ed was in the shower, Nicole woke up. She was excited about the idea of flying on a huge airplane over the ocean. It was all Olivia could do to get her daughter to sit down for breakfast. Once she got the girl settled, she went to wake Noah.

By the time Ed emerged, dressed and ready for the day, both kids were finishing up their breakfast. Olivia poured Ed a cup of coffee when she saw him drop onto a chair at the breakfast bar.

"You eat anything?" Ed asked her.

"Not yet," she answered. "What do you want? We have cereal. And cereal."

"Hmm, decisions, decisions," he joked. They'd been trying to eat most of their perishable food over the last week and had resorted to take out the past two nights for dinner in an effort to clean out the refrigerator before their trip.

That made him recall the leftover lasagna from last night. He hopped off the barstool and went to retrieve the container from the fridge. He huffed when he found an empty shelf.

"Over here." Olivia laughed. She'd had the same idea. He gave her a little smirk as he walked over and took her fork. She'd already made a dent in the pasta, so she left him to it. She urged the kids to go get washed up and make sure they had everything they wanted in their little backpacks.

Olivia had researched online and planned their suitcases and carryons meticulously. Two average sized suitcases they could check with most of their clothes and toiletries. A roller bag for Ed with a change of clothes for each of them. A small backpack for Ed with his and Liv's flight essentials. A carry on with overnight essentials and oversized purse for Liv with all the crap she insisted they needed - scarves, wetnaps, collapsible water bottles. And then each kid had their own backpack with their headphones, lightweight jackets and blankie for Nicole.

Ed had teased her, but he was actually impressed with her thoughtfulness and planning. She took every precaution to make sure they had all they'd need to be comfortable on the flight.

"You're amazing," he told her as he scooped up a bite of lasagna.

"I thought I was crazed and over prepared?" She mocked.

"That too," he mumbled as he took another bite.

"Right…" Olivia rolled her eyes and left him to his breakfast.

They left for the airport slightly ahead of schedule, but Olivia had them all chomping at the bit to get on their way. It was a little stressful getting a family of four through international airport security, but they made it. Now they were seated in a row of chairs by their gate.

Ed looked at his watch and flashed her a cocky smile. They'd made it with 30 minutes to spare.

She smirked back. They'd made it with 30 minute to spare.

Both were convinced they'd won the point.

An hour later, they were situated in their seats and on their way to Reykjavik. Luckily, their aircraft was one that had two seats on either side and three in the middle. They were on the left side about half way down the aisle. Ed and Nicole sat in the pair of seats right in front of Olivia and Noah.

Olivia relaxed once they were in the air. They had a five hour flight to Iceland, two short nights there and then on to Paris for the rest of their trip.

They'd kept the kids up late last night and planned to keep them awake for the flight, so when they arrived in at 9pm Iceland time, the kids would be ready for quick dinner then bed.

So far the plan seemed to be working. After the flight attendants served lunch, Ed and Noah switched seats, so the kids could share one of the tablets and watch movies, and Ed and Liv could review their itinerary.

While he was trying to explain their brief arctic excursion, Olivia nudged Ed. He looked up at her confused. She nodded to the two kids sitting in front of them.

"I wanna watch Belle," Nicole whined. They'd taken Nicole and her friend to see Beauty and the Beast on Broadway for her 5th birthday, and she'd fallen in love. When she discovered the movie a few months ago, she lost her mind. It was all she wanted to watch these days.

"Yeah, but if we watch Star Wars first, I'll give you the candy bar I snuck in my bag." Noah offered.

"If we watch Belle, I…I…" Nicole tried to find the bargaining chip. "I won't tell Mommy."

"You won't tell her what?" Noah asked. "That I gave you chocolate? Or that I didn't?"

"Umm." Nicole floundered. She didn't know the right answer.

"If you tell her I did, we both get in trouble." Noah explained. "If you tell her I didn't I get in trouble, and then I'll never watch Belle with you again."

"Humph." Nicole slouched in her seat, frustrated.

"But if you let me watch Star Wars, and I give you my chocolate, then we both win." Noah said triumphant.

Olivia wanted to intervene, but Ed stopped her. "Let them work it out."

"He's manipulating her."

"Yes."

"And you're okay with that?" She asked, incredulous.

"Of course not. Just wait," Ed said and nodded back to the kids.

"What if I still tell Mommy?" Nicole countered her brother's proposal.

"You'd turn yourself in just to get me in trouble?" Noah was shocked at his sister's determination to watch her stupid movie.

"I just wanna watch Belle." Nicole was so matter of fact in her delivery it scared Olivia. This kid was going to be a handful. Forever.

Noah was silent for a few minutes. Ed and Olivia were both interested in seeing how their kids worked this out.

"Well, this app says your stupid cartoon is only 89 minutes, and Star Wars is a lot more than that." Noah told his sister. "So how about, we watch your movie first, then mine."

"Okay!" Nicole answered, happy that she got her way. "And Belle is not stupid."

Ed and Olivia exchanged a satisfied, if slightly exasperated, look, while Noah tapped the screen to get to Nicole's movie. Before they could be too happy, Nicole took her headphones off and elbowed Noah.

"Does this mean I don't get the chocolate?"

"That's exactly what it means."

Olivia had to put her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud at her daughter's disappointment. In the beginning she'd wanted to intervene in every little altercation, but Ed had convinced her to let some things play out. In some such things, she deferred to him. She'd grown up alone and didn't always understand the sibling dynamic the way he did. He'd had several siblings and cousins.

Ed just shook his head at his kids and at their mother's appraisal. The flight attendant interrupted the moment just as Noah and Nicole settled into their first movie.

"Would you like anything else Sir? Madam?" The woman asked with a heavy accent.

"We'll each have a glass of champagne." Ed said.

"Right away, sir." The flight attendant walked away to fill their order.

"Should we do that?" She asked as he lifted the armrest that separated them. "The site I read said that alcohol just dehydrates you and makes jet lag…"

He'd interrupted her words with a kiss. She smiled against his lips. He put a hand on her cheek and pulled her to him.

"Liv, relax." He said when he let her go. He dropped his hand to rest in the crook of her neck and ran his thumb over her check.

"Hmm, I know." She said, letting her head fall back on the seat's headrest but still facing at him.

Ed ran his hand from her cheek down to her shoulder and slipped his fingers just under the collar of her shirt. He kissed her jaw, then her neck. His other hand rested on her thigh. Olivia closed her eyes and sighed.

"I like it when you distract me," she whispered.

"Is that what I am?" he teased. "A distraction."

He kissed her again. This time with a little more intensity. His hand slid a bit higher on her thigh, and Olivia shifted. She couldn't believe they were making out on an airplane one row behind where their children sat. They'd dimmed the cabin lights, but it wasn't like they were invisible.

"Excuse me," the flight attendant said after she cleared her throat.

Olivia's eyes flew open and she pulled away from Ed. He laughed and took the both glasses of champagne. The attendant just smiled and left the couple alone.

Ed handed Olivia one of the glasses and gave her a little wink. She just rolled her eyes and clinked her glass to his.

"Happy familiversary." She said.

"That's a made up word." He said.

"Made up. By. Our. Son." She challenged.

"Okay, so it's kinda…" He started to agree but couldn't find the word.

"Sweet? Cute? Absolutely precious?"

"Something like that." Ed would never be as overly sentimental as Olivia had become since she became a wife and mother, but he understood.

They drank champagne and laughed as they looked through through their brief but full itinerary in Iceland. It was the perfect time of year to see the northern lights and some giant glaciers. It would be pretty cold, but worth it to have the experience.

Ed and Liv got lost in their planning and chatter and lost track of time. About an hour before they were due to land, the pilot came on the intercom.

"Ladies and gentleman, a small storm has popped up in our approach pattern. We don't expect any significant turbulence, but as a precaution, we're asking our flight attendants to prepare for landing now."

Ed and Noah switched seats again. Olivia was adamant that one parent be with one child during take off and landing.

They hit a few bumps. and Nicole whimpered a little. She wanted to be out of her seat and in her dad's lap. Ed calmly explained that she had to stay in her own seat with her seatbelt on.

Noah tried to be brave. He was scared, but he looked at his mom who gave a tight smile. He could tell by her expression that she was tense, but he could also see that she wasn't panicked. So he remained calm.

Ten minutes later, all hell broke loose. The plane was approaching the runway when suddenly they were violently jostled. The whole body of the plane pitched left. A few of the overhead bins busted open under the pressure, and bags fell into aisle and onto of some passengers. A woman screamed, and a couple people yelled in shock and fright.

Nicole just held tight to her daddy's hand and looked up at him. He could see the tremble in her bottom lip and knew that the tears were about to fall.

"Nicole," he said calmly and leaned down to her level. "It's okay. It's just some bumpy air."

She had her knees pulled up to her chest. She didn't say anything, but she did give him a sad little nod.

In the row behind them, Noah looked at his mom, and Olivia reached for him. She grabbed his forearm and told him they'd be fine. She reached her other hand up to Ed's shoulder. Anticipating his wife's anxiety, Ed reached up and grabbed her hand.

The plane violently lurched right, the wing tipped down. Olivia could see out the window. The plane seemed to be subject to some invisible storm. Noah grabbed her hand, snapping her out of her own fear.

"It's okay, Noah." She soothed. "It's going to be just fine."

Olivia felt Ed squeeze her hand. She could tell by the weight of his grip that he wasn't really worried. That calmed her slightly. She could also hear him soothing their daughter telling her everything was ok and that they'd be on the ground soon.

As the plane once again hit a fierce gust of air, she braced herself and prayed he was right.

…..

a/n Okay, we're off to a fluffy start. Next up Tuckson in Iceland because, why not? soooo... You like? Hate? What do you want to see our little family do?