Part II: Party Scenes
There were only a handful of guests on the rooftop when they arrived. Olivia insisted that, as hosts, they should arrive early. Ed balked at the suggestion, so they compromised and settled on showing up at exactly 6:00, the official time listed on the invitations. Sarah and Jeff stood near the entrance, drinks in hand, ready to greet guests. When Sarah saw them, her face lit up, she darted over, and tried to hug all of them at once.
"Thank God you're here," she gasped.
Ed screwed up his face at the unnecessarily dramatic display, "Of course we're here."
Olivia held Sarah's wrist, "You look beautiful." Sarah wore a flowy light pink sundress and her hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves.
"Thank you, Liv."
"Hello, all," Jeff said happily. He wore lime green pants and a white linen oxford. Olivia couldn't wait to hear Ed's assessment of the trousers.
"Eddie! Noah! Olivia!" The raspy voice of Caroline Tucker interrupted them, and the Tucker matriarch, all five-feet and one-hundred pounds of her, rushed over. She slapped Ed's chest disapprovingly. "I don't see you nearly enough."
Her eyes shifted to Noah who gripped Olivia's hand tightly, "Remember me?" Noah nodded shyly. "You tell your mom and Eddie to bring you to see me more often."
Next, she embraced Olivia. "Dearie, you are perfect. Look at you. Eddie, marry her." Another slap. Ed took it all in stride. Even in her late seventies and hampered by a lifetime of chain smoking, his mother still acted like a sprightly youngster.
Just as Brooke and Sarah were mirror images of their father, Ed and Caroline were obviously mother and son. The blue eyes and chiseled facial features apparently descended from the family's maternal side. Caroline eschewed hair dye, choosing instead to wear her gray locks in a closely cropped pixie cut. She either received impeccable dental care or wore dentures because when she smiled, which was often, her teeth were perfectly straight and white.
Caroline grabbed Olivia's wrist and tugged her away from the group, "Come on, over here and meet Margaret and John. Eddie, I guess you can come too," she called over her shoulder.
Dread crossed Ed's face as he followed.
Ed's sister and brother were seated in at a table in the far corner, already needing a refill. Caroline waved at the bartender. "We need more wine for these two, and…" she looked quizzically at Olivia.
"I'll start with Chardonnay," Olivia said.
"Vodka tonic." Ed muttered.
"Vodka preference, sir?"
"Grey Goose."
"And Noah?"
Ed pulled his cup from his bag. "He's good."
Caroline started introductions but she was interrupted by Noah who spotted Brooke making her way over to the table.
"Bwookey!" He yelled gleefully.
"Hi, No! Hi Grandma! Hi Aunt Margie and Uncle John!" She hugged everyone tightly. "I've been here for a while, but the caterer needed help, so I've been in the service elevator for the past hour." Alarm crossed her face. "Do I look like I've been in the service elevator for an hour?"
"No way," Ed assured her. "You look great."
Everyone nodded and beamed at her in agreement. Brooke's hair had grown out a little, and she'd managed to pin it back, giving her a timeless, graceful appearance. She and Sarah both decided to wear pink, but Brooke's dress was a darker hue, cap-sleeved, and A-line instead of the flare design her sister preferred.
"Sit down, Brookey," Caroline commanded. She was intent to get on with introductions, "Margie, Johnny, this is O-liv-i-a and No-ah!" She said their names as if they were behind a curtain and she was tasked with the big reveal. "Eddie has been hiding them, but, thanks to Sarah, here they are in the flesh!"
Olivia wondered how long Ed would last at the table with his mother. From prior experience, she knew Caroline was a bundle of energy and, like Sarah, didn't hesitate to say what was on her mind, but the festive ambiance ostensibly sent her into a higher gear.
Ed's siblings introduced themselves and pointed out their high school and college-aged sons and daughters who were scattered at various spots on the rooftop. Both divorced, neither Margie nor John brought a date.
Caroline was quick to bring up their lack of partners, "I'm the only one in the family who managed to stay married to the same person 'til death did us part," she cackled and then made the sign of the cross in memory of her deceased husband.
Her children glowered at her but with the resignation that their aging mother would never abandon her affinity for no-holds-barred candor.
Margie chose to change the subject by engaging Noah in conversation and he warmed up quickly; however, when Caroline reached over for him he clung to Ed.
"Oh, you little stinker."
"Looks like you have a new best friend, Eddie," John commented.
Olivia stroked Noah's head, "You love your Tuck, don't you sweetie?"
Noah, head still buried in Ed's chest, shook his head in the affirmative.
"So, you two work together?" John asked Olivia.
"Sometimes," Olivia answered, "We're in different departments." She didn't really want to go into detail about her job.
Caroline helped out, "Eddie gets the dirty cops and Olivia gets the wife beaters and rapists. And sometimes," Caroline smiled cleverly, "the dirty cops are the wife beaters and rapists."
"Thanks, Grandma," Brooke muttered sarcastically, looking over at Olivia apologetically.
John and Margie nodded as if what their mother said was completely ordinary.
"That must make for interesting dinner conversation," Ed's sister said.
"Not really," Tucker answered flatly. He grabbed Olivia's elbow. "Do you want to dance?"
"To this music?" The deejay had been playing mostly hip-hop and fast-paced pop.
Ed shrugged. "I'll put in a request. Or, we can just dance slow. I need to move." Actually, he needed to be away from this conversation for a little while. "Noah, sit right here. I'm gonna dance with your mom for a little bit."
"I dance too?"
Brooke picked him up. "You and I'll dance, Noah."
Ed had a word with the deejay, and he played his first slow selection for the evening, something by Adele. Tucker held Olivia tightly as they swayed together. "I either need to drink more or leave early," he grumbled.
"No, Ed, come on," she encouraged, "This is nice. Look at the view. Sarah's happy. Just relax and try to have fun. And maybe find us another table?" She said, mostly kidding.
A combination of pride and appreciation came over his face. "Ok, Lieutenant."
"When are you giving your toast?"
"Whenever Brooke tells me to."
She gazed at him approvingly. "Wise man."
He kissed her again. It wasn't possible for her to be any closer to him, but he pressed his hands against her back and tried, just in case there was a square millimeter of separation between their bodies.
…..
Brooke danced Noah around from table to table, greeting guests. She ended up next to Sarah who was still hanging out near the entrance. Jeff had gone off for drinks.
"Where the," Sarah reached over and covered Noah's ears, "fuck is mom?"
"I have no idea."
"Did she RSVP?"
"Yes, she said they were coming."
Sarah surveyed the crowd. "Everyone I can remember inviting is here."
"Except for mom."
"I didn't invite her," Sarah pointed out.
Brooke shot her a glance. Don't let her ruin your night.
Sarah gestured towards Ed and Olivia who were one of only three other couples on the dance floor. "I can't wait for mom to see that. I hope he makes out with her later. Right in the middle of the," she covered Noah's ears again, "fucking dance floor."
"How much have you had to drink?"
"Three glasses of whatever this is. Merlot? Chianti?"
"It's white," Brooke observed, "Those are reds. It's probably Chardonnay."
"I'm starving," Sarah whined. "I haven't eaten anything all day. Well, I take that back, I had a bite of Jeff's pizza earlier. When's the food coming?"
"It's over there," Brooke pointed across the room. "You can go get a plate, or the waiters are coming around."
Sarah looked to where Brooke was pointing. She saw the food, but she also saw Jeff who had been corralled by Caroline. "Lookit," she said gleefully, "Grandma's got 'em. She made him sit down with them." Sarah was cracking up. "He looks miserable."
"Do you know what she told Olivia?"
"What?" Sarah asked, wide-eyed.
Brooke started giggling so much she could hardly talk. "She said she was the only one in the family who could stay married to the same person…or something like that."
"Omigod, omigod. How aw-ful."
"Yup. Then she said Dad arrests dirty cops and Olivia arrests rapists and then Dad made Olivia dance with him."
"Oh Jesus. Well," she turned her attention back to the dance floor, "It doesn't look like he had to make her dance with him."
The deejay played another slow-ish song, and even though the tempo was faster, Ed and Olivia kept the rhythm of the previous song and they were wrapped up in their own little whispered conversation.
Noah, however, decided it was his turn to cut in.
"Down, Bwookey."
He ran onto the dance floor and hugged Ed's leg. Olivia picked him up and the three of them continued dancing, albeit a bit clumsily.
"I better eat something," Sarah concluded. "And on the way, I guess I'll rescue Jeff."
"That's nice of you," Brooke deadpanned.
Sarah winked at her and walked off.
…
One hour after the official start time, Angela Bennett stepped off the elevator alone and walked through the double doors. No one greeted her.
Brooke had just taken to the microphone to officially welcome the guests, invite them to eat and drink all they wanted, and to remind them to "wear out the dance floor." She then introduced her father who stood on the deejay platform above her and raised his glass.
"First of all, can we give Brooke and," he squinted in the lights, "Where's Olivia?" Brooke pointed. "Ok, there she is, let's give Brooke and my girlfriend Olivia a round of applause for making this party happen."
Applause and cheers.
Brooke took the mic back for a second, "and another round for my Daddy who paid for it," she cracked.
Louder applause and cheers.
Ed began the toast graciously, "First of all, it is so good to reconnect with old friends. Some of you I haven't seen since you were in high school. It's great to know you all turned out ok."
Laughter and snickers.
"Thanks, Sergeant!" Someone wisecracked. Ed flashed a rare broad smile. "It's Captain, now," he corrected.
Hilarity ensued, especially among those who knew how particular Ed was about his title.
"And it's always nice to have our family celebrate together. I would like to propose a toast to Jeff and Sarah. Jeff, buddy, you are a good man and I'll be honored to call you my son-in-law."
The crowd let out a collective "aww." Sarah, Brooke, and Olivia all teared up; Ed was trying not to look at them, but he addressed Sarah next.
"Sarah, my sweet girl, I will do everything in my power to make sure your wedding is perfect. I'm thrilled you've found someone who will make you happy forever. I love you, sweetheart."
Ed swallowed, fighting back his emotions.
"To Jeff and Sarah!" He managed.
"To Jeff and Sarah!" The crowd roared back.
Ed climbed down from the stage. Sarah wrapped him in a bear hug. "I love you, Daddy!"
"He did such a good job," Brooke whispered to Olivia. "Did you know what he was going to say?"
"No," Olivia was equally impressed, "I just suggested he say something nice about each of them."
Sarah broke away from Ed. Jeff came over and shook his hand heartily.
"Thank you, sir. For…for everything."
"Jeff, you can call me Ed."
The girls' eyes met. Finally.
"Well," Sarah said, "Eat, drink, and be merry!" The four of them stood in a circle in the middle of the dance floor and the party recommenced around them. People danced with drinks in hand, white-jacketed waiters held serving trays high above their heads as they maneuvered around, and the exhausted, the already-drunk, and those more intent on eating hung around the outer edges at tables. It was now dusk and the space was illuminated by stringed globe lights and wall sconces. The city's skyscrapers made the perfect backdrop.
"Where's Noah?" Ed asked.
"He's over near our table with the other kids. He's fine," Olivia said.
"We should get a picture before," he eyed Sarah, "we've had too much fun."
Ever since the beach, Ed had been the most frequent requester of group photos. Yet another pleasant and unexpected Tucker characteristic. The beach group photo was now framed and in his office.
Brooke enlisted a friend to take the photo. They posed with the Chrysler Building in the background, their smiles were jubilant, and their clothing coordinated almost perfectly. The dim surroundings muted Jeff's bright pants.
"Another good one," Brooke reported. "I'll send it to you."
Olivia and Ed huddled together to look at the photo, but they were quickly distracted.
"She's here," Sarah muttered.
Tucker clenched his jaw and put a protective arm around Olivia's waist.
Jeff took charge and grabbed Sarah's hand. "Let's go say hello."
….
"We should go over there," Olivia urged.
Tucker, stubbornly reluctant, stared straight ahead, his eyes following his girls and Jeff as they made their way to the corner of the bar where Angela was standing.
"Ed?" No response. "Tucker? C'mon. Be polite."
"Polite." He grumbled. "She should come over here and be polite to me. Like by saying thank you."
"Well, that's not going to happen, so, let's go."
Noah, still wide awake and being held by his mother, tapped Ed's shoulder and repeated her words. "Tuck, let's go!"
How could he not give in after that?
Brooke, Sarah, and Jeff formed a semicircle around Angela. Ed and Olivia came up behind them.
"Hi Ed," Angela said curtly.
"Hi."
"Dave and Aidan aren't feeling well," Brooke explained.
"Too bad," Ed replied. "It's a great party."
"So I see."
"But thanks for coming, mom," Brooke said cheerfully.
"I wouldn't miss it," she replied, not proving that she truly cared one way or the other.
Sarah bounced from one foot to another impatiently as if she were calculating exactly how long she had to endure this before she could go back to ignoring her mother.
Ed introduced Olivia. She and Angela shook hands. Olivia smiled at her warmly, but Ed's ex-wife managed only a thin-lipped simper.
"And who's this?" Angela nodded at Noah.
Sarah, appreciating how children provided such convenient distractions, plucked Noah from Olivia's arms and hugged him tightly. "This is Noah! Who was my second choice for a husband. He blows me kisses and gives me shells and laughs at my jokes, right No?"
"Right, Sawah."
"Yours, Ed?" Angela asked.
"He's Olivia's son."
The pompous half-smile was still plastered on her face. "Well you must be awfully busy nowadays with work and a part-time toddler."
Part-time?
"It's full time," he hissed through clenched teeth, "And it's a good busy." Ed again slid his arm around Olivia's waist and caught her glance, "Right?"
"Absolutely." She tried to sound cheerful, but even the optimistic Benson wanted out of this situation as soon as humanly possible.
The deejay, who Ed now considered his very best and closest friend, played another slow song. His timing could not have been better.
Sarah offered to watch Noah so they could dance. "C'mere, No. Dance with me and Brookey and Jeff."
"It was nice meeting you," Olivia said breezily as Ed pulled her by the hand onto the dance floor.
By the time Angela attempted an answer, Olivia was already several feet away in Ed's arms.
…
Jeff went off to chat with a few of his friends who came down from Philly. Sarah and Brooke deposited a drowsy Noah with Caroline and collapsed into a booth, exhausted, fuzzy from the alcohol, and also emotionally drained.
"How are these people still moving and drinking and eating?" Sarah asked.
"They didn't start as early as you and I did."
"When did you start?"
"Oh, Olivia and I had a glass of wine while we did the flowers."
"This morning?"
"Yes."
"You drunk."
Brooke playfully swung at her sister and missed. "So, let's see," she recollected, "I've witnessed at least three terribly uncomfortable moments tonight. One with Grandma. The other with Mom and Dad and Olivia. And the other when you wouldn't stop talking about how cute Ed and Olivia were on the dance floor when Mom was right next to us."
Sarah defended herself. "They are cute. And they cooperated. I told you earlier I wanted them to make out in front of her."
"Grow up. They weren't making out, and I don't think Mom cares."
"I think she cared that Olivia is so hot and Noah is so cute and Dad dotes on him like crazy. And they did kiss a few times." Sarah tried to mimic her mother's prissy expression. "Remember this face?"
"What is that?" Brooke guffawed. Sarah squinted her eyes into slits and pressed her lips together so hard they momentarily turned white.
"Mom trying to smile."
"You're hilarious," Brooke said wryly.
"It's funny though," Sarah sat up straighter and leaned on her elbows, "How different Mom and Olivia are. Like, look at Mom all in her two piece business suit thing and her hair all perfect and hairsprayed into a helmet. Then there's Olivia."
They surveyed the room searching for Olivia. She and Ed were back at the table with Caroline.
"There is a major difference," Brooke admitted. As if to emphasize Sarah's point, Olivia doubled over with laughter at that moment showing her carefree, fun-loving side that their mother didn't seem to have. Brooke chuckled about Sarah's hair comment. Angela Bennett would have never whipped her head around as carelessly as Olivia did just then.
Sarah widened her eyes. "Like, it's almost unbelievable to think that Dad and Mom were even together, if ya know what I mean, when you see him with Olivia."
"I know."
"She's so niiiice. And gorgeous. And Dad's all like," Sarah tried to deepen her voice to match Ed's, "… 'whatever you want,' and 'after you,' and 'I'm mister badass police officer but yes, I'll kiss your son's boo boo' and he's always touching her."
Brooke was having trouble controlling her laughter, "Your son's boo boo?"
"You know what I mean."
Brooke, sounding like Sarah now, added, "And mom's like 'fuck the boo boo."
This time, Sarah swung at Brooke but managed to connect with an arm. "Yeeeessss, sister. Now you're getting it."
"Well, we won't see mom until the wedding. Or…no, your shower."
"Don't invite her," Sarah's voice sounded surprisingly sober, "Olivia will be there and I don't want a repeat of tonight."
"Let's worry about it later."
"Yes. Later. Shit. It's only ten-thirty? I'm never going to last until…when do we have to leave?"
"One."
"No way." Sarah reclined again and looked up at the stars. "Wouldn't it have been cool if Dad proposed to Olivia tonight? And we could have, like, a double wedding."
"You're fucked up. Dad would never do that and if they get married I don't think it will be like your wedding."
"I guess I'm just a hopeless romantic."
"That you are, sis. That you are."
…
Noah slept soundly in Caroline's arms. She had even foregone her smoke breaks to cuddle him which, John somewhat viciously pointed out, was quite a big deal.
"You be nice to your mother, Johnny," Caroline scolded.
"Yeah, yeah, ma. Quit smoking."
"Eddie still smokes."
"Not as much as you."
Caroline resentfully waved him off.
Olivia yawned and put her head on Ed's shoulder. "You ready to go?" He asked.
"If you are."
"Yeah, let's get outta here. Ma, how are you getting home?"
"Margie's driving me."
"Alright." He studied his sister. "You ok to drive?"
"Yes. I've been drinking Coke for hours."
Caroline kissed Noah's forehead and passed him off to Ed who draped him over his shoulder. Noah curled an arm around Tucker's neck. They said their goodbyes to Ed's family and then went over to Angela who said an impassive goodbye while curiously eyeing Noah. Then, they found the girls, nearly asleep themselves, in the booth.
"We're leaving," Ed announced, casting a shadow as he stood over them. "I was going to say we're leaving so you and your friends can get crazy, but…"
"We're wiped." Brooke admitted.
"Well, just, make sure nobody breaks anything and get the receipt from the bartender before you leave."
"Ok."
Sarah stood up and hugged him gingerly so she didn't bother Noah. "Thank you Daddy." She then embraced Olivia, "Thank you Livvie."
"Are you two going to make it for breakfast tomorrow?" Olivia asked, clearly not confident about the chances they would be in attendance.
"We'll text you," Brooke drawled.
"Be safe tonight," Ed warned.
"Rightio, Daddio."
Ed placed a hand on Olivia's lower back and led her out. They said farewell to Jeff, got in the elevator, and easily hailed a cab.
"Well?"
"Well what?" Olivia pretended she was clueless.
"Margie and John? Angela? The party?"
"I enjoyed talking with your brother and sister," Olivia replied. "And I'm not sure I'll ever talk to your ex-wife again." At this, they both laughed.
"The party was good, though. I think everyone had a good time."
Olivia agreed. "And I'm glad we got to dance."
"I love dancing with you."
"I didn't think you would be a dancer," she remarked.
"I'm really not, as you know, I just kind of move back and forth. It's like a mobile hug."
"And I also never thought you would have such a good sense of self-deprecating humor."
"I'm full of surprises I guess."
Olivia sidled up to him, clasped his thigh, and kissed him. They didn't come out of the lip lock until the cabbie stopped in front of their building.
"After we put him in bed, I'm going to jump in the shower," she told Ed as they entered the vestibule.
"Am I invited?"
She cocked an eyebrow at him. "Always, Captain," she flirted, "I would be insulted if you didn't join me."
"Well…I wouldn't want to do that…" He mused. "So I'll be there."
…..
If there wasn't enough family drama for you, remember, there is always the wedding!
Thanks for reading and reviewing!