Again, so sorry about the lapse of updates...life is, well, you don't particularly care to read an A/N with an explanation. You just want the update! So here ya go - and I'll try to get back on track-ish. Enjoy!

Twenty-Five

"Good job, Noah!" Olivia exclaimed from her perch on the bleachers in the local YMCA's gym. Noah looked up from the balance beam and waved, before concentrating on making his way across again and doing another little jump.

Olivia had woken up with a little more energy that morning and had insisted that Ed take a breather and do some yard work since it was unseasonably warm that late February day. So she accompanied Charlie to take the two kids to their Saturday gymnastics class, though Ed hesitated to even call it that. It was more like organized chaos while the kids tried different skills and jumped around, getting rid of weekend energy. Lizzie had been going for a while and since Olivia had been sick, Noah had begun to tag along for convenience sake. Turns out, he enjoyed playing on the balance beam, so Ed had officially enrolled him as to not take advantage of the generosity the center had shown.

Charlie sat alongside of Olivia, carefully watching her two year old try to jump on the toddler sized trampoline under the careful watch of an older teenage worker. She smiled as Lizzie's face scrunched up in concentration, trying extra hard to keep jumping in the taped circle.

"She's such a little love," Olivia said softly, her shoulder bumping into Charlie's to try and get her attention, but she was lost in thought. "Charlie?"

"Hm?" She pried her eyes away from Lizzie and smiled softly at her mother, reaching out to lightly run her fingers over the navy silk scarf she had chosen that day. "Your eyes are sparkling today," she whispered.

"I feel good," Olivia replied, keeping her voice down and her eyes on her daughter. "You sleep okay last night?"

"Yeah. I got enough. Could go for another coffee after this."

"I'm sure the kids won't turn down a stop for a muffin."

"Or a cake pop."

Olivia just laughed. "Ed has spoiled us all."

Charlie went to respond, but a scurry of movement caught her attention and her smile grew. Noah had hopped triumphantly off of the balance beam and after he was high-fived by his instructor, he moved to watch Lizzie who had since gotten off of the trampoline and wandered to one of the lower, child sized bars. Her little chubby legs worked hard as she tried to jump and hold the bar, but being so little, she couldn't. Before an instructor could get to her, Noah ran over.

"Lizzie!" He said, taking her hand. "Gotta use da chalk. See? Like this." Noah demonstrated how to rub the white chalk on his hands and Lizzie followed suit. "Okay. Now you ready."

The instructor had paused, obviously curious to watch the young uncle in action. Noah squatted down and lifted Lizzie up about a foot and the little girl squealed as she grabbed the bar.

"Hold on tight!" Noah grunted, still trying to hold her up before the both collapsed on the mat, cackling loudly. "Oops! You okay, Lizzie?"

"Yep!" She replied, still giggling as she hopped up and clapped. "Again, again, Unc!"

Olivia and Charlie kept watching as Noah tried to lift Lizzie again, this time with the help of an instructor. Obviously, the two year old was not going to be able to hang onto the bar for long, but she was trying so hard no one could deny her the attempts. Charlie's smile just grew as she watched the entire scene play out and eventually Olivia began to focus on more on her than the kids.

"You still seem far away, sweet girl?"

Charlie shrugged.

"Just thinking."

"Excited to go away for a few days?" Olivia tried not to pry, but Charlie didn't seem all that excited about the several day getaway Trevor had planned for their family of three. Or at least, she didn't appear that way to Olivia, but for the first time in a long time, she was having trouble reading her daughter and it frustrated her.

"I am," she said, finally turning to look back at Olivia and she smiled. "It will be nice to just…breathe I think."

"You've had a rough few weeks," Olivia said in a whisper as she reached out and began to twist strands of Charlie's hair, just like she always did.

"Yeah."

"Charlie…"

"Are you and dad okay with us going away?" She asked, already knowing the answer but feeling guilty leaving her parents behind while Olivia was still sick. "Though, maybe you want to get rid of us for a bit."

"Never," Olivia said firmly, cupping her cheek briefly to make eye contact. "I…when all of us aren't together, or at least nearby, I feel…less whole. I need you. I need my family. But, I also need you to take this break…and like you said…just breathe."

"I hope I can."

"Try," Olivia pushed in a rare instance. "For me?"

Charlie smiled and leaned over to gently hug Olivia, noting the time and realizing the kids were almost done. "Promise."

Ed had just finished securing the deck furniture after he had taken the covers off to clean everything from the recent snow storms. He carefully checked each chair, making sure nothing was out of place or rusted, ensuring that there were no surprise collapses when his family began to use the deck again.

It was still early in the season, he thought to himself, but after spending some time in the workshop out back, he needed to do something more hands on, more distracting from the fact he was at the house by himself. It was a feeling he was no longer used to, and he didn't particularly like it. He started by giving all the backyard play equipment a good pressure-washing, ridding it of the dirt and grime from the outdoors and then ended on the deck, inspecting his grill along with the furniture. Ed smiled to himself as he thought back to the summer, before their most recent nightmare had begun, and how many evenings Olivia would join him on the swing, once Noah was settled in front of his nightly shows, and watch the sunset over the trees in the neighborhood.

Ed had been alone most of his adult life. Even in his initial marriage to Lisa and in the early days of Charlie's life, he was a loner. Working all hours, visiting late night pubs to avoid his house. It was a feeling he had gotten used to over the years, much like Olivia and even Charlie to an extent. But now, after several years of being with Olivia, Noah being around, and having his daughter back, he found the silence uncomfortable. He longed for assurance that even when chaotic and rough, he had his family within his grasp. Ed felt that pull to reach out and touch Olivia, whether on the arm or lower back, in an effort to remind himself that she was his. He thought back to this morning as she began to stir awake in his arms, and how he would generally move to brush her hair out of her eyes, or tangle his fingers in her locks. Ed was trying so hard to not let on how much some of these side effects were bothering him, but it was getting difficult. The hair had been devastating, but as much as he was hurting, he knew his wife felt even worse. So he shoved it down. But as he traveled briefly down memory lane, his heart constricted as he realized how much he missed Olivia's hair. Those long, gorgeous brown locks had been a loss, but at least he still had her. He had his wife. She was alive and next to him, and for that Ed was eternally grateful. He had every intention of making sure it stayed that way for the next forty or more years.

Letting out a sigh, Ed looked out across their expansive backyard. The white fence was lined by tall hedges, giving them a deep sense of privacy. Several pieces of play equipment were strategically placed for the kids, and Ed even began to calculate when he could turn the fountain on in their pond without it freezing. He was ready for a sense of normalcy to return to their lives, even if it was just the serene sound of the water flowing through the yard.

Finally he turned to head back inside, realizing he was just letting himself stew. As he closed and locked the back door, Ed heard noise coming from the foyer. Checking his watch, he knew it wasn't time for the girls to be back with the kids. Instinctively Ed reached for his gun and rolled his eyes as he was reminded it wasn't there.

"Who's there?" He bellowed out, approaching the foyer slowly. He immediately relaxed and let out a chuckle when Trevor appeared, having tossed his shoes on the mat by the door. "Hey, Trevor. Wasn't expecting you this early."

Trevor slapped Ed on the back. "Not sleeping real well these days, being away from…everyone."

"I hear ya," Ed agreed, almost relieved to find he wasn't the only one. "Want a strong coffee? I'll put on a fresh pot."

"Sounds great," Trevor responded. "I grabbed some bagels if you're hungry?"

"You're speaking my language, man," Ed got to work on the coffee while Trevor pulled a couple of bagels out and threw them in the toaster. "You guys ready for the trip?"

Trevor nodded, then shrugged. "I suppose so," he said, leaning against the counter and rubbing his chin as he drifted into thought. "Charlie seems excited, or she's at least pretending to be for my sake."

"It will be good for her. For all of you. To just…get away from this for a bit."

"I think so, too," Trevor admitted, before the men camped out on the island and grew silent, save the sound of bagels being devoured.

Olivia wandered out of the bathroom in fresh pajamas and smiled. Ed was tucking a fresh pair of sheets back on the bed and he had placed a cold bottle of water on her nightstand. Night sweats were one of her least favorite things to deal with, given the unpredictable and very interruptive nature. She would finally drift into a deep sleep when all of a sudden she'd wake up, dripping in sweat and unable to focus her eyes. Each time, Ed diligently got up and went to run a cool shower, helping her in, and then going to change the sheets and have a drink waiting for her. If she had been feeling particularly weak, often he would rush through that process and head back into the bathroom and perch on the side of the tub, keeping a watchful eye as she showered. But on this night, Olivia still had a little strength, so Ed had taken his time.

He smiled as she wandered over to his side of the bed and leaned against him as he dropped the pillows back in place.

"Thank you," she whispered. Ed pulled her tightly into his chest, kissing her head and noticing a little bit of fuzz beginning to surface on her scalp.

"Of course," he said. "You feel much cooler."

"The shower always works."

"Good," he whispered, moving to kiss behind her ear and then twice on her neck. "Come on, let's get back in bed."

Olivia moaned.

"You don't want to lay down?" Ed asked, pulling back a little and peering down at her face. It was in a grimace. "Liv?"

"Can we…I know it's late but…can we lay on the couch? Just for a little bit?"

Ed smiled and tried not to let out a relieved sigh that something wasn't wrong. "Absolutely baby," he said. "I'll grab pillows and your favorite blanket from the chaise."

Olivia looked up, her brown eyes sparkling like they had been the last few days. "It's a date."

Ed settled on the couch, laying back against a few pillows placed at the end and pulled Olivia into his side, wedging her between his body and the back of the couch. He pulled the warm, fuzzy blanket over them and rubbed at her arms, shoulders, and back, placing little kisses on her forehead.

"Better?" He asked, and she nodded, letting out a satisfied groan.

"Yes," she said. "I just…I didn't want to get back in that bed…"

"I know."

"I'm tired of being sick," she moaned, further nestling her head into Ed's chest. "And you're just…so great. You're a dream…"

"Nah," he said, his nose rubbing against her face as he tried to soak her in. "This is no dream baby. This is real. We are real. You are getting better. And in a few months, well, this will all be behind us."

"I hope so," she said softly, and Ed could hear the small twinge of doubt in her tone.

"I know so," he said confidently. "Tell me…where should we go once you get the all-clear?"

Olivia smiled, her eyes closed but not feeling that sleep would come anytime soon. Ed was trying to get her to talk and refocus her brain in an attempt to help her relax. She was happy to let him.

"Someplace warm," she said. "With all of us…"

"Sounds perfect."

"But…maybe Noah could stay with Charlie and Trevor a few nights…" Olivia said, a smirk growing on her face as she felt Ed's chest bounce as he chuckled.

"Consider it done."

"We have to make up for lost time…"

"Olivia," Ed sighed out, trying to pull her tighter but it wasn't quite possible. "We haven't lost any time. It's okay."

"But we have," she insisted, her hand clutching at his shirt. "We barely acknowledged Valentine's Day, I have little to no energy to make love, and half the time when it's just the two of us, I'm sick…"

"Shhh, shhhh," Ed said, resuming the soothing pattern of his hands rubbing her back as Olivia's body shook slightly in her attempt to fight off sobs. "I don't care what we do when we're together…as long as I'm with you."

"This is my favorite place," she mumbled, clearly her body giving into exhaustion suddenly. "In your arms…"

"Good," he said softly, trying to soothe her into another deep slumber and preparing to stay uncomfortably on the couch until dawn. "I want to be your favorite place to go, when you have good days…and bad days…"

"Love you," she mumbled.

Ed smiled. "Love you too, baby. Sleep."

Lizzie was softly but securely tucked into Olivia's chest as she padded into the foyer to check the status of the kids' departure. Trevor had their overnight bags stacked up and was loading the SUV with the other guys, while Charlie made sure she had everything in Lizzie's diaper bag.

"Got everything?" Olivia asked softly, swaying and rubbing her cheek against Lizzie's head. Charlie stopped and admired the sight.

"I think so," she said with a smile. "She loves her Ollie so much."

"The feeling is mutual," Olivia said, kissing her head. "Gotta soak up my cuddles before you leave."

"You sure you're okay? We can stay. Trevor won't mind."

"I'm fine, baby girl," Olivia said, returning Charlie's smile and trying to assure the worry she saw in her blue eyes. "It's only a few days, and you're just a quick ferry ride and drive away."

"Yeah," Charlie said, then smiled. "And I've always wanted to go to Cape Cod…though, maybe in the summer." She laughed a little at her joke, and Olivia knew that she meant nothing of it. Her daughter, though hesitant at the moment, had been talking about Cape Cod for a while, and clearly Trevor had taken note. He booked them a nice cottage, timed the off-season winter ferry schedule, and planned the whole thing out.

"You'll have a great time," Olivia assured her, moving to pull Charlie into her side and cuddle her two girls. She held onto them a little longer than usual, but no one minded. "Just be sure to send lots of updates and pictures. And videos!"

"Of course, Momma."

Trevor bounded back into the foyer and clapped his hands. "All set?"

"Ready!"

He took a sleepy Lizzie from Olivia's arms and moved out to the car, where Ed and Noah had been helping him pack. Taking advantage of a brief moment, Olivia reached out to grasp Charlie's arm.

"You'll call me…if you need anything?" Her brown eyes looked worried, but Charlie leaned forward to kiss Olivia's cheek and smiled with confidence.

"I promise. But we're all good. And we will be back on Wednesday. You won't even have time to miss us!"

"I always miss you."

A few more hugs and kisses took place in the driveway and then the SUV was out of sight, leaving Ed, Olivia, and Noah on the sidewalk.

"Can we get pizza for dinner?" Noah asked, looking up at both of his parents with hopeful eyes.

"Absolutely, bud," Ed said, wrapping an arm around his wife and bringing them back inside. As he closed the door, Olivia shivered a bit and wrapped her arms around her waist. "Ya okay, baby?"

"I'm fine," she said softly, kissing his cheek. "Just…feels weird with them gone. I like us best when we are all together."

"Me too."

Plenty more to come, but first leave a review!