I was inspired...
Chapter 5
Ed watched through the glass windows as an elated Olivia rushed into Noah's room. The little boy had been in the hospital under observation for almost a full month. As they hurdled towards late October, Ed found himself anxious and wondering why he hadn't been released. He kept his concerns to himself, assuming Olivia was going out of her mind, and now he felt the weight lift off of his shoulders as she scooped Noah up out of his crib, finally free of wires and tubes, and held him close. She swayed back and forth, lips pressed into his hair and eyes closed as she soaked in the closeness.
It had only been an hour since Dr. Lee had called Olivia at work and gave her the good news: Noah could go home that afternoon. Full of relief, Olivia threw folders into her bag and ran out of the office, sending Ed a quick text message while she waited for the elevator. Not expecting anything beyond a celebratory response, she came to a quick stop and her face lit up when she arrived in the hallway outside of Noah's room and saw Ed standing there, hands in his suit pockets, his eyes focused on Noah.
"Hey," she said softly, her eyes still wide in surprise but a small smile on her face. "I didn't expect to see you here…"
Ed just shrugged and turned towards her. "I have some down time," he replied simply. "Ya need anything?"
"Um, well," she stammered, suddenly unsure if she needed anything. "I'm actually not sure? I didn't expect this call today…"
"How can I help?"
Olivia bit her lip and thought for a few minutes. She hadn't been spending much time at home recently, going back and forth between work and the hospital. On the nights when she couldn't handle being home without Noah, she would stay at Ed's. Having no idea how clean her apartment was or if Noah had new sheets in his crib, she looked over at Ed, debating on whether or not to ask him to help in this way. He did offer, she thought to herself, but did that offer include taking her keys and cleaning her apartment?
"Olivia," he said, moving closer to her and taking her hand. "Whatever it is, whatever you need, I'll do it. Just name it."
She took a deep breath. "I don't know if my place is clean," she finally admitted. "Noah should get fresh sheets, in case there are any residual germs?"
Ed nodded, felt around for his wallet, and clicked his tongue. "Easy enough," he said. "I'll head over, assess the situation, and figure it out."
Olivia dug her keys out of her bag, handed them over, and reached up to kiss his lips briefly.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Of course," Ed answered. "Let me know when you're on your way…"
From there, Olivia had moved quickly into the room and Ed remained, watching her. Beginning to sense he was intruding into her and Noah's reunion, he turned and headed towards the elevator, mentally going over his tasks.
"Ed…" Olivia gushed as she entered the apartment. She had a tight grip on Noah who was perched on her hip, his head sleepily laying on her shoulder. Olivia stopped in her tracks and allowed her purse, and Noah's hospital bag, to drop onto the floor, resulting in a soft thud.
Olivia's home was spotless. The scent of her preferred cleaning supplies permeated her senses. The living room was perfectly in order, pillows fluffed, books shelved and organized, and toys in their appropriate bins. In the middle of her coffee table sat a large bouquet of colorful roses, potentially two dozen, causing tears to rush to her eyes.
"You…you didn't have to…" Olivia's chin trembled and she struggled to find the words, still standing in the entryway of the apartment. Ed smirked and moved over to her, picking the bags up and moving them over to her countertop.
"I wanted to," he said. "Noah's bed is all set up, and tacos from that little place on 57th are on the way. I hope you don't mind…"
Olivia just gaped at him. "Mind?" She asked with a little laugh. "You're…incredible."
Ed smirked and nodded at the little boy. His eyes were drooping. "Get him settled," he said. "I'll unpack his bag."
Nodding, Olivia kissed Ed's cheek. "Say night night to Ed," she cooed at Noah. Ed leaned down and kissed the little boys hands.
"Night night, Noah," he said softly. Olivia turned and went into the back. She was stunned that Ed had not only completely scrubbed her apartment down, but also found gorgeous flowers, ordered food, and didn't have one wrinkle in his suit or sweat drop on his forehead. Smiling to herself, Olivia turned into the bedroom and once again was surprised. Ed had tied a balloon to Noah's crib. It was in the shape of a teddy bear and said "Welcome Home." Inside of the crib, Olivia noticed crisp, fresh sheets and Noah's blanket neatly folded. On top of his little pillow was his favorite stuffed elephant, as well as a new friend, a stuffed giraffe.
"Look, sweet Noah," Olivia cooed. "Ed got you balloon and a new giraffe!"
"Ba…" Noah whispered, point up at the balloon with wide eyes. "Ba!"
"Balloon," Olivia said, her heart full hearing her little boy try to imitate sounds. "That's right, balloon!"
She placed Noah in his crib and let him crawl around, inspecting the new toy. Olivia leaned over the railing and watched him play, perfectly content to be back in a familiar setting. "Gonna take a rest, sweet boy?"
Noah looked up at her, his eyes beginning to droop again. But those eyes were full of love, and Olivia felt her entire stomach clench. He depended on her. He loved her. Though she had always known that and felt it deep down, the realization of the bond Noah had with her hit full force with that one look.
"Okay, baby," she croaked, swallowing hard. Olivia untied the balloon and moved it over to the nightstand. It was still in Noah's vision, but not within his grasp. She helped him lay down, covered him with his blanket, and ran her finger along his face and he cuddled his two stuffed animals. "Get some sleep. I'm right outside, okay? I love you, Noah."
Noah's eyes fluttered closed, comforted by the sound of Olivia's voice and the touch of her fingers. She watched him a few more minutes before she finally turned around, dimmed the lights, and cracked the door.
"He settled?" Ed's voice almost startled her. "Sorry," he said softly.
"No, it's okay," Olivia said quickly. She walked over to where Ed stood by the stools at her countertop, taking containers of tacos out of the bag, and wrapped her arms around his torso and kissed his lips. "Thank you," she whispered, kissing him again in between each "thank you" she spoke.
Ed smiled into the kiss and entangled his fingers with her her, happily accepting her thank you. She pulled him closer, their bodies firmly pressed against each other, and continued their kiss. Soft whimpers and smacks could be heard, but everything else was silent. It was just them. Noah was home, healthy, and asleep. Ed and Olivia could finally take a few moments to be together and as Ed deepened the kiss and moved his hand down her sides and onto her lower back, Olivia felt confident there was no where else she'd rather be.
A few minutes later, clothes were strewn throughout the living room, decorative pillows had been tossed to the floor, and unopened takeout containers sat forgotten on the counter as Ed took his time, kissing every inch of Olivia's body. She squirmed with both anticipation and impatience, finally convincing him to get on with it. The sex was intense, desperate, almost sloppy as they both cried out, begging for more from one another, and losing themselves in their not quite rough, but close to it, couch encounter.
"Mmmm," Olivia moaned, her sweaty body nestled in next to Ed's as they laid together, coming down from a near simultaneous climax, covered by a light blanket. "That was so, so good."
Ed just smirked, continuing to trace light patterns on her bare back with his fingertips. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," she said, her voice low and sultry. They stayed like that for a few minutes until Olivia moved up and pressed her lips against Ed's again, not quite ready to end their little tryst. "I want more…"
Ed groaned, his hips bucking up slightly into hers as he shifted them so she was underneath him once again. He took a moment, resting on his arms, his body over hers, and took in the sight. Olivia's hair was fanned out over the gray cushions of the couch. Her face was bare of makeup, and she was slightly flushed which only accentuated her freckles. Ed studied each one, his eyes tracing a pattern over her face. Normally, Olivia would feel uncomfortable under that kind of scrutiny, but it was different with Ed. She could see on his face that his observations came only from a place of deep care and desire. So she laid still, patiently waiting for him to finish staring at her and make a move.
"Eddd…" she gasped as Ed finally lowered his body on top of hers and gave a little thrust, his lips hitting her neck. It wasn't long before he was moving inside her once again, their bodies smacking together. Soft grunts, pants, and whimpers filled the air as Olivia lost herself in the feeling of Ed Tucker making love to her. Soon Noah would wake up, they would all need to eat, and the hectic nature of Ed and Olivia's lives would take over again. But in that moment, none of it mattered. It was just them.
It was pushing nine o'clock that night. The tacos were long disposed of, Noah had taken a bath and was in a fresh set of fire truck pajamas, and an episode of Thomas the Tank Engine was playing softly on the television. Ed and Olivia sat on the couch and watched Noah scoot around the living room going from one set of toys to the next, clearly unsure what to play with first after his hospital stay. Content to just observe, Ed and Olivia didn't talk much. She had taken a quick shower and was now in worn leggings and a t-shirt she was pretty sure belonged to Ed. He had thrown on a pair of sweats that had been left at her apartment at some point. Neither of them were eager to end the night, so they remained on the couch.
Olivia shifted a little and turned towards Ed. "I keep thinking that Halloween is right around the corner," she mumbled.
Ed kept one eye on Noah, but diverted his attention to Olivia. "Yeah?"
She just shrugged. "Am I supposed to take him trick-or-treating? He's awfully young. And all the germs…" Her worry was palpable and Ed recognized they eyes of a parent who was second guessing any little decision she made.
"He's pretty young, Liv," Ed finally said after a slight pause. "He can't even eat any of the candy."
"True," she said. "It just feels a little like childhood robbery for him not to do…something…on his first Halloween."
"So ya get him a costume," Ed shrugged. "Maybe take him to the precinct. Or Nick's?"
"Could make Fin put out those Gerber rice crackers Noah loves…" Olivia joked, knowing Fin's reaction would contain a scoff and eye roll, but that he'd do whatever she asked. Her tone immediately went back to serious. "How do you…I dunno…make these decisions? How do you know what's right for your kid?"
Ed paused, giving Olivia his full attention. He reached out and played with a strand of her hair as he thoughtfully debated what his answer would be.
"You just do the best you can," he said softly. "You can't know everything. You're gonna make mistakes. Just do the best you can."
Olivia bit her lip, not liking that answer but knowing he was right, and looked over at Noah. He must have sensed her eyes were on him as the little boy turned around and gave Olivia a large, two-toothed grin.
"I just want to protect him," she whispered. "That little boy, he depends on me to keep him safe. Healthy. But there's so much I can't control…his immune system…the foster system…"
Ed reached out and stroked her cheek as she rambled a bit, clearly at a loss over this one little decision.
"I wouldn't take him trick-or-treating if it were me," Ed finally inserted, correctly guessing that Olivia wanted to know what decision he would make. "I'd dress him up, maybe go to a few places you know, take some pictures, then hang out at home."
Olivia nodded. "That's what I think I should do," she said, now feeling more confident in her first instinct.
"Ya gotta trust your gut, Liv," Ed continued. "And you have the best instincts I know. If your gut says keep him home, then keep him home."
Olivia smiled and gave him a soft kiss. "Thank you."
"Of course," Ed said, shrugging and shifting a bit so she was leaning into his side. "Been a nice night…"
"Yeah," she sighed. "I don't…I don't want it to end…"
"It's okay, Liv," Ed said softly, knowing she still worried about him staying the night while Noah was in her room. He moved his head so he could look into her eyes. "We'll figure all of this out eventually."
Olivia looked back at him for a little while before nestling her head back into his chest.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything," Ed said, kissing her hair.
"Last year," she began, "when you came to Amaro's place…after they shot through his window."
Ed moved his fingers to rub her scalp lightly as she spoke, and nodded.
"You…that protective face of yours came out," she said. "I could see in your eyes that you were telling the truth, when you told Amaro you would've done the same….or worse."
"I was," he said, his voice firm but gentle.
"You just…surprised me, that's all," she admitted.
Ed let the comment sit for a little bit before responding. "When it's your kids…it's a whole different ballgame," he said. "Not sure I woulda had the same restraint that Nick had…"
Olivia let out a chuckle. "Restraint?"
Ed moved so once again he could see Olivia's face. "Someone sends a bullet anywhere near my kids? Or anyone I love? Yeah…I'd say a baseball bat is restraint."
Olivia's heart stopped when Ed said "anyone I love." She could see in his eyes that he meant her, but she wasn't ready for that statement. Sensing that her anxiety had peaked, Ed tried to lighten the conversation.
"He may hate me," Ed said. "Hell, most officers do. But Amaro? He's alright."
Olivia grinned up at Ed and tickled his stomach. "You should let more people see your soft side, ya know."
"Can't ruin my image," he replied. "Gotta keep people thinking I'm heartless."
"You're not," Olivia whispered. "You're heart is…good."
"Yeah?" His eyebrows raised at the tone of her voice.
"Ed Tucker, you're incredible," she admitted. "I'm so…lucky…that you're here with me right now."
"I think I'm the lucky one," Ed said, kissing at her face, still cognizant of Noah playing nearby.
"Stay," she whispered. It was so soft, Ed almost didn't hear what she said.
"You sure?" Ed wanted to jump at the opportunity to stay the night with Olivia. He knew it wouldn't involve anything physical given they shared a room with an ten month old, but he just wanted to be close to her. The more time that went on, the more Ed found himself always wanting to be with Olivia, even if they were doing absolutely nothing.
Olivia looked up at him and kissed his chin. "I'm sure. I wanna wake up with you tomorrow."
"Okay," he agreed softly.
Not sure where to take the conversation from there, Olivia laid her head back on his chest and circled back to their previous topic of the soft side to Ed's IAB persona. "Ya know, though," she said, a grin forming on her face. "You're a little sexy when you go into Lieutenant Tucker mode."
"I'll have to keep that in mind, Sergeant."
