Chapter 7

It was pushing ten when Ed, Olivia, Nate, and Emma finally decided they were tired and should call it a night. Emma went in and packed up Olivia's dishes, threw some packaged leftovers into her tote bag, and brought it to them in the foyer.

"Wasn't much dressing left," she commented. "Noah ate most of it."

They all chuckled a little bit, remembering how much the little boy loved that particular dish. It gave Nate and Emma a sense of pride given it was the one thing they had solely been in charge of making.

"Anyways, I packed other stuff in here," she continued. "And your cobbler dish is clean."

"That was sweet of you, Emma, thank you," Olivia said, slightly taken aback by the small gesture.

Emma just shrugged. "No problem."

They all stood for a few seconds in the foyer before Ed broke the silence.

"I'm gonna walk them home," he said to his kids. "I'll be back in a bit."

Olivia bid the kids goodnight, none of them making any moves for a hug or another handshake, and led Ed who was carrying a sleeping Noah out of the apartment and into the hallway where she had left the stroller.

"You don't have to walk us home, Ed," Olivia remarked. "We'll be fine."

"I know you'll be fine," he responded. "But I'm walkin' ya home anyways."

Olivia smiled as she watched Ed buckle Noah, who had not stirred at all, into the stroller, take her tote bag from her, shoulder it, and push Noah towards the elevator. He looked over his shoulder when he realized she wasn't next to him.

"You just gonna stand there or…"

Olivia just shook her head, cataloging that memory, and caught up. She hit the down button, put her hand in front of the doors as Ed strolled Noah onto the car, and stood next to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I had a really nice day, Ed," she said. "Thank you for having us over."

Ed kissed the side of her forehead. "I couldn't imagine not being with you and Noah today," he admitted. The elevator doors opened and they walked by the doorman, nodding their thanks as he held the door open, and went out into the cold, crisp November night.

"Wasn't as bad as you were afraid of, huh?" Ed asked, intentionally bumping into Olivia as they walked. She leaned down, making sure Noah's beanie was covering his ears and his blanket was tucked tightly around him.

"No," she said softly. "It wasn't. They are so sweet. Nate looks just like you…"

"Yeah, he does," Ed admitted. "Poor kid."

Olivia laughed. "I happen to think that's a good thing."

They walked a little further before Olivia grabbed his arm and held on as they continued. "Emma was quiet," she said. "I pictured her to be a bit more…"

"Boisterous?" Ed asked with a smirk, getting another laugh. He loved making Olivia laugh.

"Maybe not boisterous," she said, shaking her head. "But a little more outgoing. I'm sure this was…weird, hard even, for her."

"Nah," Ed said. "She's actually reserved around anyone new. Always has been. Once she warms up, which can take a while, but once she's there…then ya get to boisterous."

They had stopped at an intersection to wait for the light to turn. Olivia gripped Ed's arm tighter and looked up at him

"I can't wait."

They continued to stroll at a semi-leisurely pace until they reached Olivia's building. The doorman held the door open and greeted them each by name. Waiting for the elevator, Ed leaned over, hands still on the stroller, and nuzzled Olivia's neck.

"Can I help you?" She teased as they stepped into the elevator, Olivia pressing her floor.

"Just wanted to be close to ya," Ed said, leaning back in and nipping at her jaw. "I like being close to you…"

"Ed…" Olivia whispered, playfully shoving him away as they reached her floor. She unlocked the door and held it open for Ed to push Noah in, watching lovingly as he gently took the little boy from the stroller and expertly got his jacket and hat off without so much of a whimper.

"Night, little man," he whispered before handing him over to Olivia.

"Let me put him down," she said. "Don't leave just yet."

It wasn't five minutes before Olivia was back in the living room in her pajamas. She made a beeline for Ed, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him deeply.

"Thank you for today," she said, coming up for air and then devouring his mouth again.

Ed, ever the wiling participant, pulled her closer and ran one hand up her back to tangle in her hair. "Liv…" he rasped, finally pulling back and tracing her cheek with his knuckles. "Thank you for today."

"Text me later?" She asked, eyes hopeful but still slightly dazed from their mini make-out session.

"You bet. G'night, Olivia."


"So…" Emma said, bouncing out from the back hallway where she had washed her face and put on her pajamas. She plopped onto the couch and curled up in the corner facing Nate, who had already donned sweats and was on his computer.

"So…what?" Nate teased, knowing what Emma meant but deciding she should work for it.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, she rolled her eyes. "Olivia? Hello?"

"I knew what you meant," he said. "I like her. You?"

"I like her too," Emma agreed, chewing on her bottom lip contemplatively. "Noah liked you."

Nate just smiled. "He's a cool little dude. I hope things work out with him…ya know."

"Wouldn't that be awful?" Emma said, her face sullen as she thought about it. She shook it off and continued. "Dad seems totally smitten."

"Oh, definitely smitten," Nate said with a smirk. "It's a little fun to see that side of him."

"Yeah, I guess."

"Spit it out, sister," Nate finally said, having sensed Emma still had hesitations but was trying to be cool about it. He turned so he was fully facing her.

"Just not sure how we all fit into the same picture," she shrugged. "That's all. Dad seems happy. Olivia seems normal and chill. Noah is cute. It's just…a lot of energy for something that may not work out."

"He's not like mom," Nate said pointedly. "Dad wouldn't have set all of this up if he wasn't serious."

"True…"

"Sometimes change isn't easy," Nate said wisely. "I'm a little nervous myself, but I think this could work."

"Yeah," Emma whispered, deciding she was done with the conversation and stared out of the large living room window over Manhattan. Just then, the lock and door jiggled and Ed came in. They could hear him open and close the closet, presumably taking off his outwear and shoes, and pad towards them in the living room. He sat himself in the arm chair and rubbed his hands together in an attempt to warm them up.

"What are you two up to?" He asked, assuming they had been chatting about Olivia but figured he would let them start that conversation with him.

"Just recapping," Nate said. "Olivia's really nice, Dad."

"No arguments here," Ed replied with a smile. "I figured ya would like her. Hard not to."

Emma nodded. "Yeah," she finally chimed in. "She seems great."

Ed shifted a little in his seat, unsure where to take the rest of the conversation. He wanted to carve out more time in the next two days for the five of them to spend time together, but he was cognizant of the limited time he had with his kids. Luckily, Emma saved him the agony over asking.

"Will we see them again before we leave on Sunday?" Her eyes seemed genuinely hopeful, which warmed Ed's heart. His youngest, while quiet for most of the day, seemed more at ease now and was actively wanting to get together again.

"We, Olivia and I, would like that very much," Ed said carefully. "I know tomorrow we have the museum passes, and Emma you wanted to try that crazy mac and cheese place, or whatever it is, down in the village. What do ya think about saving the restaurant for Saturday and inviting Olivia and Noah? He'd probably love it."

Nate and Emma looked at each and Emma shrugged. "Fine with us," Nate said.

"Great. I'm gonna get out of these clothes. Someone pick a movie," Ed said, slapping his hands on his legs and standing up. He laughed to himself as he went back towards his bedroom, hearing his kids argue about whose turn it was.


Olivia carried Noah's stroller up the stairs at the West 4th subway stop and set him down, tucking their bags back under his seat and taking a minute to get her bearings. She checked her phone, not seeing a message from Ed just yet, and began to walk east in the direction of the restaurant. It had warmed up a bit and in the sun it felt almost warm enough to ditch her jacket. Nevertheless, Olivia kept Noah in his heavy coat and beanie.

"Sweet Noah, we are going to see Ed," she cooed at him, not sure if he was listening but she enjoyed the simplicity of just talking to him whether he understood or not. "And we'll see Nate and Emma again. You liked playing with them the other night, didn't you? And I bet you're gonna like this place we're going to eat."

Olivia felt her phone vibrate in her back pocket and groaned in apprehension of being called in. She had been left alone for the last two days and she was hoping to squeeze out at least half of one more day before getting pulled in.

"Benson," she barked, noticing they had arrived at the restaurant. She saw Emma waving in the window, having already secured the seats. The young girl nudged Ed, seeing Olivia was on the phone, and he trotted out to get Noah.

"I'll get him inside," he said softly, kissing her cheek and heading back in with the stroller.

"Where's the girl now? Yeah. Okay. Do you need me? Okay. Right. Keep me posted. Thanks, Fin."

Breathing out a sigh of relief, Olivia pocketed her phone and made her way inside. Noah was happily in a high chair, waving his arms around as Nate and Emma both talked to him. Ed was sipping his water and eyeing Olivia with a hopeful face.

"Caught a case," she said softly. "They don't need me just yet, but I'm willing to bet my free time is limited."

"Better make the most of it then," Ed said sliding her a menu. "You order up at the counter. Whaddya want?"

Olivia gave Ed her order, offering cash which he just ignored, and then turned back to the three kids.

"How was yesterday? Did you make it to the Tenement Museum?"

"We did," Nate said. "It was…heavy. But also really good, if that makes sense."

"It does," Olivia said. "I haven't been myself, if I'm honest."

"Not exactly an activity that will perk up your day," Emma said. "If you're like my dad, he's always like why would I wanna go depress myself, my job does it for me. So we try to keep it light. But he caved this time."

"I tend to agree with his line of thinking," Olivia said, smiling at Emma's attempt at sounding like Ed. "And you do a great impression of your dad."

Emma laughed. "Thanks. Been practicing for years."

The table laughed as Ed came back with their number. "What's so funny?"

"You," Olivia quipped, smiling at him and allowing him to kiss her briefly. Nate smiled, Emma fidgeted, and Ed moved back into his seat to behave himself. Tucking her hair behind her ear, Olivia cleared her throat. "Emma, how did you hear about this spot?"

"Twitter," she said. "There's an account that gives alllllll the good, local New York information. Some stuff I actually remember from living here."

"Well," Ed said, leaning back in his chair. "Ya haven't been gone but a few years. Still a New Yorker, kid."

"Good," Emma said, giving Olivia the impression that she missed living in the city but she didn't want to pry into that further just yet. "But, I don't mind year round warm weather. An okay consolation prize."

Ed just grunted.

"Daddy, come on," she teased. "You know you like coming out for Christmas each year and avoiding the snow."

Olivia forced a smile on her face. She had been working up the courage to ask Ed if he wanted to spend Christmas with her and Noah, picturing the two of them getting a tree, decorating, staying up late on Christmas Eve to wrap Noah's presents, and then waking up together that morning. Mentally kicking herself, she didn't let her disappointment show. Of course he would be spending Christmas with his kids, and she was surprised that she didn't even think of that.

"Dad always rents the same condo," Nate explained, seeing Olivia grow silent. "About an hour north of LA. We all have Christmas Eve together at our mom's, then the next morning we have a big breakfast, exchange presents, then spend a couple of days just the three of us in the condo."

Ed shifted a little bit, having not divulged to Olivia that he typically spent Christmas Eve with his ex-wife.

"Its the one time of year Suzanne and I can make work," he said softly, leaning in to Olivia's ear. "Decided a long time ago we owed it to the kids to at least make Christmas work."

"Well, her moving us to LA didn't exactly make it easy," Emma said, rolling her eyes. "But Dad just comes to us now."

Olivia smiled and patted Ed's thigh, trying to ease his nerves at the subject at hand. "I think that's really nice," she said genuinely. "Though it seems strange to have a warm Christmas, having lived in New York my entire life."

"It is," Nate muttered, but caught himself before saying anything else. It became clear to Olivia that, though grown, Ed's kids were still adjusting to having an entire country between them and their father. Silently chastising herself for feeling upset about her own Christmas idea not being a reality, she added in her own plans.

"This'll be my first Christmas with this guy," she said, tugging on Noah's foot and smiling at him. "Right now I'm just trying to control my urge to buy him…well…everything."

Emma's face lit up as she sat up straighter. "Ohmigosh shopping for him would be so fun!"

Seeing an opportunity grow her relationship, Olivia was about to suggest that she could join her for a shopping trip after they had lunch, but food was delivered right as she opened her mouth. It took several minutes for the group to divide up everything they ordered. Olivia made Noah a smaller plate, making sure to mash everything into chewable bites. She took her first bite of the buffalo macaroni and cheese she ordered and commented how good it was. The table grew quiet again with everyone eating. It stayed that way, with the occasionally commentary, when Olivia's phone started buzzing on the table.

Groaning, she quickly swallowed, wiped her mouth, and excused herself to take the call outside. Ed watched her, his face unable to hide his disappointment that she was likely getting called in.

"She's gonna have to leave?" Emma asked, her voice also a little let down.

"I dunno," Ed said. "It's likely. I think they caught a big case…"

"Well," Emma said, perking up a bit. "We can just hang out with Noah!"

Ed eyed his kids, confirming they were okay sharing their last day with Noah and they both nodded. As predicted, Olivia returned to the table and softly told them she was going to have to eat quickly and head back uptown. Ed could see a deep disappointment in her face as she leaned over and gave Noah a couple of bites.

"Eat up, sweet boy," she encouraged. "Lucy's gonna meet us at the apartment."

"We can keep him!" Emma said, before Ed had a chance to offer. Her face looked hopeful, and Olivia noticed she was about as upbeat as she had seen since meeting. Eyeing Ed, who nodded his agreement, she turned back to the older kids.

"Are you sure?" She asked. "I'm not sure how long I'll be."

"It'll be fun," Nate chimed in.

"Yeah," Emma said. "Then we know we'll get to see you once more before we go."

Olivia's heart swelled at the comment. His kids wanted to see her one more time over the trip. Looking at Noah and taking a deep breath, she finally agreed.

"Okay," she said, turning to Ed. "He has stuff in his bag. And you still have some things at your place. Do you need me to give you my key?"

"Nah," Ed said. "We'll be fine."

"Okay then," Olivia said, gathering her things and standing up. "I guess I'll see everyone…at some point." She leaned down and kissed Noah all over his face, eliciting shrieks and giggles. The little boy reached up to grab onto her face and hair. "You be good, sweet boy. Have fun with Ed, Nate, and Emma. And I'll be back before you know it."

Sensing she was departing, Noah's moved to grip her jacket and began to fuss.

"Shh, shh, sweet Noah," Olivia cooed. "It's okay. I'll be back soon. You're gonna have so much fun."

Noah's chin trembled and tears began to tumble. Olivia looked helplessly at Ed who moved in to distract the little boy.

"Hey, No, how about ya try this?" He handed him his spoon and Noah took it inquisitively, sniffed it, and touched it to his mouth.

Olivia took that moment to back away. She mouthed a thank you to Emma and Nate who watched her go, and headed out of the restaurant. As soon as she was out of sight, Noah apparently decided he didn't like the food Ed gave him and slung it, managing to hit Ed right in the face.

Emma and Nate burst into laughter, followed by Noah, and eventually followed by Ed. He wiped the food off of his face and shook his head, more than happy to be a reason the three kids at the table were just laughing away.

"Ya know, Noah" Ed began, "I was hoping you would be on my side."

Emma just shrugged. "We'll eventually convert Olivia too, Dad."

Elated that there was a mention of the future, but refusing to let it show, Ed threw his napkin down, sat back in his chair, and pretended to grumble.

"Wonderful."


Hmmm, is something building on the horizon? Don't worry - things are gonna pick up soon...but first, review!