Twenty-five.

The din of voices and faint music beats could be heard a half-block from Carmen Vidal's home on a quiet Soundview Street lined with identical red brick row houses. Ed and Olivia thought they had arrived fairly early, but when they led the three kids inside, they found themselves weaving through a dense crowd of unfamiliar faces. The floor plan was similar to Caroline's—living room in the front of the home giving way to a dining room and adjacent kitchen where a door led to the backyard. The greenspace was narrower than Caroline's and lacking a driveway and garage, but it was perfect for handling guest overflow. Party lights had been strung along the weathered wood fence, and lawn chairs were spread all around. In one corner of the patio, a folding table served as a makeshift bar. Bottles of liquor stood next to buckets of ice and plastic cups. Two beer kegs flanked the table.

Olivia had texted Sarah as soon as Ed parked the SUV, but she was nowhere to be found. They looked around, to no avail for Justin or Carmen—the only other people they knew—but they, too, were temporarily absent.

"Reminds me of the reunion," Ed quipped, "Are we sure we're in the right place?"

"There was a Congratulations, Justin, banner on the door," Olivia pointed out. "But, it's a fairly common name, I suppose."

Unfazed by the new confines, Noah drifted toward the cluster of kids playing together nearby. Kids a bit younger than Noah were running in and out of a playhouse and taking turns on a low slide; others kicked around a soccer ball, using two emergent shrubs as their goal. Two boys who Olivia guessed were Justin's middle-school-aged nephews were leaning against the fence, looking bored and annoyed.

"You can go play, Noah," Olivia said. "Go ahead."

Without a word, he ran off. Olivia smiled at how easily kids could make friends. In less than a minute Noah appeared to be on a team and was absorbed into the game.

"Mis Amores!"

Olivia and Ed snapped around and smiled at Carmen. She rushed toward them with her arms out. Before hugging Olivia and Ed, she crouched and spoke to the twins, using a combination of English and Spanish. Wyatt leaned into Ed's leg. Maggie stared at Carmen curiously, trying to place the semi-familiar face and also attempting to decipher the unfamiliar language. Maggie played with the strand of hair pinned back in the butterfly barrette which matched her dress. Wyatt was dressed in a red polo and blue jeans, his long locks falling in wisps along his cheeks and neck. His first haircut was scheduled for the following week.

"Thank you for coming," a frazzled Carmen said, running a hand through her short black hair. "Have you been here long? I'm so sorry…I've been inside with the food and my sisters," she rolled her eyes, "Someone forgot the sterno, so we've been arguing for an hour."

"You need me to run out and get some?" Ed offered.

"No, no, while we were bickering my brother-in-law went. But, come on, have a drink," Carmen ushered them to the bar, "Help yourselves. Beautiful day, thank God, I don't have room for all these people in my house!"

"MA! Side!"

Carmen simpered at Maggie, "You wanna play?" She held out her hand, "Come on, I'll help you slide, honey."

Maggie looked up at Olivia.

"Go with Carmen, sweet girl. It's okay. Go play."

Ed poured himself and Olivia two fairly weak vodka tonics, and they found two vacant lawn chairs with a clear view of the area where the kids were playing. Olivia relaxed. The yard was secure and there was no place for anyone to enter or exit except for the door leading to the kitchen. After a few minutes of watching his sister and brother from Ed's lap, Wyatt wriggled to his feet. He stood still for a while, then gradually drifted over to the lawn.

"LIVVIE!" Sarah came up behind Olivia and Ed and squeezed their necks. "Hey guys, sorry, I got caught up in the kitchen, ha! Me of all people is helping cook, good luck people, hope you have a lot of drinks before you eat. Where are my sweeties?"

"Over there," Olivia replied, "Where's Justin?"

"Basement," Sarah said, "He'll be out in a second. Brooke just left Grandma's. Was traffic bad?"

"Not really," Ed answered.

"Well, they'll be about twenty minutes then. I'm going to go say hi to Noey Boey and the twinsies. MWAH!" Sarah kissed Olivia's head and trotted away, her flowy yellow skirt billowing behind her.

"She's been in the sauce for a while," Ed muttered.

"She's happy."

"Yeah," he said, "But she better pace herself."

Olivia played with the collar of his navy polo and gazed lovingly at her husband who was trying to be grouchy but was actually, like his daughter, extremely happy. "We'll pace ourselves," she said, taking a slight jab at the scant amount of liquor in their drinks.

He smirked and leaned over for a kiss. "You want me to make you another one?"

"No, no…I like this one the way it is."

"Liar."

…...

Consumed with laughter at another one of Ed's cop stories, Olivia threw her head back and slapped the back of the couch with the hand that wasn't holding her wine glass. She let out a low whistle, calming down, and grinned at Ed who was smirking and clearly proud of himself. He sipped wine without taking his eyes off of her.

"Want more?" Olivia reached for the bottle though neither one of them were quite finished.

"Sure." Olivia finished the pour and they clinked glasses again, for the third or fourth time that night. Ed had lost track, but toasts had followed each refill. "So, Benson, you've gotta have some stories."

She sighed. "My stories…feature…freaks and weirdos, psychopaths…I mean, there's the guy who couldn't stop Q-tipping and the one who flossed constantly…the professor with the mushrooms—"

"—Q-tipping and flossing?" Ed screwed up his face.

"Yes. It was disgusting," Olivia replied, "I guess…the funniest moments came from the squad. Munch the hypochondriac and conspiracy theorist being the person who comes to mind."

"He was a good cop."

"He was. I miss him. Mostly, I think, for his insight…he had a way about him, he was always able to put things in perspective."

Whenever Olivia complimented or spoke fondly of other men, even men with whom she had purely platonic relationships, Ed experienced sharp pangs of jealousy. His first instinct was to change the subject, but he didn't want Olivia to pick up on his envy.

"And prolly provided some humor from time to time?"

"Oh yes," Olivia said, grinning, "Either him or the rest of us joking at his expense."

"Well, I get what you're sayin' about the stories, I guess, SVU, that squad room's not the most lighthearted in the city."

"You're right about that," she said, staring past Ed and out the window into the black Manhattan sky, "The job and then our own issues…not a lot of room for fun and games. And certainly not…like it must be at IAB," her lips curled into a teasing smile, "Roasting the cops after they walk out with their tails between their legs."

Ed returned her playful expression. "That's whatcha think goes on there?"

"Some of the time, yes."

"Maybe someday you can job shadow."

The suggestion made Olivia laugh again. "I'll pass."

Ed shrugged. "Just tryin' to spend a little more time with you." The statement was lighthearted yet sincere.

Olivia eyed his hands and dared herself to reach over and intertwine her fingers with his. She put her glass on the coffee table. He did the same, anticipating what she was about to do. They were almost a full cushion apart but her gesture was loaded with intimacy.

"I want that, too," she said softly. "More than you realize." Olivia had more to say. Everything about Ed shocked her to the point she had trouble believing they were really happening. She was attracted to him—not only to his rugged good looks but also his dry sense of humor and his mere presence. When they were together, Olivia felt right. She had trouble explaining it, but Ed Tucker was unlike any man she'd ever known.

"Good." Ed smiled and kissed both her hands. He downplayed how much Olivia's transparency meant. "So…Green Haven tomorrow?"

Olivia glanced at the clock and groaned. She and Dodds were leaving for the prison early the next morning. "Yes."

"I should probably let ya get some sleep."

"We're talking about spending more time together and you want to leave."

Ed flushed and stammered, "I, uh…I didn't mean it like that."

"I know," she quickly replied, "You're being considerate. I appreciate that."

"Well…close the books on this Yates guy and we'll celebrate."

"I like that plan. A lot."

Ed stood up. Olivia took the two empty glasses and wine bottle to the kitchen and joined him in the foyer as he was zipping his black parka.

"Have a safe trip up there," he said softly.

"Thanks. Can I bring you anything?"

"Just you back here."

Olivia ducked her eyes. Her cheeks burned.

"And let me know…if you're late…I'll help with Noah."

"Okay," Olivia whispered, barely able to form words.

Ed lifted her chin with his knuckle and kissed her. He lingered for a split second in order to let her decide how passionate or not the parting lip lock would get. She grabbed the back of his neck and stepped closer. He wrapped his arms around her and they stood there kissing for several minutes, pausing occasionally to exchange coy smiles, breathe, and switch angles.

"Keep me posted about tomorrow," he said when they finally parted.

"I will." Olivia wasn't ready to let him go quite yet. She grabbed him again, for a hug this time, needing a little more of the security provided by his embrace. In a few short hours she would be the tough Lieutenant Benson once again, but, she realized, it was nice to occasionally shed the title and all that came with it in order to simply be Olivia.

Olivia and Ed.

She was starting to like the sound of that.

…..

By late afternoon the guests had gorged on plates of Puerto Rican food and insisting they needed to wait before digging in to the sheet cake and other assorted desserts. Since no other parents had made their children stop to eat, Olivia and Ed followed suit. Noah and the twins came over every once in a while for bites of chicken, rice, and plantains then went right back to their new friends. A red fruit punch ring lined each of their mouths. They were grubby from playing outside all day, but Olivia didn't care. She loved that her kids could be kids.

The sun was setting when Justin's friend Salim and his band set up their equipment. It was a skeleton set-up really with a single snare drum and cymbal, acoustic guitars, and a keyboard with a small amplifier.

"Oooo," Olivia cooed, "Sarah said his band is really good." She put a hand on Ed's knee, "Hope you weren't ready to go?"

"Nope," Ed replied with certainty. He was hoping he'd get a chance to dance with his wife. The party had unfolded like so many he'd remembered as a kid—an afternoon of pure, unscripted fun. He'd chatted with several of Justin's male relatives, a few of whom worked for the city in various capacities. When it came time to toast Justin's accomplishment, Ed even said a few words in front of everyone; he called it a warm-up for the wedding toast. Before the food was served, he and Olivia played a round of horseshoes. The only thing bothering him was Brooke's attitude.

Though she wasn't outwardly rude, Ed could tell something was bothering her. Lately when they were all together, everything seemed fine, but today she was aloof, distracted, and devoid of all emotion. Sonny didn't seem to notice. He bounced around the backyard with Sofia in his arms, chatting away with anyone and everyone. Ed knew Brooke did not initially approve of Sarah's relationship with Justin, but he thought that whole thing was water under the bridge.

"Want another drink, Brooke?" Ed asked, getting up to get himself and Olivia a refill.

"No thanks," she said, "I'm driving."

"Well, we may Uber."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "We're not Ubering. Captain, you drink, I'll stop."

"Uh-uh," Ed said, "Other way around."

"I'll still dance with you if I'm sober," Olivia sassed, reading his mind.

"Oh, well, okay then," Ed grinned and turned his attention back to Brooke. He started to say something, but she walked off in Sonny's direction. Minutes later they had said goodbye to everyone and left the party.

The abrupt exit wasn't lost on Olivia. She grabbed Ed's arm as he frowned. "I thought this time of year would be hard for her."

Confused, Ed replied, "Whaddya mean?"

"It's been almost a year since Angela died."

"Shit," Ed muttered. "I completely…forgot."

…

Noah had not yet steered the car out of Manhattan when Mia finally spilled the beans on the secret she had refused to share the previous night. Speaking in rapid-fire style, she told Noah how she'd been cast in the lead role for an off-Broadway play beginning in the fall and running through the following year. Mia was back in New York City for at least twelve months.

Noah was thrilled for her. Though talented, Mia had failed over and over again to connect her singing and dancing skills with the right roles. She had enrolled in three arts schools only to leave before completing a full semester. The stumbles neither embarrassed nor discouraged her, but they were frustrating for her friends and for her parents who constantly threatened to cut off their seemingly endless supply of money.

Selfishly, he was also excited about potentially having her back in his life.

He sincerely congratulated her and asked about the role.

"It's about a woman who witnesses a murder," Mia replied, "That's me! I'm this tortured soul trying to move on with my life."

"Sounds dark."

"Oh, it is."

Noah felt her intense stare on the side of his head. "Of course I'll go," he said before she asked.

"I'll score you some good seats."

"Thanks."

"So," Mia stared at the passing landscape with a contented smile, "You told your parents I'm coming?"

"Yep."

"And they're okay with it?"

"Why wouldn't they be?"

Mia furrowed her brow and mumbled, "You didn't tell them?"

"I did."

She grinned and shook her head disbelievingly. "You Tuckers were sent straight from heaven I swear."

"It wasn't that big of a deal," Noah said.

"Do we have to talk about this?"

"You brought it up."

"Right. Well…new subject…how are your brother and sister?"

"Good."

"Wyatt still swimming?"

"Yep," Noah said, grinning at Wyatt's proclivity for activities that were solitary in nature. He liked to swim, dive, and jog. His hobbies outside of sports included reading and collecting rare coins and stamps. "My mom said he runs in the morning and then swims a couple miles in the ocean. Unbelievable."

"Miles?" Mia asked incredulously. "Damn. Well, he's a good man to have around in case I get swept away by the waves I suppose."

"I think we still have some arm floaties around there somewhere." Mia playfully punched him in the shoulder and he shot her a quick grin. "Careful. Don't injure the driver."

"Are you tired?"

"Nah, I'm good."

…

Salim's band played a few upbeat tunes before strumming a few ballads. Sarah, eyes half open and glued to Justin, wore a dreamy smile as they swayed along the grass. She was drunk, full of food, and tired from the early-morning prep work, but she had not made a fool of herself. Carmen danced with one of her reluctant middle school grandchildren before sending him on his way and waving over Noah who had been watching the band members with extreme interest. Ed and Olivia danced around with a twin in each of their arms before Sarah realized they weren't able to dance normally.

"Gimme, gimme, gimme," she said, "I'll sit with these yummy babies."

Ed looked reluctant.

"Sure," Olivia said. "Here ya go."

Sarah plopped down in the grass with Maggie and Wyatt in her arms. Justin, seeing she could use some physical support, sat behind her.

"Sah!" Maggie said, slapping at Sarah's face. "Sah! Wah! Cake!"

"Cake!" Wyatt echoed, "Buhday cake!"

"Not birthday cake yet, Wyatt," Sarah said, "But Justy will get you some graduation cake because he's the graduate and we're all so proud of him!"

"POUD!"

"CAKE!"

Justin catapulted to a standing position again and asked Ed and Olivia if the twins could have more sweets.

"Sure," they said at the same time.

"But maybe," Olivia said then reconsidered, "Never mind…give us a couple of songs and we'll take over."

Sarah waved them away. There were a few couples remaining on the dance "floor" but Ed and Olivia had plenty of room. Salim's band played a familiar standard and Ed sang along every few words.

Olivia clasped her hands behind his neck. Her lips came into contact with his as she spoke. "Having a good time, Ed Tucker?"

"Yeah, but I feel like shit about Brooke."

"It didn't click with me until tonight."

"It didn't?"

"No. I've been…we've been…so busy. Well, not even that busy, just…living our lives."

"We've been being happy."

"Yes."

Ed smoothed her hair. "You know, the best thing in my life, it's knowing you're happy."

"Best? The kids?"

"I told ya before…the two of us, we're different. We exist on another level."

"I'd agree with that. I can't explain it very well, but I agree."

"Don't need to explain it. You only need to feel it."

Amused, Olivia raised her eyebrows. "Captain, you're certainly in a mood tonight."

"I like this place. I like this party." He kissed her lips. "And I really, really like you."

…..

Ed parked himself on a low beach chair and sipped coffee while he watched Wyatt swim laps in the calm morning surf. Wyatt was a champion swimmer, the anchor of his school's relay team, but Olivia did not feel comfortable with him swimming in the ocean without a spotter. Since Ed was the early riser of the two, he followed Wyatt to the water on the mornings he swam. He watched with pride as Wyatt's muscular upper body effortlessly sliced through the murky water. Part of Wyatt's competitive training was breathing, and Ed chuckled as he timed the intervals between breaths. At Ed's healthiest, he guessed his own lung capacity was half of his son's.

Ed didn't hear Noah's footsteps in the soft sand, so he was startled a bit when he plopped down beside the chair.

"Hey bud. Morning. You get some coffee?"

"Yeah." Noah held up his plastic cup.

Ed frowned at the sound of ice jiggling.

"Oh, c'mon, Dad," Noah gave him a soft punch to the shoulder. He noticed his father's muscles were still taut and firm. "Get with it. Iced coffee has been a thing for at least twenty years."

"I don't like it," Ed said with a grin, "I got used to cheap coffee brewed in pots that, to hear your mom, probably had mold growing in them. You know she threw out the Kuerig?" Ed's eyes grew wide. "So it's only French press for us now."

"Classy," Noah quipped.

"Yep. That's us."

The next few minutes passed in silence. Both sets of eyes fixated on Wyatt.

"How long does he do this?" Noah asked after recognizing Wyatt had certain parameters and he turned around at each point.

"An hour," Ed replied matter-of-factly.

"He doesn't stop?"

"He'll float midway. About five more minutes."

"Unbelievable."

"Tell me about it."

"So, you want me to help you with the Jet Skis today?"

"Yeah, we gotta go get 'em out. Make sure everything's in order. We'll get the boat out tomorrow. Supposed to rain tonight." Over the course of their residence at Bethany Beach, Ed and Olivia had purchased a pontoon boat which they used on the calmer intracoastal waterway. "They were supposed to service everything, so they should be ready to go."

"Cool."

"Work goin' alright?"

"Yeah," Noah said, "Just busy. Crazy really. Gotta get used to being back in the U.S. where everyone's, well, nuts."

"Well, we're glad you're back. Your mom especially."

"Yeah."

"And it's good to see Mia."

Noah smirked a little as he recognized his Dad's successful attempt to bring up more serious subjects. "Thanks for accommodating the last minute change of plans."

"I suppose that's to be expected with her."

"Dad…" In his life, Noah had never once defied his father. Even as a teenager, Noah accepted rules and parameters as reasonable and abided by them. But he felt himself get protective of Mia just then. "She got a role. A part in a play. Finally. Something."

Ed steeled his jaw and stared at Wyatt, but his tone was gentle and compassionate, "Bud…your Mom and I love Mia. But we love you the most. You're a smart, caring kid. You're smarter than I'll ever be, Noah. You were more compassionate at five than I was at fifty-five. But…I don't want your compassion to take over. I don't want it to make you put all your eggs in one basket and then have that basket—"

"—Dad, all I want is to see what happens in the next year." Noah was grinning, amused at his father wrestling with wisdom-laden words yet not exactly producing a coherent thought.

"Alright," Ed replied with a shrug.

He wasn't convinced and this upset Noah. "I just remember growing up and you and mom always…always…well, you could always tell you loved each other. Like, Sarah still jokes about it…" He paused while Ed rolled his eyes, "But the way you feel about Mom is how I feel about her. I love her, Dad. I always will. So I have to at least try. At least."

Noah's eyes were pleading. Ed wasn't mad, he could never be mad at Noah, but he was protective of his son's feelings. Mia had broken his heart once before and she could surely do it again.

"I know how you feel," Ed said. "And maybe you're right. No…you are right. Don't give up on her if you love her."

Noah narrowed his eyes, easily reading between the lines. "You thought about giving up on Mom?"

"I thought it was over, but I didn't give up."

"She did?"

"Nah," Ed replied with a smirk, "I just had to remind her we were worth it."

Noah wanted to talk more but Wyatt trudged toward them, breathing heavily and toting his goggles. His skin was deeply tanned and his brown hair boasted sun-induced highlights. "Hey, No!" He greeted his brother with a hug despite being drenched in saltwater, "Ready to get the Jet Skis?"

Noah laughed. Wyatt was still so childlike sometimes, and his "ready to get the jet skis" sounded like a five year old's inquiry. It was also incongruous to Wyatt's near superhuman feat of an hour of swimming in the ocean.

"Yeah, we're gonna do that, but you wanna go get breakfast first?"

"Yeah!"

"Dad…okay if I take my little brother? We'll meet you back here in about an hour?"

"Sounds good," Ed replied, "I'm sure everyone but me will be asleep anyway."

….

#Tuckson