Fifty-six.

"Liv," Ed managed to say though he was whispering and clearly out of breath, "I can't stop." He heaved himself on top of her and meticulously kissed every freckle he could see in the dim light.

Olivia was sure she would feel their love making in the morning, or, in a few hours, since it was technically already morning. Ed more than made up for the week of no sex. Sure, they'd managed a shower or two and enjoyed some intimacy in front of the bathroom mirror, but nothing compared to being in bed together.

Ed ran an index finger from between her eyes to the tip of her nose. He loved the way she looked lying on the pillows, messy brown locks framing her gorgeous face, and her olive skin alluring and seductive against the white sheets. "I love you."

"I love you."

"You okay?"

"Yes."

"You wanna sleep."

It was a statement, not a question, and Olivia smiled. "I'm torn," she said, "It's us and the three of them...starting at eight, dot, dot, zero, zero."

Ed kissed her quickly yet seductively. "You're right. Let's sleep."

Olivia cocked an eyebrow. "But maybe...we can afford to stay awake a little longer?"

He grinned and kissed her even more passionately. "I love you so much." Ed continued kissing her. He was in one of his moods-it was the same one that had given them Maggie and Wyatt and the one that had drawn out the first "I love you." For as long as he lived Ed would desperately search for more words, better words, to explain how he felt about his wife. The search, time and again, would fail. It was easier to show her, and he made it a point every day, whether it was long nights of tender, attentive sex or waking up first and making sure her coffee was ready a split second before she wanted it.

"Oh….Eddddd…."

He kissed her thought she was trembling with passion, and she held him tightly, her fingers dug into the muscles in his upper back. Ed panted and moaned, slowed the pace almost to a standstill, savoring every last second until he collapsed next to her, utterly spent, welcoming sleep.

"Night," Olivia sighed contentedly as she settled in against his chest.

"Sweet dreams, baby."

"From now on," she whispered, "Always."

….

Olivia entered Fin's Glock into the evidence log and left it with the desk sergeant. She called him for an update. Detective Tututola was still waiting for a nurse to take his blood, and he'd already seen his PBA representative. Media presence was light and Fin joked that he would probably be able to leave through the main entrance instead of sneaking out through the alley.

"Okay," Olivia said, "Well, you know the drill. Go home. See the shrink in the morning. I'll see you after that."

"Alright," he replied, "Thanks, Liv."

"It was a good shoot," she added, "You were doing your job."

"Still doesn't make it any easier."

The next call Olivia made was to Tucker. Thinking it strange that neither he nor Draper had shown up at the hospital, she started the conversation with a summary of the day's investigation. Tucker interrupted her before she came to the final chapter-the standoff in the warehouse.

"We heard it on the radio," he said. "Procedures followed? Tox screen? He turn in his weapon?"

"Yes, yes, and yes."

"Send me over the report. Doesn't sound like we need anything more than a few days of desk duty while we button everything up."

Olivia blinked and her jaw dropped. She was glad Tucker wasn't there to see her shocked face. "That's it?"

"You said it was a good shoot, Sergeant?"

"Yes."

"Then that's it." Tucker must have heard her take the deep, disbelieving breath. "There a problem?" He asked.

There absolutely was a problem. "Tucker…" Olivia began without having a clear statement in mind. She'd been doing this a lot lately when Ed was on the other side of the conversation. "I don't...I'm, ah, I have to tell you I'm a little surprised and I don't…" Olivia squeezed her eyes shut and blurted out what was troubling her, "If this had happened last year, or the year before, would we be having this same conversation?"

"No, you weren't the boss a year or two ago," Tucker replied sassily.

"I-"

"-I know what you're gettin at. Don't make things difficult, Sergeant. I trust you. And I didn't say we wouldn't investigate, we will, there doesn't seem to be a reason, at this point, to make anyone's life miserable."

"Okay."

"So sit him at a desk for seventy-two hours and we'll get back to you."

"Got it."

"And maybe...in a couple hours you can bump into me over at that place on Fifty-ninth."

Olivia grinned. "Do I have a choice?"

"Yes. You can let me buy ya a drink or say no and make me feel like an idiot...either scenario...has nothing to do with your detective."

"I wouldn't want you to feel like an idiot."

"Good," Ed replied in a way that made Olivia practically see his smirk, "Then I'll see ya in a little bit. Sixish?"

"Sure."

"Lookin' forward to it, Sergeant."

"Me too."

…..

One of the purchases Sarah made during the week was a large four-person tube complete with armrests, cupholders, and retractable personal awnings. It was obnoxiously large, but the kids loved using it both in and out of the water. After breakfast on the porch, Ed and Olivia slathered sunblock on the kids, dressed them in their swimwear, and the five of them headed out to float in the gentle late morning waves. Maggie, as usual, fussed and whined when strapped into her life jacket.

"Sorry, pretty girl," Ed said softly to her, "Gotta wear it."

"NO Ja'et!"

"Yes, jacket," Ed kissed both her cheeks.

"Da! SPASH!" Maggie exclaimed with a frown. She babbled a little more and Ed figured out she wanted him to toss her around in surf-something he did without putting her in the life jacket since he held her the whole time.

"We're gonna float for a little bit, Maggs. See?" He held up the mesh bag full of drinks. "We're gonna have a raft party!"

"Let's have a parrrrty," Noah sang. "Red Solo CUP!"

"That song…" Ed murmured, rolling his eyes. Sarah had played it nonstop the last time they were on the Pontoon and Noah easily picked up on the lyrics, especially the chorus. Ed grumbled about Sarah teaching him a drinking song, but no one, Olivia included, paid him any attention.

"I gotta get my cup," Noah said. He ran into the house and returned with one of the several Red Solos he had decorated and insisted on keeping. "I got Chris!"

"Chris?" Olivia asked.

"Chris da cup! See?" Noah showed them the face, smiling and with spiked hair, he'd drawn on the side.

"Very nice."

Once they reached the shore with the raft, Ed waited for everyone to get on before he pushed it out into waist-deep water. He eventually hoisted himself on and twisted himself into one of the seats. He and Olivia cracked open beers and toasted to their Sunday.

"Not very busy out here," Olivia remarked.

"People prolly still at church."

"How come we don't go to church?" Noah asked. "Gramma always go."

"She goes to play cards and bingo," Ed replied.

"And to talk to God!" Noah countered. He made something that resembled the sign of the cross, "She go like dis and den talks to him!"

Ed and Olivia exchanged glances. Even with sunglasses on, they both could tell the other was uncertain how to answer Noah's question.

"Yeah, bud, and to talk to God. You wanna go with Grandma some Sunday?"

"Uh-huh. Or with Carmen. I like da church where Justy and Sare Bear were at da wedding!"

"How about we start with Grandma Caroline first," Olivia suggested. "I'm sure she'll like to take you along. But you have to be very quiet and listen."

"S'like school when da teacher's talking!"

"You always listen to the teacher bud?" Ed asked in a teasing voice.

Noah twisted his lips. He was torn. Telling the truth meant he would have a ding in his flawless academic reputation and he knew it. "Sometimes...if Mia or another kid wants to talk I jus' have to say shhhhh! And then I keep listening."

"That's very good, sweet boy. Always listen. Especially with first grade and all. It's going to be serious."

"I arready know first grade in math."

"But now ya got first grade everything else," Ed pointed out.

"Whoa," Noah sighed, "Gonna be a lotta work."

"You can do it, bud. And Mommy and I will help ya. Especially Mommy. She's the smartest."

"Mommy? You're smarter than Daddy?"

"Yes."

Noah giggled. "Mia always say da girls are smarter den da boys."

"What do you think?"

"I dunno…." Noah twisted his lips again. "Mia's good in music! And I'm good in math and reading, I always have to tell her words…"

"Everyone has different things they're good at," Olivia explained. "That's what matters. It's okay to be really good at some things and not so great at others. We need all kinds of people with all types of talents to make the world go round."

"Round and round and round," Noah swiveled in his seat. "Whoa! Dizzy!"

Maggie and Wyatt bounced up and down in the center. "DI! DIZZZZY!"

"We wanna jump in!"

The waves had carried them halfway to shore. Olivia hopped off the raft and stood in the thigh-deep water ready to catch her babies and pass them to Ed who remained on board for that very purpose. The kids took turns jumping for at least an hour. Maggie and Noah immediately wanted to jump again after they crashed into the water. Wyatt, however, took a few turns off in order to remain floating at Olivia's side, ducking his head in and out of the water, watching the activity below through the lenses of his first pair of goggles.

….

The church was still in view when Justin and Sarah turned back. In sniffly, stammering speech, Sarah insisted they turn around and at least ask about the little boy and his sister. Was anyone looking for possible family members? Would they be sent back into an environment that was unsafe or exactly like the one from which they'd been rescued?

"C'mon," Justin said, "I'm not gonna be able to get his face outta my head."

Suddenly, cocktails at a beachfront bar were far from their minds. They found Marta and the other woman who turned out to be a nun still in the yard. When Sarah looked at her skeptically, the woman explained not all women of the cloth wore the full habit, at least not all the time and certainly not when they were caring for children all day.

"Sister Ana," she said, outstretching her hand. "Was there...something else I could help you with?"

"Marta said...there were people coming here often, adoptive parents," Sarah said. "What exactly...what's the process for doing something like that?"

"Oh," Sister Ana smiled, "It's thorough and comprehensive but straightforward."

Sarah listened, but her head was spinning. She was overcome with an urgent need to rescue Anthony from this place, to take him home and spoil him with toys and a plush, cozy mattress and rock him to sleep playing with those adorable jet black curls. She saw Justin eyeing the boy who was now sitting by himself on the ground rolling a car back and forth, and she knew her husband was thinking exactly what she was thinking. Anthony was destined to be theirs.

Their son was right there, twenty feet or so away.

"...background check...two-to-four week waiting period...home visit...yes, we can do that remotely...we are an approved, in-house Commonwealth Clearance Adoption Agency…the regular database takes months...match you with the right child…"

Sister Ana had switched to English, perhaps assuming Sarah's distant expression was one of confusion rather than longing. Sarah asked, in Spanish, about Anthony and his sister.

"They were declared wards of the commonwealth weeks ago."

"Can we...can we see Mari?"

Sister Ana looked back and forth from Sarah to Justin. "You speak Spanish well," she said, "Where did you learn?"

She was asking Sarah, not Justin. Her accent betrayed the fact that she wasn't a native speaker. "School," Sarah said, "I picked it up," she snapped her fingers, "Like that. And it's...it's helped me more than any skill I've ever learned…" She rambled on about her job, working for a time in Argentina, the study abroad semester she'd done in Spain but quickly found her way back to the subject of seeing Mari. "Can we meet her?"

"Sure."

The inside of the cinder block building crushed Sarah's heart. The staff did their best to make it homey and child-friendly, but it was difficult to look past the drab, light gray painted cement walls and the stark metal cribs. Sister Ana led them to Mari's crib. She was sitting up and entertaining herself with a plastic rattle. There was only one other infant nearby and the baby was sound asleep.

"Hi Mari," Sarah said. When the baby smiled, Sarah slowly reached one hand into the crib. She'd meant only for Mari to grab her finger, but she crawled straight to Sarah and pulled herself into a standing position.

"You can pick her up," Sister Ana said.

Sarah took Mari into her arms. Like Anthony, she was skinny with a mop of black hair and deeply set brown eyes. Sarah caught a whiff of baby powder and bleach-heavy laundry detergent. The little girl wore only a white onesie.

"The storm was last summer," Sarah said, "July...how old is she?"

"Seven or eight months."

"No birth certificates?" Justin asked.

"Home births probably," Sister Ana said, "Or, if she did give birth in a hospital or a clinic, she could have left without filing the paperwork...the limited information we have...we have to guess, really. Anthony and Mari aren't the only ones."

"Not knowing your birthday," Justin murmured.

Sarah put Mari back in the crib. Unlike Anthony, she cried, screamed really, to be held again. Sister Ana nodded to Sarah, and she picked her up again. Sarah dabbed at the gigantic tears that had pooled under her eyes.

"You...returned quickly," Sister Ana said.

"I don't think I can leave San Juan without them."

Justin put his arm around Sarah's shoulders. It was his way of telling her he agreed. "What, uh, you said you were independent," he said, "What exactly would we have to do...foster care? Get a place and stay here for a few months?" Justin was already weighing his options-he could get a job teaching English, or with the local university. Sarah could certainly work remotely, she'd done it before.

"No, no," Sister Ana said, "If you went through the national registry, the process would be a little different. No foster care...if you're willing, if you pass, if everything clears, you can adopt."

"Omigod."

His wife's elided response was all the confirmation Justin needed. "We'll fill out whatever paperwork we need."

"The children, though, do need to stay with us until it is all in order," Sister Ana said with twinkle in her eye.

"Of course."

"But Mari can come with us into the office."

Sarah grinned and hugged the baby to her chest. "You're coming with us, sweet Mari," she whispered. "Sweet girl…"

….

Olivia and Ed kissed the kids goodnight and warned them about getting out of bed before morning. Olivia nuzzled Maggie's and Wyatt's necks and threatened to make them sleep in the portable playpens if they didn't comply. Eyes wide, Noah added, "Mommy's ser'us, babies." When Ed and Olivia blew them kisses as they closed the door, Wyatt and Maggie were curled up on either side of Noah, overly compliant and emphasizing how much they did not want to be relegated to the Pack-and-Plays.

Ed uncorked a bottle of wine and directed Olivia onto the porch. When he joined her with two glasses, she was peering at her phone. He handed her a glass and kissed her cheek. "Here ya go."

"Thank you," she said sweetly. "Wow...this...this Benson Center is really happening."

"Sure is," he slung his arm around her shoulder and started rocking the swing back and forth. "News?"

"Yeah, uh, just looking at some applications...counselors mostly...and some proposals for how it's actually going to function. It'll be so important for a victims services place to focus and follow up solely on rape and assault. But it has to get started on the right foot...this can't be haphazard or thrown together at the last minute."

"Good thing you're in charge then." Ed kissed her cheek again. "And tell me if I can do anything to help...hang pictures...you know...I don't think I'm qualified for much else."

Olivia grinned. "You're qualified to be my wonderful husband."

Ed smiled and touched his glass to hers. "Cheers to that."

"Listen, ah, I know you planned to stay here as long as possible...but…"

"...You wanna get back."

"I just don't want to be rushed. I also got an email from the producer, they're starting to film the pilot at the end of August and they want me on set, the calendar's already starting to fill up and...that's not even taking into account the first days of school and you and the twins…"

"Liv, we got it," Ed shifted so one leg was under his body and he was facing her. "We got it. Whatever you need, whenever you wanna go back, say the words and we're in the car. I," he held her hand, "I want you to be happy."

"But I want you to be happy, too," she said, "I don't want you to feel like life always has to revolve around me. That's not fair."

"Life," he said, smirking, "Actually revolves around those three people upstairs and you. And that's perfectly fine with me. That's the way I want it." He gazed at her and touched her cheek with the back of an index finger. "I'm so glad you're my wife."

"I couldn't ask for a better husband."

Ed took her glass and but them both on the coffee table.

"C'mere."

….

Blustery cold and snow greeted Manhattanites the week after Christmas, and Ed and Olivia used the forced inside time to make a dent in the mess they'd left for themselves under the Christmas tree. Partially opened boxes and shards of paper still littered the floor along with plastic and foam toy packaging, stray labels, and and an assortment of cookie and cracker crumbs.

"Mom, you have eight missed calls," Noah reported from the couch.

"Sare Bear," Wyatt added with his mouth full of something-either cookies or the banana bread they had for breakfast.

Multiple missed calls from Sarah weren't typically cause for alarm, but given her crisis, Olivia immediately called her back. She patted Ed's behind, jerked her head toward the bedroom, and mouthed "be right back."

He raised his eyebrows skeptically and pretended to be offended by her leaving him with the mess and the three kids.

"Livvie, omigod, I need the HUGEST favor." Sarah picked up and immediately started talking as if they were in the middle of a conversation. "I need you, please, please, please, pretty please, to go to my apartment and wait for this guy, and-"

"-Sarah!"

"Oh, shit." Sarah muttered as she realized she was getting way ahead of herself.

"Yeah," Olivia paused, hoping Sarah would take the opportunity to breathe. "What guy? What's going on? Are you okay?"

"Livvie, I am so okay you wouldn't believe it. Remember how I said I didn't feel like going on this trip?"

"Yes."

"We were supposed to go on this trip. Like. SUH-POSED."

"Sarah."

"Oh, right, sorry, this is what happened." Sarah launched into the whole story, starting with the bracelets and ending with that afternoon which she and Justin spent in the church office filling out form after form-employment and income verification, medical history, criminal history, an application for an appointment to have hers and Justin's fingerprints run, and a home study consent form.

"Sarah," Olivia broke into a wide smile. "Wow...this is...wow…"

"Fast and crazy right?"

"Yes, but good crazy?" Olivia felt a bit out-of-character. She was usually more cautious, especially when helping the capricious-natured Sarah, but the excitement was contagious and Sarah's voice harbored nothing but pure joy.

"Perfectly good crazy." Sarah added the story-Anthony playing with Justin and Mari screaming when Sarah put her back in the crib. "Livvie, she finally fell asleep but I stayed there until she woke up, I couldn't stand the thought of her waking up and looking around for me."

"I can imagine…"

"So you'll do it?"

"Do what?"

"Oh, geez, sorry, they've agreed to do a remote home study. So we don't have to go back and forth. I need you to please let them in. It'll be better than the super doing it." Sarah gave Olivia the name of the company and of the two people to expect.

"Sure, of course, I'll meet them. No problem."

"Thank you, Livvie."

"Sarah, how long? How long until it's official?"

"Livvie, I am not leaving this island without Anthony and Mari. It could be a month. Maybe two. But I'll work from here. The next time I get on an airplane, I'll be...bringing my kids home."

A lump started to form in Olivia's throat and she croaked, "I'm so happy for you, Sare."

"I can't believe it, Livvie. But I can. Gawwwwd, you were right. Everything works out."

"Is it okay if I tell your Dad?"

"Absolutely, but…" Sarah's voice fell slightly, "Please don't tell anyone else, not Noey, not Maggs and Wyatt, just in case...we hit a snag."

"Okay."

"Thank you, Livvie."

"You're welcome sweetheart. I love you."

Ed wandered into the bedroom and hugged Olivia from behind. He kissed her neck slowly, from side to side. "Almost done out there," he rasped.

"I'm...I'm going to have to head out soon."

"Where?" Ed screwed up his face. Not two hours ago Olivia had remarked how she was glad she didn't have to go anywhere on this brutal winter day.

"Sarah's."

"Why?"

"We," Olivia paused for dramatic effect, "Are getting two new grandchildren."

Now Ed really looked perplexed. "What?"

Olivia fell into the oversized chair and stretched her legs on the ottoman. She patted the cushion next to her. "C'mere. I'll tell you all about it."

….

#Tuckson