Fifty-nine. Not very lengthy, but the chap ran its course.

Crowded, cacophonous birthday parties did not conjure much excitement from Ed and Olivia so when the twins were invited to a day care friend's celebration they flipped a coin to see who would accompany them. Olivia lost. Ed offered to go anyway, but Noah was already excited about spending the afternoon with some one-on-one time with Daddy. They were going to sail the model boats in Central Park then meet Sofia and Brooke for lunch.

The party was held in the ballroom of a midtown hotel near Times Square. Olivia wheeled the twins inside and knew she'd have trouble letting them out of the stroller. The vast lobby teemed with people, and even when she found the correct room, the amount of guests did nothing to calm her nerves. The room was decorated with a circus theme in primary colors. Jugglers and people making animals out of smaller balloons wove their way through the kids and their parents. The host immediately spotted the new arrivals, greeted them warmly, and ushered them to their table. Olivia placed the blue conical party hats on the twins' heads and finally let them loose. Nevertheless, they stayed close by. Wyatt clambered to get in Olivia's lap.

"Let's go see the games," Olivia said enthusiastically. She grabbed Maggie's and Wyatt's hands, "Look! Ring toss! You play that at the beach!"

Hearing "beach," Maggie perked up and skipped along. Wyatt picked up his pace, but he still leaned in to Olivia's legs. Once they got to the ring toss, though, the twins both eagerly participated. They threw errant arcs at a gigantic pole and picked prizes from a treasure chest. Maggie chose bangle bracelets and Wyatt selected a yellow school bus. Though miniature, it was much larger than the other toys.

"Wyatt Edward," Olivia said, "Whatcha got?"

"BUS! Vrooooom!"

The sound of a horn honking caused everyone to look to the entrance. A set of four miniature coupes presumably driven by members of the birthday boy's family circled the perimeter of the room. They parked along the back wall and the children waited in line for their turn. Maggie sprinted for the queue and Olivia reluctantly followed with Wyatt in tow.

"Sweet girl, hang on." Maggie pushed herself toward the front of the line and took it upon herself to hop into one of the cars. "Honey, wait your turn."

"It's okay," the driver said, "I'll take her for a spin." He picked Maggie up and put her in the seat. "Let's go, pretty lady."

Olivia tracked every inch of the loop. The man kept his hands on the steering wheel but Maggie sitting so close to a stranger made her feel so uneasy she thought she sensed the beginnings of a panic attack. Maggie smiled, screeched, and gripped the dashboard. She was having the time of her life, yet Olivia labored for breath until her little girl was back in her arms.

Instead of staying in the car, though, the man stood up, nodded to a few of the family members, and approached Olivia.

"Got a brave one there," he said, "Most kids don't want to go at first."

Olivia looked at the parade of children being driven around the room. "Seems like this crew doesn't have that problem."

Maggie was, in a combination of actual words and baby talk, explaining to Wyatt the wonders of riding in the car. With both the twins bouncing at her feet, Olivia bent over and put an arm around them both.

The man offered to take Maggie for a second spin, but Olivia shook her head and deftly scooped both twins into her arms. "I'm going to get them to the table so they're ready for lunch. Thank you, though."

"You sure?"

"Yes," Olivia replied curtly, "Very sure."

"Got a handful there."

"I've had a few years of practice," Olivia said, "I'm good. Enjoy the party."

…..

Ed and Olivia settled in at the bar and ordered drinks. They were both spent, the past few weeks of simultaneously clearing their names and investigating from the shadows having taken their toll.

"How was your first day back?"

"First day back was...a little awkward at first," Olivia ran a hand through her hair, "Felt like everyone was staring at me...but then duty called and everything got back to normal."

"Good." Ed moved to kiss her cheek but Olivia surprised him, turned suddenly, and kissed him square on the lips. He smirked.

"Everything's different now," she murmured.

"Not everything." They were so close Ed could feel Olivia's breath on his lips. "I'm still crazy about you, Olivia Benson."

She smiled. "Are we going to have trouble existing without a crisis?"

"No," Ed replied, "Exactly the opposite." He braced himself against her thigh and leaned in for another kiss.

Olivia cocked an eyebrow. "What are you doing for dinner tonight, Captain Tucker?"

"Let's try a new place."

"I told Lucy-"

"I meant," Ed interjected, "Let's get Noah and try a new place."

"Love it."

Ed downed his drink and tossed a few bills next to his empty glass. Olivia took his arm and they walked out of the bar. Outside, the sun was setting and bathed the avenue in a burnt orange hue. Olivia squeezed Ed's muscular upper arm. Her contentment muted the street noise until a group of rowdy, clearly intoxicated college-aged men poured out of a sports bar hooting and hollering about one of the NCAA Tournament basketball games. Ed shrugged out of her grip, put an arm around her upper back, and ushered her to the crosswalk. He eyed the bunch who were now almost completely blocking pedestrian traffic.

"Let's cross here."

"Okay."

Olivia's chest filled with warmth. Ed didn't want to take any chances and pass the drunk guys. They clumsily ambled along and, a few blocks later as they waited for another light, Olivia faced him, patted his back pockets, and tilted her head back.

"You're a good man, Ed Tucker."

The kissed last longer than the red light. Other people brushed past them and hurried to cross the street. When Ed and Olivia continued walking, they made their way to Noah's day care hand-in-hand.

…..

The Tucker home was alive with activity later that night. Maggie and Wyatt, still riding the high from the birthday party, relentlessly chased Noah around the living room. When they caught him he offered horsie rides to the beanbags where he rose up on his hind legs and dumped the twins on their chairs.

"Let 'em wear themselves out," Ed whispered in Olivia's ear. "means early bedtime."

Olivia leaned back, into him, loving the feel of being partially supported by his sturdy body. "I hated that party today," she said.

"Why?" Ed asked, his gut filling with guilt for not attending.

She told Ed about the mini cars and how, after they ate lunch, Wyatt and Maggie both wanted to ride and she waited nervously as they completed a lap with a different driver. "That first guy...he was...I had a terrible feeling. And he was probably harmless. Am I ever going to relax?"

"Instincts are instincts, Liv."

"Then I let our daughter get into a potentially horrible situation."

He held her by the shoulders. "No. You didn't. You were right there. And you woulda knocked everyone out before Maggie got hurt."

"You're right."

"Damn right I'm right." Ed smirked and smoothed her hair. He kissed carefully all around her face, hands covering her ears. "You are the best mother," he whispered and repeated for emphasis, "The best."

Noah screeched an extra loud "NEIGHHHHHH!"

Maggie and Wyatt, laughing hysterically, tumbled onto the beanbag. They scrambled to their feet and gave chase. Tired, Noah ran to the parents for cover. Maggie and Wyatt rounded the corner, flung themselves at everyone's legs, and babbled a combination of "gain!" and "G'up!"

"I think it's time to gallop to bath and bed," Olivia said.

"I get da big tub!" Noah didn't wait for approval. He ran into the master bedroom and started the water and the jets. The scent of mint bubble bath filled the air. Noah typically squeezed a healthy portion into the stream.

"I'll get these two," Ed tucked the twins under each arm. "C'mon, Tucker twins."

"Da! DOWN! Down Dada!"

"Nope. Bath. Let's play with your boats."

"BOAT!" Maggie bellowed.

"TOOOOOOOOO!" Wyatt made tugboat noises.

Olivia passed the bathroom on her way to help Noah and wished Ed good luck. Before they settled down for stories, Ed swapped t-shirts, for the boat races had gotten a bit out of control. He and Olivia agreed to read stories all together in the big bed, but Ed responded with a firm "no" when Noah asked if they could all sleep there.

"Please?" He begged. "We can watch a movie. You pick!"

"Sorry bud. Everyone in their own beds tonight. We all need good rest."

"Da best rest is one, two, three, four, FIVE right here!"

"Not tonight."

"T'morrow?"

"Sure."

It was another hour before the three kids were sleeping soundly. Ed and Olivia wasted no time turning off lights, checking the locks, and otherwise preparing their home for the nighttime hours. As soon as they entered the bedroom, Olivia closed and locked the door. Ed immediately latched on to her neck and tugged at her waistband.

"You're not right," he rasped, staring directly into her eyes. "I'mma make you right, Olivia Margaret."

"I'm sorry," she whispered, "It's...the thought of anything happening to my, our, kids, and me right there…"

"I know. It's horrifying to think about," he smoothed her hair and spoke in his softest, most reassuring voice, "But everyone's perfectly safe and healthy...and, I'm pretty sure they're happy."

Olivia broke into soft, semi-ashamed laughter and momentarily ducked her eyes. "I'm pretty sure, too."

"And what about my wife?" He tilted his head backwards and sized her up.

"Every day I think I've never been happier."

"Well, that's really good news." Ed assessed her expression, whether or not her shoulders were slightly slumped like they got when she was upset.

Aware of what he was doing, she bit her lip and watched his eyes move up, down, left, right and then make the pattern in reverse. She waited for him to finish, to end at her eyes, and, when his finally met hers they sizzled with love and desire. The tips of their noses touched and Olivia whispered, "Make love to me, Ed."

Rather than smirk, he nodded, as if he were agreeing to the most solemn, important task in the world. The kiss lasted a long time. For Olivia, it was almost too long. They remained standing and Ed held her and kissed her for so many minutes she wondered if maybe he'd misheard her. "Make love to me Ed" could have sounded like...what else? Finally he lifted her into his arms and laid her on the mattress. The bed was freshly made and Olivia caught a whiff of their fabric softener...and him-the way their shampoo and her lotion took on a slightly different, masculine scent when combined with his body chemistry. She thought about how he'd done the same to her life-Ed made everything different, everything better -

"Liv, you alright?"

"Oh, yes, I'm," she held his face with both hands, "I'm sorry I was…"

She was taking too long to answer. "Were what, baby?" He asked gently.

"Thinking about how much I love you."

He shot her a haughty smile. "Hold that thought," he said, "I'm far from done."

…

Sarah spoke to Anthony in Spanish while the airplane descended toward the city. She held him in her lap and explained they were going home, to New York City, a place where there were so many people and so many things to do, and, most importantly, their family. She told him about Noah, Maggie, Wyatt, and Sofia and boasted that Noah could speak Spanish and would help him learn English.

"He's definitely the smartest of them all," Sarah added.

Justin objected. "Wyatt is."

"Book smart, maybe," Sarah countered, "In the all-around category, I'd go with Maggie, actually."

Anthony still wasn't talking. Sarah thought for sure the majestic sight of Manhattan coming in to view would cause some type of verbal reaction. Even though Anthony's deep brown, almost black eyes, grew wide and interested, he said nothing. The only reason Sarah and Justin weren't more nervous was that Anthony smiled and reacted to Mari, he ate and drank without reservation, and he wasn't skittish about being touched or held. In fact, that morning, he'd readily held up his arms for Sarah to pick him up.

After landing, it seemed like an eternity before the seat belt sign was turned off. Sarah shouldered most of the carryons because Justin was cradling a sleeping Mari. They had tried to pack lightly, but Sarah quickly learned travel with two young children made that goal impossible. They hustled down the jetway and saw Ed's and Olivia's heads peeking up over the crowd. Ed pointed to a spot off to the side in the waiting area and he and Olivia grinned as Sarah and Justin rushed to them with their two new grandchildren.

"Omigod," Sarah said breathlessly as Olivia embraced both her and Anthony. "I feel like it's been forever since I've seen you."

"Me too," Olivia whispered. She stepped back and smiled at Anthony. "Hello, sweetheart."

"I've been speaking to him in Span-"

Anthony reached out for Olivia.

"Is it okay if I take him?" Olivia asked.

"Yes, absolutely," Sarah said. Her arms were aching and she handed Anthony over.

Olivia held Anthony at her waist with both arms. She smiled and cooed at him using Spanish and English phrases. To her he appeared healthy and alert. He was dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved henley shirt, but, out of instinct, Olivia examined his visible skin, searching for signs of injury or neglect. His coloring was similar to Justin's and a small speck, probably from a recently healed scab, was light pink against the otherwise deep, caramel hue.

Anthony had apparently been sizing her up as well, for he gently grabbed a fist full of her brown locks and peered at them curiously. Next he touched the shiny gold Cartier. Then he looked Olivia in the eyes and murmured the very first word he had spoken while in his new parents' custody.

"Hi."

"Omigod."

Justin's jaw dropped. Later, he would claim most of his shock was due to the very English-sounding greeting. They'd assumed he had only been exposed to Spanish.

Confused by their reactions, Olivia raised her eyebrows.

"That's the first thing he's said...ever."

"Probably not ever," Justin added.

"With us," Sarah clarified.

Tears welled in Olivia's eyes. She was both honored and guilt-ridden that this special moment came courtesy of meeting her and not Sarah or Justin.

Sarah kissed Olivia's cheek and then Anthony's. "It's fine, Livvie," she said cheerfully, "Thank gawwwd he said something. In fact...I never talked so much until I met you, either, so actually, it makes sense."

Bewildered, Ed stared at his daughter who exited the plane looking every bit like the typical harried mother after a long flight and here she was now, bubbly and blabbering like her old early-twenties self. Finally, he smiled, shook his head, and fixed his eyes on Mari.

"Want me to take her?" He asked Justin.

"Yeah, sure, thanks." Ed cradled her against his shoulder and assessed her weight. "Think about six months?"

"That was their best guess," Justin said. "Sare made appointments with your pediatrician, so maybe we'll be able to narrow it down. I felt so bad when they had to basically make up birthdays for the birth certificates."

Ed and Justin, walking faster, unintentionally separated themselves a bit from Sarah, Olivia, and Anthony. Ed patted Justin's shoulder. "When they grow up, you can explain it, you'll figure it out, it's kinda...it sounds daunting but it comes naturally."

"Prolly gonna need your help when the time comes."

"You and Sarah and Anthony and Mari have all the support in the world," Ed said, taking a peek back at his wife, "A lot of which might be unsolicited."

Justin grinned. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

….

Brow furrowed, Noah scrutinized the supply list his first grade teacher emailed to parents. Ed kept shooting him amused glances, for he was the one who opened the message. Nothing on the list-glue sticks, scissors, etc.- seemed out of place or irregular for elementary school, so Ed couldn't immediately pinpoint the source of Noah's consternation.

"Ed?"

Whenever Olivia needed his attention, Ed snapped into action. Even if he was in the middle of a diaper change, he kept a hand on a twin and trained his eyes on his wife. Ed was sure Noah was going to need at least another ten minutes to decipher the list, so he patted him on the back and followed Olivia into the back hallway.

"The premiere's the Monday after Labor Day," she said, her voice filled with both excitement and uncertainty.

Ed waited for more information.

"It's...a real...premiere," Olivia continued, "Like, with, cameras and this is...huge, and they want me to be there," she slid her arms around Ed's waist, "You'll go, right?"

Ed couldn't suppress a polite laugh. "Olivia, I will go anywhere with you."

"It's formal...well, I guess, I don't really know that, I-"

Ed caught her hands as she waved them in the air. "Olivia."

She startled to attention, "I'm sorry, what?"

"I'm going with you," he said, "Gladly."

Clearly excited at the vision of attending the pilot among fanfare, Olivia grinned and kissed him. "Thank you."

"Going anywhere with you," he played with her fingers and twirled her rings, "Is one hundred percent my pleasure."

"Mommy, I need a The'saurus!"

"We need a thesaurus," Olivia whispered, her lips still pressed against Ed's.

Ed blindly grabbed for his phone. "We'll have one tomorrow."

…

#Tuckson