Seventy-two. (a lot of the chap devoted to flashback here, but I couldn't help myself)

The second time the Tucker daughters invaded the precinct to capture Olivia they were not treated with the suspicion or intrigue they'd caused the first time around. Sarah and Brooke breezed through the squad room, nodded at Carisi and Rollins, and proceeded into the Lieutenant's office even though the door was closed and she was hunched over her laptop, at least giving the appearance that she was engrossed in work.

Sarah's "Hi Livvie" drowned out Brooke's more subdued "hello." The older sister was more sensitive about the context. It had only been a couple of weeks since Mike Dodds' passing, and she knew, via her father's reluctant admissions, Olivia was having a hard time.

Olivia peeled off her reading glasses and smiled sweetly at the pair. It was a surreal scene- the two of them being there, Sarah smiling jubilantly and Brooke a bit embarrassed for the intrusion and also for her sister's fawning display. "Hi," Olivia half-sighed. "I sure am glad to see you."

Sarah furrowed her brow and her large, loose, messy blonde bun flip-flopped from one side of her head to the other, "You knew we were coming?"

"No," Olivia replied, "I really am glad to see you."

"Well, come on then," Sarah grinned and plucked Olivia's lightweight trench from the rack, "Let's get out of here."

"We came to see if you wanted to have a drink," Brooke added, "If...if you're not too busy."

Olivia glanced into the squad room. Everyone moved in slow motion. The squad went about their business but did so in a morose, dejected manner and Olivia was sure the mood was more uncomfortable when she was around. Deep down, she knew going back to work so soon was a mistake, but, for the first time in her life, not even the confines of the precinct felt normal.

"Not busy at all," she said. "Let's go."

The three of them took a cab to one of Sarah's favorite midtown pubs and cozied up at the corner of the bar. After one cocktail, Olivia relaxed and contributed more to the girls' chatter. She peppered Sarah with questions about living in Philadelphia and laughed at Brooke's tales of her students' antics. Offering a story of her own, she mentioned how she'd bought Noah his first scooter and how he'd spent the weekend trying it out in the park.

"He's almost there," Olivia said, "He'll be whizzing around on his own in no time."

"Was Dad there with you?" Sarah asked about the weekend outing.

"Sunday, yes, he was."

"Why not Saturday?"

"Sarah!"

The little sister slapped away Brooke's admonition. Sarah stared intently at Olivia, clearly expecting an answer.

"We, ah, well," Olivia stammered, "I spent most of Saturday running errands for the trip...and by the time I got home your Dad was at the game-"

"Yankees," Brooke clarified for her oblivious sister.

"-So Sunday was it."

Sarah rested her head on her hand and gazed at Olivia. "It's so romantic you're going to Paris," she gushed, "I'm so jealous. It's going to be so fun and, so, so, gahhh, romantic. Sorry. I can't think of a different word."

"It'll be a good getaway," Brooke said, patting Olivia's shoulder, "And a perfect time of year to go. It'll be so pretty there."

"I know," a dreamy expression crossed Olivia's face, "I've wanted to go for so long...I'm so excited...and a little bit...well, it seems unbelievable, to finally get to go, take my son, and-"

"-be doing all this with my Dad?" Sarah quipped.

Olivia ducked her head. "Yes."

"You know what?" Brooke said. "Why don't you let Sarah and I watch Noah tonight? You can go out and have a quiet dinner with Dad." Olivia looked reluctant, so Brooke continued, "We'll take good care of him, I promise."

"I know you will, I just...I don't want-"

"-we want to," Sarah said. Brooke's impromptu suggestion suddenly became her sole mission in life, "We'll order pizza and play whatever and watch shows and it'll be fun!"

Olivia eyed her almost-empty second drink. "Well, okay...let's...let's go get Noah from day care and I'll call Ed on the way."

"Sweet!"

At day care, Noah brightened when he saw his mother, but he practically jumped out of his shoes at the surprise of Brooke and Sarah. He shouted hello, hugged their legs, and reached out for them again when Olivia picked him up. "Sarah and Brooke are going to eat pizza with you tonight," Olivia said as she nuzzled his cheek. "Sound good?"

"P'ZA!"

Noah strained for Brooke and she held out her arms. "Oof! You're getting heavy!"

"Hi Brookey!" Noah put a hand on each cheek and pressed them together. "Smoosh face!"

"I want a smoosh face!"

Noah dove at Sarah and hugged her neck. "SQUISH!"

"Or a squish."

Olivia drifted off down the hallway to get Noah's things and call Ed. He picked up on the first ring.

"Hey," he said, sounding all too happy to hear her voice.

"Hi."

"How are you?"

"I'm really good."

"That's great to hear."

"Sarah and Brooke...came to my office...bought me a drink… and now they're going to watch Noah tonight so we can go out. Are you free?"

Ed chuckled. "Olivia Benson, I am always free to take you out."

"Meet us at my place?"

"I'm on my way."

…..

Maggie and Wyatt insisted on walking, so Olivia pushed an empty stroller with one hand and held Maggie's hand with the other. When Sarah tried to take Maggie's hand or the stroller, Maggie scrunched up her face and snapped. "NO! Mama hand!" and "NO! Mama push!"

Sarah rolled her eyes, playfully tugged at Maggie's ponytail, and remarked, "Small, stubborn sister!"

Olivia nodded knowingly, for, earlier that day, she'd been on the receiving end of Maggie's obstinacy. While the temperatures were more fall-like, the sun was out, so Olivia made sure to slather the kids' exposed skin with sunscreen before they left. During the process she noticed a couple of Maggie's nails needed trimming, so she sat her daughter on the bathroom vanity and found the clippers in a drawer.

"NO!" Maggie had shouted, balling her fists, "DADA KIP!"

It was another reminder that the Tucker household was still growing accustomed to two retired parents, yet Olivia couldn't help but take Maggie's objection personally even when she relented after Wyatt's nails had been clipped.

"This one has very specific ideas about who does what lately," Olivia said in a cheerful voice.

"We'll see what she thinks when I get a caramel apple."

Justin grinned but shook his head. He loved Sarah with all his heart but even he occasionally questioned her childish behavior. His wife's tone suggested she had every intention of torturing Maggie with the sweet treat even though it was assured that the Tucker kids would get their share of junk food over the course of the afternoon.

Noah skipped along between Ed and Caroline. Even though there were game booths and rides lining the streets at the west side fall carnival, he was content to stroll around and take stock of everything there was to do before engaging in the activities during the second loop. On the way he explained the neighborhood to his Grandmother who had grown up in the center of Hell's Kitchen and knew more about these particular streets than Noah did. Nevertheless, she was patient and reacted as if everything Noah said was brand new information.

"Dat up there," he said, Dat's da High Line. Usedta be a train track but now its a buncha little parks! And over there," he gestured toward the river with a flourish, "Dat's New Jersey! Once Sare Bear took me on a boat and we went close to there but then we kept goin' to the statue and then where da imm'grants come to America! Gramma?" He squinted up at Caroline, "You come here on a boat from Ireland?"

"Yes I did."

"Wow."

"The next time you come to my house I'll show you pictures and tell you all about it."

"When dat gonna be?"

"You come for Sunday dinner a little early next weekend. Your Daddy will bring you."

"Kay."

Olivia grinned at Ed who was pretending to be annoyed. She gave him a soft elbow to the side and clumsily kissed his cheek. "Mark your calendar, Captain."

"Got it." Wyatt was starting to get distracted by the sights and sounds, so Ed put the little boy on his shoulders. "You know what this reminds me of?" Ed asked under his breath.

"What?" Olivia was truly perplexed. They had been to this particular carnival since its inception and before that they'd spent many Saturday or Sunday afternoons wandering through the various street fairs different neighborhoods hosted throughout summer and fall.

"I think Noah was about Wyatt's age when we first came to one of these. Remember? He won the taxi?"

"You mean you won him the taxi?" Olivia corrected, grinning at the sudden recall of the memory. It seemed odd to think of their relationship at that time-so new and raw. Yet, she remembered how badly she wanted to bottle the feelings of the day; she was nearly reduced to tears thinking those emotions-the security of Ed in her life, the happiness of being surrounded by family-had become her life's norm.

"I had to win it," Ed replied, puffing out his chest, "And I brought a lot of cash in case I need it to win everyone something."

"Let's set our sights on smaller items," Olivia suggested, remembering how Noah refused to let her get rid of the taxi until it was replaced with a brand new police car balloon-a good trade as far as Olivia was concerned, because the mylar inflatable couldn't be blown up a second time.

Noah suddenly came to a jump stop. Maggie copied him and Wyatt kicked his feet forward and then back, jamming the heels of his Adidas into Ed's chest.

"We're back at da beginning," Noah announced. "Time ta do stuff!"

Brooke bounced Sofia on her hip. "I think she can go in a car," she said, eyeing the small vintage-designed automobiles that rotated in an agonizingly slow circle. "If someone goes with her. Noah? Could you ride with Sofia once?"

"Yep!" He peered at the sign, "Daddy, need five tickets! And five for Maggs and Wyatt and Sof, dat's…" Noah's eyes drifted to the sky as he calculated. "TWENTY!"

"Holy shit," Sarah said under her breath.

"Genius," Sonny added.

Amazed the carnival was using such an antiquated method of admitting riders, Ed pulled the roll of tickets from his pocket and counted off twenty. There was a problem, though. The cars were not big enough for adults, and, if Noah was taking Sofia, that meant the twins had to wait.

"Or they can go together," Sarah suggested. She jerked her head at the riders who were mostly the twins' age or younger. "They have seat belts and they're going like two miles per hour."

"She's right," Ed mumbled, knowing this was one-hundred percent Olivia's call.

"They'll be fine," Olivia said, surprising everyone including herself with her willingness to give the toddlers the tiniest bit of independence. "Maggs, Wyatt, you want to go in the car?"

"CAH!"

"Magg GO!"

"Alright, let's go."

Ed got Noah and Sofia situated in one car while Olivia buckled the twins into the vehicle in front of Noah's. She tightened the straps and kissed their heads. "Sit down the whole time," she said sweetly. "No standing up."

"SIT, Mama!"

Wyatt craned his neck toward Noah, "No! No, bay! Vrooooom!"

"Yes, sweetheart, Noah's right behind you," Olivia tapped the steering wheel, "Now, hang on, drive the car."

"DIVE!"

Maggie jerked the wheel to the right and then to the left. "GO GO GO!"

The attendant started to make the rounds to check the seatbelts and Ed and Olivia took this as their cue to exit the area. They stood outside the gates and watched the the twins smile and squeal once they were sent in motion. Knowing Sarah and Sonny were snapping pictures, they left the phones in their pockets and observed. By Noah's standards, the ride was tame. He slung one arm around Sofia and waved at the crowd with the other. Maggie and Wyatt, however, tightly gripped their steering wheels.

"They're havin' the time of their lives," Sonny said, snapping away with his Nikon.

"Lookit that," Caroline leaned over and waved frantically as the twins once again came into view, "Hello darlings! Wave to Grandma!"

"Wyatt looks so serious," Justin remarked.

"And Maggie's wishing they were going faster," Sarah added. "Noah and Sof are just chilling."

"I think I push Sof faster when I jog," Brooke said.

"Since when do you jog?"

"I started when I went back to work," Brooke explained, "I was so tired at the end of the day and going to bed at, like, eight when she did, then I would wake up in the middle of the night. So I started jogging after I pick her up from day care. It's really helped."

"I knew you looked different," Sarah said, "Your face is skinnier."

Ed studied Brooke's face and agreed with Sarah's assessment. "You feel any different?"

"Less tired for sure," Brooke said, "And, well, overall...good."

"Make sure you're eating," Ed advised. "You start working out like that you need to eat more."

"I really need to get out on the bike more," Olivia said, "We have the carrier for the twins and Noah is fine on a two-wheeler…"

"That's true, Livvie," Sarah said, "You are a TV star, so you must keep your figure."

Olivia smiled politely. "I'm not actually on the show."

"But you're helping to write it!"

"Olivia, dearie," Caroline interjected, "I don't know why they didn't just follow you around with a camera for the past couple of years. That would've been all the show they needed!"

"They probably wouldn't have wanted to do it if they saw what actually happens," Olivia said.

Hearing this, Sonny dropped the camera and sauntered over. "No kidding. You won't believe this case we caught…"

The ride was ending and Ed, Justin, and Brooke went to help the kids off the ride. As soon as Sonny broke into shop talk, Olivia became engrossed in the details. She paused to greet Noah, Maggie, and Wyatt with hugs and to listen to their comments about the ride, but as soon as the group moved on to the next attraction, Sonny continued the story and he and Olivia drifted to the back of the group. Distracted by the din of the bells, clangy music, and shouts from food and game vendors, the other adults didn't notice Ed's expression.

Except Caroline.

She intentionally bumped into her son. "Relax, Eddie. It's to be expected."

He raised his eyebrows, questioning his mother.

"You don't think she's gonna get sucked into police talk every now and then? When your son-in-law is still there?"

Ed didn't say anything, but the muscles in his face relaxed.

"There ya go," Caroline said. She took his arm, "Now, I brought no cash. Buy your mother an elephant ear."

…..

Watching his father signal for another round, Noah wondered if he was wrong in thinking his parents hadn't aged. Over time, especially after prolonged stretches of not seeing one another in person, he noticed flecks of gray in Brooke's hair, saw Sarah's perpetually jerky movements slow down, but, when he saw Ed and Olivia, he was never shocked. They showed no signs of aging. They had the same posture, same bright, cheerful eyes. His mother, of course, dyed her hair, but rarely did she miss an appointment. Olivia Benson Tucker sported no gray roots. Both at the beach and in Manhattan, Noah even found himself going to bed before they turned in for the night.

"So," Ed half-grumbled after they were served the second bourbon, "How're you doing?"

Noah inhaled deeply and stared into his glass. His Dad always met him at the train, but Noah knew, this time, there was an additional motive involved, hence the second, and probably third, drink. "I'm fine."

Ed smirked. Like mother like son, he thought. "Gotta be a little rough. Her takin' off like that."

Noah looked at him with the same wide, curious eyes Ed knew from when Noah was a preschooler. "Mom ask you to do this?"

"Nope," Ed replied confidently, "Preemptive strike. I wanna know."

Noah's shoulders slumped. "She had to go," he mumbled. "I get it...she has a dream. Why not? And she should. She's way too talented...she's bored going to school, doing those types of productions…" Noah chuckled sardonically, "She's always been bored with school. That's...one of the last things she said before she left, well, before she said she was sorry for leaving. She wished she liked school half as much as me."

Ed took a sip and reached over to muss Noah's hair. "I wish I liked school half as much as you, too, bud. But that doesn't change...what happened. I know you're hurtin."

Noah nodded and took a sip of his own. He didn't hide the grimace at the burn of the bourbon, but he assumed his Dad would chalk the reaction up to inner pain. "It...sucks," Noah said, sighing and deflating a bit, "I thought there was this whole plan...everything laid out, but, I was wrong and I'm stupid for thinking it. I was selfish, I-"

"-Bud, you're not stupid and you're not selfish. You told me yourself you didn't know she wanted to do any of this."

"She didn't say it," Noah said, "But I knew."

Ed took another drink and nodded.

"It's just…" Noah continued, "...I tried so hard. My whole life, I saw you...I saw you be," Noah grimaced and twisted his lips, again, like he had done when he was younger and facing a tough decision, "I saw you and Mom have this...you were, are-" Noah groaned.

"What bud?"

"Perfect," he spat out. "All I ever knew about any relationship, you taught me. Holding doors, paying, pulling out chairs, letting her try the wine first even though the waiter gives it to the guy...all of it...I thought I was doing everything right." He was tearing at his napkin now, "But it wasn't enough."

"Hey, hey," Ed pried the napkin from Noah's fingers, "Sometimes we do everything right and we don't get the desired outcome. It's not over, pal. I know it hurts right now, but this isn't the end. If I woulda given up on your Mom the two of us wouldn't be here right now."

Noah raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah," Ed continued with a smirk on his face, "She tried to get rid of me."

"Seriously?" Noah asked, clearly thinking his Dad's comment was a fib intended to infuse some optimism into the conversation.

"Seriously."

"What'd you do?"

"Got really drunk. Woke up the next morning feeling like hell. And decided I'd wait...and get her, and you, back."

"Sounds easy."

"It wasn't. It was excruciating to wait for her. But I did. And I don't need to tell you what it all was worth."

Noah grinned. He didn't need to be told. "Dad?" He asked in a more cheerful tone.

"Yeah?"

"Do you and Mom still sleep in the middle of the bed like you used to?"

"Like we used to?"

"I remember coming in there in the morning and you two being so close together...like there was this whole bed and you were using maybe an eighth of it."

Ed finished the bourbon and signaled for another. "Bud, since your mom and I got together, all I've wanted was to be close to her. And I know she gets annoyed with me from time to time. But, yes, we sleep like that, and we always will."

Noah swirled the sip of bourbon that remained in his glass. "I guess relentlessness is the key…" he murmured.

"That, and romance and respect."

"Three R's."

Ed touched his glass to Noah's. "Don't you worry, kid, the three R's work every time. Might take a little while, but they work."

…..

The sun was starting to set when Ed finally won the last of the kids' desired prizes. Noah and Wyatt both clutched inflatable robots and Maggie was now the owner of a ladybug which was taller and wider than its new owner. Ed haughtily glanced over at Sonny who was still attempting to throw footballs through impossibly narrow rings.

"Justin's hit ten free throws in a row over there," Olivia pointed out under her breath.

Ed shrugged. "I'm more interested in what Carisi's doin."

"More like you can talk more trash to him?"

"Well, yeah." Ed quipped as if Olivia should have known better than to ask.

"Bug, bug, bug, bug," Maggie chanted and walked in circles around her parents. Like her brothers, her face was streaked with powdered sugar, caramel, and red splotches from an Icee. Her vintage She-Ra t-shirt also bore remnants of the day's treats. Nearby, Wyatt and Noah were battling with the robots as the vendors started to pack up for the evening.

"Eddie, I'm starving. Are we eating?" Caroline was standing close to the boys and in constant danger of getting bopped in the head.

"Yeah, Ma, we are. Whaddya want?"

"Burger and a beer."

"Burger and a beer!" Noah echoed. "Da pub has dat!"

They headed to their favorite neighborhood pub and, as luck would have it, the small sidewalk seating area was available and there were enough chairs for their party of ten. The chairs were rickety, so even the twins sat in booster seats. Maggie and Wyatt fussed at first but Sarah distracted them by blowing bubbles from a bottle she pulled from her purse.

"What the hell Sarah?" Caroline asked, "You carry bubbles around?"

"I got them at the carnival!"

"Oh thank God because that's weird as hell, darling."

Noah giggled. "Gramma, you gonna have onion rings?"

"No, sweetie. Fries for me."

"I'm gonna have tater tots but...Sare Bear, you have onion rings?"

"Yes, Noey."

"I can have one?"

"Yep!"

At the other end of the table, Brooke rearranged chairs around Sofia's high chair so Ed and Olivia could sit next to one another. "Thanks," Olivia said, squeezing Brooke's elbow.

Brooke nodded in acknowledgement. She could tell that her father, even after having been in his wife's general presence all day, missed being within arm's length of her. Sure enough, as soon as they were both seated, he slid his chair as close as possible to hers and put his arm around her shoulders. After drinks were served Sonny led the toast, and Ed and Olivia clinked their glasses last, punctuating the "cheers" with a not-so-chaste kiss on the lips. They maintained eye contact and smiled dreamily at one another for a few seconds afterwards. Around them, the four little ones were babbling incessantly. Car horns honked. Passersby chatted with one another or barked into their phones. Caroline bantered with Sonny and Justin. Sarah chided Brooke and told her she better order a salad since the older sister was now so into physical fitness. But Ed and Olivia managed to drift off into their own little world for a moment. When it became clear they'd have to rejoin the others, Ed kissed her again and winked, but he waited until he absolutely needed both hands to remove his arm from her shoulders.

….

Ed knew exactly the place. Knowing Olivia didn't want to have to make any decisions, he led her to a tiny Italian joint not far from his apartment and, as luck would have it, they were seated at a cozy table for two in an alcove, as far away from other patrons as was possible in the confined space. Ed ordered a bottle of wine and slid the initial pour to Olivia who nodded her approval. When both glasses were full, he made a simple toast. "To a quiet night," he said softly.

She smiled and touched her glass to his. "Cheers."

"So," he said, "Ready for Thursday?"

"Yes." Her smile widened. "I'm so excited."

"So am I." They grinned at each other for a long time. It was the kind of silent interaction that should have made them both uncomfortable, but there was no awkwardness between them anymore. Ed reached for her hand and held it tightly. Since the funeral he'd been mostly at a loss for words. An officer killed in the line of duty was not a new challenge for him, but walking his girlfriend through the trauma was uncharted, delicate territory. "Whatcha most excited to see?"

Olivia cocked her head. "Is it too simplistic for me to say all of it?"

"No."

"Then that's the answer," she said. As she spoke more she waved her hands around in front of her face. "Walking along the Seine. The Louvre. Notre Dame. The Eiffel Tower. Sitting in a park, maybe a picnic, some wine, bread, cheese, watching Noah run around, and...being there." She squeezed his hand. "With two people I love."

Ed swallowed hard. Inadvertently, or not, he stroked her ring finger with his thumb and when he realized he was doing it his cheeks burned and he hoped she hadn't made the connection. He desperately wanted to marry her. Maybe it was machismo, but he was convinced he could erase all of her pain by making her his wife. Not only that, he wanted to prove to her that her could step in and be the father Noah deserved.

"It's gonna be a great trip."

The cracks in his voice were obvious and Olivia narrowed her eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Not a thing."

"You-"

Ed was still holding one hand and he took the other. "It's...this trip...it's a huge deal to me, Liv. I want it to be perfect. It's," Ed fidgeted and his eyes darted around before meeting hers once again, "Like I said before, it'll be nice to get away. But it's also...I know everything's hard right now...but it's also...it feels so right to do this. For the three of us to be getting away. Together. I guess I don't want it to seem like it took a tragedy for us to take a break...a vacation...even though that is the way it is."

Olivia took a deep breath. "I'm terribly sad," she admitted. "But you know I'd want to do this even if it were all different. I want to do a lot of things with you, Ed Tucker." She kissed one of his hands and then the other. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

"So," she bit her lip and glanced at the menu. "Are we sharing?"

"How bout we share, get dessert to go…"

"...I love the way you think, sweetheart."

Ed poked the inside of his mouth with his tongue and a naughty smirk started to form on his face. Terms of endearment courtesy of Olivia Benson thrilled him beyond description. They ordered and ate more quickly than usual. Conversation was kept to a minimum. There was an unspoken agreement that they needed to get back to her place sooner rather than later.

When they finally arrived at her apartment, Brooke and Sarah, either tired or sensing Ed and Olivia wanted to be alone, left after saying hurried goodbyes. Olivia wasted no time shoving Ed against the wall. While they wrestled for control of the almost-violent liplock, Olivia loosened his belt, unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, and shoved them to the floor. By the time Ed half-carried her to the couch, every article of their clothing had been dropped in random places on the floor among Noah's toys.

Ed threw his head back and squeezed her breasts as she straddled him and moved up and down at a pace much slower than he'd expected given the voracious beginning to the night's intimacy.

"Eddd," she moaned, obviously consumed with erotic bliss.

He gasped a throaty, "Goddamn, Liv," and groaned at the pleasure of her leaning forward, gripping his biceps, and quickening the tempo. He held her tightly, closer, and gently bit at her earlobe. Words were impossible now. The room was filled with their pants, cries, and whimpers, and, afterwards, Olivia remained in his lap, breathing hard against his damp skin, one arm tucked between her chest and his. Her other hand massaged his left bicep; the sensation of his taut muscles sent fresh chills up and down her spine.

"You're so sexy," she mumbled into his neck.

Ed whispered, "You are." He stroked her back, turned his head, and gave her a lazy, sloppy kiss.

"I needed to be with you tonight," she said softly, "I love you, Ed."

The fingers that had been traversing her spine moved to her hair. Ed pressed his forehead to hers and stared into her eyes. "I think we're startin' to realize we need each other."

"Yeah we are." They traded a few more kisses and shifted a bit; their positions on the couch were starting to get a bit uncomfortable. Olivia tapped his chin. "Want to try that dessert?"

Ed grinned. "Damn, I forgot about it," he said, "But yes...dessert."

Olivia plucked the box from the table and went to the kitchen. Ed stood up, noticed the couch cushions, and immediately went to the back hall closet.

"What are you doing?" Olivia asked when he returned.

"Kinda...a mess out here."

She grinned and slid the tiramisu from its box to a plate. While Ed scrubbed, she grabbed an oversized t-shirt for herself and a pair of boxers and a white t-shirt for him. She tossed him his typical sleepwear and he joined her in the kitchen. They ate the dessert leaning against the counter. Olivia had swept her hair back into a clip and a few loose strands hung loosely along her jaw.

"So good," she murmured after taking a bite. He was silent for longer than anticipated and she looked up at him, her brown eyes wide and tinged with curiosity. "Do you like it?"

"Yup."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothin," he replied in a soft, raspy voice, "I just can't get over how beautiful you are."

Olivia ducked her eyes. "Captain Tucker, you're embarrassing me."

"You're even more gorgeous when you're embarrassed," he touched her cheek, "You start getting red right here. Then…" he paused for effect and smirked.

"What?"

"Then you bite your lip, like ya just did."

Her eyes were glistening with emergent tears, but the corners of her lips curled upwards into a tiny smile. "You...you're getting to know me so well."

"I've been payin' a little attention," he replied with a shrug.

Olivia dropped her fork and took his face in her hands. "I love that about you, maybe the most."

Ed playfully glanced at the couch. "The most?"

She swatted at the side of his chest. "You know what I mean."

"Yeah I do."

…

#Tuckson