154. Sorry for the long gap! I'm so lucky to be working and the last couple of weeks have been BUSY! I hope everyone is taking care of themselves! Time for more Tuckson...

The last minute rooftop dinner party came together quickly, and everyone arrived in a lighthearted mood acting like they'd been looking forward to the evening for weeks. Even G, whose painful revelation had torn at Olivia's heart, rallied and managed to have a good time. It was difficult not to feel at ease with the twins circling and clamoring for attention and Noah jabbering away at a mile a minute about topics ranging from Pokemon cards to Mia's ballet recital. The performance was the major news of the night. Noah received an invitation to the performance that afternoon, and, luckily, it did not conflict with the June Ireland trip. Caroline pointed out he would have to bring Mia flowers, and Noah responded by telling Ed, "Daddy, I get 'em where you get da flowers for Mommy", which, of course, made everyone swoon. Olivia grinned, locked eyes with her husband, and couldn't believe, only a few years ago, she'd been worried about Noah's verbal skills and convinced she would be raising him alone. At the end of the night, Sarah suggested she, G, Justin, and Brooke head out for a nightcap while Sonny took Caroline home. Brooke declined, citing Sofia, but Caroline shocked everyone by saying she was in.

"I'll sleep at Sare Bear's," she said, directing the explanation mostly to Ed's raised eyebrows.

Shrugging, he gravitated over to Olivia and snaked an arm across her shoulders. "You have fun," he sniffed haughtily, "At least I know ya got some food in you."

"The dinner was excellent, Eddie," Caroline said. "Now you do whatever it is you do when no one's around and don't worry about us." She winked and linked arms with Sarah and G. "C'mon, girlies. Brookey, come with us. Sonny will take care of Sofia."

"Um, uh-" Brooke stammered and forced a yawn. She wasn't all that tired, but Sarah simply did not understand what a chore it was to look after a toddler after a night of bar hopping.

"Actually, I will," Justin said, "I have to be on campus early tomorrow. I could, if ya don't mind, take your car back to your place and put Sof to bed."

Olivia tensed in the seconds between Justin making the offer and Brooke agreeing to the deal. She smiled graciously, handed over her keys, and mentioned that Sofia would only need a diaper change and a little milk before being placed in her crib. "She's a good sleeper," Brooke said, "And she's tired. She'll be right out."

"Unlike that one," Sarah joked, eyeing Maggie who, along with Wyatt, was turning somersaults at the edge of the rooftop's patch of artificial turf.

Olivia called them over to say goodbye, and the twins and Noah bear-hugged each guest. Olivia was worried about G, especially since she'd been cornered or, maybe, bullied, into going out, but, when Maggie said, "Bye, Geee! Loveooooo!" like she'd said to everyone else, G beamed and Olivia knew she would be okay, at least for the night.

Later, when Olivia tucked Noah into bed, he said to her, "Mommy, I don't wanna story, I'm tired."

"Okay, sweet boy, I," she had reached over to turn off the lamp and when she looked back, Noah was already asleep. She smiled, kissed him, made sure Bernie was within reach, and went to join Ed in the kitchen. He, too, looked like he was losing steam, but Maggie was wide awake and showing no signs of slowing down. "Benadryl?" He joked to Olivia when she walked into the room.

She gritted her teeth, "Well, I don't know...Maggie! Are you ready to go to the beach tomorrow?"

"Go bee, Mama? Inna car? Daddy dive?"

"You are so right, sweet girl. All of the above."

I dive in Dada LAP!"

"No, no, honey, you're in the car seat."

"NO! I-" Maggie sprinted into the living room and broke into sobs as she ran. She circled the sofa twice, screamed even louder, collapsed into Wyatt's blue beanbag and, suddenly, fell silent. Olivia rushed over only to see her daughter smiling as she drifted off to sleep.

Once again with raised eyebrows, Ed quipped, "So...ready for a teenage girl?"

"No way," she hugged him and kept her head against his chest, "Not yet. But, you've done it before-"

"It'll be easier this time around," he said, adding, "With you."

Olivia made a tiny correction, "With us."

"Us," Ed kissed her head. "Liv, I-"

During the cookout, Rollins sent Olivia the preliminary background check information on Mateo's parents and they were apparently who they purported to be. The fingerprint results would take another twenty-four hours, but Rebecca and Tim had nothing more than speeding tickets on their records, and, more importantly, they had records. They were real people. Rollins had addresses and other information stretching back years, including documents detailing Tim's messy divorce.

Anticipating an unnecessary apology, Olivia kissed him and said, "We're going to get some sleep and tomorrow at this time we'll be on the porch listening to the waves."

"God I can't wait for that."

"Only a few hours." Olivia decided not to burden him with what she'd learned from G, "I'll get Maggs in bed."

"Alright," Ed kissed her cheek, "Figure we'll head out about noon tomorrow?"

"Sounds like a plan."

Ed grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him, "Hey," he said, "I love you, by the way."

"I love you."

"Think we'll have time to…"

"I think so," Olivia winked, "Let me get her in bed."

"Leave her there."

Olivia playfully glared at him. "You really want your daughter to wake up all alone in the middle of the room face down on the beanbag?"

"No. I got carried away."

"Oh, you can get carried away," she said with a wink, "Just give me a minute."

…..

Olivia watched Melanie Conner and her mother reunite and disappear into a taxi destined for the airport. In a few hours, the young woman would be back to the quiet life in Idaho. Olivia wondered about the conversations they would have in the car, on the airplane, and over the next few days. She hoped Melanie would take her advice for self-care and that it wouldn't take too long for her to get back to a new normal. Olivia's heart also went out to Melanie's mother. Nobody was ever equipped or ready to help a family member after a rape, but, other than losing a child, Olivia couldn't imagine a more horrible reality for a mother. She thought about Noah and how obsessed she was with his well-being and raising him to be a kind, compassionate, well-intentioned human being. Sometimes the responsibility and implications of parenthood were too much to bear.

Lost in the whirlwind of her active mind, the sound of a car pulling up to the curb didn't register as loudly as it should have and she jumped when she heard Ed playfully call out to her. "Hey, good lookin'!"

She grinned and made a beeline for the passenger side. "Hi there," she leaned over the console and gave him a kiss, "Thanks for picking me up."

"Anytime."

There was a jovial, jaunty quality about him and Olivia was intrigued. "You're in a good mood."

"Happy," Ed replied with a shrug. "It's Friday, sun's shining, I'm with you...what more could a person want?"

"You're reminding me to see the joy in simple things," she said.

"Sometimes those are the best."

"I wish Melanie and those kids on the show understood that. I suppose, it's not the show that bothers me so much but the message it sends to the young and impressionable people watching."

"Can I tell you a secret?"

"Sure," Olivia grinned and shifted in her seat, eager for the information.

"I watched a couple of episodes."

"You did?"

"I had to. Revolting."

"Maybe by the time Noah's that age the whole reality television market will have died."

"If it doesn't," Ed muttered something at another driver under his breath, "At least he's a boy. I called Sarah and asked if she watched it and she launched into about five minutes of gushing about how romantic it all was. Girls...so dramatic." Ed was teasing now and a smirk formed on his face as he glanced at Olivia out of the corner of his eye.

"Dramatic, huh?" She pretended to be offended. "I seem to remember some drama coming from you over the years, Captain Tucker.

"Playin' a part, Benson," he said, "Only playin' a part."

As they approached Noah's day care, Ed slowed, searching for a space to double park. Olivia gazed at the streetscape and murmured, "I worry so much about Noah...it's probably a blessing I have a son. I might not let a girl out of my sight. Ever."

Ed chuckled. "Believe me, there were a few times I met one of Sarah's or Brooke's dates and made sure I had the holster on."

Olivia laughed out loud. Ed came to a stop, she unbuckled, and gave him another kiss. "I'll be right back." As she stepped out of the car she caught a view of the car seat secured in the back. It had been stored in the trunk since last weekend when they made a day trip upstate. Imagining Ed putting it in at the IAB parking lot sent pleasant flutters up and down her spine. She strode into the building, grinning all the way. This whole relationship thing with Ed sure was working out well.

….

"Grandma, how many songs did you play?" Sarah furrowed her brow and slurred her words. It was nearing midnight and everyone except Caroline was ready to call it a night. This particular bar had a jukebox with a diverse collection of music, and Caroline played standard after standard sung by artists such as Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. She closed her eyes and swayed in her chair to the music imagining herself in the smoky, dark clubs she had often visited when she first arrived in New York.

"A few," Caroline answered. "Don't forget where we are. I'm going to make you take me back here one day. I didn't think anyone listened to this music anymore."

"Nobody does." Sarah mumbled.

"I like it," G said.

"So do I," Sonny replied.

"Me too," Brooke added, "But, Son, we really have to go. I'm going to be worthless tomorrow." She and Sonny talked quietly and eventually signaled for the check. Sonny picked up the entire tab, scrutinized it, and asked the server if they took Apple Pay.

Caroline patted the table to get G's attention, "Now, tell me again who you are?"

Sarah rolled her eyes.

"Sarah's neighbor," G replied patiently, "And I watch Noah, Maggie, and Wyatt every once in a while."

"Omigod they love her," Sarah said.

"Ah, my babies," Caroline purred, "My lovely grandchildren. Precious, precious-"

"Grandma, did you blabber on about me and Brookey like this when we were little?"

"No."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Caroline continued speaking to G. "You don't say much, do you dearie?"

G fidgeted under the old woman's scrutiny and stammered, "I, uh, um, well, I…" What was she supposed to say? In a group that included Sarah, Caroline, and Noah, it was difficult to get a word in edgewise? That she usually tried to be more social but it had been a hell of a day?

"You're like my Eddie," Caroline explained for her, "But not as cranky."

Sonny chimed in, "Captain Tucker's not all that cranky anymore!"

"Did you know he arrested Livvie?" Sarah asked G. She leaned into her and her head collided with G's shoulder before Sarah pulled herself upright again.

"No," G replied, "He did?"

"Oh yes," Sarah said, "He was her archenemy for years and years and years, and then-"

A wicked grin formed on Caroline's face before she interrupted. "-he realized there was a better way to get some hanky panky-"

"GRANDMA!"

…

In order to fly back together, Ed, Olivia, and Maggie gave up their direct flights which cost them a full day of travel. It was late in the evening when they finally arrived back home, and Olivia collapsed onto the couch. Ed made her tea and sat beside her as she cupped it in her hands and reclined against him. Maggie unpacked a few items, rummaged around in her room, and eventually announced she was going to go and see Noah's new apartment. Olivia and Ed nodded. "To have that energy," Olivia mumbled, her eyes drooping. Maggie thanked them profusely for everything-shipping her items, painting the walls, and the nights at the posh Santa Monica hotel.

"I'm going to miss California," she said reflectively, "But I'm so happy to be back here!" Flashing a grin, she spun around on her heel and cheerfully skipped down the foyer.

Noah's building was located a few blocks north of Union Square. On the subway, Maggie eschewed her ear buds, favoring instead the sounds of the car scraping against the rails and the doors opening and closing. The automated subway voice hadn't changed in years and the smells-a combination of oil and human bodies in various states of cleanliness-were familiar and oddly comforting. Maggie could not stop smiling. She was home.

Speaking of home, she giggled at the first sight of Noah's building lobby. It was expansive with white marble floors and ornate chandeliers and struck her as completely incongruous with her unassuming, unpretentious brother. She checked in at the security desk and the white-gloved doorman let her pass on to the elevator. Noah was waiting for her in the hallway and Maggie ran to him for a huge hug.

"Welcome back, Maggs," Noah said, "C'mon in!"

Maggie walked inside and immediately complimented the crown molding. The living space and kitchen were in one large room with light hardwoods and huge windows at one end. Boxes and plastic tubs were stacked along the walls and the only places to sit were a pair of barstools that looked new and a futon that was one of the first purchases Noah made when he moved into an apartment at the beginning of his junior year of college. Maggie peeked into the bedroom and bathroom and took a seat on one of the stools.

"Where's your bed?" She asked.

"Tossed it," Noah said, "I'll get a new one."

"I like it," Maggie scanned the room again, "It's big. And has character! The places in LA just don't have this, what do they call it on the shows? Charm!"

"Yeah, tough word," Noah joked. "How was the flight?"

"Flights," Maggie corrected pointedly, "I hate connecting but you know Dad has to be all together, so, we stopped in Denver which was okay, nice airport, we split like the hugest order of nachos I've ever seen in life, and then I crashed on the plane the whole rest of the way."

"That's the way to do it," Noah said. "Poor Dad's probably gonna sleep for three days. My moving guys didn't show on time so we moved everything ourselves. They were three hours late and Dad refused to pay them and I seriously thought they were going to fight him."

"Holy shit!" Maggie exclaimed gleefully.

"Dad said he wasn't giving them a fucking dime!"

"Shut up!"

Noah was laughing so hard he had to dab at a tear in the corner of his eye. "He didn't tell you?"

"No," she said, "He said like one sentence," she deepened her voice and did her best imitation of her father, "Got him all set up," she said, "and then we went along with our day."

"Understatement of the year."

"That's Dad," Maggie said knowingly, "So. Eventually we all come back to New York…"

"I dunno," Noah said, "Wyatt loves Boston."

"I think I might go and visit him this weekend. Wanna go?"

"I can't," Noah said, "Mia's going to be here so we're going to do dinner tomorrow night and maybe go out to Coney Island Saturday. Do you want to come?"

Maggie scowled, "Absolutely not."

"Maggie…"

"Noah, I don't like her," Maggie's brow remained furrowed, "I don't understand why you let her come in and out of your life after what she did. She fucking left you hanging, with the apartment, with everything, and didn't even apologize, didn't even, ugh, it was so wrong. She walks all over you, makes you feel like shit, and then, when everything is okay again, pops right back in. It's bullshit."

With a helpless expression on his face, Noah stared back at his sister. Maggie was telling the truth, though she delivered her opinion more harshly than anyone else had. Olivia blamed Mia's behavior on her unstable childhood. Ed tended to agree, though he was much less forgiving. Wyatt fell into Maggie's camp-he couldn't understand why Mia would have treated his brother so callously, although he wasn't vengeful enough to suggest he cut all ties. For Noah, it was simple. He loved Mia. He had loved her for as long as he could remember. He'd had a couple of other girlfriends, but those relationships never lasted because he was always thinking about the free-spirited, black-haired girl who had won his heart in Kindergarten.

"She's in show business," Noah said, "It's, uh, unpredictable."

"You can have a fucking unpredictable job and also have respect for other people," Maggie said, "Mom and Dad had unpredictable jobs and they managed to, like, I don't know, have a family. Go out on a date every once in a while. Live in the same house...you know, those types of things."

"I'm not ready to give up on her," Noah said.

"Ughhhhh," Maggie groaned, "I feel like I'm watching you walk into a burning building."

Noah tugged her ponytail on his way to the refrigerator.

"I'll be okay."

…..

The gray, drizzly day did not dampen any of the Tuckers' spirits. Spending time at the beach house was always fun-filled, even on otherwise dreary days. The family spent the morning on the covered porch and watched the clouds roll in and out. Ed and Olivia sipped coffee together on the loveseat, and the kids kept busy with coloring books and crayons, toy cars and trucks, and took turns pushing each other on the porch swing. When the wind picked up and rain began pelting them, they went inside. Noah led the twins in a game of hide and seek-the older home had plenty of nooks and crannies which made for a significantly more challenging game than what they played in New York. Normally one to be completely present for her kids, Olivia paid the most attention to Ed, who was still affected by the resurfaced terror of years before. He was having trouble shaking the flashbacks and he kept hearing that voice over and over again. One bright spot, at least for Olivia, was that Ed had slept soundly the night before. The past few nights had been fitful at best. But, the beach had a way of curing all ills, and Ed finally got a few hours of solid rest. Nevertheless, Olivia made it a point to dote on him.

For lunch, she made sandwiches and when she served him his plate, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "There ya go," she cooed in his ear. "What chips do you want?"

"Whatever you're having," he replied.

Olivia brought the two bags she purchased the previous night on an essentials trip to the island market. "Regular and ketchup and mustard," she said of the flavors.

Noah giggled, "Ketchup and mustard on a chip?"

Olivia tried one. "They really do taste like ketchup and mustard," she reported. "Give it a try."

Noah plucked a chip from the bag and held it gingerly in front of his face with his thumb and forefinger. He crinkled his nose, scrutinizing the red and yellow color and popped it into his mouth. He chewed and nodded approvingly. "It's good! It tastes jus' like ketchup and mustard together! Daddy, you like 'em?"

"Not bad," Ed replied, "Probably be good if we crumbled it on a burger."

"We try that for dinner!" Noah said. He put the chips on the twins' plates and watched, delighted, as they ate them and smiled. "S'good, right?"

"Payto chip! Cunch! Cunch!" Maggie chomped on her food, sending crumbs flying.

Olivia casually wiped Maggie's face and chose to ignore the poor table manners. Her little ones had plenty of time to learn proper table etiquette. She glanced at Ed who wore an amused smirk as he ate his sandwich. On the surface he could pass for a strict disciplinarian, but the kids merely made him laugh.

Wyatt peered curiously at the sandwich filling. "Whassis?" He asked.

"It's chicken salad," Olivia said.

"Good stuff," Ed added, "I think this beats the deli."

"You think so?" Olivia was shocked. Ed was extremely partial to their corner delicatessen and swore by all their salads.

"Pretty close," he said, "What's the spice? Tarragon?"

Olivia laughed because she had no clue and Ed grinned back at her.

"Wyatt, sweetie, take a bite," Olivia prompted, "It's yummy!"

Always compliant, Wyatt did as he was told and went about finishing his lunch. When his plate was empty he looked up innocently with his big blue eyes and asked, "Eyecream?"

"EYECREAM!" Maggie shouted.

All three kids looked at Ed. They knew he almost always said yes to anything they wanted. Mommy would occasionally shut down or postpone an idea for food or an outing, so Maggie, Wyatt, and Noah learned early on Daddy was the one to hit up first for treats.

Ed tilted his upper body to the side so he could assess the weather through the double doors and then turned to Olivia, "Brightening up out there," he said, "Want to walk down to Maureen's?"

"Let's do it," she replied.

"I want a waffle cone!" Noah said. "An' we need hoodies!"

They cleared the table and donned sweatshirts. Noah led the way out of the house for the short walk to Maureen's Ice Cream and Desserts. Olivia tugged on Ed's waistband and grinned. "Sky's not the only thing brightening up," she said softly.

He reached for her hand and squeezed her fingers, "I think I needed to get away," he said, "I feel like my head's coming out of the fog."

"Good."

"Sorry I've been kinda...in a daze."

"I only want you to be okay," Olivia said, "And whatever's involved in that process is fine with me."

They were outside now and approaching the boardwalk where there was an unobstructed view of the ocean. The kids ran ahead, shrieking and chasing seagulls. Ed swooped his arm through the air in front of him. "How can I not be okay with all of this?" He grinned and kissed the side of her head.

Olivia leaned into him. "It is pretty perfect."

"What kinda ice cream are you gonna get?"

"Cherry chocolate. You?"

"Butter pecan."

"Waffle cone?"

"Well, yeah, it's not the same without a waffle cone," Ed chuckled derisively, "You know, when they first started popping up everywhere, I wouldn't let Sarah and Brooke get them?"

"Why not?" Olivia asked, clearly shocked.

"They were huge and expensive," Ed replied, "And they ate four bites and threw the rest away."

Olivia thought his recollection was hilarious and laughed heartily. She nudged his side with her elbow. "You sure have loosened up."

"Yeah," he replied with a smirk, "I suppose I have."

….

#Tuckson