199.

Labor Day weekend began, for Ed and Olivia, with Dickie's funeral. Clad in dark clothing, they drove out to Queens to the Stabler family church, and, with a cathedral full of other mourners, listened as the priest, friends, and family paid tribute to the eldest Stabler son. There were so many people at the church and, later, at the burial site, it was impossible to have any substantive conversation with Elliot or Kathy, so Ed and Olivia quickly yet sincerely paid their respects and left without planning to attend the wake. On the walk back to the car, Ed held Olivia's hand and pointed out the spectacular city views the cemetery offered. "Good thing this is sacred ground," he muttered, "Cause if not there'd be condos here in a second."

"I still wouldn't put it past developers," Olivia murmured.

"Nah, it's a landmark. Protected."

"How many landmarks have been razed in Manhattan alone for the sake of economic development?"

"I dunno," Ed speculated, "A hundred and three?"

Olivia laughed and poked his side with her elbow.

"A thousand?"

Covering her mouth to mute more laughter, Olivia gripped his hand more tightly and swung their arms between them. She sighed and gazed over the treeline which, as they descended the hill, hid the most pristine views. "What a day…I feel like I'm on the outside looking in."

After taking a few seconds to gather his thoughts, Ed offered, "Gotta be strange all of a sudden being back into the Stabler family fold?"

"It is strange," Olivia said, "Exactly."

Throughout the past week, Ed had done his best to keep the most snide, vengeful thoughts and comments to himself while Olivia had gone out of her way to support the Stablers. The morning after she'd deposited a drunken Elliot at the apartment building, Kathy called to apologize on behalf of her husband and Olivia ended up staying on the phone with her for over an hour. When Ed learned Kathy, not Elliot, had apologized, he was furious, but, at the same time, the twins and Noah were tearing open packages of brand new school supplies so Ed could easily hide his reaction. At the risk of being completely insensitive and immature, Ed quietly seethed at the fact that if the tables were turned, he doubted the Stablers would jump to be at the Tuckers' side. And after he finished seething, he kicked himself for making assumptions about a couple who had lost a child.

"And I think the loss...well...it has a certain disorienting, numbing effect, and I have to admit, I'm tired."

They approached the car. Before letting her go, Ed gave Olivia a hug and a kiss and told her she could spend the weekend recuperating. "Stay home tomorrow if you want," he said of the family barbecue in Riverdale.

"Not a chance," Olivia replied with a smile and patted his chest, "A good night's sleep will do me some good."

"I promise not to wake you up."

Olivia blushed, shook her head, and murmured "Ed Tucker" as she rounded the vehicle to the passenger side. She watched the cemetery give way to the Brooklyn neighborhood around Prospect Park. People were out biking and walking, chatting and laughing, and generally enjoying the day. "Hey," Olivia said, "I'm going to check in with G and if everything's okay there, you want to grab a drink? Just the two of us?"

Ed glanced at her and grinned, "Yeah I do. In fact, don't check in. Let's just go."

Olivia looked at him sternly but her eyes danced with amusement, "I'm going to check in." She sent G a text. She replied immediately and reported the twins were taking a nap. She and Noah were playing cards and she didn't mind at all if Ed and Olivia were gone another couple of hours. "I hope she's telling the truth," Olivia said to Ed, "I hate taking advantage of her."

"She loves bein' around the kids."

"I know….but I doubt she'd ever say no to watching them."

"That's a good thing," Ed grinned again and squeezed Olivia's thigh. He naughtily eyed the hem of her skirt until Olivia laughed and playfully swatted at his arm. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"You don't sound sorry."

"I'm not."

Olivia leaned back against the headrest and gazed at him. "You've been so great this week," she cooed, "So...patient and understanding and still making me smile. I...I've always told myself over the years, at various points, when life got hard, that everything will be okay, and I realized today it wasn't until you that I actually believed it."

"Givin' me a hell of a lot of credit, there, Liv. And you don't give yourself enough."

Olivia twisted her lips and twirled her rings. "Maybe," she said slowly, "We're actually a really good team?"

"Yeah," he replied, "Let's land on that."

"Um, where are we going?"

"Shit, I don't know." Ed looked around. He hadn't exactly been paying attention to his surroundings.

"How about we go back, park the car, and walk from there? I'd like to try somewhere new, but...we'll probably get more time if we go somewhere in the neighborhood."

"I want more time."

"I figured you'd choose that option," Olivia reached for his hand, "It's mine, too."

The whole day she'd been uneasy without physical contact with him. Of the two of them, Ed was more likely to be the clingy one, but, for today, she was claiming the title.

…...

G and Noah wrapped up yet another game of Uno and she noticed her young charge yawn. "Sleepy?" She asked.

"A little," Noah slid from the chair and did a few jumping jacks, "There, I'm not sleepy anymore. Gotta get da blood flowin! I wonder when those babies are gonna wake up!"

G couldn't remember the twins taking naps over the summer, but Ed and Olivia had an anything goes attitude at the beach. They hadn't instructed her to make sure the twins had a nap, but after lunch the pair conked out on their beanbags and didn't stir when G carried them each to their beds.

"We stayed up late last night," Noah added, "Mommy said it was okay but tonight and tomorrow we have to do reg'lar bedtime 'cause school starts Tuesday!"

"What grade are you in now? Fifth?"

"Second," Noah said through a giggle. "And those babies are goin' to preschool but only til lunchtime. You think they're gonna like preschool?"

"I think they will," G replied, "They both like to learn."

"But they like to play more," Noah said, "I told 'em they haveta listen to the teacher and can't always play but I dunno if they're gonna do it!"

"They probably will need a little practice learning how to act at school."

"Yeah." Something outside caught Noah's eye and he ran to the window, "Lookit! It looks like Santa! Those clouds look like Santa Claus!"

G hustled over and followed his gaze. "It sure does!" She turned around at the sound of little feet slapping against the parquet floor. Maggie and Wyatt wove their way around the living room furniture and wedged themselves between G and Noah.

"Sanna?" Wyatt asked. "Where's Sanna?"

"Ho, ho, ho!" Maggie said, "S'Kissmas! Bu'it's not cold! Where's snow?"

Totally confused, Wyatt looked up at Noah, then at G, and back to Noah.

G mussed the little boy's hair, "It's okay buddy," she picked him up and pointed at the cloud art, "See out there? The clouds look like Santa...a little bit? There's the beard?" Wyatt slowly nodded, "And his big belly?"

"Yah!" Wyatt screeched. "It's Sanna!"

"Pick me up!" Maggie demanded.

Noah wrapped his arms around Maggie's torso and lifted her. "See," he said in a strained voice, and struggled to point. "He's out there!"

G couldn't tell if Maggie actually saw the Santa-esque outline or not, but she giggled and clapped her hands like she did. Seconds later, Noah announced the wind blew Santa away. "C'mon, babies, let's go do somethin, actually, G, can we go to da park?"

G chewed a fingernail. "I think your parents might be back soon…"

Wyatt was already in the foyer closet prying his scooter from the other items stored in there.

"Please, G? We can jus' text 'em and tell 'em where to find us."

Getting some fresh air did sound like a good idea, and she knew, from Noah's chatter, that the kids were used to going outside every day even if it was up to the roof to hang out and play. "Okay," G said, "But let's take the twins in the stroller and not on scooters. I don't think I can run after all three of you on wheels."

"Da small stroller's in da closet," Noah said, "It's not like da baby stroller, so we haveta take only da soccer ball or football and not both."

"Alright," G replied. She was amused, for it sounded like Noah was the adult and she was one of the kids. If it was allowed, Noah would probably be perfectly fine watching his siblings while their parents were gone. Her phone vibrated in her hand. It was Olivia telling her she absolutely did not have to take the kids to the park but it was okay with her if they went. She added the details about the stroller and suggested the closest playground so she and Ed could meet everyone there "in a little while." G got the sense Ed and Olivia were enjoying their time alone and were looking to extend it as long as possible. She informed Noah of his mother's playground suggestion.

He nodded and remarked, "Good slide there."

"Do you know all the best slides and best playgrounds in the city?"

Pride filled Noah's face. "Yep! I know all da best slides 'cause Wyatt loves 'em."

"What's your favorite playground?"

"Da ones by da river," Noah said, "Good views."

G couldn't help but laugh. She hoped Noah didn't think she was making fun of him, but he seemed to recognize how much his humor and wit entertained adults in his world.

"G, I'm gonna get da soccer ball," Noah said, "Can we bring one juice box each and our water bottles?"

"Sure."

"Thanks," he ran to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door. G yanked the folded stroller from the closet and nearly doubled over with more laughter when she heard Noah click his teeth and murmur, "Mommy and Daddy gotta go to Costco! We're outta everything!"

…..

For a Wednesday night, the restaurant was crowded and Ed and Olivia waited for their table at the enormous circular bar situated in the middle of the dining room. The place was fancy and more refined than their typical haunts. When Tucker suggested it, Olivia was pleasantly surprised and asked if there was a special occasion she didn't know about. Tucker grinned and told her every time they were together was special. They laughed at the corny reply, but Olivia was flattered. As they got to know each other better and better, Ed dropped more and more of these cheesy quips, and Olivia loved each one.

"A lot of people on first dates tonight. Or maybe second dates," Ed's eyes traveled around the bar. He appeared very much like a cop on a stakeout, and he was correct. The bar was full of couples, mostly around their age, in various stages of pre-dinner cocktails. A few had given up on the wait and ordered food. The presentations were impressive and the meals looked delicious.

"You think so?" Olivia asked breezily, in a teasing voice. Under the bar, their legs were touching and she nudged him.

"Yeah, it's obvious don't ya think?"

Olivia studied a few of the couples. They did appear tentative with one another. Movements were deliberate, careful, and overly polite. The laughs and smiles were guarded as if they didn't want to appear to be enjoying the night too much. "I guess so," she murmured, "Weird."

Ed chuckled.

"What was your most awkward date?" Olivia asked.

"Tough question," Ed replied, "Because I haven't been out with a lot of women. All my time is spent going after dirty cops, remember?"

"No, no," Olivia said with a grin, "No avoiding the answer, Tucker. C'mon, I'll tell you mine."

"Alright," Ed rubbed his face and mentally rifled through the short list of dates he'd been on since his divorce. "Probably, uh, Rita."

"Rita...really?" Olivia smiled, "I can see that. Actually, I have trouble picturing her on a date. She's always so...I don't know...buttoned up?"

Ed nodded and added, "All business. Definitely."

"How many…" Olivia swirled the wine in her glass, "...how long were you...together?"

Ed's smirk suggested he caught on to what she was after. "I wouldn't use the word together," he replied, "We had dinner a handful of times. I knew it wasn't going to amount to anything, but, well, I was willing to give it a try. As you get older...you start to think about what's going to happen after the job's over...and spending the rest of my life alone doesn't sound like much fun." He grinned. "Am I sounding pathetic?"

"Yes."

They both burst into laughter and attracted glances from a few of the other couples.

Olivia kissed his cheek. "I get it," she said softly.

Her brown eyes were bright and flirtatious, but Ed wasn't letting her off the hook. "Alright, Benson," he said, "Your turn."

"Mine was a date that didn't end up happening," she said, "You probably remember the part of the story that made the news. Dick Finley-the astronaut? Elliot's friend?"

It took Ed a few seconds, but he nodded. Yes, he recalled the name. "You went out with him?"

"He asked me out," Olivia said, "And at first I thought he meant he wanted to have dinner with me and Elliot, but then I learned that wasn't the case. Anyway, I got to his hotel and he's walking out in handcuffs...escorted by Elliot. The guy, Finley, murdered a woman. And, I learned later, had a hooker in his room prior to our date that never happened." Olivia saw Ed's expression change from slightly shocked to very amused. "Go ahead," she said, "Laugh. It's funny now."

"I'm just wonderin' what that guy was thinking...he gets a date with Olivia Benson and pregames with a hooker?"

Olivia shook her head, "Not to mention the whole...murder thing."

"So, what'd he do? Ask you out to piss off Elliot?"

"Maybe," Olivia replied, "He was the type of guy who thinks he's above the law, above everything and everyone, who can get away with anything and have whatever he wants...he died in prison a few years ago."

"So why'd you say yes?" Ed asked.

Olivia raised her eyebrows, "Hmm?"

"Why'd you agree to go out with him? If you knew he was...an asshole?"

"I guess for the same reason you gave it a shot with Rita," Olivia said, "When you don't have a life outside of work, when you get an invite, you jump at the chance."

Ed lifted his glass, "A toast," he said, "To chances."

"To chances," Olivia repeated softly and touched her glass to his. After taking a sip, she kissed him again, this time on the lips, and stayed close afterward. "Just wanted to make sure, if anyone's watching us, they know this isn't a first date."

"Yeah, good idea," Ed replied, "And even if they think it is, at least they'll know it's going pretty well."

Olivia bit her lip and grinned, "It sure is."

…..

G was amazed at how the three Tucker kids immediately sensed their parents' presence. Ed and Olivia were two steps inside the playground fence when Maggie, Wyatt, and Noah charged toward them, jubilantly screaming "Mommy!" and "Daddy!" There was definitely no need for anyone to suspect this was an unauthorized child hand-off. The dark clothing on a Saturday screamed funeral, but whatever sadness they'd endured earlier in the day had faded from their faces. G had seen a lot of Tucker smiles, but Ed, in particular, looked especially thrilled for the family to be all together again.

"C'we keep playing?" Noah asked, wiping his damp brow.

"Sure," Olivia said, "A few more minutes." She hugged Wyatt tightly and cooed, "Are you going to go play a little more sweetheart?" Wyatt mumbled something that only Olivia understood. "I can see there are dinos over there! I see the T Rex and the Stegosaurus!"

"G'go cross da fire!" Wyatt exclaimed. Apparently, he and his siblings were pretending there was a lake of fire beneath the low rope bridge connecting the two ends of the play structure.

"Okay!" Olivia put Wyatt down, "Be careful!"

Wyatt grinned and ran off, leaving G alone with Ed and Olivia. She shifted from foot to foot and stared ahead, keeping an eye on the kids even though her shift was technically over. Even though the sounds of children playing filled the air, the silence in their immediate space was glaring and borderline awkward. G never knew what to say in these situations. What was she supposed to say? How was the funeral? Ha! Was there a dumber question? She became so preoccupied with what to say that she jumped when Olivia thanked her and gave her a quick side hug.

"Oh, sorry honey," Olivia said.

G smiled sheepishly, "It's okay. I guess even with you both here I can't stop watching them."

"Tell me about it," Ed replied in a voice so grumbly yet good-natured she worried Olivia, or worse, Ed himself, would catch her drooling.

"I think I've learned to loosen up," Olivia said, "I used to follow Noah around like I was his shadow." She nudged Ed because he was chuckling softly, under his breath, but not exactly trying to hide it. "We take turns being protective and overbearing," she quipped to G. "Someday the kids will learn to hate it, but right now I think they think we're simply super fun."

"We're always going to be super fun," Ed replied.

Olivia rolled her eyes so only G could see it, "Yes we are, honey," she said, "At least in our minds. Oh! Did you leave anything in the apartment? You probably want to get out of here. You don't have to stay."

G would not have minded hanging out with the kids and Ed and Olivia the rest of the day, but she didn't want to be weird. "I have my bag up there," she said, "I can go up and get it and leave your key on the counter?"

"Sure."

"Have plans tomorrow?" Ed asked.

"Well, um, uh," G stammered. She had no plans but she was obsessed with the Benson Center Benefit plans. Everything was coming together. Speakers were confirmed. Catering was a go. But she couldn't stop going over details in her mind or on paper. She'd visited the venue five times outside of the regularly scheduled appointments. This event was not the most lucrative she had ever planned, but it was the most important and the most personal. "I'm going to be working. I have a few back-to-school type things in the next couple of weeks." The last sentence was not quite a lie but was not the entire truth.

"Well if you can put it off another day we're at my Mom's tomorrow," Ed replied, "Around one. Let Sare and Justin know if you change your mind."

G laughed at Ed volunteering the pair's taxi services, "I will," she said, "Thank you."

"No, thank you," Olivia said, "I can't put into words how much it gives me peace to know the kids are safe with you while we're out."

"Wow," G murmured, "I…I'm always happy to help out. They're so fun. Pure joy..."

Olivia gave her a hug, a real one this time. It had been an emotional day, and when she pulled away her eyes were filled with tears. "Hopefully we'll see you tomorrow," she said, "But we understand if you can't make it."

"I'll try," G said with a nervous smile. She waved goodbye to the kids, expecting return waves, but they ran over and into her legs. By the time they were finished with the boisterous goodbye hugs, G had tears in her eyes, too.

…

Ed scratched his head, smirked, and prepared for his daughter's response. "So, what time do we have to be at the dance?"

In her room, Maggie shot a glare in the mirror intended at her father. "ADULTS NOT ALLOWED!"

Undeterred, Ed replied, "It's a school function and I think your mom Venmoed or whatever the dues. "I think I can go. And, Liv, didn't you say they asked for chaperones?"

Deep down Maggie knew her Dad was teasing her, but she still fumed with every ounce of tween indignation she could muster. "Nobody's parents are chaperones!" Maggie retorted, "The chaperones are the teachers!"

"Aren't teachers adults?"

"Ugh," Maggie grumbled, "You know what I mean!"

Maggie's bedroom door was open, but Ed knocked anyway before he entered. He kissed the top of her head and smiled at her through the mirror. "I'm kidding," he said apologetically, "Believe it or not your Mom and I would rather hang out somewhere else on a Friday night."

"What are you gonna do?" Maggie asked. She pulled her long, brown hair back into an updo and immediately let it fall back down. Her desk doubled as a vanity, and a few makeup cylinders and palettes sat among her laptop and notebooks.

"We're going to Dueling Pianos," Ed replied.

"You're addicted to going there!" Maggie said with a giggle. She put her hair up and then down again and groaned. "Dad, how should I wear my hair?"

Ed gave the question serious thought. "Are you going to be dancing or standing against the wall all night?"

Maggie screwed up her face and offered a non-answer, "I'm going to be with my friends."

"So, if you're not dancing I'd go with down." Additionally, Ed preferred she wear her hair down because Maggie looked significantly older when she wore her hair back. Each day she seemed to resemble Olivia more and more and Ed wasn't sure what to think about that. He desperately wanted his little girl to remain his little girl for as long as possible.

Maggie took her Dad's advice and followed up with, "Wavy or straight?"

"Like you wear it to school."

She groaned again, "Dad, this is a special occasion! I can't be regular."

"Then I think you answered your own question."

Olivia poked her head in, "Ed, I made a reservation for eight."

"They do reservations now?"

"Yes, they have for months."

"Oh, didn't know."

Maggie rolled her eyes, "Dad, you're allivious."

"I think you mean oblivious," he said, "And you would be right." He walked by Olivia on his way out of the room and tugged at her hand. "I'm getting in the shower."

"You're not going to see me and Wyatt all dressed?" Maggie asked.

"I don't stay in the shower for a year like you," Ed replied, "'l'll be spiffed up and ready for pictures in no time."

Maggie grimaced then smiled at her mother. "Will you get my hair wavy please?"

"Sure." Olivia plugged in the curling wand and sat on the bed while it heated. Maggie's room, which was Noah's old room, screamed seventh-grade girl. On the walls, beside the more formal, whimsical artwork, were a few posters depicting popular movies and singers. Three editions of Teen People were stacked on the nightstand beside various trinkets-fluffy keychains, painted rocks, and a million or so beaded bracelets. Medals she'd earned over the past few years hung from every doorknob in the room and Olivia and Ed relied on the jangling to signal she was awake each morning. "Your first dance," Olivia murmured, "Big night…"

Maggie shrugged, "It's probably gonna be lame."

"Maybe not," Olivia gently protested. "I bet the DJ will be great, and there's a caricature artist and a photo booth. Sounds fun to me."

"You're not going," Maggie warned.

"No, we're not. We have a date, remember?"

"Parents don't go out on dates," Maggie said, "You just...go out...together."

"Disagree," Olivia said. She checked the wand. It had come to temperature and she started on Maggie's waves.

"Mom," Maggie replied, firm in her position, "A date is like, well, when you don't really know the person and you go to dinner and there's romance...maybe some candles or music or something."

"Your Dad and I have a lot of romance."

Maggie stuck out her tongue and made gagging sounds. She threw up her hands, "Okay, okay, you're going on a date. I don't wanna hear anymore!"

Olivia laughed and started on another section of Maggie's hair. "Someday you'll be happy your parents love each other."

Maggie relented, "Yeah, I guess that's good." She watched Olivia curl a few more sections of her hair. "Did your mom and dad love each other? Before your dad died?"

"No...there was no love there," Olivia said. "But your Grandma Caroline and Grandpa Jim? They loved each other very much, or so your Dad and Grandma Caroline told me. I never got to meet him."

"He was very handsome," Maggie recalled from the photographs she'd seen.

"He was," Olivia replied, "Your Dad looks a lot like him."

"Do you think Dad is the most handsome man in the world?"

"Yes. Well, next to George Clooney. Or maybe Idris Elba."

"Mom!" Maggie giggled and doubled over so Olivia had to stop curling. When Maggie calmed down she reached backward and gave one of her mother's hands a reassuring pat. "I won't tell," she said.

"Thanks," Olivia said sincerely, "A jealous Dad is no fun. Funny maybe, but no fun."

Maggie giggled again. She knew exactly what her mother was talking about.

…..

Ed raised his eyebrows at the mirror and at Olivia who was standing behind him, smiling. "Hello there," he said. He lifted his chin and dried his neck with a towel, acting unruffled at her presence and desirous scrutiny. This dance they often did-one of them flirting and the other pretending to be unaffected-would never get old, at least not to him.

"Hey."

"Am I in your way?"

"No," Olivia replied.

Ed raised his eyebrows and smirked.

"You look so handsome in a suit," she said.

"I've been outta the suit for a few hours, Benson."

"I can't stop thinking about it."

"You want me to put it back on?" Ed turned around, leaning against the vanity, resting on his forearms, looking as casual as a man who was the object of Olivia Benson Tucker's affections could look.

"No." Olivia stepped toward him and initiated a long, passionate kiss.

Ed's arousal, familiar and expected yet no less thrilling, grew against her and she moved her hips against him. She started to moan. He kissed and sucked at her neck all the while rasping how much he loved her. She cried out as his fingers explored under her cotton shorts and grinned devilishly when he lifted her and switched positions so she was sitting on the edge of the sink.

"We have a whole bed out there," Ed whispered on her lips.

"I can't wait that long," Olivia said.

Ed snuck glances at himself, for as long as he could, as he made love to his wife. He had been shirtless as he prepared for bed, and his chest turned ruddy in the throes of passion. He was proud of his sculpted biceps, the result of regular push-ups and genetics, but he was most proud of how perfect Olivia looked in his arms and how, after they'd finished, he still retained enough strength to hold her close, half-suspended, so she didn't fall back into the basin.

Ed panted into her hair and rasped, "Goddamn you smell so good."

Olivia was still heaving. She tapped her heels against the vanity to make sure she had feeling in her extremities. "Edddd…"

"Yeah, Liv," he stroked her head and held it to his shoulder.

"Mmmmm," she droned approvingly. "I love you."

Ed closed his eyes. Like everything else in their marriage-the sex, the flirty banter, the innocent-yet-loaded touches-Olivia's I love you was immensely satisfying. He gently lifted her from the countertop and played with her hair. He held a tangled section in front of her eyes, smirked, and remarked, "Little bit of a mess."

Olivia shrugged and smiled.

"This is my favorite hairdo."

Her smile turned into an outright laugh.

"I'm serious," he insisted.

"Right," Olivia replied, "At least it's, oh, never mind."

"What were you gonna say?"

"I was going to say it was an effortless look, but," she let her eyes drift to his midsection, "That is not true. Not true at all."

….

Olivia did not want to live in Riverdale, but she loved the time spent on Caroline's deck and in her backyard. Watching the kids run around in the grass, play with decades-old toys, spray the garden hose, and ride around on rickety tricycles made Olivia recall all the times she'd been envious of scenes she'd seen in movies and television shows. It was so pure, almost Americana-esque, except for the large Irish flag plastered to the side of the garage. That part was all Caroline.

By now she knew to bring multiple changes of clothes for the kids, swimsuits included, because there was always a chance of a sprinkler party or mud pie baking or rolling around in the grass so that their t-shirts and shorts were soaked and stained. Today was no different. After Caroline got her hugs and conversations with each little Tucker, she shooed them into the backyard where she'd already dragged out the Little Tykes golf set, ride-on toys, and something new-a water balloon pump. Noah picked up the package and marveled at the possibilities.

"We gotta wait for everrone else for dis!" He said, certain his older sisters and their spouses would get a kick out of the toy.

When everyone else showed up, it was all at once. Sarah led the way, laughing about how she had been complaining about a certain driver, and, at the exit, realized her complaint was about Sonny. "Hey all!" She said brightly, "We would've been here much sooner but this old man in a freaking Subaru was holding up everything! My twinsies! My Noey! Grandma! Livvie!"

Ed screwed up his face and asked Justin if she'd had a few roadies.

"Nope," Justin said. He took a few steps toward Ed and said, under his breath, "She's been missing everyone. Work stuff's been brutal."

Ed nodded and patted Justin on the back. He knew Sarah had been less available lately and he assumed she was busy with work things. For the second time in a week, though, he kicked himself for not being as available for his older children as he was for his younger ones. He didn't have much time to brood, though, because Pearl the Yellow Lab was at their heels and scampered into the backyard.

The kids screamed and giggled and fell to their backs as Pearl greeted them.

"Jesus Christ," Caroline said, "That thing's a horse!"

"Agree," Brooke said. She kissed Caroline on the cheek and handed over Sofia, "Happy long weekend everybody!" Along with Sonny, she hugged Ed and Olivia and helped herself to a beer from the cooler and sat next to Olivia. "God, I love Labor Day."

Ed, Olivia, and Caroline all looked at each other with curious expressions. Brooke was acting strange. Or, rather, she was acting far more upbeat than usual. As Ed observed and listened he realized she was seeing his first born start to act normal, really normal again, and he wondered what had triggered the switch. But, then again, she had been so melancholy for so long, maybe a simple good mood seemed like a seismic shift.

"Oh, gosh," Sarah said after she'd done a few laps with the kids, "What a glorious day."

"Johnny and Margie will be here later," Caroline said.

"No less glorious," Sarah said.

"Did you see G at all?" Olivia asked Sarah and Justin, "We invited her."

"She said somethin' to me at the mail," Justin said, "But she didn't answer our texts this morning."

"Sad, sad girl," Caroline murmured. "She should've come."

"Grandma!" Sarah said, "G is not sad. She's...she's had...a lot all in the course of a few years."

Caroline shook her head, "You're wrong. She has had a lot of pain. I pray the second half of her life is filled with joy. I pray for that every night."

"You pray for G every night?" Sarah asked incredulously. She glanced at Justin and even he seemed surprised.

"Yes," Caroline said, "I pray for all of you. And I start with the ones who need it the most so I'm clear-headed and not sleepy. Or drunk."

"GRANDMA!"

….

#Tuckson