211.

The field trip bus arrived back at school an hour before the end of the day. Doubting he would miss anything important, Ed checked Noah out and the two of them left campus with a bounce in their steps, like they were two truant kids escaping intolerable academic drudgery.

"Are we going home, Daddy?" Noah asked.

Ed peered down at his son and smiled. "We don't have to," he replied, "Whadja have in mind?"

"Wanna go to da skatepark?"

This was an unusual request. "Skatepark? Well, bud, we can try, but it's a little far and I don't know how many people will be there since kids are still in school." Noah's shoulders slumped. "We can go this weekend. We'll ride the bikes there. It'll be more fun to watch."

"Okayyy." Noah twisted his lips and thought more. "How 'bout Union Square?"

Ed smiled. Union Square was one of Noah's favorite places. He loved the dog park and the playground, but he also enjoyed sitting on a bench, usually with some sort of treat, and people watching. Noah didn't remember, but it was also one of the first places Ed took Noah alone a few years ago. Olivia had been at work when Lucy called, explaining she had to go and help with her ailing grandmother. Noah was at the precinct and Olivia and the squad were swamped. She called Ed in a mild panic and ignored the looks from everyone when she hurriedly handed off her toddler to Captain Tucker. Ed and Noah happily headed to nearby Union Square where they took several laps around the George Washington statue, ate ice cream, and took a few turns on the playground slide.

"Sure, bud. Let's go to Union Square. And, hey, the market's there today. We can get somethin' fun to cook for dinner."

"They have those cass'roles you can put in da oven," Noah said with a sly grin.

"Yeah they do," Ed smirked, "You remember buying a casserole?"

"Uh-huh! And we pretended we made it!" A troubled expression briefly crossed Noah's face, "Daddy, was that a lie?"

"Well, it was for a couple minutes," Ed replied, "But it was more like a little joke we played on Mommy. We weren't going to pretend forever that we made it."

"Yeah, it was too good."

Laughing, Ed jostled Noah's head and pulled him into a quick side hug. "How about we get some ingredients at the market and make something from scratch?"

"Kay," Noah replied cheerfully, "But after we see da dogs, do da monkey bars, and have a snack."

"Deal."

….

Reluctant to leave the cozy confines of the pub, Olivia nodded when the bartender offered to warm her coffee. Next to her, Ed finished the last of his dessert and draped an arm on the back of her chair, content to stay there as long as she wanted. Their quiet date had been an extreme contrast to the hectic, mentally taxing past few weeks. Olivia finally felt some semblance of peace return to her life. She was also benefiting from a clear head, the result of significantly reducing her alcohol intake. Ed had nervously pointed out the potential problem, and Olivia took his observation to heart. It helped that they had both been able to step back into their jobs after the church scandal. Also, weathering the storm together had the effect of making them a tried and true couple-the relationship was out in the open and it made Olivia feel free to fully rely on Ed. For whatever reason, when they were keeping things under wraps, the love blossoming between them seemed fleeting. Now, it felt both permanent and dynamic.

Olivia felt Ed's thumb methodically stroking the stitching on her jacket. He absent-mindedly stared at the news, a welcome change from the reality show on earlier, airing on the flat screen hanging above. "About ready?" Olivia asked softly.

"Yeah, sure. You?"

"I am."

"Sure?"

"Yes, but, it's...so nice here. Nights like this? I never want them to end."

"Doesn't have to," Ed replied, smirking.

Olivia grinned. "What do you have in mind?"

Ed leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I don't care as long as it's with you."

"Wow," Olivia cooed, turning to face him, "You're in a romantic mood."

"I guess I am." Ed put one hand on her thigh, and, with the other, played with her hair. "I just feel like we're in a good place right now, ya know?"

"I know." Olivia leaned into his touch, "Are you staying tonight?"

"I'd like to."

"Good."

Ed took the check and placed his credit card on the bar. A few minutes later they were in a cab headed for Olivia's building trading kisses and suggestive smiles until Olivia's phone rang. She groaned. Ed kissed her neck while she fielded the call-it wasn't an emergency, only Rollins checking in-and she laughed after she hung up. "Trying to get people talking, Tucker?" She asked.

"I'm sure they're already talking," he replied before kissing her lips again.

"You know, Fin and Barba, separately, told me they knew something was up. They said there was something different about me."

"Yeah?" Ed was still kissing every inch of skin he could find.

"Yeah...they both said I had...more swagger."

"More? You've always had swagger. It's the first thing I noticed about you all those years ago. You're a badass."

"Well, apparently...being with you amplifies it."

Ed raised his eyebrows and looked her in the eye, "That's a good thing, right?"

"I feel like I'm on top of my game," Olivia replied, "I feel...in control. Oddly, more confident than ever. So, yes, I would say that's a good thing, wouldn't you?"

"I think so."

Olivia narrowed her eyes. The color in Ed's face faded and remorse supplanted the intensity in his eyes. "Ed? What is it?"

"Liv, I, uh, I feel like you're giving me way too much credit," he replied gently, "And it makes me a little uneasy, because, you're...astounding, and you always have been, and it diminishes everything about you if, if...you or anyone else attributes what's so wonderful about you to...me."

Olivia squeezed his hands. "Thank you," she said in a voice slightly above a whisper, "Thank you, Ed. But, the truth is, I am different now. Nothing about me is diminished, it's...well, you...there's a stability there that I've never had before. And I think that makes me comfortable going out everyday and letting all those things that make me a good cop, a good boss, a good friend, just...going on instinct." She paused and chuckled at her use of the figure of speech, "Because even if I mess up, you'll be there."

Ed managed to croak out a response over the lump in his throat. "You're right," he said. The color and spark returned to his eyes, and, a second before he kissed her again, he added, for emphasis, "I'll be there."

…..

Behind her monstrosity of a desk, Sarah looked tiny. It was the first thought that popped into Brooke's mind whenever she visited Sarah at work, which wasn't often, yet, no matter where she was employed, her desks always seemed way too big for her. Brooke would never verbalize it, but the desk, this one in particular, made an otherwise professionally-decorated and well-ordered office appear comical.

Sarah grinned when she saw her sister and Sofia at the door. Her assistant had already alerted her-twice-of their arrival, but she nevertheless reacted as if she was surprised to see them. In a way, she was.

"Well hello!" Sarah said, "What brings you to the depths of downtown?" She ran around the desk and scooped Sofia into a bear hug. When she put her down, Sofia immediately ran to the floor-to-ceiling windows and stared at the view of Battery Park and the harbor.

"We had lunch with Son," Brooke said, "A late lunch because he's probably going to be back late, if at all."

"If at all?" Sarah repeated incredulously.

Brooke shrugged. "It's been hell for him lately. They're down two ADAs and the cases keep coming."

"Please tell me he's thinking about going into private practice."

"He is."

Sarah was not expecting that response. "Oh, well, that's good news."

"Ha!" Brooke snickered, "You know what his biggest issue with that is?"

Sarah raised her eyebrows.

"He's worried about what Dad and Liv will think."

"Oh for fuck's sake," Sarah sneered and immediately whipped around to see if Sofia was paying attention.

"Yeah," Brooke sighed. "He's always going to be desperate for their approval. But this just isn't sustainable. I wish he would talk to them. I've encouraged him to talk to them. But I think he's terrified of even bringing it up."

Sarah screwed up her face. "Seriously? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. And totally off base. Livvie retired, in part because of her family. Dad too."

"I think he wants to be worthy of at least part of the honor bestowed upon Olivia. The benefit...that really got to him. Sonny is so in tune with his legacy, like, he truly cares about making a difference. And Olivia is the standard bearer."

"Then he's going to live a life of disappointment," Sarah said bluntly.

Brooke stared at Sofia for a while as she came to understand Sarah was absolutely right. "He needs Liv or Dad to tell him that," she said, "Because if I say it, well, I don't think that's going to end up on a positive note."

"Brookey, there is honor in being on the defense side of the table."

"Really? Defending rapists? Child molesters?"

"That's not the only thing they do. And he's not going to be a public defender. He can pick and choose. I, well," Sarah threw her hands in the air, "I am an advocate of well-meaning people doing whatever the hell it is that makes them happy. So if Sonny would be happier defending people rather than prosecuting them, then go for it."

"Are you happy?" Brooke asked.

"What?"

"Are you happy?" Brooke held out her arms, gesturing to the gorgeous corner office zillions of aspiring executives would kill for.

"Yes, Brooke," Sarah said firmly, "I am. I have a husband who I adore and who adores me. And I make far too much money for what I do. Should I feel bad about that? Maybe. Do I? No. That's the way things are. And I don't feel bad at all."

Brooke smirked at her sister. Sarah did the drama well, but Brooke knew Sarah agonized over her exorbitant salary. The skills she needed to succeed in her career had mostly come naturally. The degrees were only formalities. Brooke also knew Sarah donated huge chunks of her income to various schools and charities and that she had set aside funds for Noah, Sofia, and the twins. Her career also allowed for Justin to pursue his, and Sarah was steadfast in her support of her husband's graduate work and his future doctoral studies. She owned the condo in Florida, which was rented more often than they stayed there, outright, and the Union Square two bedroom with terrace was prime real estate. But Brooke had encountered people who lived far below Sarah's means who acted like entitled snobs, and she was proud to admit that Sarah had never fallen into that trap. Many of Sarah's quirks drove Brooke nuts, but the way she subtly owned her wealth was not one of them.

"Are you happy?" Sarah inevitably lobbed the question back to Brooke, but her expression was totally blank. Sarah had always had the benefit of a naturally cheery disposition. Brooke, well, not so much.

"Sometimes," Brooke said, then adjusted her answer. "Most of the time. I, well, my life has turned out completely different than what I thought it would be."

"Your life isn't over."

Sarah never let anyone finish. But she made a valid point.

"I've been drifting sideways for a couple of years."

"Well...there's been some shit, Brooke."

"Sure."

"Brooke, Jesus, our mother died and then you had the whole Aidan and Dave thing and then a miscarriage and then a baby...like it or not those things take a toll. I'm shocked as hell you're still a functioning adult! And look at you! You're fucking alive! And here right now after having lunch with your husband and daughter! In lower Manhattan, the center of the universe!"

Brooke chuckled. "Is this how you get through the days?"

"The bad ones? The boring ones? Yes. I look out and think about where I am and how so many people in the whole world would give anything to be where I am, to have what I have, so when you look at it that way, there isn't much to complain about."

Brooke smiled and nodded in agreement.

Sarah looked past Brooke to the door and called out, "Sonny? You out there? You're up for the next pep talk!"

Brooke rolled her eyes but also hugged her little sister. Somewhere along the way, Sarah had picked up wisdom that had eluded her. Hell, Brooke thought, at least one of them had it.

"Want to go grab a drink?" Sarah asked.

"Where?" Brooke eyed Sofia.

"It's four. She'll get in."

"Alright," Brooke replied, "It baffles me though that you can leave whenever you want."

Sarah snickered and shook her head, "You spent far too long working in schools. Come to corporate! You can leave the office at random times of the day and also go to the bathroom when you have to!"

Brooke grabbed Sofia and led her out of the office.

"A freaking men," she murmured under her breath. "A freaking men."

…

Noah's recap of the field trip was far more entertaining and precious than even Olivia imagined. First, though, he and Ed unpacked their market haul-loads of vegetables, a loaf of artisan bread, and an entire bagful of steaks. Olivia stared at them curiously, and Ed explained he thought it would be fun to serve them to the family on Saturday. "And for dinner tonight?" She asked.

Anticipating the question, Ed replied, "Feta pasta."

"Oh…"

"Saw it on Tik Tok."

"You have to be kidding me."

"Well, a Tik Tok someone posted on Instagram."

Shaking her head and trying not to laugh too hard, Olivia leaned forward on the island and reminded Noah the after school shopping trip was not the only highlight of the day.

"The field trip was AWESOME!" He said. "You know what was funny? We were getting ready in da classroom and goin' over da rules and then, DADDY CAME IN! So funny…"

"I bet," Olivia said, "It's not every day that Daddy shows up."

"Nope!" Noah replied. "So then we had a lonnnng bus ride-"

"-Noah saved me a seat," Ed interjected.

"-yep! How long was dat ride, Daddy? It was like we were goin' to da beach!"

"Took about forty-five minutes."

"Oh, seemed longer," Noah remarked, "So then we went to da Lenape Center and we went through a museum and some buildings and then on a walk and da Lenape man told us all about how the people respected the land and never wasted anything or took too much and then...you know what?"

"What?" Olivia asked.

"Da Lenape man took us to a place where he showed a bow and arrow and Daddy got a turn to try it!" Noah could barely utter the last sentence he was so excited.

Olivia grinned at Ed. "He did?"

"Yup! And he hit da bullseye!"

"Close to the bullseye," Ed clarified.

"I wasn't aware you were so skilled at archery," Olivia said.

"Turns out if ya have good aim you have good aim," Ed replied.

"Daddy has really good aim," Noah said, "And we cheered and clapped when he hit da target! It was awesome. I wonder if Sare Bear still has da archery set she got me a long time ago…"

"What a day," Olivia said. "And you got to leave school early! Lucky boy."

"What'd you do with those babies?" Noah asked.

He looked past Olivia at the twins. They were playing a game involving two large plush dice. Each color on the panels corresponded to a card with directions. Wyatt's roll turned up blue. He found a blue card, examined the picture, and, determining the card called for him to spin in a circle, did so until he fell to the floor. Maggie took her turn. She rolled pink and her card directed her to give someone a high five. She made a loop around the kitchen and high-fived everyone.

"Well, we went to the park after school-"

"-which park?"

"DeWitt," Olivia answered, "And then we stopped for a slice of pizza. Then we came home, read some books, played some games, and here we are!"

"Those babies didn't take a nap?"

"No...not today." Olivia glanced suggestively at Ed. It was a given that Noah would be tired after his day, and no nap for the twins meant early bedtime and more alone time for the parents. Ed smirked, her heart fluttered, and she smiled. "So, feta pasta," she said, getting back to more mundane matters, "Do we have feta?"

"We got some at da market," Noah said, pulling a brick of cheese from the corner of a bag that had appeared empty. "It's from a farmer who makes her own cheese! Did you know people could do that?"

"I suppose the cheese at the store has to come from somewhere," Olivia said.

"Yep," Noah peered at the label, "Pride of the Hudson Valley," he read aloud before looking up at Olivia. "Mommy, we should try making feta sometime."

Ed started laughing and momentarily walked away, over to the twins.

Olivia ran her fingers through Noah's hair. "How about we maybe visit her farm first?" Olivia said, "And see what it's all about?"

Noah twisted his lips. "Okay."

"I'm sure they do tours."

"Prolly," Noah jumped off the stool and strode purposefully toward his room.

"Where are you going honey?"

"To look on my computer," he replied matter-of-factly, "To see if they have tours."

"Oh...okay." Olivia surveyed the heaps of vegetables and the water beginning to boil on the stove.

Ed came up behind her and nuzzled her neck. "You okay?"

"I'm good," Olivia said, leaning back into him, "Just wondering when the seven year old turned seventeen-WHOA!" Olivia looked down and saw Wyatt trying to hug both pairs of their legs. "Did you roll a hug, sweetheart?" Wyatt nodded and grinned. Olivia picked him up and hugged him for a moment. Wyatt was always good for a hug, and she desperately needed one. "Can you stay three forever?" She cooed into his cheek. Wyatt didn't answer, but did lay his head on her shoulder and wrap his arms around her neck which was, in Olivia's opinion, as good as a yes.

…..

Maggie's Halloween costume had been hanging in her closet for two weeks and neither Ed nor Olivia had given it much thought. The twins no longer went trick or treating, but Maggie had been invited to a classmate's party and costumes were strongly recommended. Maggie had not been all that thrilled about dressing up, but as the day of the party drew closer she made sure to find face makeup designs that would enhance her witch costume. Maggie's competitive urge kicked in, and she suddenly wanted to be the best dressed at the party even though there was no such recognition as far as she knew. Olivia popped in and out of the bathroom, and, each time, Maggie's face was painted varying shades of green and she had tattooed a temporary spider web around her neck.

"Mom," she asked when she was almost finished, "Can you tie my hair back in a super low bun so I have room for my hat?"

"Sure." Eager to help, Olivia carefully combed Maggie's thick brown hair back and used a few dabs of gel to make sure no stray strands fell out of place. She tied the bun in place and put her hands on Maggie's shoulders while she studied her appearance in the mirror. "You did an awesome job on the makeup sweet girl. I'm very impressed."

"Thanks-you can see how it sort of gets darker from side to side?"

"Sure can."

"Ok, well, I think I'm going to need help with the dress. It has to go over my head."

"I'm here."

As soon as Maggie pulled the dress on, Olivia knew it was going to take a small miracle or a great deal of absentmindedness for Ed to let her leave. The v-neck did not reveal any cleavage and the hem fell mid-thigh, both suggestive enough to make Olivia raise her eyebrows not not so suggestive that Maggie would have thought to not purchase the costume. The neckline and hemline were trimmed in shiny fake leather-so fake it was almost comical. The puffy shoulders added a childlike touch to an otherwise very adult dress.

Maggie put on the hat and twirled. "What do you think?"

"I love the tights," Olivia said of the purple and black striped leggings. Thank God she had not gone so far as to wear fishnets. "Why don't you...pull the top up a little before you go, okay?"

Maggie looked down at her chest. "It's not showing anything. I have shirts that are low like this."

"Yeah, but…" Olivia shifted her eyes toward the living room where Ed was watching a football game with Wyatt.

"Oh, okay," Maggie said in a low voice. She shifted the top but it made the hemline ride up. Slightly panicked, Maggie looked to Olivia for advice.

"Better the top than bottom," Olivia said, reading her mind, "And you have the tights so you can't tell...much...just, put your coat on."

Maggie nodded and smiled appreciatively at her partner in crime. Maggie knew her mother worried far more than her father, but her Dad could be fussy and old fashioned on certain things, and attire was certainly one. The outfit pushed a few boundaries, but Maggie figured her parents would not go to the extreme of keeping her home. At worst she predicted she would be required to wear a cardigan which everyone knew she would remove once she was out of the house.

After a stop in the bathroom to check makeup and spray the bun with hairspray, it was time to leave. Olivia ushered Maggie into the living room and casually announced she would take her to the party since Ed and Wyatt were immersed in the game.

"Yeah, okay," Ed murmured.

Wyatt was on the edge of the seat cushion. It was the fourth quarter and the score was tied. However, it was a toss up whether Wyatt was nervous about the outcome or if he was trying to spot Noah among the hundred thousand Wolverines fans at Michigan Stadium. He may have also wanted to emphasize how much he did not want to go to the party with his sister.

Maggie was halfway down the foyer when Ed called to her to turn around.

"No picture?" He asked, doing his best to look hurt. The Tucker kids always took pictures before special events.

"Oh, yeah," Maggie said.

"We're just a little late," Olivia said, "But yes, let's get a quick picture."

Leaving the coat on, Maggie posed for photos with everyone. Wyatt dragged himself away from the action to snap one of the parents and Maggie together, and Olivia and Maggie went on their way.

Ed and Wyatt went back to the couch. Wyatt shoved some potato chips into his mouth and chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Ed asked.

Wyatt shrugged.

"Wyattt?"

"Nope," Wyatt said, shaking his head. Though he had a reputation for spilling the truth to his parents, he was determined not to rat on Maggie this time.

"If your mom was okay with the dress, I'm okay with the dress."

Wyatt shrugged.

"Are you okay with the dress?" Ed asked.

"I'm her brother not her Dad," Wyatt retorted.

Wyatt was smiling and joking, but Ed picked up on an air of annoyance in his response. Wyatt expected parents to be, well, parental, and have the final say in matters such as what was appropriate to wear to a party and what was not. Wyatt always had accepted his parents' decisions as final, even if Maggie and Wyatt continued protesting. So, he was definitely not the kid who would appreciate weighing in on Maggie's dress.

"I'm gonna let your mother handle all dress matters," Ed said as he leaned back and put his feet on the coffee table. "See Noah yet?"

Wyatt rolled his eyes at his phone and waved a hand at the screen which was full of maize and blue clad fans, "He said he's in a blue hat and yellow shirt. As if that's helpful."

"We'll keep looking."

"Man, I can't wait to go to a game for real. The Big House…"

Ed smirked. Wyatt didn't know it yet, but he and Maggie were going to Ann Arbor for parents weekend in a couple of weeks and they were going to a game and sitting in prime seats. Wyatt and Maggie thought they were staying with Sarah. Ed was most excited for Wyatt's reaction. The kid loved sports. He was an incredible athlete, but he preferred to be a spectator. He found joy in any game, even Sarah's kids' soccer and t-ball, but fifty-yard-line seats at the Big House would put him on cloud nine.

Wyatt slurped the last of his soda and started to get up for a refill. He was a Dr. Pepper addict.

"I'll get it bud," Ed mussed his hair like he had done since Wyatt had hair to muss. "Need anything else?"

"Let's do pizza rolls"

"Sure pal," Ed said with a grin. "Pizza rolls sound good."

…..

Olivia leaned against the bathroom vanity and watched Ed splash water on his face, completing his nightly routine. "So, you were shooting bows and arrows today, huh?"

"One bow. One arrow."

"I would have liked to see that."

"We have the archery set for the kids somewhere," Ed replied, pretending Olivia wasn't flirting with him. He liked playing hard to get and a bit aloof at times.

Olivia played along. "Maybe I need to go down to the basement and find it."

"No need to do that. I can show ya."

"Okay."

Ed put his right leg in front of the left and bounced up and down a couple of times. "Need balance." He closed one eye and mimicked pulling the bow back. "Hold everything steady, then," he exploded his fingers in the air, "Boom! Let it rip."

"Wow," Olivia wrapped her arms around his bare torso. She was eager to get into bed with him, but the bathroom foreplay was fun. "We need to role play more often."

"I'm up for that," Ed replied, "But I dunno if this is really role play."

Olivia bit her lip. "We could play cranky IAB guy and hard-nosed detective."

"Now that," Ed raised his eyebrows and grinned, "Would be an effort in rewriting history."

"I think we should do it."

"Whatever you say, Liv, er, Lieu, er, -"

"Detective."

"Yes. Detective. Yes ma'am. After you."

….

#Tuckson