246.

Noah marched up to Sarah with Zach in tow and, with a frown on his face that was more adorable than intimidating, informed his sister that there were, in fact, people who rode horses around the streets of Texas towns and even more people who commonly wore cowboy boots and hats and Noah had proof in the form of Zach, who nodded as Noah relayed the information. In a display of solidarity, Noah nodded back and smiled and Sarah murmured under her breath that she'd also been wrong about the prospect of Noah and Zach becoming friends. "Shall we move along to the castle?" She asked in an attempt to get herself off the hook.

Always easily redirected, Noah grinned and said, "Yeah! C'mon, Zach, s'this way!"

"Look at that," Melissa said, "Best friends."

Sarah wasn't sure Noah would go as far to label Zach a best friend, but she kept the doubts to herself. "So, how long are you here?" She asked even though G had already told her they were staying only through the weekend.

"Leaving Monday morning," Melissa sighed, "I wish we could stay longer."

"Is this your first time here?"

"No, I was here on a school trip…a long time ago."

"We should go out tonight," Sarah said, "I'll have Noey sleep over and Justin can watch the boys."

G had to hold back a laugh. Melissa clearly loved the idea, but Sarah's idea of going out was going to a pub and plunking down at the bar for the entire night. Melissa probably thought Sarah meant an evening of dancing or even a nightclub, but the only places G had ever been with Sarah were pretty nondescript and unassuming, even if they were in the city.

Despite her smile, Melissa replied, "I don't know…Zach…he gets…clingy."

Sarah's eyes had never left the two boys who were almost out of sight. "He doesn't look too clingy at the moment," She quickened the pace until they reached the high point of the path and had a better view of the kids ahead. "We can leave after they're asleep if that's easier."

"Do you think Noah will fall asleep early?" G asked skeptically.

"Good point," Sarah replied, "We can put them on the couch with Justin and a bunch of snacks and movies," Sarah was already texting her husband, "He says he's going shopping now."

G blinked. She couldn't believe Justin had responded and also agreed to spend the evening with two school kids so quickly, but, then again, Justin was one of the kindest, most thoughtful people she'd ever met. She felt like they were kindred spirits, for she knew Sarah's energy and occasional wild ideas and grandiose plans overwhelmed him like they did her.

"Oh, wow, okay…" Melissa said. She started to call out to Zach, but Sarah stopped her.

"It'll be okay," she said, "Let's tell them later."

Knowing Sarah was probably right, Melissa nodded, then asked, "Do you have kids?"

"No," Sarah said, "But I've known Noey all his life. Well, almost."

"He's your brother?"

"Yes, from my Dad's second marriage. And I also have Wyatt and Maggie, they're three and at home, poor things. Wyatt was very upset he didn't get to go to the museum, but I think he got over it."

"I love Wyatt," G said, "And Maggie. They're so sweet. Different. Love them."

"They're adorable," Sarah agreed, "But they're…a lot. I'm glad Livvie saved me from taking them. Hey, Noey! Are the twins hyper?"

"Yeah!" Noah called back. He was waiting for cyclists to pass before crossing the path.

"Do you help them get hyper?"

Noah giggled and replied, "Yeah, sometimes. But, not at school. When dey get hyper at school dat's on them."

G and Melissa burst into laughter. Sarah grinned and shook her head. "You are too funny, kiddo," the path had cleared enough and she nudged him forward, "C'mon, let's go. Castle time. Let's race to the top."

"Sare Bear you always say race then ya don't run!"

Sarah shrugged. "Maybe I'll run this time, but I don't know that I can compete with a Presidential Physical Fitness certificate holder."

Noah grinned, made sure Zach was nearby, and starting sprinting for the stairs.

…..

Ed and Olivia held the twins' hands as they made their way from the bookstore and looked for somewhere to have lunch. Ed assessed the heft of one of the bags and asked why they always came home from the bookstore with more toys than books. Before Olivia could weigh in, Maggie looked up at him and said, "Buhstore ha'GUH'TOYS!"

"Oh yeah?"

"YEAH!"

Wyatt, who had been half-skipping like Noah, suddenly stopped. "Hey! PADE here! Mama, Da'pade!"

They had crossed Broadway a minute ago, and Olivia realized he recognized the corner from where they'd watched the Thanksgiving Day parade last November. "Yes, sweetheart, this is where we saw the parade. I can't believe you remember."

"Dora and Bluey and Mickey," Wyatt murmured.

"And Sanna!" Maggie added, "May'Kissmas!"

Olivia and Ed exchanged an oh no look, for Maggie had recently forgotten about her off-season Merry Christmas binge to everyone's relief. Even Noah was starting to get annoyed. They walked another block and the twins chatted amongst themselves as they often did with no mention of Christmas. The relapse concern appeared to be unfounded.

"P.J. Clarke's?" Ed asked, noticing the Empire Hotel coming up.

"Sure," Olivia replied, knowing their options were limited considering they had the kids in tow, wanted to sit down and have a drink, and also didn't want pizza. "Oh, hey," she said as she checked her phone, "Should we invite Sarah and the crew? They're still in the park."

"Yeah, sure."

Olivia sent a text back to Sarah and studied her husband. "You don't seem too thrilled."

Ed shrugged.

"New people?"

Now he grinned.

"One is Noah's age," Olivia said sternly, "And the other, well, she's outnumbered. There are six Tuckers, G who is like family, and the stranger. I think we can handle it."

"Just thought we were gonna have a quite afternoon is all."

Olivia glanced at the twins, at him, and then the twins again.

Ed chuckled at her nonverbal response. "Okay, okay, you're right. I hope they come. Table for eight it is."

"I'm going to invite Justin, too."

"Nine," Ed replied, "But you think he'll come all the way up here? For lunch?"

"I think Justin loves his family," Olivia said, "But then again, he might be-oh-well, he probably won't join us."

Ed raised his eyebrows.

"Sarah wants to know if it's okay if Noah stays at her place tonight with Justin while she and G take the other girl out."

Ed groaned and rolled his eyes.

"It's fine with me," Olivia nudged him, smiled, and winked.

"I guess we'll pack him a bag, then," Ed said.

"That's the spirit."

"Mama!" Wyatt jumped as he spoke, "Empire!"

Confused, Olivia asked Wyatt what he meant. The Empire State Building (which he always recognized and always identified by the one word moniker), was not visible from their location.

"Empire, Mama! Empire!" Wyatt pointed ahead.

Olivia's jaw dropped. Wyatt was pointing at a sign advertising the Empire Hotel ahead. "Ed…he's reading!"

"Maybe preschool's doing something after all."

Olivia shook her head, grabbed Wyatt, and marched him ahead to the sign. She pointed at words, but Wyatt only knew Empire. "Okay," she said, "I guess that word is everywhere."

"Still pretty impressive," Ed side-hugged Wyatt. "You're a smart guy, bud."

They entered P.J. Clarke's and the host brightly said, "Four?"

"TEN!" Maggie corrected.

Laughing, Ed replied, "She's actually almost right. We're probably gonna have nine."

The host grinned and counted menus. "Follow me."

…..

Noah was not at all happy about meeting his family for lunch. "But Sare Bear," he said, "You said we were goin to Max Brenner!"

"Noey, plans change," Sarah replied matter-of-factly, "We'll have the same food and we'll hit Max for dessert when we get closer to my building. You're staying the night, remember?"

"Oh, yeah."

"So we're good." Sarah grinned and watched as the boys, again, walked a few paces in front of them.

Melissa was in awe. "You're so good with kids," she said.

"The trick is you have to treat them like adults. I mean, not totally, but I'm very straightforward with Noey," Sarah said, "And he expects that from me. Actually, the most childish thing I say to him is calling him Noey. Everything else, I don't really hold back. I mean, I use different words, but, the logic is the same." Sarah saw she had both G and Melissa captivated, so she went on with her personal philosophy, "I also spoil him to death. That helps."

"But he knows you're going to come through," G murmured, forgetting she was saying her thoughts out loud. "He knows you'll be there."

"He does." Sarah raised her eyebrows at Melissa, who looked like she was seconds away from bursting into tears. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Melissa said, choking back a lump in her throat, "It's, well, I worry so much about Zach and being there for him and making sure he feels secure but it's so hard because it's just us. So I worry."

"You don't have any family where you live?" Sarah asked as if the idea of living far away from her own family was out of the realm of possibility. .

"A few people, but we've never been close. An aunt and an uncle. A few cousins. It's the side of the family who we never spent much time with growing up and I never really got to know them very well. They're nice enough but it's not the 'hey will you pick up my kid from school' kind of nice."

Sarah's face fell as she felt both grateful at her own family situation and sad that Melissa didn't have the same situation. She fought the urge to help, mostly because she knew, deep down, she couldn't help. There was nothing she could do about a friend of her friend/neighbor who was visiting for the weekend from down south and had nobody in the world but her son Zach.

"Sare Bear!" Noah called from about twenty feet away, "You said P.J. Clarke's?"

"Yes!"

"S'right here!"

"Well, let's go in!"

"Kay! I see 'em!" Noah yanked open the heavy door with all his might and held it open for Sarah, G, and Melissa.

Maggie and Wyatt, prevented from joining the initial fun, bounced up and down on their knees in their chairs, and when Noah came over and sat between them, the twins huddled around their brother as he showed them photographs of his day.

"T-Rex!" Wyatt said repeatedly, for he called most dinosaurs T-Rexes.

"NO!" Maggie said at one point, "Sna'turtle!"

"Not a snapping turtle, Maggs," Noah replied in an amused voice, "Itsa Giganotosaurus."

Noah pronounced the name so effortlessly and so well that both Ed and Olivia assumed he was making up the name, but Sarah insisted it was correct. Maggie and Wyatt giggled as they tried to pronounce the name before Wyatt finally went back to calling the animal a snapping turtle. As Noah neared the end of his photo reel, Maggie's attention started to wane and she looked around the table, smiling at the familiar faces until she came to Zach.

"Whoyou?"

Zach blinked under his blonde bangs, and, slightly bewildered, told Maggie his name.

"Niceamee'ya," Wyatt murmured, never taking his eyes off Noah's phone screen.

"Omigod," Sarah said, "Omgiod, omigod, Wyatt…"

Wyatt looked up, grinned, and held out his hand to Sarah. "Niceamee'ya, SIR!" He said before erupting into more belly laughter.

"Wyatt, honey, where did you hear nice to meet you?"

"Daddy sayit!" Wyatt lowered his voice and, in an apparent attempt to imitate his father, growled the greeting once more.

Appearing more stunned than her son, Melissa took in the conversation and banter with wide eyes. When the waiter came to take their drink orders, she took an extra second before ordering a glass of red wine. Then, when prompted to be more specific, she simply went with what Olivia was having. Sensing she was uncomfortable, Olivia made the first attempt at small talk.

"Melissa, Zach, wow, you left the warm weather to come all the way up here. Hope it's not too cold for you."

Zach was still wearing his coat which Melissa started to tug off. She smiled graciously and replied, "Not bad. We get this type of weather every once in a while. Right, buddy?"

Zach nodded politely and replied, "A couple times it snowed," then, smiling, added, "We didn't have to go to school!"

"Always nice to have a snow day once in a while," Ed said, grateful for the chance to chime in.

"Did we have a snow day this year?" Noah asked.

"Two," Olivia replied, "Right at the start of winter. And we haven't had much snow since then. And now, we're headed for spring." She smiled, thinking of how the trees and flowers would soon be in bloom, the days would become longer, and the city would come alive in a different way. The waiter came around again. His patience was tinged with a hint of skepticism-families with kids could be a toss up when it came to tipping-but he was friendly enough and asked first if they wanted another round of drinks.

"Sure," Ed replied before anyone else could answer and despite the fact no one other than him was close to finishing their first rounds. He picked up the menu once the waiter was out of earshot and suggested a few starters to share, including oysters.

Zach perked up. "I love oysters!"

"Me too," Noah replied, grinning widely.

"What are the chances that two kids at the same table would like oysters?" Olivia questioned.

"I doubt you'd find one," Sarah said proudly, "Zach, where did you first have oysters?"

"When we lived by the Gulf," he said, "We had 'em all the time. And my neighbor grew 'em!"

Impressed and sensing that Zach's experience with oysters was far more sophisticated and varied than his, Noah replied with an awed, "Wow." Then, remembering his love for geography, he asked, "What state was dat in?"

"Alabama," Zach replied.

"I gotta go there, too," Noah said under his breath, adding to his mental list of places to visit.

"Noey, maybe instead of only going to Texas, we'll take a road trip through the entire South so you can see everything from the oyster farms to the Saguaros of Arizona to the Pacific Ocean."

"Yeah!"

Ed raised his eyebrows and regarded Sarah sternly. "You realize he's not going to forget that offer?"

"Of course I know," Sarah said, "But someday, we'll do it."

Ed asked no more questions, even though there were several question marks swirling in his mind. The plan was hardly a plan, but, if there was one thing he knew about his daughter, it was once she made a promise to Noah, she kept it. And, the glee on Noah's face was so pure and rife with anticipation, he knew he had to support the wild idea even if that meant he would have to join them.

The waiter dropped off the next round of drinks and asked if they needed anything else at the moment.

"Oyster time?" Noah asked.

"Yeah, bud," Ed replied, "Let's do it."

…

Olivia, who was three drinks in, whipped her head around, sending her hair flying, and asked what the big deal was about March Madness anyway. Ed smirked and played along, for he knew Olivia understood exactly the appeal of the annual NCAA Basketball Tournament.

"It's the underdog story," Ed replied, "Everyone loves 'em."

"Has the underdog ever won the tournament? Men or women?"

Ed mulled over the question for a moment, took a sip, and shook his head. "Nope. Not that I can remember. But it might be worth a Google."

Ed started to reach into his pocket for his phone, but Olivia touched his wrist, preventing him from doing so. "No phones. Remember?"

"Yeah," he said, smiling at her, "I remember. Lucy only."

"Lucy only."

Olivia gazed at him, her eyes slightly glassy from the alcohol, but she was in an anything-goes mood tonight. Lucy was staying with Noah through the weekend so Ed and Olivia could enjoy a getaway at Saybrook Point Resort in Connecticut. Ed had been hinting at wanting to take her somewhere nice for a weekend, and, when Olivia didn't quite bite on the hints, he walked into her office one afternoon with a brochure. As expected, Olivia gushed over the rooms, the scenery, and the amenities, and Ed explained he had the trip all ready to be booked. He held up his phone, and Olivia nodded in agreement. He didn't say it, but Olivia could tell he was proud of her willingness to be spontaneous. From the second they checked into the hotel, she was thrilled with her decision. It was the perfect place for a romantic getaway.

"So, whaddaya want to do tomorrow?" Ed asked.

"We're not done with tonight."

"No, we're not," Ed shifted closer to her. "Don't want you to get bored."

"Are you kidding? This is paradise. But," Olivia bit her lip, "I see they have hot stone massages."

"You want to get one?" Ed asked, genuinely surprised. Olivia had never struck him as the massage-type of person.

"I do. Up for it, Tucker?"

"Sure."

"And then maybe we can hang out by the pool…" A dreamy look crossed Olivia's face as she thought about the Resort's indoor swim area which features large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the harbor. "And try the seafood restaurant?"

"Sure. You okay with eating here tonight?"

"Of course. They have a great menu."

"Liv," Ed took her hands. They were getting to the end of their drinks and would certainly have another round, and he wanted to get this out before the night got too late and they went back to the room where he was sure there would be very little conversation taking place. "I'm so happy we did this. I know you were kinda startled when I mentioned retirement…I think part of it was, I needed a change of scenery, even if it's just for a weekend."

"I know you're getting tired," Olivia said, "And, thank you, for knowing I'm not ready. But, you're right, we probably need more weekends like these. Ed," Olivia closed her eyes, opened them, and gave him a kiss. "I want to make this weekend last as long as possible, okay? Without worrying about Monday or next week or next month. Can we…dig in and enjoy this for exactly what it is?"

"Absolutely." Ed held up his glass. "To the next hour."

"The next hour," Olivia repeated. "And thank you, again, for bringing me here."

Ed stared into her eyes as he took a sip, then replied in a husky voice, "You're welcome."

…

Pumped up on sugar and caffeine and the excitement of a different sort of evening, Noah burst into Sarah's apartment and yelled, "Justy! We're here!"

Justin appeared from the guest bedroom wearing a huge, welcoming smile. "It's about time," he said, "I thought I was being stood up!"

"We were at Max Brenner," Noah explained. He tossed his backpack at Justin, "Here's my stuff. Zach's bringing his stuff up from G's. Whatcha been doin, Justy?"

"Getting ready for you. I have snacks, drinks, and I just need to know what movies we're watching."

Noah twisted his lips and replied, "We can wait for Zach. Maybe we'll play cards first."

Sarah kissed Justin's cheek and smiled at him. She was ready to be apologetic, but Justin seemed totally committed and enthusiastic about his charges for the night. "You gonna make it long out there?" He whispered.

"Oh sure," Sarah replied breezily, "I only had a couple, well, more than that but they were fruity. I'm going to go change. Are you sure you're okay hosting the little guys?"

Justin grinned. "For sure. I just can't come get you if you get too crazy."

"Oh, I'll be fine. Ugh. I so wish the Brazen Fox was still open. That's always a good place. Anyway, I'll find something."

"You don't like the Ugly Duckling?" Justin teased about the new ownership and moniker of one of Sarah's favorite watering holes.

She playfully punched him. "Shut up," she said, "We'll go to PF. I think they have music tonight and it's close."

"PF?"

"Penny Farthing."

"Oh, yeah, well, wherever you go, be careful, alright?"

Sarah slid her arms around Justin's waist. "I love that you worry about me."

"I worry about you when you're out drinking and think nothing bad can happen."

"I'll be with friends."

"That does make me feel better," Justin said with a grin.

Sarah gave him another shove, pulled him in for a kiss, and started for their bedroom. "I have to get ready. G and Melissa will be here with Zach in a few minutes. They've already eaten dinner. I can't believe you didn't want me to bring you anything."

"I'm gonna order a pizza."

Sarah chuckled. Justin was a fitness freak and almost always ate healthy foods, but, one day a week, he allowed himself a cheat meal, and, apparently, tonight was the night to fall off the wagon. He crinkled his nose and explained he didn't want a cold burger or soggy onion rings.

"I love you," Sarah said from the bathroom where she was touching up her makeup and putting her hair in an updo. "This Zach kid…he was quiet, but he came around and now he and Noey are buds, so it should be fun."

"It's gonna be fun regardless," Justin said, "I'm a fun dude."

"Yes you are."

At the knock on the door, Justin left his wife in the bathroom and went to greet the rest of the crew.

"Hey!" He greeted them with a smile, hugged G, and stepped aside for the other two to come in. Zach was a little hesitant to do anything other than walk inside until Noah came around the corner and shouted for him to come and check out the video games in the guest bedroom.

Justin extended a hand to Melissa, "Nice to meet you," he said, "Come on it. Sare's still getting ready."

"She said we weren't going anywhere special," G said.

Justin shrugged. "To be honest, I have no idea what she's doing, but she'll be a minute. Come in, you want a drink or something?"

Melissa had already wandered inside. "Oh my…what a nice view!"

"Yeah, check it out, go outside," Justin said. "Let's have a quick drink." He grabbed a bottle of mezcal and three glasses and didn't even bother telling Noah they were going on the terrace because he and Zach were starting a game.

"Wow…so cool," Melissa said as she stepped onto the terrace.

G felt a tad awkward being the most familiar person with Justin in this scenario, but she had the benefit of several drinks to keep her nerves under control. "Cannot beat this people watching," she said, "Especially in the spring and summer."

"I bet," Melissa said. "You can see all the way to the edge of Union Square. What a great location. This must be…how much is rent here?"

G swallowed hard at the question. It was rude at best.

Unfazed, Justin replied, "It'd probably be three thousand to rent a studio around here. But we own this one."

"Oh, wow, nice."

"Yeah, it's pretty much a lock on investment. But my wife deals with all that."

"What do you do?"

"I'm getting my PhD in the spring," Justin replied proudly, "And co-publishing a book. It'll be out next year."

"Oh, wow, well, I'm sorry if tonight is taking you away from something important."

"Nope," Justin said, "These nights are awesome. Everyone needs a break." Justin held up the bottle. "Ya'll want another shot?"

G shrugged and said she would. Melissa did the same. She also appreciated that Justin hadn't had a sip. Reading her mind, Justin informed her that he drank sparingly, but not on nights when he also broke his diet. He was having pizza tonight which meant no alcohol even before he was charged with Noah and Zach.

"Well, he's a good kid," Melissa said, "And he loves any kind of movie."

"We have pretty much everything they'd want," Justin said. "Remember, back in the day, when you would have to rent movies?"

G laughed. "We didn't know how good we had it!"

"Nope."

The sliding door opened and Noah announced Sarah was ready. "And, c'mon, Justy, we set you up with Mario Kart."

"Oh, okay," he grinned. "I rock at Mario Kart. See you girls later."

Melissa went to hug Zach, but he had already sprinted into the second room. She poked her head inside and said goodbye, and he grinned and waved but never took his eyes off the screen. "I guess," she said, "I need to let go for a night," she said.

"That's the spirit," Sarah said, " Let's go!"

….

Maggie was home for spring break and her spirits were low. Unlike her brothers, she was unsure about what she wanted to do with her future, and she also had no love life to speak of. Maggie had been out on many dates, but she was picky, and she had not yet found someone she wanted to see on a second date. Her brothers made fun of her, but Olivia could tell she was feeling bad about herself when she came home for spring break her senior year instead of going someplace more fun which her parents offered to fund.

"I think I'll just graduate and come home," Maggie said, "There's no reason to stay there."

Olivia wasn't so sure. "You went to Stanford for a reason. You don't want to see what's out there?"

"I want to be in New York," Maggie said, "It's the best place on earth."

"This is great news for me, and your Dad, but, sweetie, what's going on? You seem…angry."

Maggie brooded. She breathed in and out and frowned.

"Like…I'm out of college and I don't feel like I know anything. My friends are all doing all these things and I'm just kind of, well, maybe I'll teach something."

"Do you want to be a teacher?"

"Oh god no."

Do you want to be a cop?"

Maggie grinned. "No, Ma, I know you would hate that and thank you for trying but, ugh, I just, I don't know what I want to do and I want to come home and I'll just work. Somewhere. And I'm sorry about going all the way to California only to come back here."

"Honey," We want you back here. And you can take a break…do what you want. You're so young. The thing I wished I would've known at your age was that I had time. I never thought I had time. You do."

Maggie took a deep breath. "Thank you, Mom."

"You're welcome."

…..

Ed and Olivia sipped their drinks and watched the twins wear themselves out. They had gone with the others to Max Brenner and Maggie and Wyatt ingested more sugar than they'd ever had in a day, so Ed was predicting a crash at any time. The twins were already prone to being hyper since they fed off of each other, but now Maggie was pretending to pitch a ball and Wyatt hit it and they would shout "HOMERUN" and they would both run around the apartment until they decided it was time for another pitch.

"I think," Ed whispered," They're out."

Olivia lifted her head from his shoulder and peered at Maggie and Wyatt. They looked like they were asleep, but she wanted to be careful. "Let's…let's have a drink here. In the quiet. Just to make sure."

"Okay."

Olivia refilled their glasses with precision and made no noise. The twins did not move.

"Good work," Ed said.

"Thank you. You can move them to bed if you want."

"Leavin' the hard part to me?"

"That's what Daddies are for!"

Ed sat up and grabbed her, not caring that he might be spilling drinks. "C'mere, Benson," he said, "Loving using the old time moniker, "Let's help you relax." You stay here for a minute and I'll put those two in bed. Be right back."

"You seem confident."

"I am."

\-