Still April 2017…

Housewarming, Part I: Family Only

Olivia broke down yet another box as quietly as possible, propped it against the foyer wall, and grabbed another. This one had obviously been packed last. It was labeled "kitchen" but it held random items—board games, two Nalgene water bottles, a stack of envelopes, dish towels, a couple of microwave meals, and a small plastic case. She laid out the items on the counter, repeated the flattening routine, and returned to the kitchen.

Her breath caught in her throat and she jumped, not expecting Ed to be there. A hand flew to her chest. "Oh my God," she gasped. "I didn't hear you."

Ed wrapped his arms around her waist, "Sorry." He let his hands slip just inside the waistband of her pajama pants and kissed her.

"You're forgiven."

Ed surveyed the area. The kitchen opened to the living and dining area; one could enjoy the immaculate view from anywhere in the large room. Their new sectional, gray herringbone rug, and side tables had a clean, modern look. Ed appreciated that Olivia preferred a neutral color scheme. The furniture was upholstered in dark gray microfiber, and they'd chosen turquoise throw pillows for spring. The space was lit by a combination of recessed lighting, floor and table lamps, and, of course, the natural light streaming in from the windows. There was plenty of room for a large dining table and chairs which they hadn't purchased yet, and the artwork still needed to be hung, but Ed was satisfied with the progress they'd made in less than twenty-four hours.

Olivia handed him a mug and started stowing the contents of the random box.

"Thanks," Ed said, "Where do you want me to start?"

"Drink your coffee and keep me company in here," Olivia replied, "Then maybe the boxes in the office?"

"Yes ma'am."

She kissed his cheek. "You're the best."

Ed was attempting to ensnare her in a more passionate smooch when Noah's footsteps echoed from the hallway. Ed and Olivia turned to greet him as he emerged.

"Mornin' bud!"

"Hi, sweet boy!"

Noah appeared confused. He looked up at the ceiling, at his parents, and then fixated on the windows. Olivia picked him up, "Did you like sleeping in your new room?"

"Da room big, Mommy."

"Yes. And so is this one. Our new house is so big!"

"You have big room, too."

"Yep, Daddy and I have a huge room! Do you remember our tub? You can take a bath in it tonight. It will make bubbles!"

"Oooooo!"

Ed handed Noah his sippy cup. "You hungry, No?"

Noah shook his head.

"Ok, little man. Mommy and Daddy are going to unpack some boxes. What do you want to do?"

"Wanna go out there," Noah pointed to the windows.

"Want to sit in your beanbag?"

"I have iPad?"

"Why don't you read some books first, sweetheart? Then I'll give you the iPad."

Noah squirmed to get down. He went over to his bean bag, inspected the pile of books, chose one, and started "reading."

Ed grinned at him from the other side of the island. "He's such a good kid."

"Let's hope he stays that way."

"He will."

Olivia screwed up her face, "Wait a minute. Weren't you the one who said he'd be sneaking out of here?"

"Maybe he'd be sneaking out to…go do late-night volunteer work at a shelter or something."

Olivia shook her head disbelievingly.

Ed held the smaller case Olivia pulled out earlier. "What's this?"

"I think it has pictures in it," she said, "Open it."

Indeed, the box was full of loose photos, mostly from when Olivia was much younger. Ed sorted through them, teasing her about former hair styles and wardrobe choices. He came to one of Serena. It looked like it could have possibly been an official university photo. She was seated in a brown leather chair, book in her lap and eyeglasses in hand.

"This is a good one of your mom," Ed remarked.

Olivia glanced over, "Yeah it is."

"You think she woulda liked me?"

"Yes I do," she replied assuredly, thinking that she was sure she'd previously made that assurance. "I wish she could see how happy you make me."

"Maybe she can."

Olivia smiled. Ed, the lapsed Catholic, had trouble completely abandoning the religion he'd grown up with. She sidled up to him and looked on. More nineties hair and nineties clothes. Then he came to one that looked more recent. She wore a floppy beach hat, a white cover up, and oversized sunglasses as the photographer captured her doing a little dance on the ocean shore.

"Where was this?" He asked.

Olivia bit her lip. "Bahamas."

Ed's face fell, "Oh."

"Ed." Olivia felt his body go rigid and she kneaded his back.

"I don't like thinking about you and him."

"You still think about that?"

"No, but now I am."

She piled the pictures back in the box, and snapped the lid closed, leaving the beach picture out.

"Whaddya gonna do with that?"

"Get rid of it."

"Seriously?"'

"Yes. It bothers you."

"I'm sorry, Liv," his face filled with remorse, "But I just can't stand the idea of you being with someone else."

Olivia played with his fingers. "I get it."

"How can you possibly get it?"

"I don't like thinking of you with another woman."

"I've never loved anyone like I love you," Ed said, "But you loved him." He was deliberately avoiding saying Brian's name.

"I thought I did," Olivia admitted, "But whatever it was…it certainly was not what we have. So, the picture's going away forever…and you and I are going to unpack our family pictures and arrange them in our new home."

"And tomorrow you'll be Olivia Margaret Tucker."

"Correct."

He kissed her again, "Thank you for putting up with me."

"It's not that difficult," Olivia teased and slid her hands under his shirt.

"Careful, Lieutenant."

She gazed at him adoringly, "I love you."

"I love you."

They locked eyes for a few minutes until Noah came scampering in, requesting food.

"We have leftover pizza and cereal but no milk," Olivia reported.

They both laughed at Noah's baffled expression. He'd never been offered pizza for breakfast before.

"How 'bout I run out and get a few things?" Ed suggested. "No, wanna go to the market with me? We'll get some ingredients and Mommy can make us breakfast." Ed winked mischievously at his wife.

"We eat pizza?" Noah asked hopefully.

"How about," Olivia said, "We have breakfast pizza? There's a recipe for it in the book Daddy bought." She glanced at Ed, hoping she'd proven once and for all she didn't have a bad attitude about the family cookbook.

He smiled. "I better make a list."

…

Sarah and Brooke stopped by later that day to check on progress. Characteristically, Sarah burst in, only this time she couldn't do her typical flouncing about because she was burdened with housewarming gifts. Brooke trailed her, four large shopping bags dangling from her forearms because she was also balancing a sheet cake with both hands.

"Omigod!" Sarah exclaimed. She was immobilized but no less enthusiastic. "This place looks GREAT! Like you've lived here forever! Where'd all the boxes go?"

Ed took the plant from her and Sarah heaved the rest of her bags on the island. Brooke struggled to kick off her shoes in the foyer. Sarah, of course, didn't bother taking off her shoes.

"Noah ran over to her, crouched down, and untied her sneakers. "It tight, Brookey," he grunted. Determined, he furrowed his brow and leaned in to evaluate the knot. He tugged a few more times and finally loosened the laces. Brooke smiled at him as he lifted one ankle at a time and yanked each Chuck Taylor from her feet. "Dere ya go!" He announced proudly. "You free!"

"Thanks No," Brooke said dryly, making her way into the main room. "I'm glad someone here is concerned about me."

Ed and Sarah stood shoulder to shoulder evaluating the leveling of the artwork. At the sound of Brooke's voice, they snapped to attention, both wearing innocent, wide-eyed expressions.

Brooke grinned, "You two look just alike," she remarked with the resigned frustration of the good child who was consistently outmatched by her sister's innate charm. Brooke and Ed had a great relationship, but she was the pragmatic, level-headed, responsible child. Sarah drove him absolutely crazy, but even when he was scowling at her, there was no mistaking his adoration for his younger daughter's energy and spontaneity.

Sarah closely analyzed her father's face, "I guess we kinda do," she murmured, "Except, of course, for all this gray hair!"

"You just wait," Ed warned.

Sarah shrugged, "At least you're not bald. I don't think Livvie woulda thought you were so hot if you were bald."

Ed rolled his eyes. He didn't have a comeback for that one.

Noah was straining to see what exactly Brooke had in her hands. He obviously suspected it was something that fell in the dessert category. Ed hurried over and took the cake from her. "Welcome home, Dad, Mom, and Noah." He read. "Well, thanks girls!"

Brooke slung her set of bags on the counter opposite the island, "You're welcome. So there's cake, we got some groceries, and, Sarah…well, she'll have to walk you through all the stuff she bought. Where's Olivia?"

"She just got out of the shower. Lemme go tell her you're here."

Ed went to the bedroom and found Olivia leaning over the vanity, head cocked at an odd angle, inspecting herself in the mirror. A towel was wrapped around her head and she was wearing a tank top and black panties.

"Liv?"

She mumbled a hello and continued whatever it was she was doing.

"Sarah and Brooke are here."

"Ok."

"Something wrong?"

"I'm going to have to be creative with my attire for the next couple days. Look at this."

Ed came closer. On Olivia's neck, just above her collarbone, was an oval-shaped pinkish-purple discoloration. It wasn't the first time something like that appeared on her body, but usually he was better at placement. "Oh…sorry. It's…not that bad. You can't see it from a distance."

"I'll be fine."

"If it makes you feel any better," Ed rolled up his t-shirt to reveal faint bite marks on his shoulder, "You left these."

Olivia kissed the shoulder and then kissed him on the lips, "That looks like it hurt."

"I don't remember it hurting, you know, at least not in a bad way." He planted a few open-mouthed kisses along her collarbone. "I'll be gentle tonight." His hands drifted inside her top and he massaged her bare breasts. "Or right now."

"Sarah and Brooke are here."

"This door locks."

"Ed."

"Ok, ok. I'll be good."

"I'll be out in a few minutes."

He gave her one last kiss. "You know how you were so happy the island was clear when you came in here to get cleaned up?"

"Yeah," Olivia replied slowly.

"Well, that feeling was short-lived."

"What did they buy?"

"They haven't shown me everything yet. But, a cake and, uh, groceries."

"They're so sweet."

"If you say so," he grumbled, "I better get back out there. Noah may have eaten half the cake by now. They let him do whatever he wants."

Olivia cocked an eyebrow.

"So do you."

"That is not true. When I picked him up from day care Friday he wanted a hot dog and a pretzel and I made him choose one."

Olivia slid on a pair of jeans and looked around for a regular t-shirt. "He never asks for that kind of stuff when I pick him up. You know why?"

Ed's expression indicated he did not.

Olivia slapped his ass on the way out of the bedroom, "Because I say no."

Ed followed, admiring the way she looked in jeans.

Sarah, Noah, and Brooke were sitting in a circle on the floor where the dining table was supposed to be rolling cars back and forth to one another.

"Hey guys!" Olivia greeted them with her usual warm smile.

Brooke caught the car Noah slid over to her. "Hi Liv! It looks awesome out here!"

Sarah agreed, "Livvie, we knew you'd be all organized quickly, so we brought a bunch of stuff to reclutter your life!" she dipped her head towards the kitchen.

"Well thanks," Olivia said brightly and bent down to Noah's level. "Did you eat some cake?"

Noah shook his head and answered firmly, "No, Mommy."

"No?"

"Uh-uh."

"Well what did you eat?"

Noah glanced at Sarah and said, "One Reesy cup. Sarah said no cake." He'd clearly been coached to say one.

Sarah giggled and pulled Noah over to her, "You're perfect, Noey. The best brother ever."

"You best sister."

"What about Brookey?"

"Brookey best sister too."

"You're the best."

"No, you're the best."

"No, you're the best."

Ed rubbed his face with both hands and went to the kitchen to sort through his daughters' gifts. Brooke lifted herself from the floor and went over to help him, leaving Olivia and Sarah alone with Noah. While Noah occupied himself with a stuck matchbox car door, Sarah grinned slyly at Olivia and hooked her t-shirt collar with a finger, exposing the blemish.

"Hmmmm." Her eyes narrowed. "What's this?"

"Hazardous moving conditions," Olivia replied breezily.

"I'll say." Sarah's eyes danced with joy. She loved witnessing how in love they were; she also loved to tease her Dad about it, but she decided to back off this one after Olivia gave her a stern glance that clearly said keep quiet.

Olivia and Sarah joined Brooke and Ed at the island. Their view of one another was partially obstructed by the plant.

"This is a good luck bamboo," Sarah explained.

"Are you implying we need luck?" Ed asked.

"Oh, Daddy, of course not. It's the only plant that didn't need to be watered constantly," Sarah explained, "Brooke didn't want to even get a plant, but I told her it was required for new homes."

Brooke mocked her, "In addition to an MBA, Sarah also has a degree in etiquette."

"Well, thank you," Olivia said graciously. "It looks good in here."

Ed rifled through the other items—Jo Malone soaps, hand towels with an embroidered "T," drink coasters, bottles of wine, a candle, and-

Ed held up a small glass bottle and squinted to read the label, "Massage oil?"

The women cracked up.

"I thought maybe, you know, after a hard day fighting crime you may need it," Sarah chirped.

Olivia hugged Brooke and Sarah, "Thank you so much, ladies. All of this is great. Unnecessary, but great."

"We don't want to keep you from whatever you need to do," Brooke said, "So we'll get going."

"Stay for cake," Olivia insisted.

Sarah readily accepted the invitation and reached for one of the wine bottles, "It'll go great with this port. Daddy, have you unpacked your glasses yet?"

Ed looked at his wife quizzically.

"Not those," Olivia answered, "We'll have to use juice glasses."

"Noey!" Sarah called, "I told you we'd have cake. C'mon!"

Noah abandoned his cars and ran over. Sarah swung him up so he was sitting next to the cake. She wielded a knife and asked him how big he wanted his piece to be.
He held his arms out wide. "This big!"

She pretended to carefully measure the size, "One, two, three, four…hmmm, adjusted to scale, alright, here ya go," Sarah cut a quarter of the cake and was very close to lifting it onto a plate when Ed grumbled at her to stop.

Olivia put him on one of the bar chairs. "Ed, do we know where the booster seat is?"

"I think it's in his room. I'll get it."

"Sorry for the lack of seating," Olivia said, "We're going table shopping next weekend."

Brooke poured the wine and sampled it before passing out the glasses. "Mmmm, this is good. Here ya go, ladies."

"Cheers!"

"Are you gonna get a huge table, Livvie? That space is gigantic!"

"We'll take measurements. I saw a few online that seated eight, but that seems kind of big."

Brooke surveyed the space, "I think you're going to need a pretty good sized table or else it'll look weird."

"Maybe we should go with you," Sarah suggested.

"Sare, do you realize Dad and Olivia are adults? They don't need constant guidance and supervision."

Sarah dismissed the criticism, "Brooke, do you understand we are family and it is our duty to be there for one another especially when one another is spending their money on new furniture?"

"I thought you were going to Philly next weekend?
Olivia raised her eyebrows, "I thought your Dad was taking you?" In the chaos of the past few weeks, Olivia hadn't thought about Sarah's marital problems, but Sarah had also been avoiding the subject.

Ed returned, "Liv, I can't find it," he reported, exasperated.

"It's probably in the office. Don't worry about it. He's fine for now." The four of them simpered at Noah whose face was covered with crumbs and frosting.

Sarah slid Ed a plate and a glass. "Here ya go, Daddy."

"Thanks."

"We decided we're going with you to pick out a table and chairs."

Brooke swatted Sarah, "No we didn't."

Ed glanced at Olivia for clarification, but she just took an amused sip and gazed back at him lovingly.

"Anyway," Brooke said, "If I can steer us back to my unanswered question, I thought you were going to Philly next weekend?"

"That's not a question," Sarah snapped.

"You're avoiding the subject."

"Yes I am."

Ed interjected, "Am I supposed to be going with you?"

Defeat clouded Sarah's face. "You don't have to go, Dad. I need to do this alone."

The adults ate a few bites in silence. Noah's piece was now reduced to crumbs, and he picked at the miniscule pieces with his fingers. Sarah, who loved Noah but also appreciated that he was a useful distraction, asked him if he wanted another piece and he nodded vigorously. Neither Ed nor Olivia objected.

"At least take my truck," Ed offered.

Olivia put a hand on Sarah's back, "Are you sure you don't want one of us to go?"

"I'm sure," Sarah replied softly, "I was exaggerating before. The Phillies have games anyway, so he won't be home."

"Won't you need help moving your things?" Olivia asked.

"I'll just get the rest of my clothes and a few other things we need for the apartment. The big stuff can wait."

Ed rested against the island on his forearms, "Sare, where are you at with this whole thing?"

Sarah finished her port and poured more. "I told him he had a month. It has not yet been a month."

"What does that even mean?" Brooke asked. "Dad asked about you."

"I think I'm done," Sarah reported morosely, "I'm at home here. He'll never move to New York. I'm ready to get it over with and move on."

Ed cleared his throat. "You should probably tell him sooner rather than later. You can't go forward if you have this hanging over your head."

Olivia looked at him approvingly. He took a hands-off approach with his daughters and often acted indifferently, but when one of them was in distress, his fatherly instincts kicked in.

"You're right, Daddy," Sarah sighed. "What do I even do?"

Olivia had never seen her look so helpless, "You need to talk to Jeff. And then you'll file for divorce."

"Here?"

"You'll have to file in Pennsylvania. New York will only grant a divorce if you live here for a year." Olivia saw Ed raise his eyebrows and she patted his hand reassuringly, "I know this because of my job."

Brooke gave Sarah a little hug, "We'll look online when we get home."

"At least I didn't legally change my name," Sarah said with a hint of relief, "That would be a gigantic pain in the ass."

"Why didn't you do that?" Brooke asked.

"Because it was a gigantic pain in the ass," She repeated for emphasis, "Livvie, I totally agree with your decision not to change yours."

Olivia chuckled, "Actually, I'm changing it tomorrow."

Sarah squealed. "You ARE? Omigod! Yay!" She hugged Olivia's neck.

Ed snickered, "Two seconds ago you were agreeing with her not changing it."

"I should've said I understand it. Which I do. This is so great," Sarah gushed.

Brooke held up the towels, "Now I'm glad we just got the T. We almost bought T and B."

"Noah," Olivia prompted, "What's your new name baby boy?"

"I Noah Tucker!" He announced grandly, "Tucker like Daddy!"

Ed smiled proudly, "Yeah, bud. All of us are Tuckers."

"Sisters Tucker?"

"Yup, the sisters are Tuckers, too."

Brooke finished her cake and dutifully wiped Noah's face and hands. "Next time I pick you up, No, we'll practice writing your name." She removed his plate and fork and started filling the dishwasher.

"Yeah," Sarah added breezily, "I already taught him to add and subtract. He's gonna be the smartest kid in his kindergarten when he starts school! The teacher will be amazed!"

"Speaking of school," Ed said, "Brooke, do you have any news?"

"Still waiting to hear back. They usually don't have an idea of what they'll need until late May or so. But the interviews went really well."

"Good."

"Ok, so, I will go get my stuff next Sunday," Sarah was businesslike, "Saturday we'll shop for a table, and then we'll start planning your housewarming party."

"Our housewarming party?" Ed asked.

"I was hoping we could have a few people over," Olivia said, "You know, to celebrate."

"And show off these freaking gorgeous digs!" Sarah exclaimed.

To everyone's surprise, Ed enthusiastically agreed, "Yeah, that's a good idea. We need that table first."

"We're buying that Saturday," Sarah reminded him. "I'll get my stuff Sunday."

"Are you sure you don't want one of us to go with you?" Brooke asked. "At least to drive? You're a horrible driver."

"I am not."

"Yes you are. And when's the last time you drove anywhere?"

"I have no idea."

"Think about it," Olivia said. "I think I'd feel better if one of us went along."

"Me too," Ed said.

Sarah clasped her hands to her chest, "You guys. You're all so sweet and wonderful and, gawwwwd, so, so, beautiful."

Brooke dramatically took Sarah's wine away from her, "And on that note, it's time to go."

Sarah snatched the wine back and defiantly downed the last sip, "Can't a girl love her family?"

"Yes, but you're so…theatrical about it."

"That's the way I am. I shoulda been an actress. And, look at us," Sarah moved her head around slowly, hands extended, "We are beautiful. Noah being the cutest, of course." She grabbed Noah and danced around with him in her arms. "Noey, don't you think we are the best looking family in the city?"

"In Ma'hattan?"

"You know we live in Manhattan?"

"Ma'hattan out there," He pointed at the windows.

"That's right, brother bear. Don't you just love Manhattan?"

Noah played with Sarah's curls, "Love you Sarah!"

"I'm dead," Brooke uttered, collapsing into the corner where the island and pillar met.

Sarah kissed Noah's forehead, held him tightly, and swayed to whatever music was playing in her head.

….

Ed dried off after showering, put on a pair of boxers, and joined Olivia in bed. She was reading a book and pretended not to be distracted when he dragged her over so his arm was around her and her head rested on his shoulder. Ed tried to leave her alone, but he lost his nerve after only a few minutes.

"How can you read after what we just did?"

Olivia tilted her head back. The sight of her straining a little to look at him through her oversized reading glasses made Ed want to toss the book aside and tear her clothes off for the second time that night.

"You've rendered me content, Captain."

"You were kinda quiet tonight."

"You were very gentle, as promised."

"Too gentle?"

"Perfect gentle."

"I don't think I left any marks."

"They take a few hours to show up. We'll see."

"When are we going to get to use that Jacuzzi tub?"

After Sarah and Brooke left, they gave Noah a bath in their tub, and he splashed water everywhere playing with the jets. Olivia snapped several pictures of him surrounded by a mass of bubbles. She also documented the fit he threw when they announced it was time to get out.

"How about tomorrow night? It'll be a nice way to end the day after everything we have going on—name change, cooking dinner together…"

He kissed the top of her head, "Yeah, that'll be nice. I'm gonna try to leave early and finish unpacking before I get Noah."

"If you leave early, I can get him on my way home. Rollins is on late this week."

"Alright. Hey, if you don't want the girls going table shopping with us, that's ok with me ya know. I'll talk to them."

Olivia put the book and her glasses on the nightstand, sat up, and took Ed's hands in hers. "And if you don't want to go table shopping, that's ok, too."

"I want you to get what you want. You can go with the girls and Noah and I'll hang out and do manly things...like go to the park."

Olivia leaned forward for a kiss. "You really don't like shopping, do you?"

"It was fun picking out the fixtures and that kinda stuff, but furniture? Nah."

"You were good with Sarah tonight," Olivia complimented and snuggled back into him, "You're such a good dad."

"I hope she lets one of us go with her," Ed murmured, "And not only because I don't want her driving my car." He felt Olivia's body shake with laughter, "Brooke's right. She's a terrible driver. Actually, her license may even be expired. I need to check that out."

"And I'm glad you're on board with the party. I know that's not your favorite thing in the world."

"Not usually," he said, "But I love this place and I love you and Noah, and I want other people to see that."

Olivia's jaw dropped.

"What? You don't think I'm proud of all this?"

She ran her fingers through his still-damp hair. "I know you are. And I am, too. It's just…you know when you used to tell me you had to remind yourself that we were real?"

"Yeah."

"When you say things like that, I think I feel how you felt…so…grateful and happy and, I guess, satisfied."

"I'm never satisfied," Ed said. "I love you more every day, Liv, and I want you to love me more every day. I don't ever want us to be stuck, that ruins—"

Olivia put a finger to his lips. "Uh-uh. We're not going there. You're right, Ed. Love each other more every day. I think that's…that's what we're all about, isn't it?"

Ed's blue eyes blazed with intense passion as he kissed her. It was brief at first-he opened his mouth wide and took possession of her lips, paused to whisper, "That's all I've wanted to do since I bought you that first drink" and then, despite it being late and tomorrow's early start, he lifted her shirt over her head, and gave his wife two options.

"More gentle or less gentle than earlier?"

She responded immediately.

"Less."

….

upcoming attractions: jacuzzi tub, housewarming party, familiar faces, squad drama, OC drama, and #ALWAYS…#Tuckson sweetness