Early May, 2017. Reminder that the last chapter ended with the Housewarming Party and Sarah passing out on the Tucker couch. Thanks to JennBenson for helping cultivate this idea!

Spring Scenes

Noah clambered out of bed and sleepily wobbled down the hall into the living room where only silence greeted him. He paused, listened more closely, and picked up someone's heavy breathing, not quite a snore, but close. Stealthily and with a sly grin, he tiptoed over to the couch. To his delight, it was Sarah.

He stood next to her and whispered her name, but she didn't wake up. Impatient, he pried open one of her eyes with his thumb and forefinger and leaned in for a close examination of the eyeball.

"Hi Noey," she said, her voice heavy with sleep.

"Hi Sarah," he whispered back, still inspecting her eye socket. "You 'sleep?"

"Not anymore."

"You babysit me?"

Sarah scrunched up her face, rubbed her eyes, and sat up. The throw blanket fell to the floor and Noah dutifully put it back over her legs. "I don't think I'm babysitting you. Where're Mommy and Daddy?" Both she and Noah cast cursory glances around the room. Sarah rubbed her eyes again, trying to shake the alcohol-induced haze and determine if she was still drunk, sober, or in the beginning stages of a hangover. Whatever it was, she needed water.

"Mommy and Daddy take nap?" Noah asked innocently. After all, everyone else had been. "Where the people?"

"They went home 'cause the party ended." Sarah stood up and folded the blanket. "I'm getting a drink, No. You want something?"

"Gotta go potty."

"You need help?"

"No, I do it."

Sarah filled a large tumbler with water, downed it, and refilled the glass. Responding to the gnawing pangs in her stomach, she hunted through the refrigerator for leftovers. She put a few meatballs on a plate and heated them in the microwave. Noah returned and struggled to climb on the bar chair until Sarah gave him a boost. She cut a meatball, blew on it, and took a bite.

"Yum. These are good. You wanna bite?"

"Uh-huh." Noah opened his mouth. "Yum!" he said with his mouthful.

"Did you flush?"

"No, you flush."

Sarah cut up another meatball and slid the plate and fork to him. "Ok, I'll flush. Are you scared to do it?"

"No," he replied with some attitude, "It hard."

"Be right back." Sarah went to the bathroom and pushed the button. It is hard, she thought, geez. She checked her face in the mirror, dabbed at her eye makeup with a wipe, and retied her ponytail. She doubted they kept medicine in the bathroom primarily used by Noah, but she hunted unsuccessfully for aspirin there anyway.

On her way out, she looked to the opposite end of the hall at the closed master bedroom door. Just as she concluded Noah was right, that they were sleeping, she heard a stifled giggle and a thud. Curious, she took a couple of soft steps towards the door.

"Ow." That was Olivia's voice. Intrigued and grinning mischievously, Sarah got closer.

"Sorry."

"I'm fine."

"Lemme make it better."

Some smacking. Shuffling. More giggles.

They were speaking in hushed tones, obviously cognizant of their guest and their son, but not so cognizant that they were any less active. Sarah heard the clanking of Noah eating. Satisfied he was temporarily occupied, she took another few steps and stifled a laugh, thinking about how virulently Brooke would chastise her for eavesdropping.

"How's that?"

"Ed, baby."

Sarah reprimanded herself as Olivia's moans grew not exactly louder, but more intense. What did get louder were the thuds which Sarah attributed to the ottoman or the chair or both bumping against the wall.

"Oh my—" Sarah heard Olivia's muffled "GAWWWWD" and put a hand over her own mouth, shaking with silent laughter at how Olivia used her signature expression.

Then, she nearly lost it when she heard her Dad mutter, "That's twice."

"Your turn," Olivia said.

Omigod, omigod, omigod.

"Oh yeah?"

"Take me to the bed." Sarah desperately wanted to record this for no other reason than to let Brooke hear Olivia's voice. Their Livvie always spoke in a smooth, caring, gentle tone, at least to them, and this bedroom voice was deeper, hoarse, and authoritative.

If I ever have sex again, I'm stealing that voice. I never stop learning from my Livvie! She vowed to practice later on.

"C'mon." She heard her Dad grunt a little and then a dull thump—maybe him dropping Olivia on the mattress.

"On your back, Captain."

"Whatever you say, Lieutenant."

Omigod, they use their ranks! I wish I had a rank! I need a rank. Or a guy who has one!

Sarah wanted pointers on whatever Olivia was doing to her Dad because when he said, "Aw, baby, I fucking love you," it oozed with pure pleasure.

This is so hotttttt!

Then, she sent him into what must have been an erotic stupor. There were a few breathless Livs. The next words out of him were not words—gasps mostly, and, what was that? Some type of growl?

Then their conversation, if one could call it that, turned oddly mundane. Sarah furrowed her brow.

"I thought you were tired?"

"I thought you were a little drunk?"

"Nah, not anymore."

"Good party."

"Great party."

"Be good to have a lazy day tomorrow, though."

"Yeah."

Silence.

Probably kissing.

"Ed, we should probably get out there."

Olivia's regular voice was back.
"Yeah, ok."

"So, harder."

She went back to the sexy voice.

"Like this?"

"Yessssssss."

Sarah got up and crept back to the kitchen. Noah was exactly where she left him only now he was covered with meatball sauce.

"I eated all da me'balls," he said proudly, licking the fork.

"I see. You didn't leave me any!" Sarah forced a fake pout.

"You get more, Sarah. In da fridge'rator."

"I will, but let's clean you up." She carried him from the chair to the sink, sat him on the counter and wiped his hands and face with a dishcloth. After he was clean, she heated a few more meatballs for herself.

"You find Mommy n Daddy?"

"Yeah, they'll, uh, be out in a minute."

"I wanna watch teeeeeveeeee, Sarah, you watch wiff me?"

Sarah went over and flipped the channels until she found Cartoon Network. "You start. I'm gonna finish eating."

"You eat here wiff me."

"No, we can't eat on the new couch."

Although your Mom and Dad have probably done worse on it.

"We get it dirty?"

"Not if I eat in the kitchen. I'll just be a minute, and I'm right here."

"I want Mommy. I gonna get her."

Damn. Of all the times for him to want his Mom. "She'll be out in a minute, No. Just watch TV."

"No. I wanna see Mommy." Noah took off toward the hallway, but Sarah intercepted him.

"Ha! I gotcha, Noey!" She hoisted him in the air and blew strawberries on his belly.

Noah squealed as he fought to get free. Sarah squeezed him tightly then put him down and he continued on his beeline but ran into Olivia who rounded the corner dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. She must have spent a few minutes putting herself together—her hair was in a neat ponytail and her makeup, though faded a bit, wasn't smeared.

"Hi sweet boy!" She scooped Noah into her arms and hugged him tightly. "Good nap?"

"Uh-huh. I waked up Sarah!"

"You did?" Olivia beamed at Sarah, "I'm sure she appreciated that." Olivia patted Sarah's back and murmured, "Thanks, hon."

"Where Jesse, Mama?"

"Jesse went home with her mom."

"Sonny goed home too?"

"Yep."

"Brookey?"

"I think Brookey's at home."

Noah widened his eyes and addressed Sarah, "You stay here wiff us?"

"I don't think so, Noey. I drank all the booze and ate all the food and now I should probably go home. Livvie, Daddy isn't mad at me is he?" Sarah was impressed with herself for being so unfazed in the presence of Olivia.

She doesn't know. They'll never know.

Olivia started clearing plates and glasses from the tables and brushed off Sarah's concern. "Of course not. He's fine."

"I didn't eat," Sarah whined, "I always forget to eat when I drink."

"Why don't you take some food home with you? We have so many leftovers." She found a plastic container and handed it to Sarah. "Here, take whatever you want."

"Thanks. Where's Daddy?"

"He just jumped in the shower," Olivia replied casually.

"Ok, well, tell him thanks for me. I'm gonna head out. C'mere, Noey. Give me kisses!"

Noah ran over. "You leave, Sarah?"

"Yeah, but I'll see ya this week sometime. Love you so, so, so much, Noey!"

"Lub YOU so much!"

"How much?"

Noah held his arms out wide. "Dis much!"

"Me too, sweetie."

Sarah hadn't taken three steps out of the apartment before she sent a text to Brooke.

OMG OMG OMG OMG you are NOT going to believe the STORY I have to tell YOU!

…

Sarah practically ran home. Brooke hadn't texted back, but she thought nothing of it. She was probably sleeping, too. It wasn't terribly late, maybe she could talk her into hitting Quinn's if she wasn't too groggy. The nap and the food helped, and Sarah felt almost normal. She let herself into the dark apartment. Brooke's purse was there so she was home. Sarah noticed a thin purplish light emanating from under her bedroom door and darted to her room, but stopped in her tracks and stifled a giggle. No way. This was not happening twice in one night.

"Great movie."

Omigod, omigod, omigod.

The voice was unmistakably Sonny's, and he said great movie with a giggle which Sarah took to mean they hadn't actually watched much of the movie.

Say something, Brookey.

Nothing. More giggles. Some rustling. Maybe a smack of the lips?

Dad and Livvie were more interesting.

"So, this was good." Carisi again. Was Brooke even in there?

"I'm glad you came over."

"Thanks for the invite."

Gawwwd, this is boring.

"I have to work tomorrow and most of next week, but let's plan on dinner, maybe another movie?"

More laughter. Footsteps. Movement on the floor.

Jesus, you guys, what are you, twelve?

Disappointed, Sarah hustled to her room, shimmied out of her party clothes and into sweats. She collapsed on the bed and innocently examined her phone, awaiting her sister's inevitable arrival.

Seconds later, Brooke flung her door open. "Hello."

"Hey," Sarah replied, keeping her eyes fixed on the screen.

"How long were you listening to us?"

Sarah scrunched up her face. "Whaddya talkin' about?"

"Sarah."

"Brooke."

Brooke took a seat on the side of the bed and wrested the phone from Sarah's hand. "How much did you hear?"

"Just something about a movie."

"Yes, we watched a movie."

"Which one?"

"Silver Linings Playbook."

"Tell me about it." Sarah challenged. Brooke ticked off some plot details before Sarah interrupted her. "You know what, I don't care about the fucking movie. I wanna know what else happened in there."

"We just kissed a little."

"A little?"

"Yes."

Sarah realized Brooke wasn't giving up details easily, so she shifted to what she really wanted to talk about. "You will never guess what happened at Dad and Livvie's."

"What?"

"Well, I fell asleep."

"Passed out."

"Same thing. Anyway, Noey woke me up and was like, 'where's the parents?' So, I got up with him and made some food and helped him flush the freaking toilet, and when I came out of the bathroom I heard something from their bedroom."

"You. Did. Not."

Sarah grinned unabashedly, "Oh, I did."

"You're so bad."

"You don't wanna know?"

"Not really," Brooke replied dryly, but she stayed seated on the bed and a smile formed on her face.

Sarah beamed at her. "Yes you do!" The sisters huddled together conspiratorially. "Ok, so, there was this bang and then whatever Dad was doing, it was hot, cuz Livvie was like oh gawwd, oh, but first, he musta dropped her or something."

"Dropped her?"

"I don't know. She said ow. Anyway, after whatever he did, I'm assuming oral, she told him to put her on the bed."

"Where were they before?"

Sarah cast a glance upward, trying to visualize their bedroom. "I'm guessing the chair. I don't know. I didn't have eyes, Brookey."

"Oh shit."

"I know. It was ridiculously hot."

"Except it's Dad. And Liv. You're going straight to hell."

"I'll write you. So, and this is the best part, the next things I hear are Captain this and Lieutenant that, omigod, omigod, I was dying."

"They call each other Captain and Lieutenant?" Brooke asked incredulously.

"Yes, isn't that hottttt?"

"Like he outranks her so he's, uh, giving her orders?"

"That's the next thing." Sarah was practically bouncing up and down with excitement. "It was more like she was telling him what to do, and Brookey, omigod, omigod, I wish I was a good mimic because—yougottahearhervoice."

"Her voice?"

"She sounded like one of those cocktail lounge singers."

"What?"

"Her voice was so deep and sexy, and, what's that word? Sultry. I need to practice it." Sarah tried a few sentences, but it elicited only critical snickers from her sister.

"I suggest you stick to your natural sound when you're rolling around with…whoever."

Sarah poked Brooke's shoulder. "Speaking of rolling around. You had Sonny in your bed!"

"I told you. We were watching a movie. And kissed. That's it."

"I don't believe you. Why was the door closed? Door closed? On your bed? Come on. Did he at least, ya know, cop a feel?"

"Sorta."

"Under shirt or over shirt?
"Under but over bra."

Sarah frowned, "Why did he stop?"

"We heard you come in."

"Yeah right. Blame it on me."

Brooke shrugged. "The movie was over. He's technically on duty. And you think you're stealthy, but you have King Kong footsteps."

"Well, at least he was here and not with Amanda. I spent the whole party with her, and, from what I remember, I don't think they have anything going on. She talked about him like he was a brother. Or her older son."

Brooke nodded, "He really likes to take care of people."

"Now he needs to take care of you, if ya know what I mean."

Brooke groaned.

"How did he end up over here, anyway?"

"He took Rollins home and stayed there while she slept it off. He wanted me to go to his place, but I was already changed and didn't feel like going anywhere."

"So you invited him."

"Yes."

"Good for you, Brookey. Be assertive."

"The next time he's here," Brooke shoved Sarah and she dramatically fell backwards into her pillows, "No voyeurism."

Sarah pouted. "You're no fun."

"I don't know how you can talk to Dad and Liv like a normal person now that you've…heard them!"

"Oh please," Sarah retorted, "They're flirty around us all the time. Gawd. Dad practically undresses her with his eyes, like, all the time. And it's like, they're always close. They're so, so, so, so in love."

"What is your point?"

"My point is…hearing them fucking isn't such a big step from what we've already seen," Sarah let out a heavy sigh, "I want a relationship like that. Gawd it was hot."

Brooke regarded her sister with amusement. "Try that sexy voice again," she challenged playfully and erupted into giggles as Sarah earnestly yet futilely tried to match Olivia's bedroom drawl.

…..

"Hey, Liv, you wanna take the bikes out? It's clearing up."

Noah sprinted from the couch to the kitchen and bellowed, "BIKE!"

Olivia put the last of the breakfast plates in the dishwasher and assessed the weather through the window. She, Noah, and Ed spent most of the drizzly morning cuddled on the couch. They let Noah have extra iPad time and the two of them lazily paged through the newspaper and magazines. Eschewing the television, Olivia programmed Pandora, and they sipped coffee to a New Age station which Ed didn't love but enjoyed for the time being because it fit the setting perfectly. He also enjoyed the feel of his wife leaning against him and he nuzzled her lovingly, periodically planting kisses on her head.

They prepared a late breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit and ate at the table in their pajamas.

"Rainy, rainy, rainy day," Noah mumbled between bites, "Need an umber-ella guys!"

"You have an umbrella, sweet Noah," Olivia said, "Your frog one, remember?"

"Oh yeah! We go out?"

"If it stops raining later we'll go out bud," Ed promised, looking doubtfully at the dark sky.

Noah climbed out of his booster seat and ran to the window, leaving child-sized palm prints on the glass, "SUN! Come out! NOW!"

"Noah, come back here and finish breakfast," Olivia commanded.

"I calling the sun, Mommy."

"I know you are, but if it comes out, you'll need energy to play. So come eat your eggs."

Noah bought her reasoning and trotted back to the table. "Yellow eggs. Sun yellow, too."

"What else is yellow, pal?"

Noah scrunched up his face, thinking hard. "School bus."

"Yup."

"Bnana. My train. The sisters."

"The sisters?" Olivia asked gently.

"Sisters hayerrrrr." To prove his point, Noah scrambled yet again from his chair, ran to the refrigerator, and returned with one of his drawings. In it, he'd drawn the girls' hair with thick yellow crayon strokes. "See?" He slapped the construction paper on the table between his parents.

Ed lifted Noah into his lap and dragged his plate over. "That looks just like Brookey and Sarah. What color is Mommy's hair?"

"Bown."

"What about mine?"

Noah answered matter-of-factly, "White."

Olivia and Ed exchanged an amused look and Olivia reached over and tousled Ed's short hair. "It's still kind of dark in some places," she murmured.

"Nope," Noah refuted with his mouth full of toast, "White like da snow!"

"Awwww," Ed groaned.

Olivia pulled Ed's head over and kissed his cheek, "We love Daddy and his white hair, don't we, Noah?"

"Uh-huh," Noah responded as if her question were totally unnecessary. "Luuuuuuuuuuub Daddy."

"Why do you love Daddy?"

"Daddy nice."

"Why else?"

"He lub me and taked me to fly da plane. And he make," Noah switched to a deep grumble, "SCRAMBLY EGGS!"

Ed kissed the top of his head, "I love making you scrambly eggs, bud."

Now, with the sun peeking out from behind the clouds, Olivia scrubbed the pan Ed used to make the eggs and carefully dried it. They purchased bikes weeks ago, used them on that day, and they'd remained in storage ever since. Most days they took Noah to the park so he could ride his two-wheeler with training wheels, but today Ed wanted to hit the Hudson River Greenway. They got dressed, took the elevator to the basement storage room, and retrieved the bikes. With Noah helmeted and secured in the child seat, they took off for the path.

…

Noah and his parents rode to Battery Park, and on the way back they stopped at Sarah and Brooke's apartment for a quick visit. The girls were hanging out on the couch watching television. Take out containers littered the coffee table and Ed looked suspiciously at the empty wine and beer bottles heaped in the recycling bin. Brooke's laptop was open and on the floor; a pile of ungraded student work rested on the keyboard. Random articles of clothing were strewn around, dishes were piled in the sink, and a load of towels was heaped on the floor waiting to be shoved into the washing machine.

"You girls kinda behind on cleaning?" Ed asked with a smirk.

Sarah bounced Noah on her lap. "We clean on Saturdays, but we had the party yesterday, so we're behind. Love your helmet, Noey."

"It has spikes like da T-Rex!"

Sarah knocked on the hard plastic, "And it's good for protecting that cute little head of yours. Did Mommy or Daddy drive you on the bike?"

"Daddy. He goed fast!"

"Where'd ya go?"

"See da satchoo!"

"Wow," Brooke said, "You went all the way downtown? You're motivated."

"Yeah," Sarah added, "I thought it was supposed to be a lazy day." The second after she said it she cringed inside and a rush of anxiety numbed her face. The Ed and Olivia lazy day plan had been mentioned in their bedroom yesterday; Sarah concentrated on playing with Noah and hoped they didn't realize she was quoting their private conversation.

"Sun comed out, Sarah," Noah said as if she were the child and he the adult.

"It did?"

"Uh-huh." He pointed to the window, "See?"

Sarah feigned confusion. "But it was raining! I swear it was!"

Noah made a face, "Sun said, get outta here, rain!"

"Where'd the rain go?"

"Da river."

"So how'd you two spend the rest of last night?" Olivia asked, taking a seat in the side chair after moving Sarah's purse to the counter.

Wanting to divert attention away from herself, Sarah replied quickly, "Brooke had a gentleman caller."

"Sarah."

"What?"

Brooke rolled her eyes, "While sister here slept it off on your couch, Sonny came over and watched a movie with me."

"What movie?" Ed and Olivia asked simultaneously.

Brooke relayed the title. Neither Ed nor Olivia had seen it.

"Don't worry, Dad," Sarah said, "There was no Netflix and chill going on."

Ed held up a palm, "Just so ya know, in the future, I don't need to know one way or another."

"I like Sonny," Sarah said, "Livvie, do you like him?"

"He's a great guy and an excellent detective."

"I think so, too. If I'm missing or assaulted, I'd definitely want him on the case."

Brooke peered at her sister incredulously, "You are so demented!"

Noah was yanking at the helmet straps and Sarah helped him remove it. "Noey, you don't think I'm demented, do you? Say no," she whispered in his ear.

"No." He whispered back.

"Good boy! You get a cookie! Race ya to the pantry!"

Noah took off, but he didn't make it to the pantry. He ran into the towel pile and went sprawling forward on his hands, bumping his chin against the floor. After a second of stunned silence, he broke into a piercing wail.

"WAHHHHHHHHH!"

Ed bounded over and examined his mouth and chin. No blood. He held him tightly to his chest and caressed the back of his head. "It's ok, bud," he repeated, "It's ok." When Noah calmed down a bit, he held him up for further inspection, tenderly kissed his chin, and wiped his tears. By this time, Olivia was next to them and Noah reached out for her.

"Mama," he cried, reaching out for her, choking back sobs and sniffling into her shoulder.

"Noey, we're so sorry," Brooke cooed at him. "Your sisters need to clean up, don't we?"

"Sisters messy," Noah whimpered.

"Do you still love us?" Sarah asked, wide eyed, looking Noah in his tear-stained face. He turned into Olivia's neck and breathed heavily. "Please forgive us, Noey," she begged while Brooke found the Oreos, making sure to make plenty of noise.

Olivia swayed and soothed him. "It was just an accident, huh, sweet boy? You're ok. Just a little bump. Of course you love your sisters, right?"

Noah nodded and croaked out a muffled, "Uh-huh."

Ed kicked the pile over to the wall and muttered, "I'm surprised you two haven't fallen over this considering all the bottles you've consumed this week."

"Actually, that's about a month," Brooke said, regarding the recycling. "We're bad about taking them out."

"Yeah," Ed replied sarcastically, "Since it's not like the chute is on the way to the elevator or anything."

"Here, No," Brooke tapped his cheek with an Oreo, "Apology cookie."

"Fank you Brookey," Noah said weakly and gingerly accepted the treat.

She kissed him, "You're welcome little man."

"Alright," Ed said, "Let's go home." He grabbed Noah's helmet, "Time for lunch and a nap." Sarah caught her father gently elbow Olivia on his way out of the kitchen.

She saved her gasp and giggles for after they were out of the apartment.

"Did you see that?" She asked Brooke.

"See what?" Brooke asked, shoving the towels in the washing machine.

"Dad said they were gonna take a nap and then he elbowed her!"

"So what?" Brooke asked as she slid the heavy recycling bin towards the door. "Are you gonna follow them home?"

"Oh stop. I think that was a once in a lifetime thing." Sarah tried to be helpful by rinsing dishes that had already been rinsed. "You really should ask Olivia for some pointers. I would, but you're the one with a man."

"Sonny isn't my man," Brooke corrected, "And there's no way in hell I'm asking Liv for pointers."

"That's what mothers are for!" Sarah insisted as if Brooke was being ridiculously unreasonable.

Brooke scoffed, "Mothers? Well, after you ask mom for tips, I'll ask Olivia."

The girls burst into laughter at the prospect of asking their straight laced mother for sex advice.

Sarah wiped tears from her eyes and veered to a different subject, "Do you remember Dad kissing us when we got hurt?"

Brooke thought. "No, but I don't remember anything from when I was three. I'm sure he did."

"I just don't remember him being so lovey with us like he is with Noah."

Brooke looked at her sister with concern, "Are you jealous?"

"Of Noah? Of course not."

"I get it," Brooke relented, "But you need to realize something about Dad—when he's happy he's the best. Remember? After he and mom got divorced, the three of us were much closer. I don't think he does well when he's in a bad relationship."

"Well, those days are over for him."

"I hope so."

"Don't be so pessimistic, Brooke," Sarah said, "If anyone should be, it's me. Dad and Livvie will be together forever. He's freaking gaga over her and, I cannot stress this enough because I know from personal experience, she may not be as obvious about it, but, trust me, she's pretty fucking crazy for him, too."

"I still can't believe you did that," Brooke said, shaking her head.

Sarah dramatically fell backwards against the island, "It's the most romantic thing that's ever happened to me," she sighed, "I'll remember it forever."

Before Brooke pulled the recycling through the open door, she rolled her eyes. "You're so fucked up."

"That may be so," Sarah replied, "But if you woulda been there you woulda done the same thing."

"Sure. Sitting in a hallway listening to two fifty-somethings have sex. Sounds like my kinda afternoon."

"You and I both know," Sarah retorted, "Livvie and Dad do not act their age."

Conceding the point, Brooke slid the recycling into the hall, letting the door slam behind her.

….

Next, Carisi helps Ed hang shelves in the Tucker office, Mother's Day, and a visit from Amaro.

Also, working on the next Truce installment! More soon!