Just a reminder that the last chapter ended with Sarah wrapping Olivia's Mother's Day gift…

"Alright," Sarah reported with finality, "I didn't wrap it all the way around the back so you can still hang it. You know, hang it on the wall like this?"

"Oh, okay," Ed said, taking a few seconds to comprehend what she had in mind. "Hopefully she'll notice it."

Brooke screwed up her face, "You don't think she'd notice a gigantic wrapped painting hanging on the wall in a previously blank space?"

The devilish smile returned to Sarah's face, "I know what he's thinking."

"What?" Ed challenged.

"Oh nothing." Sarah took the painting from the island and propped it against the wall. She opened and closed cabinets and finally pulled out a bottle of Stoli, tonic, and three tumblers which she quickly filled with ice. "Cocktail, anyone?"

"Yeah, sure," Ed said.

"What are you doing tonight, Dad?" Brooke asked.

"Liv's at swimming lessons with Noah now. Then we'll probably just do the typical Friday night—pizza and hanging out. What are you two up to?"

"Other than soft-core porn?" Brooke scoffed.

Sarah took up a stool on the opposite side of the island and leaned forward on her elbows, "Daddy, seriously, have you been to a strip club ever in your life?"

"Yes."

"See, Brooke? I told you. All men do this."

"I really can't imagine Sonny at one."

Ed shook his head, amused but slightly uncomfortable discussing this topic with his daughters. "He's probably gone to one before," he said, almost sounding disappointed to have to reveal his assumption. "At least for a bachelor party or somethin' like that."

"That's what I'm trying to tell her," Sarah said, "And, on a related note, that he wouldn't mind a little—"

Ed held up a hand before she could go any further, "That's enough."

"Thank you," Brooke said.

"Oh you two. You're so…"

"Normal?" Brooke asked.

"No, you're all buttoned up and straight laced, except," Sarah bit a fingernail as she mused, "Daddy's just acting like this 'cause it's us." Ed glared at Sarah, but she just smiled back at him knowing her grin always disarmed her father. "Ok, ok, subject change. Brooke is going with Sonny on Mother's Day, just so you know."

"I am not."

"Sure you are. You just don't know it yet. Think about it. He asked you to a family thing. That's serious."

"If neither one of us goes to Mom's, it'll be bad."

Ed sipped his drink silently; he hated talking about his ex-wife, but Sarah didn't let him be a passive observer.

"Dad, tell Brooke she needs to look forward with her life. And that Sonny asking her is a really big deal."

"It is a big deal," he agreed. "But, it's also a big deal to not see your mother."

"She won't care."

Brooke rolled her eyes, "I disagree. Wouldn't you care if your kid lived close and didn't bother to see you on Mother's Day?"

"Not if I had been a coldhearted bitch my whole life."

Sarah loathing her mother was not a secret, but the venomous words nevertheless shocked Brooke and Ed.

"Maybe I'll tell Sonny I'll meet him at his mom's and be a little late." Brooke caved- more to calm Sarah down than anything else. "It might be good for us…for me to meet his family."

"Finally," Sarah huffed, exasperated, "She sees the light! Now. Daddy. You're going to Livvie's friend's then coming to Grandma's right?"

"Right."

"You know what I love almost as much as seeing you and Livvie together?"

"No."

"Seeing Livvie and Grandma together. Or, no, seeing Grandma around Livvie."

"Why's that?"

"Well, first of all, Grandma's like four-eight and ninety pounds so she looks like a little kid next to her. But mostly because I kinda think Grandma's in awe of her, like, totally floored that you're married to her."

Ed laughed sarcastically. "Well, thanks for the vote of confidence."

"I'm not saying she's too good for you."

"Yes you are," Brooke said, also laughing.

"That's not what I meant!"

"Well what did you mean?" Ed asked, a playful smirk still on his face, "Cause I agree with Brooke."

Never one to enjoy being outnumbered, Sarah frowned and attempted to reason with them. "Oh, come on. Livvie's freaking drop-dead gorgeous. And nice. And so…good. Like, whenever we're around her, there's just…like…perfection."

"And I shouldn't be married to a person like that?"

"Daddy. Seriously. Even you have to admit…she changed you. That's what I meant."

Ed's grin transitioned into a look of pleasant resignation as the thought about his wife. "She made it safe for me to love somebody again," he said, flooring his daughters with his sincerity.

Brooke and Sarah exchanged intrigued glances before Sarah collapsed her head to the counter in her predictable swoon. "Omigod, omigod, omigod. That was so sweet. Does she know this?"

Brooke furrowed her brow, "Uh, I think she would know that, Sarah. Duh. Olivia has known Dad for a long time."

"But have you told her that?"

"Of course," Ed answered.

"No wonder," Sarah muttered, "No wonder Jeff and I didn't work out. We never had a conversation that…uh…heartfelt. We just fucked and went out a lot."

"Sarah!"

"I'm leaving," Ed announced, shaking his head, "Sare, why don't you bring the painting to our apartment Sunday before you go to Riverdale? We're leaving around one. Then we'll see you at Grandma's later in the afternoon."

"Got it, Daddio."

"Brooke, enjoy your weekend…with, uh, whoever you decide to spend it with."

"Thanks Dad. Love you."

"Love you too," he said then added with an eye roll, "Both of you."

…..

"Swim-MING! Swim-MING! Swimming…" Noah paused his trot around the island and looked up at his mother, "Mommy, how Miss 'Melia say swimming?"

Olivia thought."Say, yo nado."

Noah was still chanting "yo nado" when Ed came home.

"Hiya, bud! How was swim class?"

"I made big splashes and swimmed the whole way!"

"The whole way?"

"Across the width of the pool," Olivia clarified.

Ed swooped Noah high above his head then brought him in for a hug. "Wow, Noah, that's great! I'm so proud of you."

Noah put his face directly in front of Ed's. "You powd?"

"Yep. It means I'm so happy to be your Daddy."

Noah giggled, "I know, Daddy. I gonna play soccer, too."

"Oh yeah?"

Olivia slid a small plate of cheese, crackers, and fruit across the island. "A mom cornered me about it today. They need more kids on her son's team and she asked if Noah could join."

"Teams?" Ed couldn't imagine a bunch of three-year-olds actually being a team in the traditional sense.

"Well, she said it's mostly a skill-building thing."

"Great!" Ed said, suddenly excited that one of his kids was going to participate in sports, "When's the first practice?"

Olivia cringed at the short notice, "Tomorrow morning."

"Alright," Ed laughed, "We need to get him some gear then."

"She said it was really informal, he doesn't need—"

Ed was already re-tying his shoes and brought Noah his sneakers. "Put these on, No, we're going to get you some cleats and shin guards." He popped a piece of apple and cheese in his mouth, "We won't be long."

Olivia smiled, found the plastic wrap, and covered the plate. While Noah fumbled with his shoes, Ed made his way around the island and put his hands on his wife's hips. "You wanna join us?"

"No," she replied softly, "Sounds like a guy thing."

Ed gave her a peck on the lips, "Want us to bring back a pizza?"

"Sure."

The second kiss was more passionate, and ended only when Noah tugged on Ed's shirttail. "Daddy! I ready! Lessgo! Stop da kissing!"

Ed was slow to release Olivia, "But I like kissing Mommy."

"Kiss layyyyterrrrr," he begged, still pulling the shirt.

"Ok, bud, let's go. We have to remember to bring back pizza for dinner."

"I 'member. Lessgo."

Olivia poured herself a glass of wine and retreated to the sofa, sitting so she could enjoy the view of the Manhattan skyline as it slowly transitioned from its concrete jungle façade to the sparkling city-that-never-sleeps nighttime persona. Happy tears formed in her eyes as she thought about Ed leading Noah through City Sports or wherever they were going. Noah had a Daddy, a devoted, generous, loving Daddy. He also had a family. Everything she'd wanted as a child, she was able to give her son.

….

Ed had to drag Noah in and out of two sporting goods stores before he found one with child-sized soccer equipment small enough for the little boy. The salesman laid out four sets of shin guards, all in different colors, and Noah eyed them excitedly and thoughtfully chewed a fingertip.

"Which ones ya want, bud? Remember, the socks will cover them."

"The geen ones." He answered, pointing to the neon green pair that were so bright Ed had trouble looking directly at them.

"Ok. Let's go get socks and cleats."

Noah ran ahead as if he knew where he was going.

"Stay where I can see ya, No!"

Noah stopped suddenly and Ed thought it was because of the warning, but the little boy veered left down an aisle. Ed caught up and found him gaping in amazement at the wall of footballs and basketballs.

"I want one a those." He said, pointing at nothing in particular.

"Those aren't soccer balls, pal."

"Want dis one!" Noah grabbed a small Nerf football that was expertly placed at his eye level.

"Sure," Ed said, "But let's get ya a soccer ball, too."

"Okay, Daddy."

"But let's get the cleats now. They have spikes on the bottom for good grip."

"Spikes like the stegassrus?"

"Kinda."

"They make me run really fast?"

"Yep."

Noah spent several minutes debating which pair of shoes he liked best. Ed sat on a bench and texted back and forth with Olivia who advised Ed to just choose a pair himself. Rather than take her advice, Ed filmed Noah's selection process and sent it to Olivia who responded with an uncharacteristic LOL. Once he had the options narrowed to three, Ed laid out the socks and shin guards.

"Which ones you think will look best with this stuff, No?"

Noah bit his lip and chose the silver pair. "Dese!"

"Alright. Let's pay for everything and get on home."

"An' we get da pizza, Daddy!"

"Oh, yeah, thanks for remindin' me."

"Mommy say get pizza!"

"I know."

Noah was dragging the packaged soccer ball behind him as they made their way to the registers. "We take da ball out, Daddy? I wanna kick it!"

"You'll kick it tomorrow at practice."

"Pac-tis?"

"Yup, you'll have a coach and he'll teach you how to play soccer."

Noah pointed at the Nerf football tucked under Ed's arm. "We take dat ball, too?"

"No, I'll teach you how to throw this one."

That satisfied Noah. "Kay!" He exclaimed cheerfully and skipped ahead. On their way out of the store, laden down with bags, Noah asked another question. "You go to pac-tis wiff me?" There was doubt and hope in the little boy's eyes as he suddenly imagined a scenario with unfamiliar coaches and kids.

Ed mussed his hair. "Of course, bud. Daddy will always be with you."

…..

Olivia slung her left leg around Ed's hips and pulled herself flush with his body as she planted kisses on his neck and face. "You're so good," she purred seductively, "So, so, good, Captain Tucker."

"You're the most perfect woman, Lieutenant Olivia Tucker."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Well, you're the most perfect husband," she said, still nipping at his skin, "And the perfect father." She started laughing.

Ed wrestled his arms from the pillows and sheets and held her a few inches away, "What's so funny?"

"Nothing. You're perfect."

"C'mon."

"Nothing, sorry, I'm ruining the moment."

"No, you're not, what's so funny?"

"I think it's so cute that you bought Noah all that stuff. And the football."

"He needed it, and he asked for the football."

"I think…you kind of like that asked for it, too."

Ed gazed at her, his blue eyes sparkling, "You know what I love about you? I mean…really love?"

"What's that?"

He adjusted their bodies and draped himself over her, "You're such a cop," he rasped, pinning her wrists above her head and kissing up and down her arms.

Olivia felt his arousal and lifted her hips into him. "I'm such a cop?"

Ed chuckled. "Yeah. There's no getting anything past you, Olivia Margaret."

"Oh really?"

"Really. You're always one step ahead. You're so…perceptive." He was teasing her now, not letting her out of his grip even as he felt her body respond to his. He saw goosebumps form as he kissed her. "Like, you prolly know what I'm gonna do next." He locked eyes with her intently.

"You really want me to answer that?" She half-gasped.

"Yeah, Lieutenant, what's next?"

"Well, I want you," she started to wriggle again and Ed let her wrists go. "So, I think, you're going to fuck me, Captain, because that's all I want right now." She lifted her head to whisper in his ear, "Fuck me, Ed."

He felt her nails on his lower back, urging him on. It wasn't unheard of for Olivia to say fuck me, but it was rare and still took Ed by surprise. By now he understood those words to mean she wanted him to completely take over and be in total control. Aggressively, he parted her legs, keeping one hand on her thigh as he slammed in and out of her. With his other hand he pulled semi-aggressively at her hair and opened his mouth wide against her bare neck. He paused for a split second as she wailed louder than usual, but she commanded him to keep going.

"Harder," she implored, gasping and panting. "Oh. My Goddddddd."

"Olivia, I love you," he rasped between grunts and groans. "I love you so. Fucking. Much. Baby. I—"

Another scream as she writhed beneath him.

When her eyes opened he finished the sentence.

"Love you."

Olivia licked her lips and ran her hands over his sweaty brow and shoulders. "Ed. Nobody's ever made me feel this way," she said breathlessly. "No one."

"That's because we were meant to be together, baby. We were made for each other."

"I'm so in love with you."

Ed buried his face in her hair and collapsed on top of her. "We're so lucky."

Olivia never thought she would get the opportunity to agree to a statement like that, but she stroked the back of Ed's neck and nodded. "I know," she choked out, "And I'll never forget it."

…

Early Saturday morning, Ed and Olivia stood on the sidelines with other parents, watching volunteers coach the three and four-year-olds through a variety of drills. The head of the program, a student at Hudson University, introduced himself to the Tuckers and explained that the practice would last between thirty and forty-five minutes and would culminate in a scrimmage game. The actual season didn't start for a couple weeks.

"There's a season?" Ed asked skeptically.

"Yessir," he answered, eyeing Ed's badge and Glock which he insisted on wearing despite Olivia's objections. "Six games. It's all fun."

"Keep score?"

"Yessir, we do."

That partially satisfied Ed. "Everyone get a trophy?"

The guy shifted from foot to foot, "Um, just the champions and runners-up. The other kids all get certificates and medals."

Ed nodded approvingly. "Great. Thanks."

Olivia watched Ed fidget and subtly imitate the moves Noah was supposed to be completing. Every once in a while he called "Good job, bud!" When Noah was within earshot, he would look over and flash a quick grin before resuming his concentration on the task at hand. The shin guards, cleats, oversized shorts, and sweatshirt added awkward bulk to his small frame, but he fit right in. The morning air was chilly, but now that Noah was running around, Olivia debated whether or not she should send Ed out to remove his long sleeves. As it turned out, she didn't have to decide. During a water break, Noah ran over.

"Mommy, I take this off?"

"Sure sweetie." Olivia took the sweatshirt. "You look like you're having fun out there."

"Uh-huh," Noah answered, looking anxious to go rejoin his teammates.

"You're working hard out there, bud. Keep it up!"

"Okay, Daddy," Noah trotted off but then spun around and lifted a leg, "Dese keets really fast, Daddy!"

"I see it, pal! Keep hustling!"

"Kay!"

Olivia sidled up to Ed and her mild PDA surprised him.

"What?" She asked, noticing his lips curling into a smirk.

"You're the best looking mom here."

Olivia laughed shyly, "Do you ever stop flirting?"

"Not with you," Ed replied. "You know what Sarah asked me a few days ago?" He had to lie about the timing. Olivia hadn't known about his visit to the girls' apartment.

"Hmmm?" Olivia wrapped an arm around Ed's waist.

"She wanted to know when we clicked."

"As in…"

"Well," Ed laughed sardonically, "I'm sure she meant, uh, you know. But she played it off like she meant something more, um, innocent."

Olivia grinned at him. "What did you say?"

"I told her it was when we both realized we could trust each other."

"Then you kind of answered both versions of her question."

"Yeah, that's what I was thinkin."

"Want to have them over for dinner tonight? We won't see Brooke tomorrow."

Ed screwed up his face, "We won't?"

"Yeah, I was in touch with her earlier. She wanted to make sure I didn't mind if she went to Carisi's party after seeing Angela."

Again, Ed had to be evasive, but he would come clean later. "Carisi's?"

"He invited her over to meet his family."

"Wow. That's a big deal, right?"

Olivia leaned her head against his shoulder. "I think so. You alright with that?"

"I think the question is, are you?" Ed craned his neck to look at her. "Your detective and your Brooke?"

"We'll see what happens," Olivia brushed off the potential conflict and enjoyed the surroundings. The children's voices melded together into one pleasant chattery bubble overtaken only by the occasional whistles and shouts of the coaches. There were, maybe, thirty or so kids on the field, and Ed appeared to follow the logic of the drills and the set-up of the cones and mini-goals, but, to Olivia, it looked like one big chaotic toddler recess.

"Excuse me, are you Olivia? Noah's mom?"

Olivia turned and smiled at the speaker, one of the few older mothers she'd encountered and she looked vaguely familiar. "Yes, that's me."

"Hi, I'm Jennifer Franklin. My son, Brady, is in Noah's class."

"Oh, okay. Nice to meet you." Olivia was unfamiliar with most of the parents of Noah's classmates. She wasn't one to hang around and chat after school, and, most of the time, she wasn't the one picking him up anyway. "This is Noah's Dad, Ed."

Tucker reached out to shake her hand and the woman shook it gingerly while eyeballing the badge and gun. "So you're both police officers," she remarked.

"We are," Olivia said.

"Well, I'm sorry to bother you, but I was just wondering if you'd heard about Amelia Sanchez?"

Olivia and Ed looked at each other quizzically before Olivia made the connection. Miss 'Melia.

"Did something happen to her?" Olivia asked.

"Well, no, not exactly," Jennifer replied, "But she has to quit the day care and preschool. Something wrong with her papers. Apparently," her voice lowered, "she's illegal."

Olivia thought about Noah's love for Miss 'Melia and his passion for speaking Spanish with her and at home. This would devastate him. "Oh no," she murmured.

"Yes, it's too bad," Jennifer said icily, "But, it's just as well. We can't have those people around our children."

Olivia shot a closed-lip polite smile at the woman. "Thank you for letting us know," she said curtly. Taking the hint, Jennifer walked off.

"That's the Spanish teacher?" Ed asked.

"Yes. Noah's going to be so upset."

"You gonna try to see what's up?"

Even though she was agonizing about this new development, Olivia couldn't help but gaze up at her husband, "Now who's one step ahead?"

"I know you won't let this go if there's something you can do to help." He pulled her close, "Just another thing I love about you."

…

#Tuckson