Chapter Text
Ed opened the apartment door for Olivia, and she walked in slowly, feeling the immediate relief of being home. Her feet ached a little, and the exhaustion from visiting the squad still weighed heavily on her. As soon as Ed locked the door behind him, he turned to her with a determined look.
"You need to eat something." Olivia sighed, taking off her coat and hanging it on the coat rack near the entrance.
"Honey, I ate at the squad. I'm fine." He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms.
"You only nibbled. And I know you, you'll be hungry soon."
She opened her mouth to protest, but he was already heading toward the kitchen. The brunette laughed softly, shaking her head. He was stubborn, but in a way that made her feel cared for.
She walked to the couch and settled down, running a hand over her stomach. The baby stirred slightly, and a small smile appeared on her lips. She was still amazed at the idea that there was a life growing inside her. Ed returned minutes later with a tray.
"Here, something light." He placed the tray on the coffee table and sat down beside her. "Toast with a little cheese, chamomile tea, and some grapes. Nothing that will harm you." Olivia looked at him fondly before taking one of the toasts.
"Thank you, Ed." He shrugged.
"You don't need to thank me, Liv. My mission is to take care of you."
They were both silent for a moment as she ate, and he simply watched her. The gray-haired man enjoyed seeing Olivia taking care of herself, especially now that she was pregnant. When she finished, Ed picked up the tray and carried it back to the kitchen. When he returned, he found Olivia flipping through the television channels. He plopped down beside her, gently pulling her closer.
"What are we going to watch?" He asked, putting an arm around her, pulling her into his chest.
"I don't know yet," she replied, relaxing against him.
"How about something light? Nothing police-related, nothing too dramatic. You already have enough drama in your life." She laughed and rolled her eyes.
"And who said I want something light?" Ed ran his fingers gently down her arm.
"Because I know you, and I know your brain doesn't shut off. You need something that makes you forget everything for a while."
Olivia pondered and, after a few seconds, ended up choosing a romantic comedy. When the movie started, Ed pulled out a blanket and covered them both, making sure she was comfortable.
Gradually, the atmosphere became even more relaxed; the movie was fun, but what really made the moment special was the closeness between them. Ed kept his hand on her waist, his fingers tracing small circles on the fabric of her blouse. He wasn't trying anything, he just enjoyed touching her, feeling that she was there, with him, that they were both trying.
"I missed you," he said suddenly, his voice low. Olivia looked at him, her eyes meeting his.
"We live in the same house, Ed." He smiled softly.
"I know. But I missed having you like this… close to me, really."
She looked away for a moment, feeling her heart race. It wasn't easy for her to simply forget everything they'd been through, but there was something undeniable about being in his arms; it was the place where she felt most safe.
Ed touched her face gently, sliding his fingers along the contour of her jaw.
"I know we're taking it slow, and I respect that, but I want you to know that every moment with you means a lot to me." Olivia sighed, leaning slightly into his touch.
"I'm still trying to wrap my head around all of this, but I appreciate your effort!" He nodded, not pressuring her.
"And I'm here. No rush, I just want to be with you."
She felt a warmth rise in her chest, something she hadn't felt in a long time. Ed had always been intense, always demonstrated his love unquestionably, and now, instead of trying to rush her, he was simply waiting. Without thinking much, Olivia leaned in and placed a soft kiss on the corner of his lips. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the moment, but didn't move forward. He just smiled, pulling her even closer to his chest.
"I think I'm enjoying this movie," he teased. Olivia laughed, snuggling against him.
"Maybe it was a good choice after all."
Olivia sighed against Ed's chest, feeling the warmth of his body envelop her completely. She was comfortable there, nestled in his arms, feeling his scent and the way he caressed her skin with gentle touches.
Ed, who until then had simply held her close, slid his fingers up her arm, slowly moving up until he reached her face. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her eyes, brushing his thumb lightly against her cheek.
"Are you comfortable?" he asked, his voice low, almost a whisper. Olivia nodded, closing her eyes for a moment.
"Yes." Ed smiled, satisfied, and with a slow, careful movement, he pulled her up slightly, guiding her to sit on his lap. Olivia didn't resist, her body fitting perfectly against his, his hands resting on her waist, holding her tenderly.
She rested her hands on his shoulders, feeling the firmness of his muscles beneath her fingers. For an instant, their eyes met, and Ed smiled in a way that made her heart race; no man had ever looked at her with such love before.
"I love holding you so much," he confessed, his voice thick with emotion. "I feel like, for a moment, everything is exactly where it should be."
Olivia felt a lump form in her throat; it was hard to ignore the way he looked at her, as if she were the most precious thing he'd ever held in his hands.
"Ed…" she began, but her voice trailed off. He touched her face again, this time letting his fingertips glide along her jawline, slowly moving down to her neck. His touch was reverent, as if he were memorizing every detail.
"Shh... you don't have to say anything," he murmured. "Just let me take care of you, let me love you the way you deserve, I love you so much, Liv."
Olivia allowed herself to relax, closing her eyes for a moment and just feeling. He wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her completely, and she rested her head against his shoulder, letting himself be held.
He began to place small kisses on the top of her head, her forehead, her temple. Each touch of his lips was light and full of tenderness, as if he wanted to imprint all the love he felt for her in silent gestures.
"You are the woman of my life," he murmured against her skin. "I've never loved anyone as I love you, Liv. I'm deeply grateful to have the chance to live by your side, to have a child with you."
She felt her eyes well up, but she didn't want to cry. Instead, she snuggled closer to him, sliding her arms around his neck.
"I miss you," she admitted in a whisper, her voice thick with emotion. "I miss you so much." Ed cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to look him in the eyes.
"I'm here, Liv. I always will be." She bit her bottom lip, and Ed couldn't resist. He leaned forward, brushing his lips against hers hesitantly, testing. Olivia sighed against his mouth and, in an involuntary movement, deepened the kiss, letting herself be carried away by the heat of the moment.
His hands moved down to her back, pulling her even closer to him. The kiss was slow, tender, unhurried. There was no urgency, just the need to feel each other, to reconnect. When they broke apart, their foreheads remained pressed together. They were both breathing heavily, and Ed stroked her cheek with his thumb, smiling softly.
"I think I just made my night," he teased, and Olivia chuckled softly.
"Silly," she murmured, patting his chest. He took her hand and kissed it gently, keeping his gaze locked on hers.
"I just want to make you happy, Liv." She took a deep breath, absorbing every word, every gesture. There were still many things to resolve between them, but there, in that moment, everything seemed simpler.
"Then make me happy," she whispered, and Ed tightened his arms around her, silently promising he would do just that.
___________
Ed's phone vibrated on the coffee table, interrupting the moment between him and Olivia. He sighed, reluctant to let go of the woman snuggled against him, but seeing Sophie's name on the screen warmed his heart. It was a video call.
"It's Sophie," he said, glancing at Olivia before answering. She smiled softly and settled into his lap, curious to see the girl.
As soon as he answered, Sophie's image appeared on the screen. The teenager lay in bed, her face illuminated only by the soft light from the lamp beside her. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, and she looked exhausted, but she was still smiling.
"Hi, my princess," Ed said, his tone immediately softer and full of affection. "How are you?" She sighed, running a hand over her face.
"Tired," she admitted, "but I'm fine. The baby's been moving around a lot today, he's not letting me sleep." Olivia leaned closer to the screen, her smile tender.
"That means he's healthy, dear, but I know how tiring it can be." Sophie nodded.
"It's weird. Sometimes I feel like he's trying to do acrobatics in here," she joked, placing her hand on her belly. Ed laughed, shaking his head.
"My grandson is already showing what a little athlete he is. That means he's going to be a real stunner when he's born." Sophie rolled her eyes, but her smile didn't fade. Her acceptance of the pregnancy was much better. Therapy had played a role, but the support of her father and Olivia made her realize she had a chance and her baby deserved to be loved.
"If he takes after you, he definitely will be," she teased. The older boy feigned offense.
"Hey! I've always been an angel." Olivia laughed beside him.
"Of course he was, Ed," she joked, winking at Sophie, who also laughed. The girl's smile, however, soon faded a bit, and her expression became more serious.
"Grandma Carrie has been amazing to me, but... I still miss home," she confessed. "I miss you guys."
Ed felt his heart sink. He knew how much Sophie needed this time with her mother, how important her grandmother's presence was to helping her recover from the trauma she'd suffered. But he also knew that being away from the safety of home, away from him and Olivia, was difficult for her.
"We miss you too, my love," he said, his tone filled with tenderness. "But you know we're here for you, always. You can come back whenever you want." Olivia nodded.
"And in the meantime, we can video call every day. That way, you won't feel so alone." Sophie smiled slightly.
"That would really help me," she admitted. Ed tilted his phone slightly to better show Olivia, and Sophie looked at her fondly.
"And you, Liv? How are you feeling?" The brunette sighed.
"Still dealing with nausea and dizziness, but I'm fine. Your brother or sister doesn't move as much as your baby yet, but I'm sure when they start, I'll feel the same way you do." The redhead smiled genuinely this time.
"I can't wait to meet this baby," she said. "I'm going to be the best big sister in the world." Ed looked at his daughter with immense pride in his eyes.
"You already are, my love." The teenager dropped her gaze for a moment, her expression more vulnerable.
"I'm still scared, Dad," she admitted in a whisper. "Sometimes, when I'm alone, I think about... everything that happened. And it makes me panic, but when I feel the baby move... I remember he's not to blame for any of this. He needs me."
Olivia felt a tightness in her chest; she knew that pain. She knew that fear.
"You are incredibly strong, Soph," she said, her voice thick with sincerity. "What happened to you was terrible, and nothing can erase it, but you're facing it all with a courage that inspires me every day. And this baby... he's lucky to have you as a mother. I know he'll never feel the way I did growing up." Sophie's eyes filled with tears.
"Thank you, Liv. You always know what to say." Ed sighed, feeling torn between sadness and pride.
"Sophie, you never have to carry this alone. We're here. I'm here." The girl nodded, quickly wiping away her tears.
"I know, and I'm so grateful for you. You're my family, the family I always wanted!" Ed smiled, his eyes welling up.
"And we always will be." Sophie yawned and settled back in bed.
"I think I need to try to sleep now. If this baby lets me, of course." Olivia laughed softly.
"Good night, sweetheart. Rest well."
"Good night, my love," Ed said. "We love you."
"I love you too," Sophie replied before ending the call. He sighed and put the phone away, looking back at Olivia.
"She's so strong," he said, admiringly. She nodded.
"She is. But she still needs us so much." Ed ran a hand through his hair thoughtfully.
"I would give anything to have prevented what happened to her. To protect her from this." Olivia took his hand and squeezed it gently.
"You did everything you could, Ed. And now, all we can do is make sure she never feels alone again." He looked at her gratefully.
"Thank you for being here, for being in her life." She smiled, stroking his arms.
"She's my family, too." Ed pulled Olivia closer, gently kissing her forehead.
"I love you both more than anything." Olivia closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the warmth of his embrace.
"We love you too."
Ed still held his phone, but his attention was completely focused on Olivia. He lifted his hand, sliding his fingers down her face, his thumb tracing a delicate path across her cheek.
"You're so beautiful," he murmured, his voice husky, filled with something deeper than simple desire. Olivia didn't respond with words, instead, she closed her eyes for a moment, leaning her face slightly against his touch, as if absorbing that sensation, as if she needed it to keep herself steady.
When she opened her eyes again, she found Ed's fixed on hers, full of intensity and affection. Before she could think, he leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss deeper, more intense than the previous ones. There was no hesitation, no fear, only the need to feel her, to lose himself in her.
Olivia responded without reservation, her hands sliding over his shoulders, her fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt. The heat spreading through her body was undeniable, and she knew she didn't want to stop. Not this time.
Without taking her lips from his, she whispered against his mouth, her breath ragged.
"Take me to the bedroom." Ed froze for a second, his eyes darkening with a mixture of surprise and desire.
"Are you sure?" he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. She nodded slightly, keeping her gaze fixed on his.
"Yes."
Ed rose from the sofa, scooping her up easily. She wrapped her arms around his neck, nestling against his chest as he carried her down the hallway to their bedroom.
As he walked through the door, Ed gently placed her on the bed, his eyes roaming over her every detail in the soft light of the lamp. He leaned in, his lips brushing her forehead, her cheeks, her jaw, before returning to kiss her on the lips, tenderly, devotedly.
"I love you, Liv," he whispered, sliding his fingers through her hair.
Olivia closed her eyes, letting herself be carried away by the sensation. She still didn't know how to respond to it; there were still scars, hurts that needed to be healed. But there, in his arms, she felt safe. She felt at home.
And for now, that was enough.