Chapter 29: What I know about women

"So, what the hell you doin' there Clay?" Sonny frowns watching him from where he's laid on the couch. Flat on his back, legs up on the arm at the end. The TV is on and he can see the screen over the top of the tiny bundle of baby Casey, who's laid fast asleep, on his chest.
He has one of his hands on his back holding him tight against him and the other on a bottle of beer on the floor.

As he picks it up, about to take a sip he stops. His is attention focused by Clay calling across to him "Hey Sonny ..."Clay frowns "Brother, don't drink that around him"

"Oh hell... yeah man. Sorry. I didn't mean... yeah of course I didn't think" he stands the bottle down checking Casey's okay. He wriggles against him, but he stays asleep.

"Here give him to me" Clay sighs looking up from the laptop.

"No! No, Clay he's fine. Just leave him, he's sleepin man. I'll leave the beer, okay. I got this" Sonny smiles looking down at the tiny baby lying against his chest "You know he's great, a right little bruiser. Ya see his hands, I mean for the size of his body. He gonna be a fighter, a champion. Make a great seal one day, and Uncle Sonny gonna teach ya everything he knows"

Clay frowns. He sighs laughing to himself as he watches Sonny interacting with his son. Sonny gently unravels Casey's fingers from the tight little fists he's making while he sleeps. He smiles as he looks at each tiny digit and then looks up at Clay. He's still doing paperwork and working on at the laptop

"So, I said what are you doin? I thought you wanted to hang out and chill, but you've been on there since I got here. What's goin' on?"

"Nothing" Clay looks up and then away avoiding Sonny's gaze while he thinks what to say.

"Alright wass goin on? You lookin' shifty there. My spidey senses sayin' somethin aint right, so spill it"

"Look ...don't say anything but, I'm ... I'm getting an expedited passport for Casey. There's this website, can process it in a couple of days"

"And what the hell do you need a passport that damn quick fa, you going somewhere?"

"No!" he takes a breath "No, I'm not but, well... Kelsey's talking about going back to the UK"

"Okay. Okay so he needs a passport. I'm still not buyin it and I thought she couldn't fly for couple weeks, anyhow. So how soon she goin ?"

"I don't know if she is yet but..." He sighs "Look Sonny, that Alex he's, well he's been suggesting she go back with him, in the next week or so. When he leaves. So, he can help her at the airport"

"And you have a problem with that?" Sonny frowns as Clay stays silent. He looks at him sheepishly and Sonny's concerned "Clay, what the hell's goin on?" He frowns watching him "Okay what have you done?"

"Nothin, we kinda..." Clay sighs "I um... I told her, to tell him to go. Told her I didn't want him here."

Sonny puts his hands over Casey's ears "Shit Clay! That's a hellava dumb move, right there" sitting himself up, still holding the tiny baby against him with one of his large hands. Casey hardly notices he's moved and stays asleep. Sonny sighs, staring across the room at Clay "Givin' her ultimatums, that's not a good look. I told ya before, just leave it, he'll be gone soon enough under his own steam"

"I know, I guess I should've. I know that now and yeah, she was kinda mad about it but, well he just winds me up so much. He said some things last night and...well I couldn't help it"

"So whats this gotta do getting, Champ here his passport?"

"Well..." Clay sighs anxiously "I figured if I had his passport I can be sure she can't take him, well not anywhere without tellin me. Like if I get spun up say."

"What?!" Sonny frowns staring at him in surprise "So wait... you are gonna tell her, you got the passport, right?"

"Well um... yeah, just...just not straight away. Well, not till Alex is gone then I'll tell her. I'll just say it took a couple weeks to come."

"Oh, Clay man.." he sighs "I gotta tell ya, I got a bad feelin' about this. I mean this is kinda lyin and one thing I do know is woman tend to hate a lie"

"Look Sonny, she knows you can get one online in couple days, I didn't want her going this route. She can be pretty impulsive at times. I didn't want her to have the option to go back with him"

"Clay, I really don't know about this man. I think it'd be better to be straight up with her, know what I mean. Secrets, lies they ... well they don't usually end well"

"Yeah well ...I'm sorting a bit of a deal sweetener. I figured we'd look at a new apartment" he sighs as he sees the concerned frown Sonny gives him" Look, if she's concentrating on a new place she's not gonna worry about going back so much right? Plus, if she feels more like it's a home she chose she won't wanna give it up, and then maybe, all the talk of going back to work. Well, she might not push that so much either"

"Well I like to see you've fully thought the consequences of this through carefully, before you acted" Sonny sighs "Oh Clay man... brother be careful here"

He moves Casey to the crook of his arm, then he takes his hat off rubbing his head. He really wants the beer that's standing on the floor, but decides he'll leave it, preferring to hold Casey. He leans back against the couch as he takes a moment to think more seriously about what Clay's telling him. He sighs "You know, my advice, for what it's worth. Brother, don't push her too much, women in my experience tend to bite back when you piss them off"

"Yeah I'm aware of that, but Sonny I need him gone. Getting rid of that arrogant jerk is first priority" Clay closes the laptop and gathers his paperwork together.

"So, you finished that then, what now? You wanna go hang out somewhere?"

"Um... well that was kinda the other thing, I wanted your help with. See, I have an appointment, with the lawyer. The one I told you about. Will you come with me, you can keep an eye on him while I talk?"

"Oh, jeez Clay! This just gets better n better you really know how to make yourself Mr Unpopular don'tcha"

"Look Sonny, I just wanna be sure they can't take him"

Sonny sighs looking at Casey, his tiny eyes open and looks up at him. "Ya know your daddy, he gonna get himself in a whole heap of trouble." He smiles at the baby "Guess Uncle Sonny needs to supervise him, right?" Casey's watching as Sonny talks to him, then he yawns. "Yeah you think so too. Your mommy gonna be real mad when she finds out, and then we gonna have to watch when she whoops your daddy's as... behind, you know that. Yeah."

He sighs again looking at Clay "Okay, but I want you to know before we go anywhere, I think you goin' about this all wrong, but... if this what you think is right then, also know I got ya six no matter what. So just do what you wanna do"

"Um...I'm glad you got my six cos well, we also need to do laundry! I kinda said we would"

"Ahh! Now see, women I'm not so good with, but laundry... laundry I can do." he smiles

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"Hey!" Kelsey looks up at the sound of the apartment door opening. She frowns "Oh my god, where the hell have you been?"

"Hi!" Clay smiles kissing her as he and Sonny push the buggy back through the doorway "Yeah um... sorry about that. I meant to call ya but."

"Sonny" she nods acknowledging him "So? I said where have you been?"

Sonny awkwardly looks at Clay looking for him to lead on the version of events he wants to tell her "Um..." he holds up the large bag. ".. laundry and then we went for a bit of a stroll, get some air. Lost track of the time" He frowns looking to Sonny to confirm what he says. Which he nods and in so doing, much to his reluctance, means he participates in the lie.

"Oh okay!" She smiles, "Really? You went and did the washing, that's great" she kisses his cheek "Thank you and thanks Sonny for helping him with that. Great way to spend your day off, right?"

"Oh um... yeah no problem ma'am" Sonny smiles "You know, I'm taking this little guy with me again, to the launderette, he's a right lady magnet. I bagged me two cell numbers from hot chicks, cleaning their smalls cos they thought we looked cute. I mean they're right he is so damn cute; I might get myself one" He laughs

Kelsey frowns "What a baby?"

"Yeah .. I mean if they get me the ladies, then why not"

"I kinda think you need the lady first Sonny!" Clay frowns as he laughs

Kelsey laughs as Clay follows her into the kitchen. He wraps his arms around her waist kissing her neck "You okay?"

"Mmmm hmmm" she nods as she washes the few dirty dishes in the sink.

"So, how did lunch go?" he frowns as he notices the half-eaten sandwich next to her on the countertop "You still hungry?"

"You know, I wasn't um... feeling very hungry at the restaurant so didn't have much. I actually came back early, needed a lie down. I didn't realise you were going out for so long. Did you go and get his passport?" she frowns watching him

"Um.. .you know I forgot to take mine, it's at the base and I didn't get chance to go get it. It took us long enough to work the laundry out. I'll go another day. How was Alex?" he asks quickly changing the subject.

"Yeah, yeah he was okay."

Clay looks around watching as Sonny lifts the now crying Casey from his buggy. "Hey little buddy, my gorgeous boy tell Uncle Sonny what's the matter. What you heard your Mommy, you wanna see her" He smiles. The smile quickly changes to a frown as he sniffs "Hey Clay! Um...you know, he don't smell so good" Sonny dangles him in the air, holding him without stretched arms away from his body "Oh man! That is bad. How the hell can something so small make that kinda smell"

Clay laugh "Yeah! He's actually worse than your feet Sonny and that's sayin something. I'll get the bag; he'll need a diaper change"

Kelsey smiles watching them both trying to organize to get Casey changed. Sonny grimacing and retching at the smell. " I'm just going to the bathroom. I guess he'll be ready for a feed soon?"

"You know I can give him a bottle if you want ?" Clay looks up from where he has Casey undressed on the floor.

"No, I'm fine to do it. I could do with a bit of time with him. Thanks though"

"Okay" he frowns wondering what might be wrong "Kelsey, you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be back in a minute just need the toilet. You okay with that?"

Clay sighs watching her as she leaves the room before turning his attention back to his son "Alright, let's get you changed little man" Clay holds his breath as he lays Casey on the padded mat as he undoes his diaper.

Sonny gasps taking a deep breath in "Oh lord" he frowns "You know what man.. I'm gonna get off give you um... you two some space. Plus... well diapers, they not my department" He smiles.

Clay looks up and nods as Sonny continues to frown, his stomach queasy as he watches how Clay copes with the diaper "You know, how 'bout say we meet up, later. Sink a few beers at the bar with the guys, play some pool,"

"Um... yeah " Clay frowns as he looks at the bathroom doorway "You know, I'll text you, let you know for sure later. I just wanna check everything's okay first. Sonny wanted to say, thanks for earlier, coming with me"

"You' okay I just hope what you did, it settles your mind, and this blows over. Just take care man. Hey and Clay...you gotta good thing goin' on here, don't go spoilin it"

"I won't" Clay smiles as he finishes dressing Casey. Scooping him up into his arms and holding him against his chest.

"Okay...well, I'll catch ya later. KELSEY..." He calls out, unsure if she can hear him ". SEES YA SOON HONEY!" there's no reply and as Clay waits by the door to see him out Sonny leans in and kisses Casey on the cheek "See ya later Champ! Hey and you...Beer, later. Text me!"

Clay smiles then takes Casey and heads to the bedroom. Kelsey's sat on the bed, leaned against the headboard and Clay smiles as he sits down next to her. "Kelsey are you okay? You um...you seemed a little quiet in the kitchen. Something happen at lunch?"

"Nothing. It was fine I told you".

"You wanna feed him?" he passes Casey from his arm so hers. She smiles, holding him tight to her chest, cuddling him close and then she unclips her bra. Clay's next to her as she begins to feed him and he strokes his finger on Casey cheek as he sucks.

She sighs, leaning back relaxing "I missed him today" she smiles "Been the first time I've not had him with me and it felt slightly odd"

"Hmm! Yeah I bet. Hey, something worrying you. You seem a little.. well distant"

"No... no," she sighs "Oh I guess, I've just been trying to imagine what it would be like, not being here, with you, with him. If say I did go back to the ship."

"Well I guess it will be tough, at the start but ... hey, you're tough right, we'll get through it. I'm sure you'll be fine. Look, Kelsey it's a way off yet so don't worry. Come here!" He pulls her body towards his and kisses the top of her head and she leans herself against him as they sit quiet and Casey feeds.

Clay's silent. He's thinking wondering how to broach the subject of Alex and lunch. Then finally he has to know and he can't leave it "So, how'd lunch go, really?"

"You don't really wanna know how my lunch was, do you?" she laughs " What you mean is, did I tell Alex to go home" She takes a deep breath and frowns at him, as much as she feels like doing it she won't let herself cry. "Well, if you really wanna know . Then yeah, yeah I told him. I told him to go!" She sniffs, wiping her face before turning her attention back to Casey at her breast.

"Hey I'm sorry, alright. If I known it was gonna upset you like this then... "

"Then what? It's what you wanted right? For him to go"

"Yeah" he can't lie, and he nods "Yeah I did. So, is he gonna,.. go?"

She sniffs again as she takes a breath adjusting Casey's position "I don't know but knowing Alex, probably not. One thing he doesn't like, is being told what to do. You know I think I might, bath him after his. Perhaps get an early night. What you think?"

"Um...yeah um...well actually do you mind... I was um... you know Sonny he wanted to get a couple of beers, at the bar, with the guys. I mean I don't have to go"

"Mm hmm ...Sonny's idea?" she nods "Well, yeah sure. Go for it! I'll just have a bath and get an an early night, like I said. It's only fair, as you had him most of the day"

"Okay, but you're sure, you don't mind?"

"No! No, it's fine. Just don't be too late, okay. I miss you when you're not here"

o-o-o-o-o

She opens her eyes and checks the time on her watch it's been at least thirty minutes and Casey's now asleep at her breast. She smiles. She lays him to sleep in his crib and decides she'll use the quiet time to take a shower.

When she comes out, wrapped in a towel she checks, and Casey's still sleeping. She strokes his cheek gently, touching at his tiny hand letting out a long, tired sigh and then she leaves the baby and wanders through to the living room.

The TVs on but Clay's in the kitchen, cooking. "Hey!" she smiles "What you doin? I thought you were going out?"

"Oh, hey look, I'm just making you some pasta before I go. You didn't get much for lunch, so I figured you should eat something"

"Really?" she leans on the countertop smiling at him as he forks some of the pasta into her mouth Mmmm! "That's quiet nice. You know, you're turning into the perfect sort of house husband" she smiles

"Oh really" he comes around her side of the breakfast bar, standing behind her. Then he works his hand up her thighs and over her butt under the towel "You want me to show you my other house husband skills"

She smiles turning around to face him her hands clasps around his neck as he leans forward to kiss her. Mmmm "You know I'd love to take you up on that offer but.. you know I can't, not yet"

"Yeah how's that going... we getting any closer to me .. showing my skills"

"Soon, Mr Impatient" she smiles kissing him. She laughs, she can feel the hard in the front of his pants as he press himself against her

"You know we could um... well you know"

"No, I just had a shower and if I heard you on the phone correctly you're meeting Sonny. So, I hold on to that offer, make it an incentive for you to come home earlier"

"Oh, please...c'mon" Mmmm! He closes his eyes pulling at the front of her towel. She clasps it to her chest.

"Clay...Spenser...stop it!" she smiles.

Mmmm! "Okay" he kisses her neck and as he wraps her arms around his neck he takes the chance he has and pulls at the towel until he has it undone. Mmmmm! He moans as he very gently caresses her breast and then his hand follows a line down her stomach, across her hip before wrapping her tight in his arms

"Clay...just go!" she smiles at him

"You sure? I mean you really want me to go?"

"No! But you told Sonny you'd see him there. You know, I don't want them all thinking I have you under the thumb" she laughs

I don't care what they think. But I won't long, promise. Not with this on offer" He smiles as he strokes his hand over the soft roundness of her butt.

"Whatever!" She laughs.

He picks the towel up , wrapping it around her up the towel Mmmmm! "You are gorgeous you know that. Oh and hey, I left a couple of apartments we could look at saved on the laptop, if you wanna take a look later?" He kisses her, his tongue finding hers, her hands wrapped in his hair "You know perhaps I should stay here? You promise stay like for when I get back!"

"She laughs, kissing him again "I'm not promising anything. Just don't be too long" she smiles teasingly "Clay... just go!"