Chapter 32 - Trust me
"Hey!"
"Oh, hey!" Clay looks up from his seated position on the couch. He smiles at her. He's feeding Casey with one of the bottles she expressed while he was out last night "I um... I didn't wanna disturb you, you were sleeping so peacefully, so I gave him one of the bottles from the fridge. Is that okay?"
"Yeah .. yeah that's fine" she smiles hesitantly. She feels awkward, unsure what to say after last night. It's more than obvious they both feel uncomfortable, dancing around the elephant in the room, just making random and polite conversation.
Looking around the apartment, she can see he's cleaned up the mess from the previous night's altercation. The tables are upright in position, the plant and soil back in its pot on top of the coffee table and the books and magazines sitting on the shelves where they belong.
She hesitantly smiles, standing in the bedroom doorway watching him, Casey in his arms, happily suckling on the bottle. She takes a long and slow intake of breath and then heads into the kitchen.
He frowns, looking at her face. It's now various shades of color from red, purple to black blue the bruising that's come up around her eye is a yellow color. "You okay?"
Mm hmm! She nod, but quietly inside she feels a little dazed and though she won't say anything, her face really hurts "I'm just gonna make a coffee. Do you want one?"
"Um.. no. No, I'm good. You know what, here take him and sit down. I'll get it for you"
"No! No I'm fine and I ... I need a couple of pain killers; I have a bit of a headache" what she means is her jaw feels like someone punched her in the face. It's sore, it aches, and she needs something to take the edge off. She looks at the Tylenol in cupboard and takes two from the pot, swallowing them down with a large sip of water.
Her body is filled with nervous tension and her hands shake as she pours the coffee into the cup. Then as she places the coffee pot back on the machine, she pauses, staring at the black liquid in the cup "Clay um..." she sighs apprehensively "I..I need to tell you something. Something I was going to tell you yesterday but...well with everything that happened. Anyway, I just need you to listen"
"Okay..." frowning, he looks up giving her his full attention. He can feel himself take a deep breath, nervously apprehensive about what she's going to say "..I'm listening"
"I errm... I have an appointment. To see my CO. It's in a couple of weeks. It's just to talk. Discuss the potential of going back, to my post on the Charles, see what it involves" she grinds her teeth against each other and then turns to look at him. The breakfast bar separating them like a barrier
"I ... I need to fly back for a couple of days. I figured while I was there that I'd pack my stuff up at the flat. Would that be okay? I .. I thought maybe I would leave Casey here, with you. I mean, we'd have to kinda wean him on to the formula milk, but it would be over a month by then and its gonna have to happen if I go back anyway."
"Okay..." Clay lets out that breath, slightly relieved by the caveat that Casey's staying behind. Whilst he knew this day might come he had been hoping that she might have changed her mind "um ...um yeah sure. I mean, sure about leaving him here"
"Well I thought you know it would give me chance to see what it would be like, how I'll cope, with leaving him, and I know he'll be fine with you. Plus, we have to get this family care plan together before I go so... if we do that and then you're not here, then it's a chance to put that in to practice. I mean, before I make any real commitments to going back"
"Um...yeah!" he sighs, his brain's ticking over, thinking everything though.
"You know, I think I'll take a shower " she smiles "I wanna wash my hair. Are you okay with him, for a bit longer?"
As he nods his confirmation she looks up. There's a knock at the door "I'll get it. Stay there" she smiles looking as Casey lays, contentedly, in Clay's arms. She opens the apartment front door to find Sonny filling the door frame.
For a moment they're both silent. Him hesitating, his mouth open in shock as he stares at the bruising on her face. She can tell what he's looking at and nervously puts her hand to her cheek covering it
"Sonny!" she smiles "What are you doing here, so early. Is everything okay?"
"Um... yeah. Yeah I'm fine. You good?" he frowns
"Yeah I'm fine. Please... don't stand there, come in" as she opens the door wider she notices he isn't alone. Trent and then Jason follow quietly behind him. "Oh hey!" she smiles feeling slightly embarrassed, she tries to hide her face from them.
Clay stands up with Casey in his arms, he's slight concerned to see Jason and Trent with Sonny "Hey, what's going on?" he questions, the frown lines on his face show his concerns.
"Oh, we just thought we'd check on ya, what with last night's little performance. Wanted to make sure everything here was okay" Sonny smiles
"You know um... I was gonna have a shower, if you'll excuse me" Kelsey hurries to leave.
"Oh no! No, you don't young lady" Sonny grabs hold of her arm, pulling her back "No you don't go hide up. I already filled them in on what happened"
"Sonny, no really I was really gonna take a shower. I ..."
"No, hush now! Trent's come here special to check you out, make sure there aint no damage there" he points at the bruise on her cheek.
Before she can say anything else, Jason places his hand against her chin and lifts her head so he can check what's happened. He lets out a long sigh and then he turns, staring at Clay "That your handy work?" he questions
"Um... " Clay feels awkward, guilty and nervous. He hesitates not sure what to says "I um... I guess. I ..."
"It's okay" Kelsey interrupts " it just was an accident. It wasn't Clay's fault. It was my own fault really; I was the one that stepped in, I should've been more careful. It's nothing. You know, I don't know why everyone's making such a fuss" she smiles, trying to laugh it off "Really, it's nothing"
"Yeah, well lucky for him, we got a team medic to take a look at you, off the record. Cos you know Clay..." Jason stares at him hard ".. if she had to go to the ER with that, you do now what they're gonna think, right?"
Clay takes a breath and nods "Look Jason , really it was an accident. You know I would never.."
"No that's bullshit Clay" Jason frowns angrily "you didn't keep it in control, that's what happened. So that's on you. I expect better from my team than that. Now you gotta be hoping Alex, doesn't go reporting you higher up the chain. Cos you know, Lindell's already looking to kick your ass, for going off grid with that politician, trying to pull strings on the Swanny thing." he sighs " What the hell's got into you Clay?"
Kelsey looks nervous hearing Jason shout. She hasn't seen him do that with his team before. She takes Casey from Clay's arms but doesn't say a word, just exchanges glances with Jason.
Trent feels awkward, he smiles at her "Why don't we go into the kitchen, there's more light in there and I'll take a quick look."
"No really, it's fine. I don't wanna make a fuss"
"Well, just let me check it's alright and then there won't be any fuss. Look, let's just be sure"
"Hey, you let Trent take a look, that's an order" Jason frowns at her.
"Kelsey just... " Clay steps forward but before he can say another word, or move, Jason pushes him back.
"Don't you move! We need to have words."
Clay closes his eyes taking a deep breath, he knows Jason's just managed, in a few words, to slap him back into place.
Kelsey feels nauseous as she hears them talking. She takes a deep breath and passes Casey to Sonny "Can you just hold him for minute"
"Sure, thing" Sonny smiles as he takes the baby in his arms. There's something he likes about holding him, it makes him feel good. "Hey there lil champ. How ya doin today buddy. You being a good boy" he snuggles the baby against his chest. Taking him to the window to look out as he turns his back on Jason and Clay.
In the kitchen, under the brighter spotlight, Trent gently lifts her chin touching her face gently along the jawbone. Checking her eye and moving her head from side to side. She frowns, sighing loudly inconvenienced by his thoroughness Awww! she grimaces as he touches the bruising Fuck! "Stop!" she brushes his hand away "That hurts!"
"Okay, sorry. You got any headaches? Feel sick?"
"No! No, not really... maybe a little bit of a headache but I took a couple of pain killers, just before you came, but to be honest they haven't done a great deal"
Trent looks at the container on the worktop "You took two of these? Okay, I can probably get you something a little bit stronger, but I'd need to check because you're still feeding the baby"
"Okay." she nods. "I mean don't go out of your way. I'm sure I'll be fine"
"You had any sickness, dizziness or blurred vision?"
"No, well not since it happened"
"Did you pass out or lose consciousness any time after?"
"No. No nothing. What is this ?" she frowns annoyed by all the questions. She looks around over her shoulder and catches Clay's eye. She smiles and he smiles back "Sorry, um.. no, just a bit dizzy a few seconds after it happened. It was just the shock I think." She sighs again "You know, he didn't mean it. It was an accident, just like he said. It was my fault, I got in the way"
"I'm not worried about that I'm just here to make sure you're okay" Trent smiles and there's something about it that's reassuring "There's gonna be questions when anyone sees that bruising, that's all"
"Questions? What Questions" she frowns "Who's asking questions. That's just bullshit." She takes a breath. Closing her eyes calming her reaction "So um... how long, before this bruising goes down?"
"Well, it's probably gonna get worse before it gets better for a few days more" Trent frowns "Sorry, guess that's not what you wanna hear."
"No. No, it's not. I have an appointment with my CO in a couple of weeks, do you think it will be gone down by then? " she sighs, again looking at Clay as he and Jason talk, nervously she bites at her lip wondering what it's all about.
"You got some antiseptic cream here? If you have you need to put it on your lip, just until it heals over"
"Yeah, yeah sure." She can feel herself welling up with tears, suddenly getting emotional at Trent's kindness, the shock of last night starts to overwhelm her "Sorry...sorry, I'm just tired. You know if we're done I'm gonna take that shower now and get dressed"
"Yeah sure" Trent smiles at her "Kelsey, are you really alright?"
Mmmm! "Yeah fine. Thanks." She smiles "Excuse me"
"She okay?" Jason sighs, looking over his shoulder as he watches her disappear into the bedroom.
"Yeah" Trent nods "Nothing broken. She's gonna be a bit sore for a while, bruising will come out in the next few days, but she'll be okay"
"She'll be okay. You heard that Clay? She's gonna be okay!"
Clay rubs his head; he takes a deep breath as the words trip his guilt "Jason I ..."
"Shut the hell up!" Jason shoves Clay back against the door, holding his hand against his chest "What the fuck did you think you were doin'? I told you last night to leave it but no, no you can't listen. Now look, look what you did!"
"I know and I've told her I'm sorry. I just lost it for a minute. Seeing him here, pawing at her. I thought I was gonna lose everything"
"You just lost it?!" Jason frowns as he paces back and forward, rubbing his head, he's now trying to calm himself from losing it with Clay "What the hell are you gonna do if he calls this in? Clay, you're a tier one operator, you just about put a guy, no an officer, in the hospital, aside from the fact that you managed to rearrange your girlfriends face. How do you think that's gonna look to a review board? How the hell am I gonna explain that? I mean, who's gonna believe it's an accident ?"
Kelsey looks at them from where she's hovering, listening in the doorway. She hesitates then speaks up "He's gone" she coughs awkwardly as she interrupts them "Alex. He's gone. He's not gonna do anything " She takes a deep breath as they all look around and stare at her.
"What you talked him?" Clay frowns "When?"
"He um... he text me" she swallows nervously she can feel all their eyes focusing on her "He said he got a flight, it left at 4am. He's not going to be back" she takes a breath, blinking her hot tears away.
"Well that's good " Jason's breaths with a slight relief "Sorry I have to ask but did he mention anything about Clay, about reporting him for what happened"
"No!" she shakes her head "No, he didn't mention what happened but .. he won't. He won't report it"
"You sure about that? Look sorry, but I'm concerned to know how much trouble might come Clay's way"
"I'm sure... well from what I know of Alex " she bites her lip anxiously she can see Clay watching her "He um... he's not gonna want people to know that Clay got the better of him. He likes his reputation too much" she laughs " I can't see him saying anything. I mean, he's been in fights, with military guys before, he doesn't go that route. What I mean is, he doesn't use his position, as an officer, to sort it out or he never has"
"We'll let's just hope he sticks to it then" Jason sighs, turning to look at Clay "Sounds like you might have had a lucky escape"
"It's gonna be fine" she smiles at Clay "I'm just ... you know, the shower" She nods acknowledging them all before she disappears to the bedroom.
Jason's shaking his head as he looks at Trent something about the expression on her face concerns him "You sure she's alright?"
"Yeah, she'll just need some pain killers for a couple day that's all. Think it's just sore"
"Right so, you got it all out ya system now. You gonna let it go?"
Clay nods, sitting himself on the couch, his head in his hands "Yeah.. yeah I'm sorry. Look Jason..." Just as he speaks there's a chorus of bleeping cell phones
Shit! Jason pulls his from his pocket, checking the message "Alright get your gear together, looks like we gotta go!"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
17 days later
Things have been so good recently between Kelsey and Clay, they're getting into a routine with Casey. They've even found a new two-bedroom apartment which they'll move into in the next couple of weeks.
Casey's laid in his crib watching the wind-up musical elephant mobile, going around over his head. It has six small elephants on it and Kelsey smiles as she watches him kicking his legs as he goes around over his head.
"Hey!" Clay smiles. He arrives back from training putting his bag on the floor by the door then he comes to the bedroom. She's stood over the bed filling a small suitcase with clothes. He wraps his arms around her waist, kissing her neck watching as she folds a bra packing it into the bag "What're you doing?" he frowns
"I...I just thought I'd start some of this packing, get my case ready. I'm gonna try keep it to this small one then I can bring some stuff back with me." She sighs
"You okay?"
"Yeah... yeah. You're gonna be okay, right?" she frowns turning her head, looking over her shoulder at him "I mean with Casey, on your own. You've got this?" she turns around now to face him.
"Yup! I have my list of instructions that you gave us, and worst case, well we have our care plan. So, I can put that into action and ring Ash" he frowns.
"Yeah well as long as you're sure he'll hold up his end" she smiles "Then it should all be fine"
"Are you really alright, you sound a little off" She nods as he kisses her "Oh hey, I meant to ask, how did you get on with the check-up this morning."
"You mean our six-week check-up? Um ...yeah, it was fine, with both of us. Everything's back where it should be and in working order again" she smiles "Guess that's one more tick box ticked"
"Everything's working again? Should I like that sound of that?" He frowns "Ohhhh!.." he smiles "Does that mean we can um... you know, now"
"Maybe!" she grins teasingly biting her lip. "We'll see"
Mmmm! He leans forward, kissing her but as he does he pulls a more serious face. Picking up the pair of red lace panties, that he can see laying on the bed beside her case. He frowns "Why are you taking these with you?"
"I wasn't!" She snatches them back " I wasn't taking them anywhere. They were ...supposed to be a surprise, for later" she smiles "But now you've ruined it!"
"A surprise!? What .. you mean a surprise, surprise, for me?"
"Maybe. But like I said you've ruined it now, so no surprise"
Mmmm! He groans rubbing his groin gently against her "Oh believe me, that's one surprise that's not ruined!" he smiles overcome with excitement at the sight of the small fabric garment, his body stiffens at the mere thought of her wearing them, his hardness pressing against his fly "So are you saying we can... that we can...well you know?"
"I'm saying, maybe we could try, yes" she smiles, temptingly.
"Oh god!" he starts to pull at her tee shirt trying to take it off, putting hand to his fly to unzip his pants
"Woah! Woah! Hold on there sailor!" she laughs "First...first, your son needs a bath, a bottle and putting to bed. Then I thought maybe ..."she smiles as she walks her fingers up the white clingy tee shirt covering his chest, biting her lip seductively "we could um...have a bath and then maybe early night. If you wanted to?" she leans in and kisses him softly.
"Oh yeah! Oh yeah, yeah! I definitely wanna do that." he smiles, leaning in pressing his lips back against hers. He kisses, her the way he wants her, like right now. Sliding his tongue in her mouth finding hers as they tease against each other. Then she breaks the kiss and smiles. Backing him off, calming the heat in the moment.
He responds by making a grab at her waist, his hands kneading at her ass, pulling her closer again "You know what Casey!" he calls out as he breaks his hold of her "It's time for Daddy to bath you and then early bedtime"
She laughs watching him so eager. He picks Casey up, holding him tight against his shoulder then he can't help but take in the sudden whiff of the smell that fills his nostrils "Oh god! Casey, your diaper stinks"
"Oh yeah..." she laughs ".. that was the other thing I meant to say, he needs changing. I thought I'd leave you with it. I mean, I need to rest up what with all this physical activity you want me to do later." she smiles toying with the red panties in front of her.
"Kelsey Roberts!" Clay frowns "You are such a tease. But yeah, you...you just take some Rn R, cos you are gonna need all your energy later "
"Wow!" She kisses him " Sounds like you really wanna see these red kickers in action" she smiles "Oh and um..." she coughs awkwardly "you need to go to the pharmacy first. You know we're gonna need some ... some protection this time. I know I'm still feeding him on and off, but we need to more careful now. I mean, last thing we need is any more complications " she smiles.
"Oh no see... I've already taken care of that!" he pulls out the drawer in the side table by the bed and holds up the box of condoms "I'm a Seal, I'm always prepared for anything. Don't worry I've been ready for this moment"
"Really!" She laughs "Anyone would think you've been giving this some thought"
"Oh, trust me, I've been thinking about nothing else" he puts his arm around her neck, holding Casey to his body with his other hand. He can feel a tension in her shoulders as he holds her "You okay?" he frowns "You do want to do this, right? I mean I don't wanna pressure you. I can wait. I mean, I don't wanna wait.. but I will, if you're not ready"
Mmmm! she nods showing her nervousness "No, I'm ready. I mean, I do want to it's just... I... I don't know, I'm just...just a little nervous I guess. Worried in case it's not the same for you now"
"Hey...hey, trust me, it's gonna be great! And believe me, it's gonna be me saying sorry. Because how ready I am right now..." He sighs ".. imaging in you in these. I am not gonna last that long" He smiles trying to offer some reassurance as he feels her apprehensive, the look in her face one of concern "Hey seriously, it's gonna be fine. Look, we'll take it slow and if you wanna stop, we stop alright. We go at your pace".
She nods and smiles "I love you Clay. I just want it to be good for you!"
"And it will be. Now..." he places a kiss against her neck " I really need to get him changed, cos...well, he smells soooo bad"
"I know!" she laughs "I think I'll leave you to handle that." she pats him on the chest, handing him the red lace panties "Good luck!"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Bathed, fed and changed into his little blue pajamas, Casey's now sound asleep.
Clay's leans over his crib watching him, gently stroking his finger against his cheek. "Sleep tight little man" he loves watching him, his chin moving up and down as he sucks on his comforter. The small grey, soft elephant toy in the corner of his crib.
Clay can't believe how lucky he feels and then as he looks up Kelsey's stood in the bathroom doorway, hair piled on top of her head, wrapped only in a small pink towel Oh wow! He smiles thinking how he feels twice as lucky right now.
"So...Clay Spenser" she coughs nervously as she calls his name. "..you coming for this bath or not? " she smiles, tempting him to come towards her.
"Oh yeah... yeah I am coming. You can be sure of that." he grins. Parts of him pulse as the hormones race through his body. He's so excited, his groin springing to life with the thoughts of the evening ahead.
He pulls at the hem of his tee-shirt, lifting it up over his head and then quickly undoing his pants, dropping them beside the bed and then wrapping his arms around her waist, he prizes the towel from her grip. Throwing it to the floor he strokes his hand gently over her, now, naked body. Feeling and caressing his fingers along every curve.
Pulling her close, her naked breasts pressing against his bare chest. The feeling of skin against skin turns him on. He looks down at the fullness of her soft mounds, rubbing the pad of his thumb over her nipple. It's his turn to tease her. Mmmm! he moans "Oh, you are gorgeous Kelsey Roberts and that training you've been doing ...it is really paying off"
"Oh, keep talking like that and it will get you everywhere" she grins, placing her lips to the strength of his neck, dropping firm kisses against it, making gentle teasing bites "I'm glad you approve"
"Oh god yeah!" Mmmm! Clay groans as the hardness in his shorts fights against the fabric. He slides them down leaving them on the tiles as his hands grab at her butt, forcing himself against her
"C'mon" she smiles beckoning him to the warm bath water.
They lay there, together, she puts her head back onto Clay's chest running her hand up and down his thigh as he wraps his legs around her. "You okay? You're very quiet?" he frowns questioning.
Mmmm! "Yeah, just thinking that's all"
"Anything you wanna share?"
"No, nothing much, just..." she sighs " just how much I'm gonna miss you both. While I'm away"
"Hey, it's just two days, tops, there and back. You'll be fine" He smiles apprehensively, not admitting he's gonna miss her too. He kisses down the side of her neck, sponging the warm water over her naked body.
"You really think we can do this? I mean cope when I'm at sea. If I feel like this for two days how's it gonna be when I have to go for longer?"
"Hey, it will be fine. Of course, you're gonna be apprehensive you've been away for a while now. Just first day nerves, don't worry. You're gonna do great. Now, let's stop worrying about you being away and concentrate on you being here, right now, naked in this bathtub"
She smiles as his hands caress over her breasts, across her stomach and then down between her thighs Mmmm she lays back closing her eyes, her body tingling under his touches
"Let's get out of here. I've got something much more urgent to take care of. Like me pressing my body against yours"
She smiles. Sitting up then she climbs out and wraps a towel around herself. As he gets out she strokes her hand slowly over his chest Mmmm!
"Well they have this thing called video messaging " he smiles "So I'm sure we can think of something to pass the time 'til you get back" He kisses her full on the lips. She flinches as he touches against the split on her lip it's still not healed fully and though most of the bruising from her face has faded and she can cover it now with make-up, when he's close up he still notices where the worst bruise was on her cheek. He strokes his finger against it "I'm sorry.."
"Hey, stop it! We talked about that. Now come here" she wraps her arms around his neck kissing him. Gently his hand smooths up her waist to her breast. Mmmm! she smiles as he pushes her backwards, out of the bathroom and then onto the bed. She takes a deep breath as she lies back.
"You okay?" he frowns staring her in the face, brushing the loose strands of hair back from her shoulder.
Mmmm hmmm! she nods nervously
"It's gonna be fine. You just need to relax" he smiles, his tongue pressing against her lips and she closes her eyes embracing the firm wet of his mouth.
"Yeah" she sighs quietly as he grinds his naked flesh against hers, his body wedged between her legs "Wait! Wait...Clay stop! Um.." she frowns, apprehensively pushing at his chest with her hands so she can look him in the eyes ".. before you get carried away, we need, you know. " she nods, gesturing towards the drawer
"Oh yeah! Shit sorry!" he rummages his hand in the drawer and opens up the packet. For some reason he feels nervously excited his hands shaking with testosterone filled adrenaline he struggles with putting the condom in place. Then he smiles, kissing her gently. Her eyes glance to the side, quickly checking the crib while Clay sorts himself, she wants to ensure Casey's still sleeping. Anxiously afraid that they might wake him. She sighs.
"Sorted" he smiles. Looking at the tension in her eyes "You still wanna do this?"
Mmmm hmm! she nods and then she laughs out loud "Don't say it like that, it makes me feel like it's my first time again" She has to admit that's exactly how she feels, except this time she knows what to expect but still doesn't make her less apprehensive and she can feel herself tensing up.
She's so very nervous as his fingers probe her body touching against gently, softly stroking his hand down between her legs, teasing at the hard-little bud . It makes her tingle, shooting pleasure up her body, causing excitement Mmmm!
"You okay?" He hesitates, frowning as he watches her eyes flicker and the tense nervous expression filling her face.
"Yeah, I'm fine!" She smiles, desperately trying to be relaxed, her hand on his cheek, stroking it she leans forward and kisses him.
He continues pressing, grinding against her. His groans of enjoyment get louder, his hand groping at her body, tugging her closer. "Oh god! He moans out loud, closing his eyes. Now he's lost in the moment, right on the edge of a pleasure he's not felt in a while "Ohhhh!... Kelsey I love you so much!"
She grins, she can feel as his want for her explodes. He takes a deep groaning breath, his chest heaving against her and then he makes one groaning sigh and his weight collapses down against her. "Oh god! That was...mmmm"
He kisses her and as he does both their faces fill with the same annoyed frown. The room filled by the now familiar sound of his cell phone bleeping. "Oh shit!" he takes a deep breath "You gotta be kiddin me!"
She sighs, disappointed. Biting her lip, she can't explain why but her eyes fill with tears. He rolls over, disposing of the condom and then taking his phone from the side table, he checks it.
She sits up wiping the tear that leaked out from her cheek. Watching him look at the message but he doesn't have to say it, she already knows what it says "You're getting spun up?"
"I'm sorry" he sighs, nodding. He strokes her hair back from her face, kissing her "Sorry but I'm gonna have to go"
"It's okay" she smiles reluctantly "Clay, come here"
She kisses him as he touches her gently, wiping the wet of the tear from her face "Are you okay? I didn't hurt you or anything"
"No. No I'm good" She smiles "Really, I'm great. Um... you gonna be back before my flight?"
"Oh shit! err.. you know I don't know." He rubs his head trying to think what to do "Look, call Ash tomorrow and explain, I'm sure he'll have Casey for you. After all that was the part of the plan he agreed"
She sighs, wrapping the sheet around her body to cover it. "You know um... I could take him with me, I have time to add him on to my flight booking" She rubs at her head. Annoyed that even this first two-day trip has already been hit with problems "Oh ...shit! I'm gonna need to chase up his passport. You know, I can't believe that still hasn't come through yet. It's been two or three weeks since you said you applied for it"
Clay's getting dressed and as he takes some clean shorts from the drawer, he hesitates. His hand is hovering by his underwear. He takes a deep breath placing his fingers to the passport he hid there. He swallows anxiously while he considers what to do "Kelsey...it did come! The passport" he takes it from the drawer and holds it towards her
"What?...When?" she frowns looking up at him"You didn't say anything"
"Yeah I um... I forgot to tell you. It came a couple of days ago and I put it in the drawer for safe keeping, I completely forgot all about it. Sorry"
"Oh..." she frowns a little confused "oh okay, um...well that's great. It's a relief. So then, I'll just add him on to my ticket. We're only gonna be a couple of days, so it will save disturbing Ash's routine"
"Yeah" he smiles hesitantly. Taking a breath "Look I need to get dressed. I need to go"
"Clay..." She stands up, wrapped in the bed sheet, she can see the apprehension in his expression, and she puts her hand to his face "Hey look at me. You're okay with this, I mean him coming with me?"
"Yeah, yeah ... sure why wouldn't I be?"
"I don't know, I just get the feeling that you're not okay with it" She stands looking at him, her hands reassuringly stroking his arms "Clay, I'm coming back, alright? Just trust me "
"Yeah, yeah I do! ... I do, really. I trust you. I'm just ... oh ignore me" he grabs at her head kissing her "I'm gonna miss you both so much, that's all. You gonna be alright on your own, yeah?"
"Yeah.. yeah I'll be fine. It's just a couple of days. We can do this" She smiles, her hand stroking down the side of his face, her fingers teasing through his hair " I love you!"
"I love you too! "
Clay grabs his bag. He kisses Kelsey goodbye as she holds Casey in the doorway. He strokes his fingers against his sleepy son's cheek
"We'll see you in a couple of days." She smiles "Clay... be careful"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o
As she hovers in the airport foyer waiting with her bags, Casey in his travel seat, he's still crying and she tries to sooth him. She's so tired and tearful, the flight longer than she remembered. Casey didn't sleep, grisly and crying for most of it. It became very stressful, even though the cabin crew were great helping her. But eventually no matter how hard she tried to ignore them, the tuts and sighs from other passengers got to her frayed nerves, and as they got closer to landing, the thought of the two hour drive back to Portsmouth really filled her with dread.
But now as she stands waiting, a much bigger dread fills her head. A dread of stupidity wondering if she's done the right thing. Too late!
She's about to find out as she turns around to face the voice calling her from behind. "Hey! Sorry I had trouble finding somewhere to park. Are you okay?" He frowns looking at her face " How was the flight?"
"Oh..." she snivels, wiping her nose on the back of her hand "not good!" she sucks in the tearful emotions, the tiredness consuming her. "Oh fuck!... Sorry, sorry I'm just... just so tired"
"Hey c'mon, lets get you to the car. You can sleep on the way back. I got you some groceries in and went and put the heating on at the flat before I left so you won't have to worry"
"Alex..." She smiles "... thanks. Thanks, for doing this, coming to get us, I mean. I really didn't know who else to call"
"Hey, I'm here... always. You know that. After all, that's what friends are for, right" He grabs her around the neck and kisses the top of her head. Then he picks up Casey's travel seat and her case, just leaving her with the small baby bag. "C'mon let's get your mummy home"
