Trent and Full Metal stood behind Clay with grins from ear to ear looking at the screen. "Um hi guys, how are you?" "Oh, we are doing good…a lot better than ole Clay will be when Jace finds out." Trent said matter of fact. Clay turns around and looks at his brothers. "I will be fine boys as long as you two knot heads don't say anything. Besides Blackburn, Mandy, and Jace you are the last of the team members to find out and we would like to keep it that way until we are back Stateside because if Jace is going to kill me I want to hug and kiss Emma one last time." Emma blushed and she could hear "aaahhh" coming from the guys in the background. "Don't worry we won't take your thunder plus we want to see the look on Jason's face when he finds out because it will be classic." Full Metal said as he slapped Clay on the shoulder and both left the love birds to it.
Both Emma and Clay look at each other and just bust up laughing. "Well we better tell your dad and tell him soon because those two won't be able to keep their mouth shut for long." Clay stated with a smile on his face. "You're right and I have the perfect time. The welcome home BBQ we always have at our house anytime you guys get back from a spin up. There will be plenty of witnesses so he won't be able to hurt you too bad." Emma said with a yawn. "I think that would be perfect sweetheart. You better get to bed, we will be home before you know it." "I can't wait. I will see you soon Clay. Goodnight." "Goodnight Emma I will see you soon." Both signed off and Clay joined the rest of the team for a beer while Emma went to bed.
Bravo team is leading up the plane getting ready to go home when Jason comes up behind him, startling him. "Clay what's happening man?" Jason asked handing him a beer to start their trip home. Clay had just locked his phone after sending Emma a text letting her know they were about to take off. "Oh, nothing just letting my girlfriend know we are about to take off. This is the first spin up since we got together so it has been a little rough. I really care for her and I can't wait to see her." "She must be a pretty great gal. Let's hope she is better than your last two. Even though you can be a pain in my ass but you are a damn good SEAL and a damn good man, you deserve only the best." "Thanks Jason that means a lot to me. You will be getting a chance to meet her at the welcome home BBQ that is if it is okay for me to bring her." "Absolutely she can come, I am sure we would all want to meet her and to make sure she isn't going to break your heart." "Thanks, but I have a feeling she is the one. She is smart, funny, beautiful, and feisty so she will fit in just fine." Jason put his hand on his shoulder and left Clay to join Ray. "You have no idea how much she will fit in and how much you will love her…I know I do." Clay thought to himself, just hoping that the revelation goes over well.
The flight went on as most flights back do. Lots of beer and lots of laughs. As they all disembarked from the plane and started towards their vehicles and family waiting for them, Emma and Clay locked eyes as Clay was walking closer, they shared a brief smile when he passed and while Emma gave her father a hug. Clay got into his truck and drove off but shot a text to Emma with a kiss emoji. "Alright dad, let's go to the store and get what we need for our welcome home BBQ and then we can grab some Mexican and chill for the night." Emma said as they all piled into Jason's truck. "That sounds like a plan. Let's start for the store and I will put in the Mexican order. Everyone want their usual?" "Yea" both kids said. They were sitting around the table eating dinner and enjoying catching up. "Hey dad, I was wondering if I could bring my boyfriend to the BBQ tomorrow? I know the guys will want to meet him and doing it tomorrow I can kill two birds with one stone and everyone can meet him." "Of course he can come, I need to meet the guy who has made you so happy these days and to make sure he is good enough for my baby girl." Emma blushed. "Dad you are going to love him. He is caring, generous, handsome, has a great job, and is easy to talk to." Emma gave her dad a small smile all while thinking to herself that her father will be pissed but she will work her magic to sooth his ruffled feathers.
When they got home and put away the groceries for tomorrow they sat and ate and chatted about everything that had gone on while Jason was gone and what was on the agenda for the next few days. They all said their goodnight and set their alarms for early the next morning. Emma got around for bed and called Clay. "Hey babe." Clay answered the phone. "Hey, sorry I couldn't hug and kiss you on base, just know that it took everything in me not to." "I know Emma I felt the same way but after tomorrow we won't have to worry because 1 of 3 things will happen…Jason will kill me with his bare hands…kick me off Bravo…or not have an issue and if that is the case your father may be sick and in need of medical attention." Emma let out a little giggle that Clay loved so much. "Don't worry, I will not let 1 and 2 happen and I don't think the rest of Bravo will too." "I will hold you too that. I am going to bed babe I am still on overseas time…I will see you tomorrow around 11. Sleep well babe." With that Clay hung up the phone and was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
The next morning Emma woke up, took a quick shower, and put on a ruffled baby blue blouse that showed off her midsection and a pair of white skinny jeans and 2 inch wedges so she would be a little closer to Clay in height. Emma came down stairs and was helping her dad put more beer in the cooler to take to the rest of Bravo who were outside when the door bell rang. "I'll get it" Emma said. Emma opened the door and Clay had to pick his chin up off the ground because he was looking at the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. She was beautiful to begin with but today she was extra beautiful. Emma jumped into his arms and kissed him with so much passion behind it, it made Clay almost fall off the front steps. "I missed you so much." "I missed you too Emma. Lets get this over with" Clay leaned down and gave Emma another kiss before she took his hand and lead him into the kitchen. Jason's back was still turned to them continuing to stock the cooler. "Daddy, I want you to meet my boyfriend." Emma said and as soon as Jason turned around the look of happiness in his face to finally meet his baby girls boyfriend went to utter discuss and rage.