Author's Note: Emma and Clay don't actually appear in this chapter, but I thought we all needed to hear Jason and Ray's conversation about them.
Jason showed up on Ray and Naima's doorstep Friday night with some beer and a bottle of Naima's favorite wine. While they were working out today at the gym, Jason invited himself over to Ray's, telling his 2IC that there was something he needed to discuss with him. Ray had been ready to talk right then, but Jason told him it was a topic better spoken about off base and that he wanted Naima's input as well.
Jason and Ray sat out on the Perry's deck while Naima put the kids to bed. Ray had been trying to get Jason to start talking about whatever was on his mind, but Jason insisted that he wanted to wait until the kids were settled and Naima could join them.
Finally, Naima returned from the kids' bedrooms. She came out on the deck carrying a tray with some snacks, fresh beers for Ray and Jason, and the bottle of wine with a glass for herself.
"Okay, Jay," Ray said, "Naima is here. Can you tell me what's got you stressed out here?"
"It's Emma and Clay," Jason said, leaning forward in his chair.
"What about them?" Ray asked.
"We had Emma's birthday dinner last night. At Lorenzo's," Jason explained. "I included Clay because they're dating." Jason emphasized the word dating to indicate his difficulties with that situation.
"That was nice of you," Naima said blandly as she made quick work of opening the bottle of wine and pouring herself a glass.
"Wasn't Emma's birthday almost a month ago?" Ray asked.
"Yeah, but we had to cancel because of a spin up," Jason explained. "We had a hard time finding a day we were all available again."
Ray nodded. "So, what's the problem?"
Jason sighed and leaned back in his chair again. "I gave Emma some of Alana's jewelry. It was a little emotional."
"But that's nice," Naima said as she settled into one of the lounge chairs. "Alana would be happy to know Emma has her jewelry."
"Yeah," Jason agreed. "It's just, it was hard seeing the jewelry and the kids remembered that I gave the pieces to Alana when they were born." He paused to take a drink of his beer. "Emma was a little teary."
"That's understandable," Ray said. "I imagine it's hard for Emma to think about wearing her mother's jewelry."
"Yeah, well, she was upset so the kid had his arm around her, and she was leaning into his side, and I swear he was going to kiss her." Jason paused, reliving the scene from dinner. "He didn't, but the look on his face… He's in love with Emma." Jason exhaled in frustration. "Spenser is in love with my daughter!"
Jason waited for some kind of reaction, but Ray and Naima didn't respond. They just looked expectantly at him, as if they were waiting for more information.
"You don't seem surprised," Jason stated. "Why aren't you surprised?"
"You just figured this out, brother?" Ray asked in disbelief.
"You've known?" Jason questioned, sounding shocked. "How long have you known? Since they were here for dinner last Friday? Why didn't you say something?"
"Whoa, whoa, slow down," Ray interrupted Jason's questions. "First of all, I've pretty much known since Clay asked for permission to date Emma, and I didn't say anything because I thought you knew or at least suspected."
"Wait, since he asked for permission to date her," Jason repeated. "How did you know then?"
"Come on, Jason," Ray said exasperatedly. "Do you really think Clay would have asked if he didn't? He stood there in front of the entire team and basically declared his feelings. Did you miss that part of the conversation?"
"You really think he was declaring his feelings?" Jason asked in bewilderment.
"She's smart. She's beautiful. She makes me laugh. She understands me. Yeah, I think he was declaring his feelings," Ray said emphatically. "If you asked him then if he was in love with her, he probably wouldn't have said yes, but he obviously had feelings for her."
Jason sat quietly as he processed what Ray had just told him.
"Jay, if you didn't think he was in love with her, why did you give him permission to date her?" Ray asked curiously.
"I figured if I said no it would just make the whole idea of them dating seem more exciting because it was forbidden," Jason explained. "I thought if I said yes and they actually dated the excitement of the forbidden would fade and they'd realize they didn't have that much in common and they'd lose interest."
Naima snorted. She had been very quiet up until this point in the conversation. Both Ray and Jason turned to look at her.
Naima took another sip of her wine and slowly shook her head. "You foolish, foolish man," she said.
"Why is that foolish?" Jason asked, perplexed at Naima's response.
"Your theory wasn't foolish," Naima explained. "Thinking that it applied in this situation was foolish. Emma and Clay are more mature than that. Neither of them just has some crush."
Jason gave a frustrated sigh. "She just turned twenty, and he's almost seven years older than her. How can you be so sure?"
"Jason Hayes, you know Emma better than that!" Naima exclaimed. "Sure, if this had happened when Clay first joined the team when Emma was still in high school, I'd say it was a passing crush. But she barely paid attention to him then, and he certainly didn't notice her."
Jason frowned listening to what Naima was saying.
"Emma has had to grow up fast," Naima continued. "Having a SEAL for a father and losing Alana in high school has put a lot responsibility on her shoulders. She's much more mature than most young people her age. Do you really see her spending her time with some boy who's running around pulling fraternity pranks and partying it up at college?"
"No," Jason sighed, "but that isn't every guy at college. There must be mature guys at school she could date."
"I'm sure there are," Naima agreed, "but she ran into Clay before she ran into one of them."
"Okay, I get your point," Jason conceded, "but the kid's in love with her, so now instead of worrying that he's going break her heart, I'm worried she's going to break his. I have no idea what she's thinking."
"Have you talked to her about it?" Ray asked.
"We had a conversation right after Clay asked for permission but before they actually went on a date," Jason answered. "Since then she hasn't said much, but she wouldn't because she knows I'm not happy with the situation."
Ray nodded. "Understandable," he said, "but I don't know how else you'll find out what she's thinking."
They were all quiet for a moment, and then Ray and Jason turned again to look at Naima.
"What?" Naima asked, giving them both a hard stare. "I know you two aren't looking at me because you think I'd tell you anything Emma confided in me."
Ray immediately dropped his gaze from Naima's withering look, but Jason did his best to hold up under her scrutiny, figuring he didn't have to wake up next to her. Finally though, even he couldn't withstand Naima's disappointed expression and looked away.
"However…" Naima drawled.
Both men's gazes snapped back to Naima.
"I will tell you what I think," she stated. "Jason, are you worried that Emma is going to go back to school this Fall and just dump Clay? That this is some kind of summer fling for her?"
"A little less of the idea that my baby girl is having flings, okay?" Jason replied. "But, yeah, I'm worried she's going to head back to school with all her new friends and classes and New York things and leave Spenser behind nursing a broken heart." Jason sighed, then admitted. "But now I'm also worried that this dating thing is going to get too serious. She has three more years of college. As much as I may not love her majoring in music at NYU, that's been her dream and I don't want her giving it up for a boy."
Naima nodded thoughtfully. "I think you're going to have to accept that this is serious for both Emma and Clay, but that does mean you don't need to worry that Emma is going to break Clay's heart because she's gone back to school and dumped him."
Jason leaned forward in his chair again, waiting for Naima to continue.
"I also think, no, I know, you and Alana raised a strong, independent young woman," Naima said firmly. "And I don't believe she's the type to throw her dreams aside for a boy.
"I know that," Jason said softly, "I do, but it's a hard thing to watch your baby girl replace you. I thought letting her go last year for college was bad, but this is much worse."
"She's not replacing you," Naima said giving Jason a gentle smile. "She could never replace you. I think there are some who might say she chose someone a lot like you."
"Oh no," Jason answered swiftly, "let's not go there."
Ray chuckled. "I think Naima has point, but I'll let it slide for now."
"You will if you know what's good for you," Jason threatened.
"Look at the bright side, Jay," Ray said with a grin, "because it's Spenser, we can keep an eye on him, make sure he's treating her right. Much harder to do that if don't know the guy."
Jason rubbed his beard as he considered Ray's words. "You make a good point, Ray. I can always make him run hills if I need to."
"You two," Naima said, shaking her head.
"And," Ray said with a teasing grin, "when they get married Clay will be your son-in-law and he can call you Dad."
Jason pointed a finger at his 2IC. "Ray Perry, don't even—"
"Yes," Naima agreed before Jason could threaten Ray again. "And just think what beautiful grand babies they'll have."
Jason's head snapped around to look at Naima. "That's not even funny, Naima Perry!" Jason exclaimed.
Ray and Naima laughed as Jason blustered at them.
"Let me get you another beer," Naima said, getting up to head into the house.
"I'll take something stronger if you have it," Jason replied with a sigh.
