Fluff & Stuff
Author note:
I have no beta, so sorry for any errors. And, I still don't own these characters, darn it!
CH 2 Welcome Home
After five long weeks, the team was finally coming home. In the little communication Emma & Clay had been able to have, he did let her know that things were taking longer, but they were all ok.
It was a tiring and stressful time for Emma. Beyond the anxiety over Bravo's safe return, she still has school, taking care of the house and Mikey on her plate. Of course, her dad had said that she should call her Grandma to help. But Emma wanted to do it on her own. She wanted to be sure her dad saw her as a capable woman, not just his little girl. She managed pretty well even though it was definitely exhausting. It gave her a little sense of what her mom had gone through, and a peek at what her chosen future might look like.
That's why at 2 a.m. the night before the guys were scheduled to get home, she was finishing cleaning the house, doing the laundry, and cooking up a few meals. Once she was done, she fell into bed and set her alarm for early the next morning. Even though tomorrow was Thursday and she had school, she had no intention of missing Clay's homecoming. Emma had let her teachers know she wouldn't be in. They assumed it was due to her dad's return only and she didn't see the need to correct them.
Her alarm woke her at 5 a.m. She showered and threw on a hoodie and leggings and drove to Clay's. She stopped on the way at the grocery. Emma opted for the elevator up to the third floor and let herself into the apartment. She set to work quickly and was done by 7:30. That gave her time to get home, wake Mikey, and get him on the bus. Once he was on his way, she went upstairs to her room to finish up some homework. Naima was picking her up later and she intended to be ready.
It was late afternoon and Emma, Naima, and the kids waited in the parking lot right outside the gate into base. They had seen the plane carrying Bravo land and had gotten texts from their men that they were safe on the ground and would be out in a little while.
Emma was anxious. It had been a while since they had left. Would Clay be happy to see her? Would he just wish he could just go home alone and crash?
"Emma?" Naima asked. "You okay honey?"
"Yea, just excited they're home." She said as she took a wiggly RJ from Naima's arms.
"And maybe a little nervous too?"
Emma exhaled audibly. "I guess so. I mean Clay and I haven't been together long. I'm not really sure how to handle this."
"Well, I can only tell you my experience. But they are glad to be home, still a little wound up, and tired too. Ray always wants the same few things when he gets back from an extended OP. "
"What's that Naima?"
"Number one, a home cooked meal, number two, to watch some sort of sports on TV."
"And number three?"
Naima blushed a bit, remembering who she was talking to. Emma laughed. "Never mind, I think I can guess. I already took care of number one. I think we can manage the sports…" She trailed off.
"Emma, I know it's none of my business. But if you need to talk to anyone about anything, I'm here. I won't tell a soul, not even Ray." Since Alana's death, she didn't know who Emma had to turn to for advice and help. She had determined to be there for her as much as she could, with no judgements.
"Thanks Naima. We've not, well…not yet anyway. But I might need to discuss some…options soon if that's ok."
"Sure thing. Whenever you need me." Naima put her arm around Emma and gave her a squeeze.
Just then they heard the gate open and soon after the loud Texan drawl of Sonny telling some tale. The two ladies laughed to each other. Naima took RJ back from Emma and alerted her daughter that daddy would soon be there.
Emma's heart was about to beat out of her chest and her palms were sweaty. As predicted, Sonny was the first through the gate. He tipped his hat to them. "Ladies. It's good to see you and the small fry. Jason and Ray are right behind me." At Emma's questioning look he continued. "Don't worry Princess. He's in there. Goldilocks is just taking some time to primp and pretty himself up before he makes his appearance. As if it will help his ugly mug." He winked at Emma and continued over to his truck.
True to Sonny's word Ray and Jason appeared carrying their bags. Ray hurried over to Naima and the kids trying to hug them all at once. He then gave Naima a lingering kiss. Thinking back to their earlier conversation, Emma blushed. She did not want to think about that and began to laugh.
"Hey Emma. What's so funny?" asked Jason. "Nothing dad." As she was wrapped in his arms. She gave him a big hug. "I'm happy you're back safe. Sorry Mikey isn't here. He had a big test today and couldn't miss."
"No problem Em. We can pick him up later." He scanned the lot for her car. "How did you get here?"
"I rode with Naima. I was thinking you could take the truck to go get Mikey and I…" Then he heard her gasp and whisper, "Clay!"
He could see the kid walking out of the gate. Emma wasn't quite sure what to do. Her dad still held her in his arms, but she was suddenly desperate to get to Clay. Jason sensed her dilemma and made the decision for both of them. He released her with a kiss to her head & a whispered, "Go on Em. It's okay." She gave him a teary smile. "Thanks dad."
Clay had hung back, not really knowing how to handle the dynamic either. But when he saw Emma, all he could think about was holding her in his arms again. Emma ran across the lot to Clay and threw herself into his arms with a cry. He caught her in mid-air, laughing at her enthusiasm. The two had been pretty circumspect about any PDA around the team, especially Jason. But, right now they couldn't help themselves. Clay put Emma down and slid his arms around her back and pulled her close. She reached her arms around his neck and he slanted his lips over hers. Emma immediately responded and opened her lips to deepen the kiss. One of Clay's hands stole up to tangle in her hair. Thankfully, the team turned away to give them some privacy. When they both needed to breath, they ended the kiss, but stood eyes-closed, holding each other.
"Hi Em."
"Welcome home babe."
Jason cleared his throat rather loudly and jerked them back to reality. "Just a sec Clay." Emma broke away and walked over to her dad. She was about to apologize for their display but stopped herself. She was a grown woman who was greeting her man after a potentially dangerous mission. She had nothing to apologize for.
"Dad?"
Jason shifted uncomfortably. He was okay with his daughter's relationship with the youngest member of his team. Well, not really okay, but he realized he probably didn't have a choice. Emma was much like her mother. Once she had made up her mind about something, there was nothing and no one who could change it. And, just like Alana, she was usually right. It was difficult to see his daughter for what she was, a woman in love, not his baby girl. He coughed again. Clay went over to his truck to give them some time.
"So, Emma, I'm going to go on over to the school and wait for Mikey."
"OK dad. He'll be so excited to see you." She took a deep breath and straightened her back. "There's lasagna in the fridge for dinner. I'll see you both on Sunday." She didn't wait for a response but gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and spun on her heel to go. Jason swallowed hard and nodded.
Emma reached Clay waiting by his truck. He could tell she was a bit pale and shaky. "Em, you ok?" She leaned against his chest and wrapped her arms around him. She then looked deep into his eyes and said, "I want to go home."
"Ok home it is honey."
