Author note:

This will probably be my only chapter this week due to Thanksgiving. But hopefully, I can get some good writing time in. I hope all of you here in the U.S have a great Thanksgiving.

Please continue to review so I know you're still enjoying my story.

CH 11-Easy Like Sunday Morning

Emma woke up at a decent hour on Sunday. She rolled over and checked her phone. There were no messages or voicemails from Clay. She hadn't really expected it. She thought she heard her dad get in sometime after 2 a.m. She smiled and laughed as she remembered his call last night. She had been about to go to bed when her phone rang…

"Hey Em. I hope it's not too late. I wanted to call before you went to sleep." It was suspiciously quiet in the background.

"Hi babe. It was just getting ready to go to bed. Clay, where are you?" It seemed way to calm to be poker night at Sonny's.

"Uh, I'm in the bedroom. I told the guys I had to hit the head." Emma laughed.

"How's the game going?"

"Ah, ok. I'm only down about $20 so far. I probably better hurry up, Em. I just wanted to let you know I miss you."

"I miss you too, Clay."

"I love you honey. Sweet dreams, ok? I'll call you tomorrow."

Suddenly, the background of the call broke out in a cacophony of sounds. There were kissing noises, exaggerated sighs and other mumbled phrases she didn't try to untangle. It seemed the guys had snuck in an heard the last part of their conversation.

"Shit! Sonny, Brock! Damn it!" Emma laughed.

"We didn't buy your excuse Lover-boy. No one takes that long to piss," said Sonny. Emma kept laughing. She couldn't help herself.

"Don't laugh Em. They're never gonna let me live this down."

"I'm sorry." She was still giggling. "I love you too honey. Enjoy the rest of your night."

Emma got in shower and went to check on Mikey. He was downstairs in front of the TV with a huge bowl of cereal.

"Hey Mikey. I'm getting ready to go to brunch with Naima, you good?"

"Mmhmm," he said around a bite. "Where's dad?"

"He's still asleep. The game ran late last night."

"Emma?"

"Yea, what's up?"

"So is Clay your boyfriend now?"

"Uh yea. Where've you been goofball? Is that ok with you? You like Clay, don't you?"

"Ummhmm. He's cool. It's kind of weird since he works with Dad."

"I know, we're all working it out." She looked at her phone and saw the time. "I gotta go Mikey-man. Are we good?"

"Yep." He has already gone back to his show. Emma shook her head. He was kind of a cool little dude.

Emma got to the restaurant to see Naima had already arrived. The two women embraced, and she sat down.

"Hi Emma. How are you?"

"I'm good. How are you and the kids?"

"I'm fine. Jameelah has a little cold, but nothing to worry about." They made more small talk. Naima could tell that Emma had something on her mind, but she decided to let her approach it in her own way. "How are things going with you and Clay?"

A beautiful smile broke out on Emma's face. "They're great. We got to spend a lot of time together and we're both on the same page."

"And that is?"

"We both want this relationship and we want a future. I know, we know that it's going to take work and that the situation with Clay reporting to Dad on Bravo makes it more complex. But we're going to figure it out. And… we both finally said the words out loud to each other."

Naima reached across and squeezed Emma's hand. "That's great honey. Clay's one of the good ones. Being with someone that does what our guys do isn't easy. But if you love each other, it's worth it."

Their food was delivered, and they ate quietly for a while. Emma wasn't quite sure how to bring up the real subject she wanted to discuss. She decided to take a deep breath and just say it. "You know that discussion we had last week? The one before the guys got home?" Naima nodded. "I think I want to talk about those options now."

"So, you and Clay…"

"Yes. We've …been together. I spent the weekend with him at his place."

"And?"

"We were careful, responsible. We used protection. But I think I'd like to investigate something that would let us be more, more spontaneous." She tried not to blush.

"Okay. I can refer you to my doctor if you want. She's really great and can probably get you in for an appointment soon, if you want me to call."

"That would be great. Thanks Naima." The two finished their meals and paid the check.

"So, Em…I've got the rest of the afternoon free. Wanna do some shopping?"

"I'd love to! I don't think I'm going to be hearing from Clay any time soon. Dad didn't make it home until really late."

"I know. Ray wasn't looking too great when I left him with the kids."

"Well, let's go then!"

Emma returned home an hour or two later than she thought she'd be. As she pulled up to the house, she was shocked to see Clay's truck parked outside. She didn't think she'd missed any messages from him. She pulled in, turned off the car and grabbed her bags. She was eager to find out what was going on. Emma walked into the living room to find Clay sitting on the couch with Mikey, playing a video game. She smiled as her heart again swelled with love. Clay with her little brother was one of the sweetest things she's seen. She set her bags down and walked over to say hello.

"Hey, Em." Clay raised his lips to kiss her without really taking his eyes from the screen. She chuckled at his inattention. "Sorry babe, but Mikey's kicking my butt here."

"Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?"

"Jace invited me over last night for dinner and movie night."

"Where is Dad?"

"Right here Em." Jason stuck his head out from the kitchen. She walked in and gave him a hug.

"Thanks Daddy." He returned her embrace and kissed her on the cheek. Clay walked into the kitchen and put his arm around Emma. "Game over?"

"Yep. He totally kicked my butt."

"Oh, I'm sorry babe." She kissed him on the cheek. Clay looked over at Jason to gauge his reaction. He didn't seem to mind. Emma grabbed his hand and tugged him back into the living room. "Help me take my bags upstairs." Clay grabbed the shopping bags off the couch and followed her up to her room. As soon as he entered, she closed the door behind him. He looked surprised.

"You sure that's ok?" He motioned to the door.

"It's just for a minute." She walked over and stood up on her tip toes and placed her lips on his. He wrapped his arms around her and returned the kiss. "That's better," she said. She opened the door and started to sort out the bags from her shopping excursion.

"Did you enjoy your day with Naima?"

"Yes. We had a great conversation at brunch, and I haven't been shopping like this in a long time." She continued to put away shoes, a purse, clothes. Clay lost track until the only bag left was from Victoria's Secret. Suddenly, he was extremely interested in her purchases.

"What's in this bag Emmie?"

"You're just going to have to wait to find out," she teased. He tried to grab the bag, but she was too fast for him. He didn't give up that easily. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his lap. She wriggled and squirmed, trying to get away. Both were laughing, until the look in Clay's eyes changed. He shifted and pinned Emma beneath him on the bed, his upper body lying on hers. Neither said a word. They lay there, both breathing heavy.

"Clay, the door."

"I know." He sat up and pulled her up with him. He scrubbed over his face with his hand. "I'm sorry honey."

"Don't be. I'm right there with you." Emma got up and put her bag away. They heard Jason at the bottom of the stairs.

"Clay, Em…pizza's here and Mikey has the movie queued up."

"Ok Dad, we're on our way." He caught her hand before she left the room.

"I love you Emmie." She flashed him a brilliant smile.

"I love you too."

They headed downstairs and found a spot on the couch to snuggle in. Mikey had picked and action flick that didn't really interest her. After she finished her pizza, she laid her head on Clay's chest and closed her eyes. The sound of his heartbeat lulling her to sleep. Once the movie was over, Jason turned off the TV. Clay looked over and saw Mikey had also fallen asleep.

Jason whispered, "I'll take this guy up. Can you get Em?" Clay nodded and slid his arms under Emma and carried her upstairs to her room. He laid her on her bed, slipped off her shoes, and pulled the covers over her. Jason walked out of Mikey's room and could see through the door into Emma's. He saw Clay placing her on her mattress and leaning over to tenderly kiss her forehead. The two men met in the hallway. Jason nodded his head toward Emma.

"You love her." He said it more as a statement than a question.

Meeting his eyes squarely, "I do Jace." He glanced back at Emma. "I love her." They both walked downstairs. Clay grabbed his keys ad prepared to leave. "Thanks for inviting me man."

"Sure. I figure that I might as well start getting used to you being around." Clay looked at him, confused. "Emma set me straight last week when she got home." Clay blushed a little, remembering all that had happened last weekend. But he made himself meet Jason's gaze, thankful for the low light in the room. "You make her happy Spenser. She loves you and I'm not gonna take that away."

Clay tried and failed to hide his smile.