Author note:

A very quick bit of fluff. Drop me a note and let me know if you are still enjoying these little glimpses of Clay and Emma together.

CH 24-Home Sweet Home

As had become her practice when Clay was on an OP for any length of time, Emma stayed at his place. Thankfully, Mikey had been able to stay at his friends' house. It was now the Tuesday of the week before Christmas and Emma was hoping that the team would be able to wrap up their mission soon and get home for the holiday.

Driving back to the apartment from school, her phone pinged with a text. She pulled over as soon as she was able. It wasn't Clay as she had hoped. It was actually her Grandmother. She was flying in for the holiday and Emma had completely forgotten that she was arriving that night. She just had enough time to swing by and pick up Mikey before heading to the airport. They arrived just in time to meet her at the baggage claim.

"Grandma," exclaimed Mikey. She hurried over to them and hugged them both to her.

"How are you both? I know it's hard when your dad's gone."

"How did you know Grandma?"

"He contacted me to let me know he wouldn't be here today. Let's head home and we can talk more."

Emma wasn't sure how to tell her Grandma that she was staying at Clay's. She had missed her Grandmother, but she needed to be at the apartment. She needed to feel close to him.

They got back to the house and decided to order pizza. Mikey finished his dinner and his homework and went up to his room to catch up on his video games. That left Emma and her Grandmother to talk.

"How are you Emmie?"

"I'm actually really good. I'm happy."

"Would that have anything to do with the young man you're dating?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

"Your dad told me you're seeing one of the Team guys."

"Clay. His name's Clay Spenser."

"And…"

"We're really happy. I know it seems kind of weird, but we, we just work."

"Do you have any pictures?" Emma pulled up a picture Hannah had taken of them at Homecoming. "He's very handsome."

"Yea," Emma blushed.

Her grandma continued to look at the photo, noticing how she and Clay looked at each other as they were dancing.

"You two look very much in love."

"We are Grandma. I know I hated Dad being on Bravo all these years, but now, I feel like that was all to help me be prepared to be with Clay."

"It must be hard to have him gone."

"It is. In fact, when he's gone for more that a couple days, I … I usually stay at his place. It helps, I don't know. It helps me get through until he's back."

"So, you're heading back tonight?"

"If you're okay with it. I thought that way you could stay in my room."

"I guess. If that's what you usually do."

"Yea. I just drive to school from there."

"Okay Emmie. Just call me when you get there. I'm going to settle in and probably get to bed early. Travelling always makes me tired."

They hugged and Emma went to go grab some things from her room. She drove to Clay's and let her grandma know she was there safely. She had one more exam tomorrow and then she would be done until after Christmas. She studied for about an hour, but had a hard time concentrating. She hadn't heard from Clay in a couple days. She knew he couldn't always contact her, but it didn't stop her from worrying. At about midnight, she finally gave up and went to bed.

Clay pulled into the lot at his place around 3:00 a.m. He parked his truck next to Emma's car. He was thrilled she was there. Jason had told him that his mom was coming into town. So, he wasn't sure where Emma would be tonight.

He let himself in quietly and placed his bag by the door. He even slipped off his shoes so he would have less chance of waking her. Walking quietly toward the bedroom, he stopped in the doorway. The silver moonlight splashed through the window blinds and illuminated Emma's form. She slept in his shirt, snuggled next to his pillow. Her hair flowed out behind her and her skin glowed against the dark sheets. He pulled off his jeans, socks and shirt and slid in behind her, wrapping her in his embrace. She stirred as she felt his arms around her.

"Clay? You're home?"

"Yea. I'm home honey. Shhh, go back to sleep." He kissed the top of her head and felt her relax back into sleep. And he was. With her in his arms he felt whole again. With her he was home.