Author note:
A short bit of Fluff for you. It's back to work for me tomorrow. I got some good writing done this week so I have more chapters written up and ready to go.
Enjoy!
CH 30-Love & Logistics
A few days after Christmas the guys got spun up. As he kissed her goodbye, Clay assured Emma that this one should be quick, and they would be back soon. After that, Bravo was off rotation.
Clay had let Emma know that he had made plans for the two of them for New Years. So, the next day she and Hannah went shopping for an outfit for her to wear. She settled on a simple, black dress. It hit her mid-thigh and the tiny straps went over the shoulders and revealed a deep 'V' that plunged down almost the entire back. Emma was satisfied that it would drive Clay crazy.
Hannah dropped her back off at Clay's and Emma hung her dress up in the closet. She made sure that she had the proper shoes to wear also. She was in the bathroom trying to decide whether to wear her hair up or down. She heard the front door open and soon Clay called out for her.
"Emma, you home?"
She hurried out to him. "You're back early."
"I can leave and come back tomorrow if you want," he teased.
"Don't you dare!" She wrapped her arms around him and tipped her head up for a kiss. "Welcome home babe."
"Let me put this stuff down. I stopped for Chinese on the way. Hope that's alright."
"Sure. I don't have anything ready since you're back early."
They sat on the couch and shared their meal.
"Since I'm home sooner than we thought, is there anything you want to do tomorrow?"
"I thought maybe we could look at some stuff for your new place."
"Our place, Em. Our new place."
"Ok, our place."
"That sounds great. In fact, let me contact the leasing office and see if there's one we can take a look at. I don't know why I didn't think of it."
"That would be great! Then we'll know what will fit and what we might need to get." She gave him a quick hug.
As they finished their meal, Clay yawned.
"Do you mind if we make it an early night? I hardly slept at all on the transport."
"Of course not. I don't sleep well when you're not next to me anyway."
As usual, Clay woke before Emma. By the time she had gotten up and take a shower, he had arranged with the leasing office to see an apartment with the same floorplan as theirs. They met the agent at the open apartment, and she let them in. They promised to lock up once they were done.
The whole place was larger than his current place. The kitchen had a gas stove and gleaming stainless appliances, and room for a table. Off the living room was the bedroom. It was larger as well. She was looking around the master when Clay came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
Speaking into her ear, "What do you think? Looks like there's room for a king-size bed. And," he led her into the bathroom. "The tub looks like it would fit two."
She turned to look at him and laugh. "Do you always think about sex?"
He wiggled his eyebrows at her. "Just when I'm with you." He leaned down and nibbled at her neck until she started laughing. "Seriously though honey. What do you think?"
"I love it. But…it has to cost a lot more. Can you, I mean…what about the rent?"
"It's not a problem."
"You sure?"
"Honey, I wouldn't do this if I couldn't afford it, okay."
"Alright. But you have to let me buy some of the new stuff we need." He looked at her with questioning eyes. "I have some money saved up to help pay for college…"
"But Em." She placed a finger on his lips.
"Now that Dad is selling the house, I won't need to use all of it. Please Clay, please let me."
He could tell her that being able to come home to her and to wake up next to her was more than enough. But he could see it was important to her to contribute.
"Sure honey. That sounds perfect."
"I was thinking a big, comfy chair for the living room and maybe a bookshelf and desk in the bedroom."
He could see her excitement. "Whatever you want babe."
He could hardly wait for her to be there with him. He hoped the next six months would pass quickly. He couldn't wait to start their life together.
