Author note:

Time for the party. Nice team fluff. I hope you all enjoy!

CH 38-A Real Home

It was Saturday and the team was coming over to the apartment for a "house-warming" get together. This was Emma's first time to host them as Clay's girlfriend and she was nervous. She wanted everything to be perfect.

She had come over the previous night and cleaned the apartment from top to bottom. This morning she had gotten up at the crack of dawn and prepared a feast. Even though it was chilly, being January, Clay would handle the grilling on their balcony. She also placed the coolers with the beer and other beverages outside. Emma had fixed her grandma's macaroni and cheese recipe as well as green beans, asparagus, and salad. She baked up a storm, preparing fudge brownies, cookies and even an apple pie.

Still, she buzzed about the apartment shifting this and rearranging that. Clay saw her stopped in the middle of the kitchen looking panicked.

"Babe, what's wrong?"

"Where is everyone going to sit? There aren't enough places at the table."

"Em…relax. There's the bar stools and the couch and chair. Everyone will find a spot."

"Do you think we have enough food? I could make…"

Clay interrupted. "You're kidding, right? Unless Naima is cooking, our menu usually consists of pizza and beer. Just breath honey. There's plenty of food and everything looks great."

"I don't want to let you down."

"What? You could never do that. Don't you know how proud of you I am? This place is a home because of you. He pulled her to rest against his chest and rubbed her back hoping to calm her down. "I love you honey. This is our family. There's nothing to be nervous about."

He had just lowered his lips to hers when there was a knock at the door. She smiled up at him and he stepped over to open the door.

Ray and Naima walked inside. "Hey Em, thanks for having us," said Ray as he gave her a hug.

"I'm glad you two could come."

"Us too." Naima kissed her on the cheek and held up a bottle of wine they had brought. "Where should I put this?"

Naima followed Emma into the kitchen and Clay opened the door for Sonny and Brock. The ladies set out bowls of chips and pretzels along with cheese and crackers and veggies while the guys headed to the balcony for some beer. Finally, Trent arrived, followed by Jason.

"Hi dad."

"Hey honey. Sorry I'm a little late. I stopped to get these for the hostess." He handed her some flowers.

"Thanks daddy."

"Nothing for the host," Clay joked as he shook Jason's hand.

Everyone settled in with their preferred beverages and the conversation began to flow. Jason put his arm around Emma and gave her a squeeze.

"The place looks great honey."

"Yea Princess. Looks real good," added Sonny.

"I haven't even moved in yet."

"I know that. But I also know what Spenser's place looked like before. This," he gestured around, "this nice, homey feel. This is all you."

"Yep. She's made this place feel like home." Clay stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her and kissed her on the cheek. "But it won't be a real home until she's here with me." Emma blushed and Clay chuckled.

"Hate to interrupt this love-fest. But I think I heard something about steaks," Sonny joked.

"I'm gonna go check on them now."

Emma and Naima went to get out the rest of the food. Everyone served themselves and, just as Clay had said, they all found a place to sit. The guys enjoyed their steaks and couldn't say enough about Emma's mac-n-cheese. After dinner was over, Emma brought out the desserts. Brock was the first to dive in.

"Mmmm. These are delicious Emma. I can see that once you do get moved in, Clays going to have to put in way more time at the gym."

"We're all gonna have to hit the gym extra hard after this meal," joked Sonny.

"That' the truth," added Jason. "Em's a great cook."

They cracked open a few more beers and Sonny started telling one of his tales. Emma began cleaning up the dishes. Naima joined her in the kitchen and helped to put away the leftovers and load up the dishwasher.

"Thanks Naima."

"You're welcome honey. Everything was great."

They finished up and rejoined the guys in the living room. Naima found a place next to Ray and he wrapped his arm around her. Clay pulled Emma down to sit in his lap. No one batted an eye, not even Jason.

They continued to talk until Ray and Naima declared they had to get home to the baby-sitter. The rest of the team followed suit and soon everyone had gone.

Clay wrapped Emma up in a bear hug and sat down with her on the couch.

"Em, that was amazing honey."

"Yea. It was fun." She laid her head on his shoulder. "I really thought it was going to be kind of awkward, but it was fine."

"Why would it be awkward?"

"The teams not used to me hosting as well, as a girlfriend. But it no one acted weird at all." Emma laid her head back down and closed her eyes.

"You want a drink babe?"

"Sure, thanks."

Clay came back from the kitchen with a glass of wine for her and a plate with a couple brownies for himself. She raised an eyebrow.

"What? I didn't get any earlier." He took a bite and his eyes slid closed. "These are amazing honey. Brock's right. Once you move in, I am gonna have to kit the gym more often. Emma started to giggle, and he silenced her with a kiss.