Author note:

Can't believe I'm at chapter 40! I wasn't sure about even doing this when I started. Thanks for the encouraging words. Keep dropping those notes to let me know what you liked.

This chapter was inspired by Kerri Medders, (Emma Hayes), 20th birthday last week.

CH 40-Happy Birthday to Me

Emma's 19th birthday fell on a Wednesday. She really wished she could play hooky today. She knew Clay had some surprise for her, because she had walked in on a couple conversations with her dad that suspiciously ended once she was in the room.

The guys weren't on an active mission, but they still had training and drills to keep them busy. And they still had to report to base every day.

Emma turned off her alarm reluctantly and got up. As she grabbed her phone to end its incessant buzz, she saw Clay had texted her.

-Happy Birthday Beautiful! Have a wonderful day & I'll see you later. I Love you Em. –

He had even added a 'heart-eyes' emoji.

-Check downstairs for a surprise. –

She smiled and ran down and searched the room. Sitting on the coffee table was a large box wrapped in shiny paper. It had several pastries from their favorite breakfast place. She bit into one and licked the flakey crumbs from her lips. She knew he probably wouldn't see her response until later, but she sent it anyway.

-Thanks babe. They're delicious. –

Emma went to the fridge to grab a drink and saw a note from her dad.

Happy Birthday Em! I took Mikey to school. Plan on Scali's for dinner at 5:00.

Love, Dad

Even if she did still have to go to school, maybe today wouldn't be so bad.

Hannah greeted her as soon as she arrived and handed her a small gift bag. Emma dug inside and pulled out a delicate bracelet with a small locket. She opened the locket and inside was a picture of her and Clay.

"Hannah…this is beautiful. Thank you."

Smirking, Hannah responded. "You're welcome. But, it's not from me."

"Huh?"

"Read the card inside."

Happy Birthday Em. This bracelet reminded me of you, elegant and beautiful. Hope you like it.

Love Always, Clay

"But…he already dropped off pastries for me this morning."

Emma teared up and Hannah grinned. The girls proceeded to their first class.

At lunch time Emma heard her name called over the PA system.

'Emma Hayes please report to the office to pick up a delivery.'

Delivery? She was completely confused. She walked into the office and saw a large bouquet of roses on the counter.

The office administrator addressed her. "Miss Hayes, we've received a delivery for you. This is most unusual and not standard practice."

"Yes. I understand."

She gestured to the roses. "These are for you."

"Thank you."

Emma picked up the bouquet and walked back to the cafeteria. Several girls she knew hovered around asking about the flowers. She pulled a small, white card from the bouquet.

Happy 19th Birthday to the love of my life.

Yours, Clay

She was feeling so overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness. Her phone vibrated with an incoming text.

-How's your day sweetheart? Enjoying your surprises? –

-I don't know what to say. I feel like a princess-

-You are MY princess. Happy Birthday Em-

-I love you. –

-Love you too baby. –

The rest of the day was uneventful. She got home and went up to her room to decide what to wear to dinner that night. There was a knock at the door. Emma went down and looked out the peephole and saw a delivery person leaving balloons on the doorstep. When he got back in his car, she retrieved the balloons and the stuffed dog they were attached to. There was a card attached to the dog's collar.

Love you Emmie. Happy Birthday

Love, Clay and "Koda"

She carried the dog up to her room and decided on her outfit. Later,she heard her dad and Mikey come home.

"Emma…Emma, we're home."

"Just a sec dad."

She joined them in the living room.

"Happy birthday Em. This is from me and Mikey."

"Yea, happy birthday Emma," added her little brother.

Emma reached for the small box her dad held in his hand. She lifted the lid and saw a pair of pearl and diamond earrings that she recognized right away. They had been her mom's. She burst into tears.

"Daddy, I…I"

Jason was choked up too. "She would want you to have them honey."

"Thank you. Thank you both." She hugged a teary Mikey and then was wrapped in Jason's strong arms.

"Happy birthday baby girl."

It was this scene Clay walked into. "Em? Everything ok?"

She sniffed. "Yea. It's just," she showed him the earrings. "These were my mom's." He nodded in understanding and hugged her tight.

"They are beautiful."

"All right, we need to get a move on if we're gonna make our reservation," Jason stated.

Clay stayed in the living room to keep Mikey company while Jason and Emma went up to change. Jason was back down in ten minutes in some khakis and a navy button down. They all sat waiting on the birthday girl. Jason called to her.

"Em, we gotta go."

She appeared at the top of the stairs just as he called out. "I'm ready." She didn't really need to be as fancy as she was. But she felt like dressing up. She had on a black skirt that swirled around her knees and a red sweater that wrapped and tied behind her back, emphasizing her tiny waist. The neckline dipped low enough to show a hint of cleavage and it showed off the diamond pendant from Clay. She also wore her new bracelet and earrings.

Clay stepped over to her and put his arm around her waist. "You're beautiful honey," he said as he kissed her gently. He really wanted to explore the exposed skin of her neck with his mouth, but that would have to wait until later.

"You look great Em," added Jason. "Let's get going. I assume you're riding with Clay?"

Emma slipped on her coat and nodded. She was hoping to go back to the apartment with him after dinner. She was also hoping that once she was there, she could convince her dad to just let her stay. She let her dad and Mikey leave in Jason's truck before she stowed her books in the cab of Clay's.

Dinner went well and the food was great, and the only disagreement came when Clay wanted to split the bill to pay for himself and Emma. Jason prevailed and picked up the check.

As they walked out to the parking lot Jason gave Emma another hug. "Happy birthday honey. I love you."

"Thanks. I love you too dad." Jason knew she was riding with Clay and that she probably wasn't ready to come home just yet.

Clay's phone buzzed and he stepped away for a moment. She thought she heard him mention Cerebus. Emma wondered if everything was okay with Brock, or if her dad was about to get a call too and they were getting spun up. Jason's phone didn't ring, and he looked unconcerned. Clay ended the call and rejoined them.

"Everything alright," she asked.

"Yea, it's all good." Clay was very casual, but she caught a sly glance at her dad.

"You ready to go Em?"

"Sure."

They walked to his truck and he helped her in. They conversation was light as they drove to the apartment.

"How has your birthday been so far?"

"Great! I can't believe everything you did. How did you manage all that?"

"Just some planning and phone calls."

"You didn't have to go to all that trouble."

"It wasn't any trouble. Besides, you're worth it Emmie." He reached over and squeezed her hand.

They pulled into the lot in front of the apartment and Brock's Jeep was sitting there with Brock and Cerebus inside.

"Clay…what's going on?"

He grinned at her. "Why don't we get out and find out." He came over to open her door and help her hop down.

Brock and Cerebus jumped out of the Jeep. Emma noticed Brock held something beneath his vest.

"Brock, what are you doing here?"

"Just helping Clay pull off one more birthday surprise." He pulled a furry, wriggling pup out put him in Emma's arms.

"Meet Koda."

"What? I thought Koda was the name for the stuffed animal you sent earlier."

"Well, it is. It's named after this little guy. Do you like him?"

"Oh my! He's so sweet!"

"Brock helped me find him and he's gonna stay there until he's trained. Then he's all ours. Until you move in, Jason said he could stay at the house with you."

Emma stood wide-eyed, trying to take it all in.

"You got me a puppy? I've always wanted a dog."

"I know babe. And, once he's trained, he'll be good company and a great guard dog for you when I'm away."

"When are you going to stop worrying about me?"

"Never. I 'm never gonna stop trying to protect you sweetie."

She nuzzled his shoulder. "I know." It was who Clay was. He was a warrior and a protector. That was one of the reason's she loved him.

"I know that, and I love you for it."

Brock cleared his throat before speaking. "I guess that's my cue to take this guy and go."

Clay handed over the pup.

"When can I see him?"

"I can bring him over to the house this weekend if you like," Brock answered.

"Yes, please. Thank you so much!" She gave him a big hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. Cerebus whined. She leaned down to pat the dog. "You too Cerb, thanks."

Brock put the puppy in a kennel in his back seat and called Cerb to jump in. Clay shook Brock's hand.

"Thanks again man."

"No problem."

After the Jeep pulled away, Emma launched herself at Clay and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I can't believe all this. Thank you!"

"Happy birthday baby."

They walked to the apartment and Clay unlocked the door. When they were inside, he asked her, "Do you think Jace would be okay with you staying tonight?"

"I'll text him." She pulled out her phone and read a text from her dad and smiled.

-Em, just get to class on time tomorrow. –

She put her phone away and Clay looked at her questioningly.

"Do you think you could drive me to school tomorrow?"

Clay smiled at her. "Of course, babe."

Then he threw her over his shoulder and walked toward the bedroom. Emma was at eye-level with his ass. She smirked as she watched it flex and move as he carried her to bed.

"Happy Birthday to me!"