Author note:
Thanks for being patient. I am really having a hard time with all that is going on. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and that it takes you away from this craziness for just a little bit.
Thank you for your continued support!
CH 65-Out of His Shadow
This was the last day at the condo. Tomorrow they would be back in the car on their way home. All of them had agreed to a quiet, low-key day. They had to clean up the condo and pack up anyway.
Most of the day was spent laying out on the deck soaking up as much sun as they could. When dinner rolled around, they grilled some burgers and ate outside. After the dishes were done and they had finished cleaning up, Clay tapped Emma on the shoulder. He stood there holding a basket and a small blanket.
"I thought maybe we could enjoy the sunset from the beach."
"I would love that."
He took her hand and led her out along the water. They walked until they came to a small inlet. Clay spread out the blanket ad they sat down.
"What's in the basket?"
He reached in and pulled out a bottle of wine and a couple glasses. She flashed him a smile as he opened the bottle, filled the glasses, and passed one to her.
"Thanks honey. This is beautiful," she said as she settled between his outstretched legs. They were quiet for a while, watching the sun sink lower toward the waves. Emma signed in contentment as she leaned back against Clay's chest. He wrapped his free arm around her and placed a few sweet kisses to her shoulders.
Emma had really enjoyed the week. (Minus the Zach debacle.) It was a bonus for her that her two best friends had gotten to know Clay and genuinely liked him. And, he liked them in return. They had all gotten to know Vic as well.
"So, now that you know Vic better, has your opinion of him changed?"
"Yea. Lopez is a good guy."
"And…" she pressed.
"You're gonna make me say it, aren't you?"
She nodded, trying not to grin.
"Okay. You were right, happy?"
"Uh huh." She smirked up at him as he nipped her ear lobe gently.
"I'm happy you agree with me. He's going to make you a good 2IC someday.
"Whoa. Slow down a little there, Em."
She twisted around to see him better. "What's wrong? I thought you wanted your own team."
"I do. It's just…I'm not sure that it's gonna happen."
"Why would you say that?"
She had never seen him like this. He was always so confident and self-assured. Her question was still hanging, unanswered in the air.
"Em, you know about my dad." She nodded. "Well, Ash was a great Operator. But he was a shitty human being. Since he hung it up, he's ruffled a lot of feathers."
Emma sat, holding his hand, listening to each word.
"Because of that, because of Ash, I've had to work twice as hard for everything I've achieved. I've had to be better then everyone else just to be thought of as equal. I…I just don't know if Command is gonna be willing to take that kind of chance on me."
"Honey. You're tough, brave, smart, and you know how to deal with the Brass."
"How do you know that?"
"I've heard Dad talking to Ray. You know he plans for you to take over as Bravo 1 when he retires from the teams."
"I don't know Em…" he shook his head.
"Hey, he believes in you, Ray believes in you, so does Commander Blackburn. And…" her eyes searched his face. "I believe in you. If leading a team is really what you want, then I know you will. And I'll be behind you all the way."
Her absolute faith in and support for him still knocked him for a loop. He slid his hand up to cradle the back of her head to hold it a he slanted his mouth over hers. His tongue immediately parted her lips and swept over every surface. The kiss was aggressive and demanding. Clay released her lips and panted out.
"Beside me Em. I want you beside me. God, I love you!"
She laid her head against his chest and heard his heart thundering. They both were trying to absorb the intensity of the moment.
Finally, Emma looked back at him and whispered, "I love you too, Clay."
She settled back against him and they resumed observing the sky turn a cacophony of color. In a blink the world was dark and the reflection of a million glittering stars and the opal moon danced across the water.
Clay picked up their conversation again. "I know I told you about my growing up with my dad, and how I ended up with my Grandparents."
Emma remained quiet, letting Clay pick the subject and the pace.
"My mom, well…she was just never meant to be a mother. That left me with Ash. And he…well…you know." It killed her how he just shrugged off what he'd been through. She could picture the little boy in him, just wanting his father's love and approval.
"When I decided to enlist in the Navy, I think everyone thought I was doing it because of my dad…to prove I was better. I don't know." He swallowed hard. "Maybe I did. But God Em, I love it! I love the teams. the mission, the commitment, the brotherhood. I can't imagine doing anything else."
Emma grasped his hand in both of hers and held it to her chest.
"All I want is to lead my own team. But I just don't know if I can step out of Ash's shadow."
"You will babe. You already have. You said your dad was a good Operator. But he wasn't a team player. You're team first, always. Your brothers know that. And…unlike your dad, I know you'll be a great husband and a wonderful father."
She uttered that last sentence a little bashfully. "You're ten times the man Ash is."
Clay buried his face in her hair and pressed his lips to her.
They sat there by the ocean for hours talking. Each of them was amazed that after months together, there was always more to say, more to learn about each other.
Feeling closer and even more connected to each other than they ever had, they were ready. Ready to return home, ready to move in together, ready to face the world…together.
