Author note:

Just a little domestic Fluff. Thanks for reading and reviewing. And Happy Easter to those who are observing.

CH 68-Settling In

After dinner yesterday they decided on an early night. They got ready for bed and Clay pulled out the album. Emma snuggled next to him and started to tell him about each picture. They only got through two and a half pages before she fell asleep. Clay knew it had been a long and emotional day for her. He put the album the nightstand, turned off the light, and settled under the covers with his girl in his arms, a satisfied smile on his face. She was finally here with him in their apartment, in their bed, finally here to stay.

Emma slowly woke up. Her head was on Clay's shoulder with her leg flung across him. She was vaguely aware of a soft, rustle and small, silent laugher coming from him. She opened her eyes and tried to determine what exactly was going on.

He noticed her eyes were open and smiled sweetly. "Good morning gorgeous."

"Ummm…good morning. What…what's going on? What's so funny?"

It was then that she noticed her family photo album laying on his stomach. "Why are you looking at that again?"

"Sorry Em. I didn't think it would bother you."

She pushed herself up to sit against the headboard. "It doesn't bother me. I just thought it would be boring for you."

"Boring? All these pictures of you when you were little…these are the best. It's like I get to see you growing up." He took a hold of her hand and brought it to his lips.

She got a little teary and leaned in to press a kiss to his lips. Her golden hair fell around them like a shimmering curtain. She felt his hand sneak up her back and tangle in her hair as he cradled her head. This wasn't meant to be a moment of passion. It was pure love and gratitude. Emma slid back down next to Clay and sighed in satisfaction. Clay's fingers stroked up and down her back.

"Babe, I would love to lay here all day and go through more pictures, but…" he paused to place a kiss on her shoulder where his t-shirt that she was wearing had slipped down. "I need to get going so I can get over to Brock's and pick up Koda. I promised him I'd be there before lunch."

"What time is it," she inquired.

"It's almost 10:00."

"That's late for you. Why didn't you get up?"

"I didn't want to start our first day here together without you." He kissed her on the nose and gave her a squeeze.

"Well, why don't you get a shower and I'll make you something quick to eat."

"Sounds great babe."

Emma went to roll over so she could get up, but Clay didn't relax his embrace. She turned back to him; brows knit with confusion.

"Not so fast…"

He pulled her to lay on top of him and rested his hands on her ass. He used his tongue to trace up her neck and across her jaw, finally sliding across her lips. He moaned as he tasted her, and she rotated her hips gently. He slowed down their progress and pulled back from their embrace.

"Why did you do that," Emma asked.

"Because I wanted to. And…because we can."

She laughed as she rolled off him and went to make them something to eat.

Clay walked into the kitchen as Emma was finishing up their simple meal. He grabbed a couple mugs and poured them each some coffee. Sitting at the table taking a sip of his coffee he couldn't contain the smile that stretched across his face as he watched her. Her hair was un-combed, her feet were bare, and she wore only his much too large t-shirt. Emma caught his expression tipped her head to the side.

"What?"

"I know yesterday wasn't exactly easy for you…but, I'm just so damn happy you're here Em."

He held out a hand to her and she grasped it. Clay pulled her into his lap and rested his head against her breast. Emma kissed his head and ran her fingers through his hair.

"I'm happy too. Please don't think that I'm not." She continued as he stroked a hand up and down her thigh. "It is hard for me to leave the house, but not because I don't want to be here with you. I want this. Ever since you asked me to move in with you at Christmas, I've been thinking about it, dreaming about it. I kept thinking that moving meant I had to say goodbye to Mom all over again. But you showed me that's not true. As long as I have my memories, she'll always be with me."

She kissed him on the forehead and hugged him tightly. "Now, let me eat before my food gets cold."

Emma moved to her own seat and they both dug into their food.

"What are your plans today, Em?"

"I have some homework and I need to get some laundry done. Do you have any clothes you need to wash? I can throw them in with mine."

"Yea, some. That would be great if you could." He looked at his phone. "I better get going." He finished his last bite and put his dishes in the sink. Then he crossed to the coffee pot and poured the remainder into her cup. "Just leave the dishes. I'll take care of them when I get back."

"Tell Brock how grateful we are that he could keep Koda a few more weeks. I think it will be easier for him to adjust instead of getting used to the house and then having to move."

"I will honey." He gave her a quick kiss and was gone.

Emma finished up her coffee and went to get the laundry started. She pulled on some leggings and then went to get started on her homework. She wanted to get as much of her reading done as she could before Clay returned. She also had to read and analyze some poems for Spanish class. She was hoping she could talk Clay into helping her with that.

She was 20 pages deep into the History chapter she was reading when she heard a ruckus at the door. The lock clicked and the door pushed open. Clay stepped inside and unclipped Koda's leash. He immediately bounded toward Emma and jumped up into her lap, licking wildly at her face. She tried to contain him, or at least move him off of her textbook. Emma laughed at his enthusiasm. Clay spoke a command and Koda got down from the couch and laid still at Emma's feet. She could still see him vibrating with excitement.

"What did you do that for? He was fine."

"Em, Brock trained him for a reason. He needs to know the rules and the pecking order around here."

"Pecking order?"

"Who's in charge," he clarified.

"Who is in charge?"

"Well…I'm pretty sure you are Emmie. But I suspect it won't be long until he is." He walked over and leaned to give her a quick kiss in between laughs. "It certainly isn't me."

She swatted at him softly as he stood back up. "I'm going back down to get his kennel and the rest of his stuff."

They placed his kennel in a corner of the living room and put his toys in a basket Emma had bought for just that purpose. Emma got his bowls and filled one with water. Finally, Clay hung his leash and harness on the hooks by the door next to their jackets.

"There, now he's all moved in."

Emma patted the cushion next to her and Koda jumped up. "You hear that boy? You're home Koda."

He flopped down with his head in her lap and Clay just chuckled and shook his head. There went the rule about no dogs on the furniture. Oh, well, as long as it made Emma happy, he would deal with a little dog fur.

"I'm gonna go take care of the dishes, okay?"

"Thanks babe. I have a little more reading to finish."

"Sounds good. When you're done maybe we can take Koda on a walk."

"I would like that."

As he went to rinse off the dishes and put them into the dishwasher he reflected on the scene in the apartment. It was so delightfully normal and domestic. He knew the guys would tease him if he ever mentioned it, but he couldn't imagine being happier.