Author note:

Just a small bit of fluff. Drop me a note if you enjoyed. Thanks!

CH 70-New Normal

Over the next week or so Clay and Emma developed a routine. Clay's alarm went off first. He would take a shower and then take Koda for a quick walk. When he got back, he would get breakfast going, usually waking Emma with a kiss and a cup of coffee. Once she had a little caffeine in her system she would get up and get ready for school. After they ate, they would head out at about the same time.

Emma got home first and took Koda out. Then she dove into whatever homework she had, trying to get as much done as she could before Clay got home. Most days he would call her before he left the base to see if she was planning on them making dinner, or if she wanted him to pick something up on the way. Then she would either finish whatever schoolwork she still had, or they would take Koda to the park to run. They both enjoyed the time together, just talking over their days, and discussing plans for the future.

Evenings were quiet, watching TV or a movie. A few nights, they didn't make it through whatever show they were watching before hands and mouths started to explore and they ended up in bed. They were both enjoying the freedom to express their feelings and love for each other as they wished, whenever they wished.

Before they went to sleep, she usually took a shower for the next day. Clay always enjoyed settling down to sleep with Emma in his arms. But just after she'd had a shower, her skin was warm and flushed, and her hair was damp and smelled of her vanilla shampoo. The soft scent of her calmed him.

Monday of their second week together, Emma found herself at lunch with Jeni and Hannah. Other than her family, and Bravo, they were the only two that knew she was no longer living with her dad and Mikey.

"So Em, how's it going," Jeni asked between bites.

"Yea," Hannah elbowed her. "Getting much sleep?" Her eyebrows waggled up and down.

Emma giggled and blushed a little. "It has been great. Not having to worry about one of us having to go home. And yes, the privacy is a definite plus. But there are some things I didn't expect."

"Like…"

"Clay can be a bit of a slob. I mean, he helps to keep the place clean, don't get me wrong. But he sort of just throws his stuff wherever it lands."

"You mean, like throwing his clothes on the floor as he gets undressed," Hannah grinned, and Emma swatted her arm.

"You are obsessed, you know that?"

"But really, does it bother you Em?"

"A little. I feel like I'm always picking up his bag when he gets home or picking up dirty clothes that don't quite make it into the hamper. I guess it's not really a big deal."

Jeni chimed in with her opinion. "It doesn't sound like a deal-breaker, just an annoyance. Especially given the positives, right?"

Emma grinned, her eyes sparkling. "You're right. There isn't anywhere else I'd rather be."

Clay unfortunately had few choices of people he could take into his confidence. The guys were dealing better with he and Emma living together, but they didn't want any details. That left Vic as the only recipient of his ramblings.

"Hey man, Emma move in yet?" Vic questioned as they finished up their day and got changed in their cages.

"Yea, about a week ago."

"How's it going?"

Clay smiled as he answered. "It's really good man. Going home to her is…well, it's great."

"So, no trouble in paradise then?"

"Nope, no trouble…"

"What? Is there something wrong?"

"No. I'm just always finding her hair everywhere, especially the bathroom. It seems like I have to clean a huge glob of hair out of the shower drain every day. How does anyone have that much hair?"

Vic threw his head back and laughed. "If that's the biggest problem, I think you two will make it."

There were also some awkward moments that they had to deal with. It was actually funny that in all the time Emma had spent at the apartment before moving in, having only one bathroom had never caused an issue. But this Friday Clay had come home after his workout and needed a shower before he and Emma went out for dinner. She was working on her homework, trying to get it all finished so she would have the whole weekend free. She had downed two cans of seltzer as she studied, and it went right through her. Unfortunately, Clay was still in the shower. Emma knocked on the door and stuck her head in.

"Babe are you almost done?"

"Yea, is something wrong?"

"No… I just…I need to pee."

"Is that all," Clay chuckled as he spoke. "I don't care Em, just go."

"I can't, I can't do that. Not while you're in here."

"Honey, when we're in the air, I have to piss or take a…." he stopped himself. "I have to go in a porta john with barely a curtain around it with all the guys there. It's honestly not a big deal."

She was horrified. "I don't think I can."

"Babe, I'll stay in here, turned around and with the water on. I won't see or hear anything."

"Promise?"

He laughed at her reticence. "I swear." He made a motion to cross his heart.

"Fine." She really did have to go.

When she had finished and was at the sink washing her hands, she let him know that she was done. He immediately turned off the water and opened the shower door. She handed him his towel and watched him dry off. As he hung up his towel, she turned to go, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her to him.

"Emmie, I've seen and touched and tasted every part of you. Why are you so embarrassed about this?"

She buried her face in his chest, unable to look at him. "I don't know. I just can't. I think that it's something that should be private."

"You know with us having only one bathroom, this will probably happen again. Or, I'll have to go when you're in here. Are you going to be okay with that?"

She glanced up at him with an uncertain look in her eyes. "Are you sure you won't be grossed out?"

"Why would I be grossed out? Everyone has to."

"I'm just afraid you'll be disgusted and not want to…well, not want me anymore," she admitted.

"First," he kissed her gently, "I'm never gonna stop wanting you baby." She smiled up at him shyly. "Second, would that make you not want me anymore?"

She shook her head vehemently and finally looked him in the eye. "I can't imagine anything that would stop me from wanting to be with you."

"Good," he finished, happy that this was settled.

"But," she continued, "That's it. There's no way I could, well, you know, while you're in here."

He gave her a good squeeze and chuckled. "Fair enough. I agree with you on that one. Now, let's get ready for the movie."

There would be more and bigger growing pains as they navigated their new normal. But they were both committed to taking the steps needed to get there.