Author note:

Just a small bit of transitional Fluff. I hope you all enjoy! I am really overwhelmed that so many of your are still interested in my story after all this time.

**I was struggling for a title for this chapter and my daughter happened to be watching Frozen 2 while I was writing. Hence the title. It seemed to fit. **

CH 78-Into the Unknown

Clay was pretty much back to normal, although he hadn't been medically cleared to return to active duty yet. That would happen next week. He was hitting the gym and making sure he had his strength and stamina back. He knew Emma was trying to juggle home, school, and time with her dad. So, he pitched in where he could. He took care of Koda, taking him on walks and keeping him occupied so that Emma could concentrate on her schoolwork. He also took care of their dinner meals, either picking up take out or trying his hand a little in the kitchen.

It was the last week of school and Emma was busy with so many things. There were end-of-year papers, exams, and a Summer job to finalize. She knew that Clay was trying to stay out of her way and keep the apartment quiet so she could get everything done. Somewhere around mid-week she felt like she could see a light at the end of the tunnel. All her papers were turned in and she had just one exam left. Her perspective employer had finally contacted her with a job offer. After all the recent turmoil, things were finally easing up. She felt like she could take some time and start to enjoy her life again. Emerging from her position at the desk in their bedroom, she sat down on the couch next to Clay and laid her head on his shoulder.

Kissing her on the head he asked, "Taking a break sweetie?"

"I think I'm finished. I submitted my Literature essay, studied for the Anatomy final and…I got that job at the Daycare I applied for. I start one week after Graduation."

"That's awesome babe! I know you were really hoping that would come through."

"Yea. I feel like it will be great prep for me and give me some good experience."

"Sounds like it."

"And it's Monday through Friday, so I'll have my weekends free to spend with you."

He lifted his arm to pull her next to him and she resituated her head to rest on his chest. "I'm really happy for you honey."

"I'm happy too. I feel like it's time we had some good news around here."

She looked up at him and he gave her a quick kiss. "You're right. We are definitely due for some good news."

"How are you doing? I know how you hate to not be busy."

"I've got enough for right now. Hitting the gym, taking care of this guy," he reached down and patted Koda's head, "And…making plans."

"Making plans? What plans?"

"Well…they're not all worked out yet. Besides, it's a surprise."

"Can you give me a hint?" She tilted her head and bit her lip, trying to goad him into telling her.

"Nope," he replied giving her a smug grin.

Dragging her hand down his abdomen to his lap, she cupped him and gave a small squeeze.

"Not even a little one, hmmm?"

He grabbed her hand to hold it still as he sucked in a breath.

"Not gonna work this time Emmie. You'll just have to wait until Graduation."

She crossed her arms and stuck out her lip in an exaggerated pout.

"You're mean."

"I know. But you love me." He leaned down and kissed her cute, wrinkled up nose.

"Lucky for you, or…."

"Or what," he called her obvious bluff.

She screwed up her mouth and huffed with frustration "I…I don't know, but…"

Clay couldn't resist her adorably annoyed expression and pressed his lips to hers. Just as things started to get more interesting, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, irritated with the interruption. His phone showed that Vic was the caller. He pulled his lips away from hers and moved to answer.

"Yea, Yea, just a sec," he responded to Vic. "Honey, I have to take this, do you mind?"

"No, I don't mind." She made no move to leave his side.

He was searching for a way to tell her that he needed to talk in privacy without offending her. Vic was helping him with the plans for his surprise for her graduation. He looked at the innocent expression on her face and realized that she knew exactly what was going on.

"Please Em, let me do this."

She could see that whatever he was planning for her, it meant a lot to him to be able surprise her, so she relented.

"Fine. I need to go take a shower anyway," she said as she stood up.

"Thank you honey."

She bent to kiss him and left him to talk to Vic.

The next couple days passed calmly. Whatever Clay was working on wasn't mentioned again, much to Emma's frustration. At the same time her Dad and Grandmother, who had decided to stay in town until after her graduation, had finalized plans for her party. They solicited opinions from Clay and Hannah to make sure everything would be just as Emma would want it.

She picked up her cap and gown and attended graduation practice on Friday. After that, she and Clay spent a peaceful evening at home. They had a simple dinner, took Koda on a walk and cuddled into bed at an early hour. He noticed that she seemed unusually quiet.

"Em, is everything okay?"

"Of course. Why?"

"You just seem a little, well, kinda quiet."

She sighed deeply. "I'm fine. It's just…I don't know. It's weird."

"What's weird?"

She turned from her position on her back and laid her arm across his middle and looped her leg over his.

"I've been looking forward to graduating for years. But…it's strange to think that the world I've known almost my whole life is about to change. It's exciting, but a little bit scary too."

"Why scary?"

"What if I can't cut it in college? What if I don't end up making a good teacher?"

Clay tightened his arms around her in reassurance.

"Baby, you are smart and resourceful. Not to mention that you are the strongest, most determined person I have ever met. I have zero doubts that you can do whatever you decide to do. And I am behind you 100%, no matter what."

"Thank you," she answered, feeling very humbled by his praise.

He could tell by her tone of voice that she didn't quite believe that she was all that he said. He wished that she could see herself as he did. She was the one who held her family together after Alana died. She had stepped up and realized that Jason needed to be operating and convinced him to return to Bravo, regardless of the cost to her. She took on responsibility for the house and her brother whenever Jason was away. And to be honest, a lot of the time when he was home as well. As overwhelming as that must have been, she didn't let it change her. She was still sweet and caring. She helped Naima with the kids and reached out to help any of her family and friends whenever they were in need. She had been there for Hannah when Adam was killed, even though she was still mourning her own loss. That inner strength and compassion had been just a couple of the things Clay first noticed about her that made him fall in love.

"I mean it honey. I know that the unknown can be intimidating. But I'm sure that you're gonna do great." He punctuated his emphatic statement with a firm kiss.

After she got her feelings off her chest, she was able to settle in and fall asleep. Clay laid quietly for a while, holding her. He remembered their conversation on the beach when he admitted to her that he sometimes doubted himself and his abilities and how she had reassured him. He hoped he'd been able to do the same for her. There were lots of unknowns for both of them. There was one thing he was sure of. That was that as long as they faced the future together, they could conquer anything.