Author note:

I hope you are all having a good week and staying safe. And I hope this brings you as much joy as writing it does for me. Please review if you like this little nugget!

CH 84-Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Emma had been at her job at the Day Care for a couple weeks now. She was getting the hang of things and really enjoying being with the kids. During that time, Clay got his Medical Clearance to return to active duty. Fortunately, the team hadn't received any packages and he was able to be home. This sweet tranquility didn't come along often, and they both knew it wouldn't last. So, they made the most of it.

Jason on the other hand still hadn't been cleared. His lung function was good enough for a civilian, but with the standards set for DEVGRU, he still wasn't quite there. He griped and groused to anyone who would listen. His Respiratory Therapist was pleased with his progress and felt that he would be back operating in about a month. The chances of the team getting spun up without him increased daily. He knew that the guys were well trained and could run safely without being a man down, since they had Vic rolling with them now. There was no doubt in his mind that Ray could handle things, but he still didn't like it.

The team finished up for the day. They were running drills focused on clearing buildings and small settlements in pairs. Captain Harrington, Blackburn, everyone wanted to avoid a repeat of the scenario they had found themselves in on their last mission. Emma texted him asking if he would mind stopping on his way home for some take out.

He stood at the apartment door trying to juggle his bag, the food and still reach his keys to let himself in. He could hear Emma singing from inside. He smiled at the sound, an indication that she was happy and in a good mood. Finally, he managed to key open the lock and nudge his way inside. Koda met him as he stepped in, wiggling, wagging his tail, and begging for some attention. He didn't see Emma anywhere, but could tell from her singing that she was in their bedroom. It wasn't that he expected her to meet him at the door when he came home, but he did wonder that she didn't seem to notice at all. He set the food down on the table and after giving Koda some belly rubs, he proceeded into the other room to see what had his girlfriend so occupied.

He peeked through the doorway and saw Emma in the middle of the bed, earbuds in, computer on her lap, surrounded by what seemed to be reams of paper scattered everywhere. She was still singing and typing away, completely oblivious to his presence. He didn't want to startle her, so he decided to stay in the doorway and wait until she noticed him. He put his hand down and grabbed Koda by the collar to keep the dog from leaping into the middle of whatever she had going on. As she bobbed her head and went to reach almost behind herself for one of the papers, she finally looked up and saw him, a huge smile lighting up her beautiful face.

"Hey babe!" she greeted him, taking out her ear buds. "I didn't even hear you get home."

"Yea. You were a little involved," he answered with a laugh, motioning toward her.

"Sorry." She shrugged her shoulders.

Clay walked over to her and leaned in for a kiss. "No reason to be sorry. Whachya workin' on?"

Emma moved some stacks of paper and patted the bed next to her for him to sit down. She shifted her laptop so he could see. To him it just looked like some boring form she was filling out. But if she was this excited, it had to be important.

"Ok, you're gonna have to help me out here honey. Is this something for school?"

"Well, not directly. It's for the Daycare. I'm writing a Grant proposal."

"A Grant?"

"Yea. Mrs. Johnson, she's the director, called me into her office today. At first, I thought I'd done something wrong." He laid his hand on her leg and nodded for her to continue. "But…it turns out she looked over my resume and noticed that I am going to study Music Therapy. Well, you know a lot of the kids at the Day Care are underprivileged. They attend the program based on waivers and are eligible for free lunches. So, that means that the budget is really tight. She told me that they had always wanted to start an Early Childhood Music program, but just didn't have the funds."

She paused for just a moment, her eyes lighting up.

"She asked if I would like to take charge and try to get a program started. I was so excited. I mean I can't believe she's asking me to do this."

Clay wrapped and arm around her shoulders and hugged her, kissing the top of her head.

"I'm not surprised at all. Mrs. Johnson can obviously see how smart and talented and dedicated you are." Emma blushed at his praise. "I didn't mean to interrupt Em. Go on."

"Well I have to write up a curriculum, and then fill out these Grant proposals to see if we can get funding for a program. She's going to help me, and supervise, of course. And, she gave me all this literature and research to get started. At first it will be simple, just singing basic children's songs. But then we can incorporate songs that teach numbers and colors. We can even start to introduce other languages and some simple instruments."

She handed him a pamphlet and continued.

"It's amazing all the things music can help with. It's proven to help with emotional issues and expression. Children that are involved with music learn to read faster and even have more success in Math." She paused for a breath. "I know it's going to be a lot of work to get this off the ground, but it will be so worth it. And…Mrs. Johnson said she would contact my Academic Advisor at the college and see if I can get some sort of credit for all of this."

He loved seeing her like this, lit up with the excitement of possibility and the joy of helping children. Taking her face in his hands he found her lips and gave her a long, firm kiss.

"What was that for," she asked, slightly out of breath.

"I'm so happy for you and proud of you Em."

She beamed up at him and raised her lips for another quick kiss.

"Thanks. You have no idea what that means to me."

He hugged her close again and she leaned into his embrace.

"What did you get for dinner? I'm starving."

Clay chuckled and stood up, pulling her up with him.

"I grabbed some Chinese. I hope that's okay?"

They walked toward the kitchen, hand in hand.

"That sounds perfect. How did you know I was craving some spicy noodles?"

"Just luck, I guess." He said, shrugging his shoulders.

"I'm the lucky one," she answered, going up on tip toe to kiss his cheek.

Sooner than she was ready, Bravo was called back up for a weeklong mission. Emma spent the night in Clay's arms and then drove him to base the next morning on her way to work. Before she left, she took the time to hug everyone and admonish them to be safe. As she embraced Sonny he stepped back and motioned to Clay.

"Ya know Romeo here is gonna be Bravo 2 on this one, don't ya?"

"Ray's moving him up?"

Clay interrupted. "It's just temporary Em."

"I know. But I guess I'm not the only one whose talent and hard-work is getting noticed." She smiled up at him and then kissed him once more before both of them had to go. "I'll miss you. Come home safe."

"I will baby. I love you."

"I love you too."

Usually when Clay was gone the time dragged on for Emma. But between work in the day and trying to complete all the forms for the Grant submission, she was busy until late into the evenings. She still missed him, especially at night when she was alone in bed. She missed the sound of his breathing and the warmth of his body next to hers. Her last thought each night was of him. Her mind went back to their trip and she recalled their conversation and prayed for his safe return.

The time apart certainly wasn't slow for Clay. The hostage rescue was turning out to be more complicated than they thought when the hostage turned out to be a traitorous diplomat that was passing intel to a newly started terror cell. So, instead of collecting him and bringing him back to the US, he had suggested that they play dumb and follow their target to see if they could catch him in the act and uncover the leader of this new threat.

That is how he found himself with the guys hunkered down all night out in the mountains. They had followed the turncoat out to a hidden compound and were setting up surveillance. Ray, Trent, and Brock had the first watch, so he and the rest of the guys could catch a little rest. The wind was cold and the ground rocky and unyielding. As unwelcoming as the current terrain was, there was a cloudless sky that was full of constellations. Clay studied them, and then closed his eyes as he recalled the night he and Emma had made love under the stars. His soul ached with the sweet torture of remembrance while knowing he was thousands of miles away from her. He opened his eyes and whispered up at the sky.

"I love you Em."

A warmth spread through his body, radiating from his heart. He knew without a doubt that his Emma had looked up at the same stars and was waiting for him to come home.