Author note:
A small bit of fluff and fun. Thank you all for your reviews. They keep me going. I hope you enjoy!
CH 85-Waiting and Watching
One week stretched into 10 days and still no word from Clay about coming home. Emma knew that Bravo's missions never ran on a timetable, but she still wondered and worried. Things at the Day Care continued to go well. She finished the Grant proposal and turned it in to Mrs. Johnson to approve before submission to the review panel. She had started a "song-time" each day with the younger children and they seemed to enjoy it.
Jason chafed at Bravo's absence as well. He was now cleared for active duty, but obviously couldn't join the team mid-mission. He did report to base every day and was briefed on their situation and consulted on any planning. It killed him to be sitting at a table on comms while the guys were in the thick of it.
After work on Wednesday, Emma swung by her place, picked up Koda and drove over to her dad's. He wasn't home yet, but Mikey let her in.
"What's up bud?"
"Not much. Just playing some video games."
"Where's Dad?"
"At work, I guess. He got a call really early this morning and took off. He said he wasn't sure when he would be home."
Emma's nerves were already on edge. This bit of news was enough to send her over. She stayed calm outwardly for her brother. But inside she was a quivering mess, wondering what could have transpired that would make her dad leave Mikey at home and not check in?
"Um, do you want me to make dinner?"
"That would be great."
Emma searched the cupboards and came up with the ingredients for some pasta and a simple salad. Going through the routine of cooking kept her mind occupied. As she and Mikey sat down to eat, Jason finally came home. He looked like he had been through the wringer. His hair was wild, and his shirt rumpled. Even though he looked exhausted, he didn't look distressed. She tried not to pump him for information, as much as she wanted to.
"Em, I'm glad you're here. I didn't plan to leave your brother for so long."
"Dad…I know you can't say much, but please…"
He came over and hugged her close. "You're right. I can't say anything about what's going on, about why this is dragging out. But, he's fine Em. As far as I know, they're all okay."
She took a deep, shaky breath. "Thank God!"
"I wish I could say more."
"I know, and I understand. All I care about is that the team makes it home safe."
She squared her shoulders, pasted on a smile, and then asked him if he wanted dinner. He answered in the affirmative and she went to get him a plate from the cupboard.
He didn't often have the view of Bravo's missions from the other side. He was always with them, in the fight. He didn't have to sit home waiting and wondering. He didn't think he could handle it if he had to do this every time the team was spun up. He knew that Alana had done this for years. But he never had to sit by her side and watch her navigate the worry, the anxiety, the fear. Jason stood there, watching Emma. She may have just graduated from High School, but she was every inch a grown woman. He could see her struggling with her fear for Clay's safety while she pushed her emotions aside to care for him and Mikey. He didn't want her to deny her feelings, but he was proud of her inner strength and her unwavering support of Clay.
They sat back down to their meal and Jason picked up the conversation, trying to take both of their minds off the team.
"How goes it at work Em?"
"Great. The kids are enjoying music time. And I love it too. I found out today that I have to present my proposal in person to the Grant Committee. I'm really nervous. I've never done anything like that before."
Jason reached over and laid his hand over hers.
"You'll be great. You have so much passion for this. The committee will see that."
"I hope so. This is too important for me to screw up."
"Why would you think…" The ring of his cell interrupted their conversation.
He looked at the called ID and stood up.
"Sorry," he said to his children. "I've gotta take this."
They both nodded in understanding. This wasn't the first time a family meal had been interrupted by his work. Emma tried not to eavesdrop. She and Mikey continued eating and were finished before Jason returned. They cleared the table and Emma wrapped up Jason's plate and put it in the oven to keep warm. Then she suggested they take Koda outside to play. That would keep them occupied and allow Jason the privacy he needed for his call.
They were putting Koda through his paces when Jason stepped out onto the patio. Emma waited, holding her breath.
"Everyone's fine," was the first thing he said. "They still need to wrap some things up, but they should be home at the beginning of next week."
Emma rushed over and thanked him for the update.
"Clay did really great on this one honey. I think more will come out later, but you should be very proud of him."
"I always am."
Emma spent the weekend cleaning the apartment and cooking some of Clay's favorite foods. She also prepared herself for the presentation to the Grant Committee. She went back and forth on what to wear. She finally decided to wear a simple black pencil skirt, her black and white blouse, and black heels. She put her hair up into a neat bun and wore her necklace from Clay and her Mother's earrings.
The presentation was first thing in the morning, so after lunch, she was back at the Day Care. In her nervousness she had forgotten to pack a change of clothes for the rest of the day. By the end of the day her feet were screaming at her and she would be happy to take her hair down, but since the presentation went well, it was worth it.
The end of the day was close and still nothing from Clay. She tried not to be disappointed, but she couldn't wait to have him home again. After getting the kids ready for end of day pickup she went into the lounge to pick up her things and leave. She noticed several of the younger teachers and a few of the aides clustered at the window and wondered what was going on?
"What are you guys looking at?"
"Em, you have to come see this," said Mikayla, another one of the aides.
"Why," Emma laughed.
"There is a really hot dad out in the parking lot."
Emma walked over to the window but hadn't looked out yet.
"How do you know he's a dad?"
"Why else would he be here? I haven't seen him before so he's probably a dad that got called for last-minute pick-up duty today."
She finally shifted her gaze to follow Mikayla's outstretched finger. There he was, leaning against his truck, scrolling through his phone.
"He's home," she gasped under her breath and hurried to the door, leaving her co-workers in confusion in her wake. She burst through the door and Clay saw her rushing toward him. His face lit up and he called to her.
"Em, baby!"
As soon as she was within reach, he wrapped her in his arms, lifting her off the ground. The moment he set her down, she reached an arm around his neck and brought his lips down to hers. Only when they needed to breath did she let him go.
"Welcome home! Why didn't you tell me you were back?"
It was then she noticed the small cut at his hairline and the bandage that was under his shirt, on near his clavicle. She started to panic.
"Em, honey. I'm okay. It's just a couple cuts and scrapes. Nothing major."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm completely fine babe."
She tipped her face up for another kiss.
"Uh…Em. I think we have an audience."
He nodded his head toward the building. Emma turned and saw her co-workers, staring, mouths open in shock, through the window. She giggled slightly and turned red.
"I need to go back in and get my things. Wait for me?"
"I'm not going anywhere honey."
As she walked back into the building, he finally noticed her outfit. The skirt hugged her firm bottom and he was imagining her taking the pins out of her hair and shaking it free around her shoulders. He could feel his body reacting and thought it was best if he waited for her in the truck.
The moment she got back inside, they all pounced.
"That's your boyfriend?"
"Yes, that's Clay."
She had told them that her boyfriend was in the Navy. But they all expected some 18-year-old, wet behind the ears, new recruit, not the imposing figure that was Clay Spenser. They were definitely stunned. She laughed at their expressions and gathered her things to leave. Mikayla called out playfully to her.
"This isn't over Hayes. There will be a full report…with details, tomorrow!"
Emma made her way back to the truck and Clay hopped out to help her climb in. She managed to maneuver her way onto the seat. Clay got an eyeful of her legs as the slit in her skirt separated and she swung her legs inside. It was going to be a long ride home.
"I have my car here you know," she mentioned as he got in.
"I can drop you off in the morning."
They headed toward their apartment when his phone rang. The Bluetooth kicked in and he answered.
"Hey Son, what's up?"
"Where are you? I thought you was comin' out for drinks with us as soon as you picked up Emma."
"I was going to but…" Clay's eyes raked over Emma. "There's been a change in plans."
"Aha! So, your little sailor decided he wanted to do the horizontal hula with Princess, huh?"
"Uh, Sonny…" Clay interrupted.
Emma, who had been holding in her laughter, couldn't stand it anymore and burst out.
"What's…whos' thet?"
"Hi Sonny," she answered him.
Sonny stammered and stumbled over himself. Bot h of them were sure that if they could see him, his entire face and neck would be completely red right now. He coughed and tried to explain himself.
"Sorry there Sunshine. I…I thought …I didn't know you could hear me."
"It's fine Sonny."
"Anyway," Clay broke in. "I don't think I'm going to make it tonight man. I'll call you tomorrow."
"Yea, okay. Tomorra'."
Clay hung up.
"He never learns his lesson about teasing you, does he?"
"Nope, never."
They both busted out laughing all the way home. As he pulled in and turned off the ignition, he reached a hand over and slid it up her thigh.
"I like this professional look Em."
"You do," she smirked.
"Yea, so much. You are so hot babe."
They fumbled their way into the apartment and fell onto the bed. He lowered his mouth to hers and she immediately opened to him.
"Welcome home, sailor."
"It's good to be home."
They started to undress each other when he stopped and she could see a twinkle in his eyes, and a sheepish grin start to form.
"What?"
"Can the heels stay on Em?"
She arched her eyebrow, flashed him a knowing grin and nodded her assent.
