Author note:

A little bit of cute family fluff. I hope you enjoy!

CH 88-Brothers

Next week Jason was scheduled to drive Mikey to their Grandma's and get him settled at his new school. Emma had been hoping to be able to go along. She wanted to see her Grandma, but mostly, she wanted to be there to say goodbye to her brother. The two were closer than most siblings she knew. They had developed a bond when they were growing up. There weren't really any other kids that understood what it was like to have a Dad on the teams. They had to confide in each other about their concerns and frustrations. Their connection grew even stronger over this last year and a half since their Mom was killed. They shared their grief and loneliness. And, once Jason went back to operating, Emma had become the one constant in his life. She was very protective of him and he relied on her.

So, when Emma realized that between the last few days for her job, and starting up classes, there would be no way she could accompany them, she was extremely disappointed. She thought she could at least invite Mikey and her dad over for dinner on the Sunday before he left. Emma knew Clay wouldn't have any problems with that, so she started to plan out the meal. She wanted to include all of Mikey's favorite dishes. As she was making her list, Clay sat next to her on the couch.

"Whatcha doing honey?"

"Since I can't go with my Dad to take Mikey to school, I thought we could have them over this weekend for dinner and I can make all of his favorite foods."

"That sounds like a good idea."

"I will at least get to spend a little time with him and tell him goodbye before he goes."

"Em, if you want time with him, why don't we spend the day together instead? Just us and Mikey."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean like, take him to the movies, the batting cages, to the beach…whatever he wants to do."

"What about dad?"

"We could all meet somewhere for dinner."

"That's a great idea! You would want to do that?"

"Sure! It'll be fun…unless you want it to be just you and him. I understand if you do."

"Of course, I want you to come. Mikey really looks up to you. I think he'd have a much better time than just hanging out with his big sister."

She slipped her arms around his neck and hugged him close. She loved that he wanted to have a relationship with her little brother and that he cared enough think of a special send-off for him.

"Thanks, so much honey."

Clay returned her embrace and kept her in his arms even after she loosened her hold.

"Of course, babe." He spoke against her hair. "I know how much you're going to miss him."

"Yea. I really am."

"Why don't you give him and your dad a call and see what they think? We can do it Saturday if that works out for them."

"I'll go call them right now."

She hopped up and went to the bedroom to get her phone. But, halfway there she turned, walked back, and bent to give him a fierce kiss.

"I love you."

"I love you too Em."

Saturday morning, they were at Jason's place at 10 a.m. Mikey was out the door before Emma could even get out of the truck. She opened her door and slid over to make room. Her brother climbed in with a huge grin on his face.

"Hey Em, Clay."

"Hi Mikey."

"Hey man, good to see you. Where are we heading," Clay asked.

"We can really go wherever I want?"

They both chuckled and Emma responded.

"Yep. Just like I told you and Dad on the phone. We can do whatever you want as long as we meet Dad for dinner at six."

"Okay. Can we head to the Go-Kart track?"

"Sure thing."

They spent the morning at Magic Mountain racing around the track. Only two of them could race at a time. Clay beat Mikey in their first round. Then he bested Emma. Next it was the siblings turn to square off. Clay pulled the boy aside and offered him some tips. Using Clay's advice, Mikey managed to edge Emma out at the finish line. Once they were out of the carts and heading back inside, her brother was gloating a bit and Emma pretended to be put out.

"Yes! Em, I beat you! I don't even drive, and I beat you!"

"Yea…well, you and Clay ganged up on me."

Clay could tell she was teasing and pulled her to him to hug.

"Hey, he did the driving. I just offered some…some tips."

"I still say two against one isn't fair," she answered as she stuck out her bottom lip and gave her boyfriend her best puppy-dog eyes.

"I think you'll get over it."

Clay bent to nip at her pouty lips, both of them forgetting for a moment that Mikey was standing right beside them. When he raised his head, they turned to apologize.

"Sorry," Emma offered.

"Nah, it's fine, I guess."

"Really?"

"Yep. I mean at least it's Clay. He's waaaay better than that loser…Jordan, or whatever his name was, that you used to have a crush on."

Emma let out an affronted squeak and Clay laughed, stepping next to her brother so he could question him.

"Jordan, huh? When was this, Mikey?"

Emma pushed her way in between them, laughing the entire time.

"No no no. We are not talking about that now. Where to next Mikey?"

Clay winked at her and continued teasing her.

"You can tell me later man," reaching out his hand for a fist bump.

Her brother's next choice was fishing at the pier. Clay hadn't brought his poles, so they rented a couple, he, and Emma sharing. She accused him of being worried that she would show him up again after her luck with fishing on their camping trip. They got their lines in the water and Emma proceeded to tell Mikey all about her success her first time fishing. Clay jokingly accused her of embellishing, and she objected, loudly. All three enjoyed the telling of and listening to her 'fish-tale.'

They fished for a while without any luck. It was approaching lunch and they were all hungry. Mikey wasn't ready to give up their spot, so Emma volunteered to go get them some food and drinks. She quickly checked in with Clay before she went to get their lunch.

"You good here with him, just the two of you?"

He kissed her cheek and assured her with a smile that they would be fine. As she disappeared off to the nearest food kiosk, he struck up a new conversation with Mikey.

"So, are you excited about starting school?"

"I am excited to get to focus on hockey. But…well…I am a little nervous too."

"That sounds normal. A new school is always a little scary."

"Yea. And moving away and living there alone is going to be different."

"Well, you won't be completely alone. Linda isn't fare away, right?"

"Grandma's there, but it's not the same. I can't…" He shifted around on the bench and Clay could sense he was a little uncomfortable about what he wanted to say.

"You can't…"

"I just can't talk to her about everything. She's my Grandma."

"You can still call your Dad. And you know you can always call Emma."

"I guess…sometimes there's some things I can't talk to her about, or even my dad."

His meaning was not lost on Clay.

"Ohhhh…so you mean…"

"Yea, like…girls and stuff."

He didn't want to overstep, but he remembered what it was like at Mikey's age and how he had needed someone to talk to.

"I tell you what Mike-man, you know I'm on the same schedule as your dad, and I might not always be around, but you can call or text me anytime, about anything."

"You wouldn't tell my Dad, or Emma?"

"As long as there's nothing illegal or harmful going on…then you have my word."

"So, I can talk to you…kinda like…kinda like a big brother."

"Yea, exactly like a big brother," Clay smiled. He was planning to be that officially in a few years anyway.

"Thanks Clay. Em's great, but she's a girl…and I think she & Dad still think I'm 5 years old. I mean, they still call me Mikey."

"Have you ever told them it bothers you?"

"No, I guess I haven't."

"Well, from now on, you're Mike, to me anyway."

"Thanks Clay…for everything."

Clay wrapped an arm around the boy and patted his back.

"Sure thing, man."

As she returned from her errand to fetch their food, Emma could see what appeared to be a serious exchange between her brother and Clay. Then she saw her boyfriend pat her little brother on the back. She wondered what they could be discussing. She approached them and posed her question.

"I'm back. What were you guys talking about?"

"Nothing much honey. Just guy stuff."

"Yea, you know, brother stuff," Mikey chimed in.

Hearing Mikey call Clay his brother brought tears to Emma's eyes that she quickly blinked away. Handing over the bags of food and their drinks, she took a seat on the other side of Clay and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek.

"Thanks," she whispered to him.

"For what?"

"For whatever you and Mikey talked about."

He just smiled and took a bit of his sandwich.

They spent the rest of the afternoon fishing and enjoying the pier. Clay did manage a catch, but since it was small, he released it.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Jason had already secured a table for them. The server dropped off some chips and salsa and took their drink orders.

"So, champ, how was today? Did you enjoy yourself?"

"Yea, it was cool"

"What did you guys end up doing?"

"We did the go-karts at Magic Mountain, and I beat Emma," he gloated.

"What? You and Clay cheated. You ganged up on me."

"We did not. Clay just gave me a few pointers. Right Clay?"

"Yep. No cheating at all."

"Ha," Emma sputtered.

Jason laughed at their friendly little spat.

"You just wait Mikey-mouse. There will be a rematch and I will prevail."

When Clay heard Emma's pet name for her brother, he tapped the boy on the shoulder and nodded.

"Hey…uh, Em?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think…maybe…you could start calling me Mike?" He turned to Jason. "You too, Dad."

Silence reigned for a few seconds before he continued.

"It's just, I'm gonna be in high school now and…Mikey is kinda a little kid name," he finished, glancing at Clay for some back up.

Both were a little surprised at the request, but Jason recovered first.

"I think we can work on that son. You're right, you are older now and maybe Mikey doesn't quite fit anymore."

"Yea, bud. I will try too. It might take me some time to get used to it," Emma answered as Clay squeezed her hand under the table."

The teenager blew out a relieved breath.

"Thanks guys."

They all placed their orders and started a discussion about what the school year might hold for both of them. Each was excited, but nervous about this new phase in their lives. It didn't take long for them to finish their entrees and for Jason to call for the check. They walked out to their cars and lingered, not ready to say goodbye just yet. Emma went over to the truck and grabbed a package from the backseat of the truck cab.

"Here Mikey…sorry, I mean, Mike. I made you some brownies, I thought you might want something to snack on for the trip and once you get to school."

Clay could good tell that she was again, fighting back tears. He reached for her hand and she flashed him a watery smile.

"It's ok Em. Thanks. Your brownies are my favorite."

She reached out and pulled her brother into her arms.

"Good luck, I know you're going to do great with school and hockey."

Even Jason was getting a little misty at this point.

"Thanks, I know you'll do great at college too."

Emma released him as she sniffed and wiped at her eyes. He turned to Clay and hesitated. Clay acted for both of them and pulled him into a hug.

"Keep your stick on the ice man."

They stepped back and prepared to leave. With a final, quick hug, Emma watched her Dad and brother turn and walk to the car. Clay wrapped his arm around her, and she leaned her head against him.

"You okay Em?"

"Yea, I'll be fine."

"We'll go and visit him as soon as we can. Maybe we can catch a game."

"That would be a fun trip. Thanks babe."

"Of course, honey. You know...he's my family now too."

"He's always wanted a brother, I'm glad he has you now. He couldn't find a better one, I'm sure of it."