Author note:
A little more team love & fluff. I hope you enjoy! Shout out to all of you who continually review and support my story. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!
CH 89-Birthday Boy
Emma was tremendously busy over the next couple of weeks. She had signed onto the college portal to get a list of the books and supplies she needed. In addition, there were some early reading assignments due in prep for the first day of classes. She also received some encouraging news from her academic advisor. Through her work on the Day Care's music program, and the efforts of Mrs. Johnson, she would be getting some significant course credit. This, along with her advanced placement from her honors classes meant she would actually be going in as a Sophomore.
In the midst of this, she was working on an end of Summer program with the kids at Day Care. It was just a simple presentation of a few songs to showcase what they had been able to do over the summer. It seemed to Clay that every minute of the day she was either reading, organizing, writing, or re-writing. (She was adapting some song lyrics herself and creating the props as well.)
What he didn't realize was that some of her business was due to a Covert Op that he wasn't privy to. His birthday was coming up and Emma was planning a surprise party for him. She had enlisted her Dad to help her out. Emma knew that Clay had never had a traditional birthday party, and she wanted to give him that. His Grandparents had celebrated with him, but there were just no resources or the time for a true party. Last year when the guys found out they took him out for drinks, but that was it. She had a date and a venue and had sent out invitations to the team, swearing them to secrecy. Everything seemed to be coming together. She just hoped the weather would cooperate.
She was sitting on the sofa, finalizing the details for the cake she was ordering when Clay came home earlier than expected. She quickly minimized the tab on her laptop and hoped he didn't see anything he shouldn't.
"Hey babe. You're home early."
He leaned in to kiss her cheek and answered.
"Yea, Jason got called into an intel meeting, so we have to put off the rest of the drills until tomorrow. Whatcha doin?"
"Just some stuff for school. Nothing big," she said as she flashed him a smile.
He headed toward the bedroom as he called over his shoulder.
"Hey, your Dad asked if I could come help him with some work on the hot rod this Saturday. I said that I didn't think we had any plans, but that I would check with you first."
She smiled, knowing this request was all a part of the ruse for his party.
"Ahhh, sure. That doesn't sound like a problem."
"Great. I'll let him know to expect us."
Friday night came and Emma encouraged Clay to go out with the guys for a few drinks. She feigned a headache and told him that she would just stay home in bed and would be glad for the quiet. He left her after taking Koda out and extracting a promise that she would call him if she felt any worse. Once he was out of the parking lot, she hopped in her car and headed over to Jason's condo. He had helped her secure the Community room and pool for tomorrow's party. Now she checked in at the office and got the key so that she could do some set up and put up the decorations.
She worked quickly so that she could get back to the apartment in case Clay decided to come home early to check in on her. She got the tables and chairs re-arranged and laid out the tablecloths and dishes. She put the food and drinks in the refrigerator, and then she got down to putting up the decorations. She blew up the balloons and got out the birthday signs. As she stood on tiptoe on a chair, trying to hang up the streamers, she realized that she probably could have used some help. Still not able to reach exactly where she wanted them placed, she grabbed a chair and placed it in the center of the table to climb up higher. She knew that Clay would have a heart-attack if he could see her. She worked quickly and climbed back down, thankfully with no incident. As she was finishing up, her phone pinged with a text. As she expected, it was Clay checking up on her.
-How're you feeling babe? -
-Better, just tired-
-OK. One more round & I'm calling it a night-
-You don't have to leave early on my account-
-It's fine. I'm tired too. Need me to pick up anything? -
-Maybe some ice cream if you don't mind-
She hoped that small errand would buy her a little more time.
-Sure thing honey. See you soon-
-Thx, love U! -
Emma tidied up and threw away her trash. After a final look at the room, she turned off the lights, returned the key to the office, and hurried to beat Clay home. She pulled into the lot and was relieved that she didn't see his truck. She scurried up the stairs and into the apartment. She had just enough time to calm Koda down, change her clothes and slide under the covers before she her his key in the lock.
He walked into the bedroom quietly, careful not to wake her if she was asleep. Emma stretched and turned on the light to greet him.
"Hi babe."
He sat down next to her on the bed and smoothed a hand over her hair.
"Hey," he bent to kiss her. "How are you doing?"
"Much, much better after some sleep."
She pushed herself up to sit against the headboard. He looked her over and still had a concerned expression.
"Are you sure? Your face looks a little flushed."
"Yea, I'm fine. I only needed to rest."
"You have been working too hard, Em," he commented as he dropped a kiss on her brow.
She felt bad about making him worry when there was no need. She brushed off his concern and moved to get up. He held up the bag in his hand.
"Here's your ice cream. Do you want it now?"
"Yes, please. I'm starving."
And she truly was. Setting up for his party gave her a real appetite.
"That's a good sign, I guess," he laughed as she dove into her treat.
They slept in the next morning and were out the door on their way to Jason's at 11:00. Emma didn't want to arrive before that. Her instructions to the team were to park at Jason's and be at the Community room by 11:15. As they neared the condo complex, Emma pretended that she had gotten a text from Jason.
"Hey, Dad just texted and asked if we would stop by the Community hall to pick up something for him."
"Sure…I guess. What is it?"
"He had a delivery for the hot rod and didn't want it sitting on his porch. It was too big for the office, so I guess they put it in there."
She hoped that sounded believable.
"That makes sense. It's probably something for the body work he wants help with today."
They pulled up to the building and thankfully, someone had thought to close the blinds. Clay turned off the truck and they both got out.
"You don't have to come in Em. I'm sure I can get it."
"You might need me to hold the door or something," she answered, thinking quickly.
He hugged her to his side and kissed her head.
"You're right, I might."
They proceeded into the room, which was dark.
"Do you know where the lights are Em?"
Just as the words were out of his mouth, the lights flipped on and everyone shouted.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Clay took a step back and caught his breath. Emma was clapping her hands and smiling. She had done it. They had surprised him.
"Wow," he said, still catching his breath. "I didn't…how did you guys do this?"
Jason came over and patted him on the back.
"This was all Em. She planned it out, got us all here and everything."
Before he could turn to say anything to Emma, Jameelah ran up and jumped into his arms.
"Happy Birthday Uncle Clay. Did we s'prise you?"
He squeezed her and gave her a buss on the cheek.
"You sure did Little J! I had no idea."
"Yeeaaa! Mommy said that Aunt Emmie told everyone to be sneaky," she giggled.
He looked across the room at Emma fussing around the tables and re-arranging platters and dishes and smiled fondly.
"Yep, you were sure sneaky."
Ray called to his daughter and Clay set her back down so she could return to her father. He looked back over to the table and saw that Emma had disappeared. He searched around and found her in the kitchen, filling up another bowl of chips. He stepped up behind her soundlessly and slipped his arms around her. She jumped in surprise and then swatted at him.
"You scared me!"
"Sorry honey. I was just being sneaky. Jameelah said that everyone had to be sneaky," he said with a smirk.
She turned in his arms and reached hers around his waist.
"I'm sorry. I hated to keep something from you. But I knew if I told you about the party, you would tell me not to, or that you didn't need a party. And that's not true. You deserve to be celebrated," she poked her finger at his chest to emphasize her last sentence.
He caught her finger and brought it to his lips briefly and then released it to speak.
"But you have enough going on already. You didn't need the aggravation."
"It's not an aggravation." She moved to loop her arms around his neck. "I for one," she pecked at his lips. "am very glad you were born."
His heart melted as he looked into her eyes. His hands moved to cradle her head and he slanted his lips over hers. Just as her tongue slipped across his lips, they heard Jameelah's voice loudly revealing their actions.
"They're in here….and they're kissin'," she giggled.
Emma and Clay stepped apart as Naima came to collect her daughter.
"Sorry," she apologized.
The pair just looked at her with sheepish grins.
"What's up? Someone looking for us?"
"Yea. The guys have been calling you. They decided it's time for presents."
"Oh…I guess we didn't hear them."
Naima smirked and raised her eyebrows.
"That's not a surprise."
"What do you mean," Emma inquired.
"It's just…that when you two are together…it's like the rest of the world doesn't exist."
Emma bit her lip and sucked in a breath.
"Oh…that's selfish, isn't it?"
Naima laid a hand on the younger woman's shoulder as she spoke to both of them.
"No honey. That's beautiful."
After that exchange, they followed Naima out to the patio where everyone was waiting.
"Y'all can canoodle later. It's time for gifts," Sonny announced.
Clay stood next to the table that held a few brightly wrapped boxed and bags.
"Which one should I open first?"
"Ours, Uncle Clay," Jameelah interjected excitedly, handing him a blue and yellow gift bag.
Clay pulled out the card first and read it.
-Happy Birthday Uncle Clay,
Love, Jameelah and RJ-
Naima had written their names and the little girl had added some coloring and stickers. Next, he reached into the bag and pulled out a new 49ers cap. But the bag wasn't empty. He dug underneath some more tissue paper and extracted a teddy-bear wearing a matching San Francisco jersey with the number of his favorite player. He bent down next to his "niece" to give her a hug.
"Thank you, Little J. These are great!"
Then stood up and reached out to RJ, who was in his father's arms, and ruffled his hair.
"Thank you too, little man."
Clay reached for another package. The card said it was from Davis. He pulled back the paper to reveal some Jack Carr books he was wanting to read. He had only mentioned it in passing and was touched that she remembered. He leaned to kiss her cheek.
"Thanks, Lisa."
Emma handed him the last box.
"Here, this one's from Grandma & Mikey, uh, I mean Mike. They both really wish they could be here."
Clay read the simple card and then opened the box. Inside was a sweatshirt with the insignia for Mike's school on the front. The back had crossed hockey sticks surrounded by the words, "Cardington Bears."
"This is really cool!"
"Hey, I don't even have anything from his school yet. No fair," Emma noted.
Clay laughed at her indignation.
"We can share. How's that?"
She smiled in agreement.
"I think that's it, thanks so much everyone."
"Jest wait a second there Bam Bam. Ya got one more," Sonny announced.
Clay turned when he heard a noise behind him. He could see Brock, Trent, and Vic wrestling something through the gate. Jason went over to help and finally they rolled a brand-new grill in front of him. He was speechless.
"Don't get too verklempt there Wonder boy. We was all jest tired of seeing you trying to grill on those little Hibachi's you got. This way you can make us some decent meals when we come over."
"Wow! Guys, this is…thank you!"
"You're welcome, Brother," Ray answered for them. "Happy Birthday."
They all moved to go back inside to start on the food. Emma spoke as he was gathering up the papers and bows to put in the trash.
"I don't have a gift for you…" she started.
"Em, that's completely fine," he interrupted. "This party is more than enough. It's the first one I've ever had, you know."
She smiled and began again.
"What I started to say was that I don't have a gift for you, here. You'll have to wait until we get home."
Clay hugged her closed and whispered to her in a low, sexy voice that gave her goosebumps.
"I can hardly wait."
