Author note:
I realized that it has been a year since I started this story. WOW! Thank you all for your continued support & reviews. It means the world to me!
CH 100-Solid
Clay stretched to reach his phone and turn off the alarm. His right arm was threaded under Emma's neck and wrapped around her shoulder, hampering his movement. When he managed to silence the offending noise, he scrubbed his free hand over his face and smoothed down his beard. Then, rolling to his side he wrapped both arms around his girl. Emma stirred slightly, disturbed by the sounds and his movement. Clay raised his hand and gently coaxed her golden curls away from her face and inclined his head to place a soft kiss to her forehead.
"Em…Baby. It's time to wake up. We need to get up and get moving if we're going to make breakfast downstairs and then have some time with your Grandma before we go see Mike."
Her response was to grunt and nuzzle her face into his bare chest. He smiled at her reluctance.
"I'll jump in the shower first and give you a few more minutes, okay?"
She nodded her head and raised her lips to his in agreement. After their tender kiss, Clay slid out from under the sheets and made his way to the bathroom.
While he was in the shower, Emma slowly came to full consciousness and got up to select her clothes for the day. When Clay emerged, she was ready for her morning ablutions and was finished quickly.
The two made their way downstairs and found the dining room. It wasn't hard to locate. They simply followed the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee and homemade baked goods. The meal was set out buffet style. Emma selected some fresh fruit and a couple danish. Even Clay indulged himself added an enormous cinnamon roll to his scrambled eggs and sausage. They ate their fill, but didn't linger, Linda was expecting them.
They arrived at Linda's house just a shade past 10 am. She let them in and offered them some more coffee. The three settled in the living room to visit. Emma told her grandmother about her classes and her continued work at the Day Care. She was modest with her reports on her grades and her contributions at work. Clay didn't hesitate to add commentary, highlighting Emma's accomplishments. Linda noted the proud light in his eyes as he detailed the End of Summer program Emma directed and how she was asked to stay on. After her curiosity about Emma's progress was put to rest, she spoke up to Clay.
"I understand congratulations are in order for you too."
Clay looked slightly confused, not sure to what she was referring.
"Emma and Jason both told me about your promotion. I'm sorry I wasn't able to be there to celebrate it with you."
As was his habit when anyone tried to give him accolades, Clay brushed it off.
"Thanks, but it really wasn't a big deal. It was a small ceremony since it was just for me."
Linda pushed back on his downplay of the events.
"It is a big deal. Having your Captain recommend you for a promotion is high praise. I'm proud of you Clay."
"Thank you, ma'am…Linda. That means a lot to me."
Emma reached between them and gave his hand a squeeze, knowing how touched he was by her grandma's words.
They trio talked until the remains in the coffee pot went cold. Then, Linda asked them for some help.
"I've been working on cleaning out around here. I've made it through most of the closets and dressers. But there's still the items in the attic. I'm not sure I can manage to climb up and get them down the ladder. Would you two mind giving me a hand?"
"Of course, we'll help, Grandma. Won't we?"
Emma turned to Clay and he was already nodding his head in agreement.
Linda led them to the garage and pulled down the spring ladder and door cut into the ceiling. Clay climbed up and found the light. Then, following her directions he was able to locate the totes and boxes she described. He handed them down carefully to Emma, came back down and they began carrying them into the house. Everything was placed in the spare bedroom, where Linda could sort through them.
It was almost time for lunch when they finished. Since she knew they would be having a big breakfast, Linda wanted to keep lunch light, making some soup, and getting meats and cheeses for sandwiches. She was accompanying Emma into the kitchen to warm up the soup and to assemble the sandwiches when she suddenly remembered something else she needed Clay's help with. Emma proceeded to get lunch ready while Clay followed Linda into her bedroom.
"What can I do for you," Clay asked as he looked around the room.
"Actually, I don't need anything. I…I just wanted to talk to you alone for a minute."
Clay's forehead wrinkled with his confusion as Linda turned and sifted through a jewelry box on her dresser. She found what she was looking for and closed the lid.
"I…I wanted to give you something."
She held a small, velvet drawstring pouch in her hand.
"Emma told me about the necklace you gave her at Christmas, how it's made from the stones of your grandmother's wedding ring. I was hoping…"
Clay nodded for her to continue.
"I'm not trying to pressure you. But, when you and Emma think it's time, I was hoping you wouldn't mind adding some of the stones from this to her ring too."
She pressed the bag into his palm and watched while he carefully opened it and pulled out a modest white gold, and diamond engagement ring. The older woman continued with her explanation.
"That's the ring my husband gave me when he proposed. We were young and couldn't afford much. But we were very much in love for over forty years. And I would be honored if we could pass some of that on to you and Emma."
Clay was sincerely moved. Having this visible sign of Linda's acceptance and approval of his relationship with Emma, and her blessing for their future meant the world to him. He bent and placed a kiss on her cheek.
"Thank you, Linda. I know that Emma will be thrilled, and it means so much to both of us to have a way to include both of our Grandparent's in our lives like this."
She sniffled and brushed tears from her face. Clay put the ring back into its pouch and placed it safely in his pocket.
"We better get out there before Emma starts to wonder about us."
He agreed and stepped back to allow her to precede him down the hallway.
Emma had the soup warmed and was almost done with their sandwiches. Linda poured them each some iced tea and the took their seats around the table. Clay was a little quiet and Emma hoped that everything was okay. She vowed to check in with him as soon as they were alone.
Linda began to tell them about Mike's school and what she knew about his friends and how he had been settling in. Emma was eager for the details and listened intently. As soon as they were finished with lunch Clay and Emma headed out promising to be back tomorrow with Mike in tow.
The navigation got them to the school, and they turned into the entrance, then followed Linda's directions on how to get to the dorm building. Emma texted her brother as they found a place to park. The got out and walked up to the entrance of the building. They were almost to the door when Mike walked out to meet them.
"Hey, bud! How are you?"
Emma went to embrace her brother, not sure how he'd react out here where his friends could see. But to her pleasant surprise, he hugged her in return.
"I'm doing good. How are you guys?"
Mike included Clay, who had given him a fist bump and one-armed 'bro-hug.'
"We're good."
They were both carful with what they said, having agreed with Jason that the teen didn't need to know about the situation with Troy. Emma looked her brother over; he hadn't changed much in the couple months physically since she'd seen him last. As he guided them into the building and up to his dorm room, she did notice a new maturity and confidence about him.
They took the elevator to the fifth floor and followed him to his room. He unlocked the door, walked in, and sat down on his bed. Since he was an underclassman, his room was a quad, shared with three roommates. Emma could see that they had made an effort to clean up, but you could tell the room was inhabited by teenage boys. Once they looked over his room, Mike led them down to the cafeteria common space and laundry facilities. When he mentioned that he had learned to do his own washing, Emma had to tease him.
"You mean all this time you could have been helping out with the laundry? Well, now I know. No begging me for help when Dad's spun up."
"Yep, I guess my secret's out now."
After that, Mike took them outside and toured them around campus, pointing out class buildings, other dorms, and buildings.
Emma noted that several students acknowledged her brother as he walked them around. She was happy to see that he was comfortable and making friends. As they made their way back to his dorm, a pretty, young brunette stopped to talk to Mike.
"Hi Mike."
"Hey Amelia."
The two stood there quiet, as Clay and Emma looked on. Mike noticed the girl looking at his guests.
"Ahh, sorry. Amelia, this is my sister, Emma and her boyfriend, Clay."
Emma held out her hand to the girl and Clay followed suit.
"Nice to meet you both."
She then turned to Mike again.
"Hey, you have a game tonight, right?"
"Yea, over at the central arena."
"I was, ahh, thinking of coming."
Emma could see the girl fidgeting with the notebook in her hands as she spoke and then the slight blush that covered her brother's face.
"Yea, sure. That would be great! Emma and Clay are going, you could sit with them, if you want."
Emma jumped into the conversation.
"Yea, that sounds like a great idea."
"Cool, I look for you there then. Bye."
"See you then."
The girl turned and walked away. Both Clay and Emma noticed that her brother was watching Amelia's progress across the yard and smiled at one another. It was clear to both of them that Mike had an interest in her.
They re-entered the dorm and settled in the common lobby area. Mike mentioned that he could go get them a snack and some drinks, and then asked if Clay could accompany him. The couple sensed that he wanted to talk to Clay, alone.
As they stook filling the cups from the drink station, Mike spoke hesitantly.
"Clay, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"How do you know, how are you sure…if a girl likes you?"
"Ahhh…you like Amelia?"
Mike nodded vigorously.
"Well, it's not always the same for everyone. But in my experience, if she goes out of her way to talk to you, asks about you and what you're interested in…she probably likes you."
He saw the boy's smile.
"So, has Amelia been coming to your games?"
"Yeah," he dipped his head to hide his flushed cheeks. "She's come to all the home games."
Clay bumped his arm and smiled.
"I'd say that she might like you. How do you feel about her?"
"I…I like her too."
"Okay…"
They selected their snacks and got in line to pay.
"How do you show a girl that you like her?"
"The best thing you can do is get to know her. Ask about what she likes, things she likes to do. Spend time with her, and…really listen to her. Show her that you value her."
"Okay, what about flowers and that kind of stuff?"
"Generally, girls like gestures that show them that you are thinking about them. It doesn't have to be flowers, it could be her favorite drink or candy, maybe just a picture of something pretty that you know she'd like. You know, you could ask Emma about this, she is a girl."
"She'd make fun of me."
Clay laid his hand on Mike's shoulder.
"No, she wouldn't I guarantee it."
"Well…maybe…"
Before they got ready to walk back to join Emma, the boy had a couple more questions that he didn't feel comfortable asking in front of his sister."
"Clay…"
"Yea?"
"I…uh, I've never actually kissed a girl before. I don't know…"
"Well, that's kind of trial and error dude. One thing I will say, with kissing, or, well other stuff, you have to make sure it's what she wants. You never push her to do anything. Understand?"
"Yea, yea I do."
"Good," Clay said as he patted Mike on the back.
"Thanks for talking. I mean, looking at you and Em, you guys get along so well and are like friends, and boyfriend/girlfriend, ya know? You guys handle everything together, like partners. You're solid."
"Sure thing man. I think that it's important to be friends first. I'm closer to your sister than anyone else in the whole world."
They rejoined Emma and spent some more time catching up, talking about Jason and home. They discussed the upcoming holidays and the plan for Mike and Linda to join them in Virginia Beach for Thanksgiving. Eventually, Mike brought up the subject of Amelia. Emma listened with no judgement and backed up Clay's advice.
"Have you asked her out?"
"No, not yet. It's kind of hard with us both living here and not driving."
Emma thought for a minute.
"Hey, I've got an idea. She's coming to the game tonight, right? How about we take you guys out for food after. There has to be a place to go for burgers or something."
Mike smiled and agreed.
"I'll text her."
Much to his delight, she answered almost right away.
-I'd really like that-
Clay gave him a fist bump and Emma grinned. The three kept talking until it was time for Mike to go and join his team to get ready for his game. They parted with plans to meet after his game, with Amelia.
"So, Mike with a girlfriend…what do you think about that," Clay asked as they made their way to the arena for his game.
"It will take some getting used to. She seems like a nice girl."
"Yea. You know, he said that he wanted to be like us. He said that we're 'solid'."
Emma grasped his hand and leaned into him as they walked.
"We're solid, huh," she teased.
He leaned and kissed the top of her head before answering.
"As a rock, Baby."
