Author note:

I hope everyone is hanging in there with all this crazy stuff going on! I hope this brightens your days a little bit. (*See note at the end.)

CH 4-Letting Go

Emma answered the knock at the door. She was curious who it could be. They didn't expect Quinn's date for another hour. As she pulled back the door, Clay walked up behind her.

"Lopez! Guys! Come on in! Great that you could all make it."

Emma eyed her husband. "I didn't know we were having company. You know that tonight is Quinn's Homecoming?"

"Yea. I know. But we won't be in the way. I just thought it would be a great chance for the guys and I to get together. We're going to watch some football and grill out." He leaned down to give her a quick kiss. "They even brought all the food, so you don't have to do anything honey." He gave her his best charm-grin.

Emma didn't buy it for a second. "Clay Spenser, what did you do?"

"I don't know what you mean." He did his best to look innocent.

She grabbed his hand and pulled him with her into the kitchen. "I'm calling BS Master Chief. You did this on purpose. Why? Sebastian is a nice boy. I trust him."

"Well, I don't."

"He's just 17. They'll be fine."

"In know he's 17. And, they'll be out late tonight…alone. I just wanted him to know that, you know, there are people here at home that care about Quinn and what happens to her."

"Mmmhmm. It's just homecoming."

"Yea, and do you remember what happened when I took you to your homecoming?"

"She's only 15. I was a Senior when we went."

"Not making me worry any less. I was a teenage boy once. And I know what a 17-year-old boy thinks about 99% of the time."

"And what's that?"

"Getting into a girls' pants."

"Is that what you thought about?"

"Yes."

"You thought about it when you were 27 and did it too." She teased him.

"Hell, Em, I think about it now." He smiled at her and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Oh, just any female?" She replied archly.

Clay grabbed her and pulled her to him. "Nope, Emmie, just you." He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers. In all their years together, the fire between them hadn't cooled. Just as he slipped his tongue into her mouth to taste her, Vic came in to put the beer in the refrigerator.

"Ohhhh…dang, sorry boss. Didn't mean to intrude."

Emma pulled back from Clay and answered. "It's fine Vic. Here, let me make some room for that for you."

She went to the refrigerator and started shifting things around. Once she had things re-arranged, she returned to the living room to greet the rest of the team. Thirteen-year-old AJ had appeared from his room and was on the couch setting up the gaming system.

"Hey there. Did you know the team was coming tonight?"

"Nope. But, it's cool. I thought I could kick their butts on a few games."

She was happy to see him out of his room. He was at that age where parents were starting to be un-cool. But she couldn't deny that there was still a bit of residual hero-worship where Clay was concerned. And, he had always enjoyed hanging with the guys.

"Oh, by the way. Quinn told me to tell you that she is having a 'hair emergency', whatever that means."

"Okay, thanks. I'll go check on her."

She climbed the stairs and peeked into her daughter's room. "What's wrong honey? AJ said there was an issue with your hair. I thought what the hair-dresser did earlier looked great."

"There's nothing wrong with my hair."

"Then…what's wrong?"

"Do I really hear the team downstairs? Please tell me Dad didn't invite them over tonight?" She sighed in exasperation.

Emma pressed her lips together and shrugged her shoulders. "Yea. They're down there. Sorry honey."

"Ugh," Quinn said through gritted teeth. "When is he going to stop being over-protective?"

"Uh…have you met your father? That's never going to happen. His whole life has been about protecting others. And you're his baby girl. The whole 'Alpha-male' thing goes into overdrive where you are concerned."

"Doesn't he trust me?"

"It's the boys he doesn't trust."

"I can't believe he did this. It's so embarrassing. Sebastian is never going to want to go out with me again."

Emma sat down on the bed next to her daughter and put her arm around the girl's shoulders and gave her a squeeze.

"If he likes you, it won't matter to him." Quinn nodded silently. "Did I ever tell you about the time your Grandpa threatened to have a drone fly over one of my dates?"

"No, he didn't."

"Yep. He sure did. Just ask him. And the scary part is…I think he would have done it too." They both laughed.

"Well, I guess it's good that Dad hasn't threatened that at least."

"Don't give him any ideas," Emma joked. She took Quinn's hand, so the girl would look at her. "Honey, he loves you. He's just trying to keep you from getting hurt."

"But…"

"I know. The whole team is a little over-kill. But, if Sebastian can't handle your Dad, he might not be the right one for you."

"Don't be too hard on him Quinn. It's difficult for him to admit you're growing up. It's hard for him to let go, baby."

Emma took a deep breath and stood up. "You okay now?"

"Yea, I guess. I am going to text Sebastian to give him some warning."

"I think that's fair."

"Mom?"

"Yea?"

"I really could use some help putting these pins in my hair."

Emma took the sparkling baubles and placed them carefully in the twist of blonde curls. Quinn stood up and smoothed out her dress and did a little twirl.

"How do I look?"

Emma swallowed to rid herself of the lump that suddenly appeared in her throat. She wouldn't admit it, but it was hard for her to accept that her little girl was growing up too.

"You look gorgeous."

"Thanks, Mom."

"Why don't you come downstairs and say 'Hi' to the guys and show your Dad how you look? Then you and Sebastian won't have to hang out any longer than just taking few pictures."

Quinn agreed and followed Emma down the stairs. When they appeared, everything went silent. Vic whistled and stepped over to give her a hug.

"You look great Quinn."

"Thanks, Uncle Vic."

The rest of the guys all complimented her as well. Quinn noticed that Clay hadn't said a word. He just stood leaning against the couch, watching her.

"What do you think, Dad?"

Clay's eyes took in his daughter's appearance. From her golden curls, to the soft blue swirl of her dress. With her heels on, she was taller than Emma.

"You look beautiful, baby."

He pulled her into his arms and held her close for a moment.

"Thanks Daddy," she responded, giving him a kiss on his cheek.

Emma held up her phone and motioned to the two of them to pose for a picture. They stood side-by-side and Quinn wrapped her arms around Clay's middle and he held her next to him with his strong right arm. Emma took several frames in quick succession.

"Great you two. Clay, can you take one of Quinn and me?'

Vic spoke up. "I have a better idea. Why don't I take some of all three of you?"

Everyone agreed, and they posed near the stairs. Just as they were finishing up, there was a knock on the door.

Quinn stepped forward and addressed the guys. "That's my date, Sebastian. So, behave yourselves."

There she was, a slender slip of a girl/young woman, speaking to her Dad and five other Tier One Operators like they were a group of naughty school children.

Clay slipped his arm around Emma and whispered into her ear. "She's just like you Em." He pressed a kiss against her temple.

He walked to the door and let Sebastian in.

The young man reached out his hand, "Mr. Spenser." Then he nodded to Emma, "Mrs. Spenser." He also addressed the others, "Everyone."

Then he spoke to Quinn. "Hi Quinn. You look really nice."

Quinn blushed prettily. "Thanks, you look good too."

"Here." He handed her a wrist corsage of white roses.

Emma cut in. "Can we get some pictures before you two head out?"

The teens obliged and stood still for several minutes while Emma and Clay took several young people got ready to go. Clay addressed both of them.

"Have fun, be safe. Quinn, you need to be back by Midnight, got it?"

"Yes Dad."

"Do you have your phone?"

Quinn nodded in the positive. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet and offered her some money.

"I don't need that Dad. The meal is at the school right before the dance."

"I know, but I would feel better if you had some cash on you…for any emergencies."

She didn't try to argue, but just took the bills and placed them in her small clutch.

"Okay, bye everyone."

Everyone in the living room acknowledged her farewell and then she was out the door.

"You okay," Emma asked Clay.

"I guess. But I'll feel better once she's home."

She gave him a big hug. "I know. It's tough watching them grow up, isn't it?"

"Yep. I don't even know how she's old enough to go to Homecoming. You still look like a teenager yourself, Em."

She smiled at him. "I know that's not true, but I love you for saying it."

"It is true. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was surprising you at your Homecoming."

"I remember that so well." She paused and continued quietly. "I also remember what happened after we left the dance."

His eyes swept over her still lithe form. "Maybe you should remind me later…"

"That can be arranged. How early do you think you can get the guys to go home?"

Clay shrugged his shoulders and Emma continued.

"They usually leave after the beer's gone," she noted.

He placed a warm kiss on her lips before returning his attention to the team.

"Alright guys, who needs another beer?"

Emma gave him a secret smile and he winked back at her.

*If you're note familiar with what happened at Emma's Homecoming, you can read about it in "Fluff & Stuff."*