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CH 8-Family Vacation

They all shuffled half-step by half-step down the tiny aisle until they reached their assigned row of seats. Emma slid in first, next to the window, and settled AJ on her lap. Next, Clay urged Quinn forward to stand in front of her seat while he stowed their bags and situated her car seat. He still wasn't sure why they needed so many bags on the plane with them. That was in addition to the several they had checked.

"I pack less for a three-month deployment," he whispered under his breath.

"What was that honey?"

"Nothing Em. Here, let's get you buckled in Quinnie."

The little girl allowed herself to be lifted into her seat, sandwiched between her parents. She immediately reached for the bag that Emma had put together with snacks for their flight. Clay stilled her hands.

"Hey, let's wait until the plane takes off first, okay?"

She nodded sullenly and went back to playing with her stuffed horse, making it 'gallop' up and down Clay's arm.

"Are you excited to see Uncle Sonny?"

"Uh huh. And to see Gumdrop." That was the name she had chosen for the pony Sonny had waiting for her at the ranch.

Since his daughter was currently occupied, he looked over her head at Emma and AJ. Right now, she had their son engaged in watching the vehicles buzzing around the airplane. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Everyone said they were crazy to even think about taking a 5 and 2 ½ year old on a flight to Texas. But Sonny had been after them to get down there since Quinn's birth. Now that he had a pony purchased and trained for his Goddaughter, they couldn't say no.

Once the plane was in the air, they allowed Quinn to dig into the snacks. She pulled out a juice box and some Goldfish crackers. Emma found AJ's Cheerios and asked the attendant for some milk to fill his sippy cup. The treats and the novelty of being on an airplane lasted for about a half an hour before AJ was fussy and tired and Quinn was antsy and bored. Emma rocked him the best she could and sang to him in an effort to get him to doze off. They had specifically planned the flight for the boy's nap time in hopes he would sleep at least part of the way.

Clay busied himself with keeping Quinn entertained. He grabbed a coloring book and crayons out of one of their bags and folded her table down for her. Emma had bought her a new activity book with various pictures of horses to color and trace. Quinn loved to color and draw.

"Daddy, which one looks like Gumdrop," she asked. "I want to color Gumdrop."

"Well honey, Gumdrop is an Appaloosa, so she's white with dark brown spots. I think you could make any of these look like her."

"Okay Daddy."

She pulled out a few crayons and settled on an image. She twirled a piece of hair around the fingers of her left hand as she swung her legs back and forth. Clay grinned at her actions. He knew that she resembled him, but this pose, this show of concentration, this was all Emma. He shifted his gaze to his wife. She had been able to get AJ to sleep. He was draped across her arm. Clay knew how heavy the little boy could get.

"Wanna pass him here, honey?"

She smiled gratefully. "Not yet. I want to make sure he's really good and asleep before we move him."

"Okay, babe. Just let me know when you're ready."

After 20 minutes or so, Emma indicated that she was ready for Clay to take over holding their son. The boy shifted restlessly during the exchange, but thankfully, didn't wake up.

They made it until the plane started its descent into the airport before AJ awoke. He wasn't happy and let everyone on the flight know it. Clay cringed inwardly and tried to sooth his son.

"Come on buddy. You're okay. We'll be there soon."

After packing up their belongings, Emma reached to take him back. Just as Quinn was a 'Daddy's girl,' AJ was attached to Emma. He quieted almost as soon as he was in her arms.

Thankfully they made it down, off the plane, and to baggage claim with minimal fuss. Quinn took off running before either of them could grab for her. Emma was almost frantic before she saw the burly, bearded man who had scooped Quinn up and was currently swinging her around and around as she giggled. They made their way over to him and greeted their old friend.

"Hey man! Great to see you." Clay pulled Sonny into a one-armed hug.

"You too Bam-Bam. And you Princess." He leaned over and kissed Emma's cheek.

"I can't believe how these two sprouts have grown." He tickled Quinn and sent her into a fit of laughter. "This one's so big, I almost didn't recognize her."

Clay was watching little AJ. He didn't remember his Uncle and was acting shy, hiding his face in father's shoulder. "Hey buddy," Clay spoke to his son softly. "Don't you remember Uncle Sonny?"

"It's all good man. It's just gonna take him some time." He smiled good-naturedly. "Let's get yer bags and get on out to the car."

"It's a good thing you're here man. It's gonna take both of us to carry everything Emma packed," Clay joked.

Emma tried to take a swing at him, but he caught her small fist and pulled her to him for a kiss instead.

"Enough of thet you two."

She spoke up to defend herself. "I wanted to make sure we had everything we would need. I'm pretty sure Sonny doesn't have spare diapers and wipes, or extra pajamas laying around the ranch."

"Yer right on thet. But, this ain't J-bad , missy. We do have stores here," he joked, pulling her into another hug.

They managed to corral all the bags and AJ's car seat and get it all loaded into the SUV. Emma sat in the back seat between the kids and Clay climbed in the front passenger seat next to Sonny.

"We all ready, or do we need to stop for anythin' on the way?"

"How long is the trip?"

"Oh…'bout an hour, give or take."

Clay turned to check with Emma. "We good honey?"

"I think we'll be fine until we get to the ranch. Unless…"

"Unless what?"

"Sonny, do you have kid-food?"

"Huh?"

"You know, PB&J, chicken nuggets, macaroni-n-cheese, kid food. They can be pretty picky."

"I'm way ahead of ya Princess. My housekeeper went shoppin' and stocked up on all kinds of goodies for the young-uns."

"You have a house-keeper, Son?"

"Yea, I got a house-keeper, Blondie," He answered Clay as he pulled onto the highway. "I'm a successful ranch-owner now. Haven't you heard?"

Emma sat back and relaxed on the ride to Sonny's while he and Clay played catch-up. She must have nodded off, because she woke up with her daughter's squeal as they pulled off the road onto the ranch's lane.

"We're here. We're here Mommy! Where's Gumdrop?"

"Shhh. Quinn, quiet down. We're here to visit Uncle Sonny, not just to see your pony."

Sonny chuckled. "It's okay. Gettin' yer first horse, thet's somethin' to get excited about." He slowed down and turned to address Quinn directly.

"How 'bout we get to the house and get settled in and then we take a trip out to the barn to see Gumdrop? Thet sound good?" Quinn nodded, her entire body wiggling in excitement.

They pulled up to the house and got out of the car. "Here we are, Chez Quinn."

"Hey, that's my name," the little girl noted.

Sonny opened the back door and reached in to unbuckle Quinn and lift her down. "Yer right little miss. Ya see, thet's my name too. Uncle Sonny is Sonny Quinn. Yer named after me, munchkin."

"We have the same name?"

"Well sorta. Is that okay with you?"

Quinn reached for a hug as she answered. "Uh huh, Uncle Sonny." He picked her up and squeezed her tight, carrying her into the house.

"Boy, she's got his number, doesn't she," Clay observed as he lifted AJ out of his car seat.

Emma put her arms around her husband and kissed his cheek. "Yep, just like her Daddy and all the other 'tough-guys' in her life. Wrapped right around her little finger."

They followed Sonny inside and upstairs to their rooms. As soon as they entered Quinn's assigned room for their stay, she squealed again. At the end of the bed was a pink cowboy hat and matching boots. She ran over and held both up in the air, twirling around.

"Mommy, Daddy, did you see? Did you see? My very own!"

Clay passed AJ to Emma and bent down next to the little girl. "They're beautiful. But, what do you say to Uncle Sonny?"

"Thank you, Uncle Sonny. I love them."

"Yer welcome."

After Quinn calmed down, they unpacked and settled in for their week vacation.

"Dinner's gonna be ready in about forty minutes. Anyone care to take a stroll out to the barn and check in on Gumdrop?"

Quinn jumped up and down dancing from one foot to the other. "Me, me, me!" She caught a stern look from her father and added, "Me, please, Uncle Sonny."

As much as Emma wanted to see Quinn meet her horse for the first time, AJ was wiped out. She wanted to get him fed and into bed as soon as possible. She let the guys know. Sonny told her to make herself at home in the kitchen. Clay went with them out to the barn. He promised to take pictures and videos of their daughter's reaction to her pony.

By the time they were able to tear Quinn away from Gumdrop, dinner was ready. They settled in the kitchen to eat. Halfway through the meal Quinn's eyes were drooping and she was just about falling out of her chair. Clay picked her up and took her up to bed.

Emma helped Sonny clear the table and insisted on rinsing the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher while he went back out to make sure everything was squared away in the barn. Just as she was finishing up in the kitchen, Clay returned.

"She asleep?"

"Yep, I could hardly wake her up enough to get her changed into her pajamas." He looked around the room. "Where's Sonny?"

"He went out to the barn."

"So, we're alone?" He grinned and raised his eyebrow in question.

Stepping closer to him, Emma wrapped her arms around his neck. "It appears we are, for the moment."

"Hmmmm…" Clay lowered his lips to hers and pressed his body flush against her.

Sonny stepped back up on the porch and could see in the window to his kitchen. For a moment he was flustered at witnessing this intimate moment between Clay and Emma. Then, he realized it was the perfect time to catch them out. He walked in without warning.

"Can't you two keep your hands to yourselves?"

Even being married with children, Emma still blushed. But Clay hardly missed a beat. He kept Emma in his embrace and answered honestly.

"Nope. I can't. Can you blame me?"

They all laughed and retired to the living room.

"I thought we could go for a ride tomorrow. You still remember how to sit a horse?"

"Of course, I do. But I'm not sure if it's a good idea for Em or the kids."

"I have a helmet for Quinn. She'll only ride Gumdrop on a lead in the yard. The rest of the time she can ride with me."

Clay glanced at Emma. "Sonny…"

"Hey, I'd never put her or any of you in danger. And, I have a cart set up for you and the little guy to go behind Clay's horse."

"Okay. It sounds like it will be fine. I appreciate you thinking about all that."

"Yes ma'am."

"She'll love it. Besides, none of us will get a moments rest until she gets to ride that horse."

They all had a good laugh and continued to visit until it was time for bed. They parted company at the top of the stairs.

"Good night Sonny. Thanks again, for all of this. I'm so happy we finally came." Emma gave him another hug.

"Me too Princess, me too."