Author Note:

Here's a little Fluff and Fun for Valentine's Day. I hope everyone enjoys this. Please leave me a review. I live for them! Thanks!

CH 18-The Best Laid Plans

Clay had plans. Valentine's Day was this weekend, and he was making the arrangements. Over the years he and Emma had missed several holidays together. They learned to adapt and take their moments of celebration when they could, not being bothered about the actual date on the calendar. Even so, whenever they celebrated, the planning and preparation usually fell mainly on Emma's shoulders. Not this year. Clay was planning everything. He wanted to treat his wife to a romantic evening. She kept asking him about it and her assured her that he had everything under control. She only needed to relax and enjoy it.

Saturday came and Clay was getting the kids packed up for the night with their Grandfather. Jason was coming to pick them up after their naps. That should give them plenty of time to get ready and make their dinner reservation. Clay packed jammies and clothes, toothbrushes, and even extra pants for the newly potty-trained AJ, in case he had an accident. He even remembered to include their nutritious nighttime snacks in case his father-in-law had forgotten.

When Jason came, Clay handed over the bags and helped get the car seats transferred and arranged while Emma gave extra hugs and kisses. This wasn't the first time they had spent the night with their Grandpa, but there were still a few tears when they were finally buckled in and waved goodbye as they left the driveway.

Emma went up to take a shower and while Clay cleaned up the kitchen and picked up the living room. At 5:30 Emma came down the stairs and the sight of her took his breath away. She was wearing a red, silky dress. The sleeves were sheer, and it had a demure neckline that gave way to a diamond shaped cut out in back. She twirled around and the full skirt swirled around her legs.

"Em…you look gorgeous," he said, reaching for her.

"Thanks. I know it's a little much. But I don't get to dress up too often. So, I decided it would be fun to be a little fancy tonight."

He stroked his fingers up her back and curled them around under the fall of her hair. Lowering his head, he slanted his lips over hers. Emma slipped her palms down his chest and wrapped her arms around him. They ended their kiss, and she reached up and swiped her thumb across his lips to remove the smear of her lipstick.

"Not your color," she teased. "By the way, you look very handsome."

She knew her comments were an understatement as she looked at his muscular form in gray slacks and sport coat and black dress shirt.

He dropped another kiss on her lips and then helped her into her coat.

"We should get going."

Clay drove to a small supper club that they heard about, but never had the chance to try. They arrived and Clay dropped her at the door before finding a parking spot. He joined her at the hostess stand and they were shown to their table. They were seated in a semi-circular booth at the back of the dining room.

"This is cozy," Emma commented as they slid into their seats.

Clay scooted over right next to her and looped his arm around her, drawing her up to his side.

"It is cozy. I haven't gotten to sit this close to you at dinner for a long time."

Emma laughed, knowing it was true. Most of their dinners were marked by trying to get something nutritious into two little people that only wanted chicken nuggets and buttered noodles.

"I'm not sure I know how to act without the kids here."

Clay winked at her as he responded.

"Just promise me you won't try and cut my steak for me."

She tossed her head back and laughed that silvery laugh that warmed his soul. Seeing the twinkle in her eyes and the pure joy on her face, he couldn't resist capturing her lips for another kiss. After only a few more seconds, their embrace was interrupted by their server clearing her throat.

"Excuse me. Uhhh, I can come back."

Clay lifted his head and waved his hand to her. Emma blushed, but he was unaffected. Their PDA was never over the top. But he wasn't shy about expressing his feelings in public and it never seemed to bother him who might be a witness to a kiss or two.

"No, no, you're fine."

He ordered a bottle of wine and asked for her recommendation for an appetizer. He kept his arm around Emma the whole time, thumb brushing gently back and forth across her shoulder. Their server left them to review their menus and went to get the drinks.

Before she came back another employee approached the table with a bouquet of red roses.

"Mrs. Spenser, these are for you."

Surprised, she accepted the flowers and the small card, which read:

So lucky to share my life with you! Happy Valentine's Day.

Love Always,

Clay

She took a moment and then laid the flowers on the seat next to her and reached for Clay's hand.

"Thank you honey. I love you too."

She gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"How did you get these here?"

"All a part of my plan," he responded with a smile.

After they ordered their entrees, Emma surreptitiously tried to slip her phone out of her purse and check for any messages from her dad about the kids. Clay saw her out of the corner of his eye and looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"I was…just checking."

"Uh huh. You know they're fine with your dad, right?"

"I know…but…"

"You worry anyway."

She bit her lip and looked up at him sheepishly.

"Hey," he caught her chin with his thumb and finger. "I get it. It's what makes you an amazing Mom. But we're not 'Mommy and Daddy' tonight. Tonight, I get you all to myself."

She smiled up at him and put her phone away. They talked about work and the house and plans for what to do with his upcoming time off as their food was delivered and eaten. Before deciding on dessert, Clay excused himself to the restroom.

While he was gone, Emma did check her phone for messages again. She hoped the kids were behaving for her dad. Seeing none, she put her phone back in her purse long before Clay returned to the table.

He crossed the room and rejoined her.

"So, any messages?"

"Hmmm?"

She tried to look innocent.

"C'mon. I know you looked while I was gone."

Emma laughed and owned up.

"Fine. I checked, and nothing from Dad."

"Hey, it's okay. I checked too," he admitted, nudging his shoulder against hers.

This time it was she that leaned over and initiated a kiss. After the last small peck, they realized that their server was once again standing to the side of the table, ready to give them the dessert menu.

"Sorry," Clay offered.

She smiled kindly as she handed them the heavy cardstock.

"It's no problem. It's always nice to see newlyweds like you two."

Emma started to correct her assumption, but Clay grasped her hand in his and offered a simple "Thank you," as a response.

Emma looked embarrassed and he questioned her.

"What's wrong?"

"We really look like Newlyweds?"

He shrugged casually.

"Maybe so. What's the problem with that?"

"It's just, you know…the stereo type. That couple that can't keep their hands off each other, the husband just biding his time until he can get her home, and into bed."

He just looked back at her with a smug grin. Then, as she looked into his twinkling eyes, the light in them turned from amusement, to pure heat. She saw his nostrils flare and the tip of his tongue slide out to wet his lips. Whispering for her ears only, "I think I changed my mind. I'd rather have dessert at home."

Her body responded immediately to the tone of his voice and heat pooled low in her belly. She nodded in agreement, not trusting herself to speak. Clay motioned to their server and asked for the check. All the while they waited, he stroked his fingertips up and down the bare skin of her back, tracing her spine. His touch was feather-light, but burned into her skin, causing her to shiver with anticipation. Under the tablecloth she laid a hand on his upper thigh, fingers pressing into his muscle. He signed for the check and helped her into her coat. She picked up her flowers and he led her to the door, guiding her through the maze of tables with a hand on her lower back. Leaving her inside, out of the chill with kiss pressed to her head, he went to get the truck. Then he pulled up to the door and hopped out to help her in.

All the way home the air between them sparked with tension. It wasn't that they hadn't made love in a while. They had an active sex life when their schedules and energy levels allowed. But it usually happened at bedtime, in their room, and they had to be relatively quiet because of the kids. Tonight, they could be wild and uninhibited. Neither one of them could wait to get home.

Clay pulled into the garage and they walked sedately through the door into the laundry room. Emma went ahead of him, laying her bouquet on the shelf by the door. She started into the kitchen, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her back. His back was against the door she was flush to his front. His hands tangled in her hair as he claimed her mouth. Emma dropped her purse and grasped his lapels and pulled herself even tighter against him. He pushed the coat off her shoulders, and it fell to the ground. His coat and jacket were next as they made their way into through the laundry room and into the kitchen. Clay bent to grasp her legs and lifted her. Emma wrapped her legs around his waist and looped her arms behind his neck as they moved toward the kitchen table. He sat her on the tabletop, barely removing his lips from hers.

With her hands free, Emma went to work on the buttons of his shirt while he undid the closures behind her neck that were holding her dress up. Kissing down his neck to his chest, she ran her hands over his chest and abs, reveling in the crests and dips that marked the definition of each muscle. Her intimate knowledge of him and his body meant she knew exactly how to drive him crazy. Placing sucking kisses to his chest, she flicked her tongue across his nipple and bit gently. Clay drew her closer to the edge of the table and pressed her against the bulge stretching his pants and groaned aloud.

"Em…Jesus!"

He could feel the corners of her mouth curl into a smirk at his reaction. He backed up a little, just out of her reach. She whined in response but was pacified when he finished removing his shirt and tossed it on the floor. Next, he started to carefully help her out of the sleeves of her dress and folded it down from her body to hang at her waist. Reaching over to flip on the light he offered an explanation.

"You're so beautiful. I wanna see you, baby."

He looked at her. Hair tousled, ivory skin painted with a rosy blush and, and dusky pink nipples decorating her perfect breasts. He cupped her in his palm while his lips parted hers and he toyed with her tongue. He kneaded her pliant flesh with strong fingers. Pulling a moan from her as his thumb teased her pebbled tip. Intent on hearing her make that sound again, he plied his lips down her neck as she leaned back, and he bathed her other nipple with his tongue until it glistened in the light. Her hips were rocking now, rubbing her against his erection.

"Clay…Clay…"

She repeated his name over and over until he finally took her in mouth, feasting on her. As he savored the taste of her, he fleetingly thought that no dessert the restaurant offered could be sweeter than her skin. She wove her fingers through his hair and tried to pull him closer even as she arched her back toward him. He moved to pay the same homage to her other breast, feeling her fingers press into his scalp. Emma's thighs were like a vice around his hips and the room filled with the sounds of her pleasure. Nothing turned Clay on more than seeing and hearing his wife like this, knowing he was responsible for each moan and each quiver of her body.

Wanting to continue to love her, Clay reached behind her back and lifted her to him as he stood. He growled in the back of his throat as he felt her, slick from his saliva, pressed against his front. Emma licked into his mouth as he carried her over to the couch. She kicked off her shoes on the way and was barefoot when her put her down. His fingers found the zipper at her hip and then he gently pushed her dress over her behind and let it pool on the floor at her feet. She stepped out of the ring of scarlet silk and stood in tiny black panties, letting him look his fill.

This shade of his eyes, as he gazed at her, was her favorite color because it was only for her. Their regular steel blue turned dark and hazy like the sky before a storm. He reached for her again, crushing his lips to hers. Emma busied herself with unbuckling his belt and pulling swiftly though the loops at his waist. Then her nimble fingers had his pants open and pushed down to his knees along with his underwear. He kicked off his shoes and toed off his socks as she bent to fully remove his slacks.

Now it was her turn to appreciate his perfectly sculpted body. From her vantage point on her knees, she looked him up and down, stroking her way to his arousal. Grasping his length in her hand, she used her kiss-swollen lips and silken tongue to tease his heavy sack and lick at the shaft while her thumb rubbed over the head. The combination had him dizzy with want. No matter how amazing it felt to have her mouth on him, he needed to bury himself inside her.

"Em…unh, babe," he breathed, while reaching to help her stand.

He hooked his thumbs in her panties and tugged them down until she could kick them off. Lifting her, he laid down on the couch with her straddling him. Clay reached between them and dragged his fingers through her folds, making sure she was ready for him. Using her arousal coating his fingers, he stroked his full length once before he took himself in hand and held steady as she rocked back to take him in. Emma bit her lip and clutched at the cushions. There was nothing that ever compared to the feeling of him seated completely inside her, filling her in the way only he could. She began to ride him as his hips thrust in sync with her rhythm. Their sounds of their loving drowned out the low buzzing coming from Clay's coat pocket, and even the subsequent chimes emanating from her purse.

Knowing they were alone and didn't have to worry about possible interruptions had them adopting a languid pace. Each wanted to enjoy the journey and not rush to the finish. Clay watched her astride him, rolling her hips slowly, breasts bouncing gently, taking her pleasure. He reached up and brought her to his mouth, once again teasing her nipples with flicks of his tongue.

"Ahh, ahh," she panted above him.

Clay could feel her grinding into him, her movements picking up speed as she neared her release. Wanting to see and feel her unravel around him, he moved his hands to her ass, pulling her harder against him, adding to the friction she sought. Her rhythm began to falter as she felt herself climbing and climbing, so close to falling over the precipice into pure bliss. With a final twist of her hips, he could feel her walls clenching around him as she cried out and then sunk her teeth into his shoulder. He continued to thrust gently while she rode the crest of her orgasm. Then, as her breathing slowed, he flipped them over and wrapped her legs around his waist. Emma clutched onto him as he drove into her. With her previous release still buzzing just under the surface, it didn't take much for her to be right back there with him, on the edge. She could feel him lengthen and his breath hitched. As he let go inside her with an almost feral grunt, he balanced on one arm and drew his hand to their joining to massage her bundle of nerves. That coupled with the sensation of his warmth filling her, had her curling her toes and throwing her head back as her second release overtook her. Clay watched her fall, eyes wide and gasping his name. It didn't matter how many times that he brought her to this place, her unguarded beauty overwhelmed him.

"Emmie, Baby…love you," he breathed, nuzzling next to her ear.

"Mmmmm…I love you too."

She peppered his face and neck with kisses as he withdrew and shifted to lay next to her. Tracing her fingers in random patterns across his chest she cuddled into him.

"Was this all part of your plan?"

"Ummhmm."

"Well, I guess I should let you make the plans more often."

He chuckled and tightened his arms around her. Neither was inclined to move, not even to get up and move to their much more comfortable bed. Clay pulled the blanket down over them and kissed her head. The kids wouldn't be home until after lunch tomorrow. They had plenty of time. Settling into the peace and quiet, he had one more sentiment to share.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Em."

She smiled sleepily up at him.

"Happy Valentine's."

Things were not so serene and quiet at Jason's house. Dinner went well, the kids both ate up the macaroni-n-cheese and apple sauce. Afterwards, he let them turn on the Disney channel and watch any movie they chose. He even pretended to forget about the snacks their Father sent and dished them up big bowls of ice cream. Afterall, Grandpas were supposed to spoil their grandkids.

Then came bedtime. Pajamas were put on and teeth brushed. Jason even remembered to get out the nightlight he kept in the drawer of the dresser in the guest room for his favorite visitors. He supervised prayers and tucked them each in with a kiss. As he exited the room, he remembered to leave the door slightly ajar so he could hear if they needed him.

He went to his room and collapsed on the bed. He loved babysitting the kids, but it was draining. It definitely reminded him of why you had babies when you were young. He pulled his tired bones up from the mattress and started to walk downstairs to clean up and watch some hockey. He crept past the kids and got down three steps before a cry split the stillness. Turning wearily, he hurried back to see what was wrong.

It was AJ. He was inconsolable. Jason couldn't even understand the three-year old's words between his sobs. Thankfully, Quinn knew the issue immediately. AJ was missing his favorite stuffed dinosaur, a plush, blue Triceratops Clay had christened, 'Topper.' He wouldn't sleep without it.

Jason spoke calmly, trying to sooth him.

"Hey Buddy, I'm sure Daddy packed it. Let's just take another look in your bag."

He went over to the duffle bag and took everything out, one by one, looking for the errant toy. Socks, shoes, extra PJs. Clay had remembered everything, well almost everything. When his Grandfather came up empty-handed, AJ's tears started again.

Jason picked him up and tried to quite the crying. He offered AJ all the toys he kept there at his place for them. But nothing worked. He didn't want to interrupt Clay and Emma's evening, but he saw no help for it. He tucked Quinn back in and carried AJ downstairs with him. He picked up his phone and texted Clay. Pacing back and forth across the floor with his unhappy grandson, he waited for a response.

After fifteen minutes there was still no reply. He tried again, this time sending the message to Emma. He waited and waited, with no answer. He glanced at the clock, only 9:30. Surely, they weren't asleep yet. But he recalled several instances when he and Alana had the night off and collapsed of pure exhaustion before they could even undress, regardless of any more intimate intentions.

AJ quieted and his eyelids were drooping. Jason decided to try and put him back in bed, hoping sleep would win out. He honestly didn't know what else to do. Climbing back upstairs he opened the door quietly in case Quinn was asleep. Laying him down under the blankets, he sighed in relief when he saw AJ's eyes were closed.

It was an early morning at the condo. Jason and AJ both got little sleep, the toddler woke up several more times. Finally, Jason took him into his own bed to keep him from waking Quinn. So, at eight-thirty, after a quick breakfast, he packed them up and loaded them into the car for the trip home. He knew it was earlier than he and Clay agreed, but he figured that once they heard the reason for the change in plans, they would forgive him.

They got to the house and all was quiet. Betting that his daughter and son-in-law were trying to sleep in, he decided to take the kids inside and watch them until their parents came down. At least AJ could have his dino and maybe he could coax the two of them down for a nap, buying Clay and Emma a little more rest.

He moved quietly, unlocking the door, and stepping inside. He held AJ in his arms and clasped Quinn's hand so she wouldn't run inside ahead of him. He was just about to remind her to be quiet when his eyes went wide at the scene before him. Just the quick glimpse he saw, had him spinning the kids around and wishing he were anywhere but here.

Clay and Emma were snuggled on the couch with a fuzzy blanket tossed haphazardly across them, thankfully covering the most delicate parts. Still, he could see their entwined legs sticking out from the cover and the whole of Emma's exposed back as she laid in Clay's arms, held tightly to his bare chest.

Quinn began to fuss about being allowed to see Mommy and Daddy, so Jason cleared his throat loudly. He hoped to wake the two, and quickly.

Clay stirred first and blinked his eyes against the sunlight, trying to discover what had woken him. Then, over Emma's shoulder he spied his father-in-law trying desperately to keep the children from turning around. He jerked fully awake and shook Emma's shoulder.

"Em, Em," he whispered. "Wake up. We have to get up."

"Huh?"

She nuzzled into his neck.

"Babe, your Dad and the kids are here."

"What?"

They tried to sit up and make themselves presentable while staying covered. Finally, Emma addressed her father.

"Dad, what are you doing here?"

Jason spoke with his back still turned and a hand over Quinn's eyes.

"I uh…AJ forgot Topper… didn't sleep…."

Clay cut in with a suggestion.

"Jace, why don't you take the kids upstairs while we get situated."

Jason followed his advice and was able to hurry the children past their parents and up the stairs without any of them seeing more than they should.

Once they were out of sight, Clay doubled over laughing while Emma was mortified. It didn't matter to her that they were married and had two children, her dad didn't need to see her naked with her husband. He pulled on his underwear and pants while she wrapped up in the blanket and hurried into the laundry room, praying she could find something in the basket.

She worked up the nerve to go back out while she changed into a pair of leggings and one of Clay's sweatshirts, Jason was back in the living room talking with Clay, trying not to notice the obvious bite mark on his shoulder.

"Uh, hey Em. The kids are laying down in their rooms. I'm…I'm sorry."

He raked his hand through his hair nervously as his eyes took in the clothing strewn around the room. As his gaze landed on her lacy panties hanging off the edge of the end table, he turned beet red, mumbled a quick goodbye, and fled like the Taliban was at his back.

Clay walked him out and shut the door behind him. When he turned around Emma noticed he still wore a satisfied smirk on his face.

"Oh my God. How can you laugh at this? My Dad just…just saw…"

He walked toward her and pulled her into his arms. He could tell she wasn't really angry with him. He bent to press a kiss to her lips and then answered her.

"To be clear, that was definitely not part of my plan."

She swatted at him playfully and then laughed along.