Author note:

This came to me while on vacation but work kept me from finishing it for a few days. I hope some of you are still reading and enjoying my vison of Emma and Clay's future. Please leave me a note/review letting me know your favorite part. Thanks so much!

CH 21-Unsung Hero

Emma awoke to the sound of waves crashing on the beach. She reached behind herself for Clay, but he wasn't there. Sitting up, she grabbed the first thing she could find, Clay's shirt from the day before, and slipped it on. She called out softly, but there was no response. She heard a small, metallic clinking coming from their balcony, and switched directions to head that way. When she swept back the curtain, there was Clay, setting out coffee, juice, fruit, and pastries on their small patio table.

"Here you are."

Clay turned and smiled as his eyes took in her appearance. Her hair was still ruffled from sleep and his shirt hung off her shoulder, revealing the small, reddish mark he'd left near her collar bone last night.

"Good morning. Are you hungry," he asked as he sat down the carafe of coffee and moved to take her in his arms?

Emma leaned into his embrace and smiled. This long weekend getaway had been Clay's idea. She wasn't sure they had the money or the time for such an indulgence. And she knew that he hated to spend time away from the kids when he was free. He got so little time with them and held on tightly to each precious second, that she was surprised when he suggested that they go away, just the two of them. But he convinced her that they needed time, time to be together, to be a couple. And that she deserved a break from all her many responsibilities.

So, they packed the kids off to Vic and Maria's with promises of souvenirs and drove the six plus hours South to their room at the beach resort Clay reserved. They got there in time for a quiet dinner delivered to their room. After, they ate, Clay carried her into the jacuzzi tub in their bathroom. The hot water and jets did their job and worked all the tension from them. When he could see she was totally relaxed, he pulled her into his arms and began to kiss and suck at her lips and flushed, damp skin. She couldn't help but respond and the two made love slowly until they eventually spent themselves in each other's arms, her cries and his groans echoing off the tiled walls.

"Eating here again, I see."

He handed her a glass of orange juice.

"Anything wrong with that?"

"I just assumed we would leave the room at some point."

"Maybe we will. If I can find a good reason."

He smirked as he slipped an arm around her again and slid his hand up under the hem of the shirt she had on and rested it on her bare behind.

"Clay," she gasped, looking around nervously.

Their room faced the ocean and was surrounded on all sides by stucco walls and lush plants. The balcony railing hid them well from anyone walking along the beach below. He squeezed her bottom, gave her a peck on the cheek, and then pulled out a chair for her to sit down. Joining her, they enjoyed their breakfast while watching the sun's rays sparkle on the waves.

"What do you want to do today, Em?"

It was so odd for both of them to have no plans, no chores, or responsibilities.

"I'd love to spend some time on the beach."

"Okay," he swallowed a bite of danish. "The resort has some set up where you can rent a lounger and an umbrella for the day. Would you want to do that?"

"That sounds perfect."

She leaned forward to offer her lips and he responded in kind.

After their light breakfast, the two got out their suits and changed. Emma packed a couple options, a modest striped one-piece and a more revealing, navy blue bikini. He could see her struggling to decide.

"I vote for the bikini," he offered with a wink.

After changing, she placed a wide straw hat on her head, slipped on her cover-up, and grabbed their tote before following him to the beach.

Clay spoke to the resort Lifeguard and signed for their spot and umbrella. Emma started to settle in. Clay helped her apply sunscreen on her fair skin and then she massaged the lotion onto his back and shoulders. When he pulled off his t-shirt, she could hear some murmurs and see the interest from the ladies occupying the chairs to their right. She was used to it by now. She knew Clay was something to look at, especially shirtless. But she also knew that he paid the interest no mind and had eyes only for her. Once she had her chair and towel in a comfortable position, she reached into their bag and pulled out some magazines and a book she'd been wanting to read. Clay too dove into a novel he brought and the two were content to get lost in the words on the printed pages.

After a couple hours, Emma set aside her book and laid her side of the lounger back. She could easily lay here all day listening to the music of the ocean hitting the shore. But, in spite of his interest in the book he was reading, or his desire to be with her, she could see Clay's leg bounce with impatience. He was a man of action, not used to just sitting. She took pity on him and rolled over, propping her head up on her hand.

"Honey, I don't need you to sit here with me. Why don't you look into the activities they have and see if something catches your eye?"

"But Em, this is our weekend. I want to spend time with you."

"We are spending time together. But isn't this weekend also to have fun and relax?"

"Well…yea."

"So, this is how I relax. I know just sitting around all day drives you crazy." She reached over and laid a hand over one of his. "Really, I'm fine."

"Okay. I think I saw something about kite-surfing lessons. Maybe I'll check that out," he paused. "If, you're sure."

"I'm sure."

He leaned over and gave her a lingering kiss before pulling out his phone and looking up the resort activities. A few minutes later he had a reservation secured.

"Looks like I'm in luck."

"How's that?"

"The instructor had a cancellation today, so he has a lesson open in twenty minutes."

"Sounds like it was meant to be," she smiled as she responded.

"Seems like it."

He went back to his phone, watching some videos about kitesurfing. Emma grinned at his boyish enthusiasm. Right before he had to leave for his lesson, he went about making sure she was comfortable. She flipped over on her stomach and he re-applied her sunscreen, adjusted their umbrella, and made sure her bottle of water was within her reach.

"Do you need anything else, honey?"

"I'm good. Go on. Have fun."

"I will. Thanks, Babe."

She raised up on her elbows to give him a kiss and then laid back down. Since she wasn't reading, she heard some conversation from the lounger next to them. She didn't mean to listen, but they weren't even trying to be quiet.

"It seems like your sister and brother-in-law got on the road yesterday."

"Yep. And there's already a new couple in the room."

"How do you know that?"

"I heard them last night."

"You heard them?"

"Yea, I guess our bathroom is on the other side of theirs. If the noises and cries I heard were any indication…they were having themselves quiet the time last night."

"Really?"

"Oh yea. Let me tell you…based on the woman's moans, this Clay fellow knows what he's doing too."

"Damn! You could make out his name?"

"Oh yea. That part was crystal clear."

"It's been a long time since anyone's made me crazy enough to be that loud."

"Right?!"

The ladies laughed together as Emma hid her face. She knew that they didn't know she was the one calling out in bliss last night. But she was still embarrassed that they were heard. She would need to remind herself and Clay to keep it down.

That was the last of their conversation she picked up until Clay's lesson brought him to the water right in front of them.

"Wow! Take a look at that," her neighbor gasped.

Emma flipped over and saw Clay on the board, maneuvering through the surf. He cut back and forth through the waves as if he had been doing it forever. His proficiency didn't surprise her. Clay was a very physical and athletic person. She knew it wouldn't take him long to catch on. Emma pulled out her phone and took some pictures as well as a couple videos of her husband gliding across the water pulled by the wind. He moved further down the shore and Emma laid back down to rest.

She must have dozed off, because the next thing she knew, she could feel a cold spray of water across her back. She flipped over and saw Clay there, chuckling and shaking out his wet curls. Forgetting the earlier discussion next to her, she squealed out in surprise.

"Clay! Ah… that's cold!"

As she sat up and scolded him, she could see the reaction to her revelation on the faces to her right. Their mouths hung open and their eyes almost bugged out of their sockets. The cat was out of the bag now.

Clay continued to tease her, lifting her up and rubbing his wet beard against her cheeks and neck.

"What's wrong, Em?"

She squirmed and tried her best not to meet the gazes coming from the adjacent lounger. Finally, he put her down and helped her locate a couple towels to dry off. When she saw the twinkle in his eyes and smirk on his lips, she couldn't be annoyed with him.

"Did you have a good time?"

"Oh, yea. The speed you can get is incredible."

She could see the delight on his face. As much as he enjoyed spending time with her, she knew he would love the adrenaline rush.

"I can tell that you liked it."

"I can only think of one activity I would like more," he bit his lip and waggled his eyebrows up and down.

As quiet as he was, she could tell that the comment carried over to the occupants of the chairs next to her based on their expressions. She was about to admonish Clay when she recognized the look of jealousy on their faces. She had to admit she was somewhat smug as she responded.

Lifting an arm to wrap around his neck, she pulled his face to hers, whispering suggestively in his ear. Before he sat up, Clay gave her a passionate kiss in answer to her proposal. Then the two scrambled to gather up their things and rushed back to their room.

A few hours later, Emma and Clay were headed out to their dinner reservation. Several heads turned as they walked laughing through the lobby hand in hand. He was in khakis and a light blue linen sweater and she wore a yellow and white, polka-dot sundress with strappy sandals. They looked like they belonged in an ad campaign for the resort. They made their way to the restaurant and were seated on the patio, overlooking the ocean.

The meal was perfection and they lingered as long as they dared over their desserts and coffee. Clay suggested they take a walk along the beach to digest their meal, and to enjoy the sunset. When they hit the sand, Emma took off her sandals and Clay looped the straps over a finger to carry them.

"Reminds me of our first date."

She linked their fingers together as they strolled along.

"Me too."

"God, I was already so in love with you."

"What? B-But…but… that was only our first official date."

"I know. But I started to fall in love with you the minute you smiled at me in Ray's backyard…when I offered to tutor you."

"You didn't tell me you loved me until after you got back from your Op. that weekend when we…"

He finished her thought.

"The weekend that we made love for the first time."

"Yes. You didn't say anything before that."

"I knew it was too soon. I didn't want to scare you off."

Her expression was incredulous.

"You've never told me that. Why?"

"I don't know. I guess it's just never come up."

Emma shivered slightly in the cool ocean breeze. Clay paused their progress and pulled her into his arms. She closed her eyes and basked in the firm but tender strength of him around her. He pressed a kiss to the crown of her head and spoke softly.

"And I've loved you more every day since, Em."

Clay brushed back errant strands of her hair that were dancing in the wind and cupped her cheek, tipping her lips up to meet his. They were getting lost in each other when a commotion behind Emma jerked them back to the present.

A young woman, looking exhausted and desperate called out to them.

"Help, help me please."

Clay immediately straightened up and stepped in front of Emma. She continued with her pleas.

"Please, my kids, my boys. They need help."

Hearing there were children involved concerned them both.

"Ma'am, slow down. What's wrong?"

She was panting and crying after her run down the beach.

"My boys…they drifted…their little boat came loose. Please! I can't get to them."

Clay and Emma looked at each other and she nodded to him.

"I'll come help, but you need to calm down and show me, okay?"

Clay took off after her and Emma followed. By the time she caught up to them, Clay was pulling his sweater off over his head and stepping out of his shoes.

"Em…I have to try and go get them."

"What? Where?"

She followed his outstretched arm and could barely see a small dot bobbing around on the waves.

"She was on the beach and had her son's raft tied to her chair. The line broke and they drifted out on the tide and got too far for her to reach."

"But…"

"They're only three and five. I have to try."

"I…I know you do."

He handed her his wallet and phone before pulling her in for a fierce hug and kiss.

"I love you, Baby."

"I love you too."

The sun was already sinking below the horizon and the small speck of a raft was barely visible, already hundreds of yards out. Emma watched as Clay ran into the surf and dove through the water. She could see him surface and then his strong strokes moving him gradually out to sea. She knew that he was trained for situations like this. But still she was petrified. The water was turning an inky black and swallowing him up. She fought down her panic. Clay didn't need that right now. She needed to help him in any way she could. She took some deep cleansing breaths and tried to do what he would do, she tried to work the problem.

Speaking to the distraught mother, she probed for information.

"Do you have a phone?"

No answer.

"Ma'am do you have a phone," she repeated.

"Uhh, yes, yes I do."

"Have you called anyone?"

"N-n-no. I didn't think…"

The woman just stood there unmoving. Emma tried to be sympathetic to her situation. But her carelessness put her sons, and now Clay, in danger. What was she doing out here with her kids alone on the beach at this hour? Emma wanted to shake her.

She spoke again, with authority.

"Listen, my husband is…he's an extraordinarily strong swimmer. He WILL get your sons back safely. But we need to stay calm do all we can to help."

Her tone seemed to register, and the woman nodded weakly. Emma called up to the hotel and let them know what was going on. They said they would call the local Water Rescue and the Paramedics.

Clay swam steadily through the frigid water. Thankfully, there was just enough moonlight that he could make out the silhouette of the small raft floating out in the distance. As he managed his breathing, he lifted his head to make sure he was still on course. He could see that the current was pulling him a little to the right. He made the correction and continued out toward the boys. Finally, he reached the boat. Thankfully, both boys were still inside. They were terrified and exhausted but seemed unharmed. He took just a moment to reassure them and to catch his breath. He was able to tie the short rope that remained attached around his arm in order to bring them back to shore.

The swim back was more difficult. The current was fighting him, he was towing the boys, and his body was getting tired. The cold from the water weighed down his limbs and made each movement slower and more difficult. He could feel the rope that tethered the boys to him biting into his skin with every stroke. He pushed the pain aside and focused on the shore. He could see flashing lights from some emergency vehicle. That was where he concentrated his attention. That was his goal, return the boys back safely, and get back to Emma.

The minutes ticked by and there was no sound except that of the waves. Emma started to shake without even realizing it. The paramedics arrived. The flashing lights would give Clay a clearer target for his return, but they made the dark of the ocean seem even more ominous. They gathered the panic-stricken mother into their truck and made her lay down. They tried to get Emma to sit down as well. But she stubbornly refused. She paced back and forth across the sand trying to catch a glimpse of Clay.

It seemed she lived a million lifetimes before she caught sight of some movement off the shore. At the same time, the Water Rescue boat arrived. But Clay was already too far in for them to follow. They shined their searchlight onto the surface. Emma could finally see him. His strong strokes hadn't wavered. In minutes he was standing up and pulling the tiny raft up onto the sand.

The Paramedics sprang into action and raced to the two boys. Wrapping them in warming blankets and rushing them back to their Mother in the ambulance. They offered Clay assistance, but he brushed them off. He searched around for Emma. As soon as they had the boys, the area cleared and he could see her standing there, eyes fixed on him.

She wanted to run to him, to hold him, but her feet wouldn't move. He slowly made his way over and took her in his arms. The feelings of relief, fear, pride, and love were so intense that she couldn't hold them back. She burst into tears.

"Shhhh…it's okay. Everything's ok. I'm fine, Em. I'm here. It's okay."

She nodded against his chest and took a deep breath. Damn! She didn't want to fall apart like that. Stepping back, she collected herself and looked him over, assuring herself that he was whole and safe. She could see him shivering and some red marks on his arm and back. Seeing that he needed her, she swallowed her tears and pushed her seething emotions aside.

"Come on."

She handed him a blanket the Paramedics gave her earlier and helped him wrap it around his body. He was thankful that no one seemed to notice him or their departure. He was more than happy to disappear quietly.

"Let's get you inside and warmed up."

Clay nodded and took the hand she offered, following her back to their room. Once inside, she guided him into the bathroom and motioned for him to sit on the side of the tub. She kneeled in front of him and started to unbutton his soaking pants.

"Lift your hips."

"Em, you don't need to…"

"Hush."

He did as he was told, and she peeled the khakis and his underwear off in one move.

"Stand up."

As he stood before her, she looked him over. There were welts on his legs and back from where he had encountered some Jellyfish and a nasty rope burn on his arm from towing the boys back to safety. Turning on the tap to start the flow of water into the tub, she helped him step in.

"I'll be right back."

Clay laid back against the smooth enamel, exhausted. The water was helping get some warmth back into his body, and it was soothing the Jellyfish stings. He wondered fleetingly where Emma was and what she was doing. She stepped back into the room and he had his answer. She changed out of her dress and brought him in one of the plush robes from the closet.

"Are you warming up?"

"Yea."

"Good," she reached over him and turned off the faucet.

She sat on the side of the tub and grabbed a cloth and some soap. Tenderly, she bathed him, being careful of his wounds. Next, she dunked a cup into the water.

"Close your eyes."

After she wet his hair, he could feel her massaging his scalp. He lifted a hand to take a hold of hers.

"Honey, I'm fine. I can do this myself."

She heard her sniffle and opened his eyes. He could see she was barely holding herself together.

"Let me do this for you Clay, please."

He nodded his assent and brought her hand to his lips where he pressed a kiss to her palm. After she shampooed his hair, he got up and rinsed off under the shower. He took the towel she offered and dried off. Then he slipped into the fluffy, hotel robe she held and tied it at the waist. Just then there was a knock on the door.

"Who's that?"

"I ordered you some hot tea. Give me a minute and you can come on out."

After she got things arranged, she let him know he could join her.

"Here," she patted the bed.

Clay slipped under the covers and pushed himself up against the headboard. Accepting the mug, she held, he sipped the hot liquid. Still, she didn't join him, but sat at the desk fussing over something he couldn't see.

"Em, babe, what are you doing?"

"Just…there got it."

"Got what?"

She held up one of his athletic socks that she cut and managed to fashion a mitt of sorts.

"What' that?"

"It's to cover your wrist."

He looked at her quizzically.

She went for their travel kit and then perched on the edge of the mattress next to him. Lifting his arm gently, she smoothed antibiotic salve onto the raw skin of his wrist. Then she slid the makeshift mitt over it, covering the balm and leaving his fingers and thumb free to move.

"Thanks, babe."

He offered his lips and she kissed him softly. He finished the tea and got up to go to the bathroom. While he was gone, Emma got undressed and slipped under the covers. He came back in and shrugged off the robe, reaching for some clean boxer briefs.

"Can you…"

"Can I what?"

"Could you not put those on." She hurried to explain. "I just want to lie next to you, to feel you…please."

Clay nodded in understanding, turned off the light, and climbed in next to her, feeling her smooth skin on his as she reached for him. She pulled him to lean against her and he laid his head on her breast as she combed her fingers through his curls. He was exhausted and his eyes drifted shut.

"I love you," she whispered.

"Love you, Em."

Soon Emma could tell from his breathing that he slept. Then the tears came again. Not wracking sobs, but a quiet steady stream that wouldn't be stemmed. She held him to her all night, feeling his breath and the solid, warm weight of him against her.

Emma knew that no one else would ever know what he did that night. And that's how he wanted it. Like with most everything else in his life, Clay didn't want accolades. He only wanted to do the right thing. But she had always known that he was a hero, a hero she was blessed to call hers.