Author note:

Hope you all enjoy. Let me know if you would like more future stories of Clay and Emma

CH 1-Sassy and Stubborn

Once, years ago, Clay expressed his desire for a little girl that was stubborn and sassy. Well, he'd gotten his wish… in spades. Right now, little Quinn Spenser was standing on top of the kitchen table refusing to give Emma back her phone.

She knew it was really her own fault. Last night she had used the fact that Daddy would be calling them to get the 2 ½ year old to settle down and take a bath. When Clay didn't end up Face-Timing them at the scheduled time, Quinn was beside herself. Emma knew better than most that plans were often broken when Clay was on an Op or deployed. But, the toddler was testing her patience and she used whatever she could at the time to get her to comply.

Now Quinn was making her pay. She had found the little girl with her phone trying to figure out how to 'talk to Daddy.' She didn't even want to know how she had maneuvered her way up onto the table.

"Quinn Alana Spenser. You need to get down off that table and hand me my phone."

"No!" She shook her head wildly and her blonde curls flew back and forth. "Daddy call, you say."

"I know I said that, and Daddy wanted to, but you know he has to fight the bad guys whenever they show up."

Huge tears rolled down the chubby, little cheeks. "But…I miss Daddy," she wailed.

Seeing her daughter's blatant sorrow and missing Clay desperately herself, Emma too started to tear-up. She knew she couldn't break-down. She needed to be strong for their little girl and for Clay. She reached across the table for Quinn and pulled her into a hug. The task wasn't easy for Emma, as the tot squirmed. And it was only made more difficult by the large bulk of her stomach that cradled their unborn son.

Finally, Quinn submitted to her mother's embrace and cried on Emma's shoulder.

"I know baby. I miss Daddy too."

This deployment had been harder than previous ones since Quinn was old enough to be aware that Clay was gone, and she asked almost daily when he would be home.

Emma reclaimed her phone and kissed her daughter's head. "Honey, I know it's hard. Daddy misses us too. But, he's a hero and he has to do his job and fight the bad-guys."

She wiped Quinn's tears and snuggled her as they sat down on the sofa. "How about I text him and ask if he can call tonight?" The little girl nodded with excitement. "Now, he might not be able to…" She didn't want her to get her hopes up again. Emma sent a text to her husband, praying for all their sakes that he would be able to connect with them later.

The storm had passed for now and Emma was able to get Quinn down for a nap. She wanted to lay down too and rest. Having an active toddler, being almost 8 months pregnant, and still teaching part-time would drain her energy at any time. Add to that Clay's 4-month deployment, and she was at her breaking point. Instead of sitting down to rest, she hauled herself up and started on the laundry. Between loads, Emma was at least able to sit on the couch to fold up the clean clothes and put her feet up. Her feet and ankles were getting horribly swollen from standing so much.

As she placed the folded piles back into the basket to take upstairs, her phone pinged with a text. She prayed it was from Clay.

-Hey babe. Sorry about last night. I should be able to call tonight about 1900 your time. Love to you, Quinnie and Baby-

-Love you back! Stay safe and talk to you tonight-

She was so relieved to hear from him. At least for the moment, he was safe. Tears slipped down her cheeks before she even noticed them forming. God, she missed him! It had been so long since he'd held her, since she'd felt his touch.

"Damn pregnancy hormones," she muttered to herself. The baby kicked and registered his feelings as well. She laid her hand on her belly. "Sorry sweetheart. I just miss your Daddy."

Quinn awoke from her nap and happily played with her stuffed animals in the living room while Emma worked on dinner. Once the food was on the table Emma helped her daughter into her high chair. Lifting the growing girl was getting more difficult.

"You're getting so big honey. You're Mama's big girl," Emma declared and kissed her on top of her curly head.

Quinn nodded and smiled broadly. "I big girl."

"Yes, you are. You're growing so fast."

Emma placed the girl's favorite chicken and macaroni meal in front her and Quinn dove in. Thankfully, she even ate the peas Emma mixed in with the noodles. She was getting uncharacteristically picky lately and Emma had been having a tough time getting her to eat any vegetables.

Emma lowered herself into her chair and picked at her chicken and salad. She was almost too tired to chew. But, she did manage the portion she had served herself. She knew that she and the baby needed sustenance even if she didn't feel like eating.

"Mama, I thirsty."

"Oh, Mama forgot your drink. Sorry baby."

Emma got up and fixed a sippy cup of milk for Quinn. "Here you go honey."

She was just about to sit down when her phone rang.

"Daddy," Quinn called out.

It was too early for Clay to contact them, and it was a phone call, not a FaceTime call.

"Nope, not this time sweetie."

Emma checked her phone. "It's Grandpa."

Quinn was upset that she couldn't talk to her father, but happy to hear that Grandpa was calling.

"Hi Dad," Emma greeted.

"Are you okay Em? You sound tired."

"I am. You know, it's my third trimester and everything is getting harder to do as the baby gets bigger."

"You're both okay though, right. Nothing's wrong?"

"Nope. We're both healthy. Just getting huge."

"Have you heard from Clay? He still getting home next week?"

"He's supposed to call tonight. But, we'll see…he missed last night."

"How's Quinn?"

"Fine. A bundle of energy. And missing Clay."

"Could you use some help tomorrow? I can come get her and take her out for a while, so you can rest."

"That would be great Dad. Thank you."

"No problem Em. You know I love being with her."

"I know. She loves it too."

"I'll come by before noon and take her out to lunch and keep her until dinner. Will that work?"

"Sounds perfect. I love you Daddy."

"Love you too. Let me know when you hear from Clay."

"Will do. Bye Dad."

Emma turned to speak to her daughter. "You're going to see Grandpa tomorrow honey. He's going to come and get you for a while. Would you like that?"

Quinn clapped her little hands together as she sang out, "Yea Grampa, Grampa!"

Looking at the girl's plate she could see that it was almost empty. "Do you want more honey?"

"No. Cookies."

"Quinn, how do you ask?"

"Cookies, pweeeeaaase?" She gave Emma a big grin that was a carbon copy of her father.

Emma chuckled and relented. "Okay, one cookie, after we get you cleaned up." She grabbed a damp cloth to wipe off the girl's face and clean her little hands. She lifted the toddler down and handed her a cookie. Then she did something she hated to do, but she was so tired. Emma turned on the TV and started streaming episodes of Sesame Street and set her daughter on the couch with her cookie. This way she could rest a bit while Quinn was occupied. She felt terribly guilty, but she needed to relax.

Seven o'clock had come and gone, and no call from Clay. She knew he wasn't in control of his schedule, but it didn't stop the disappointment. Just as she was about to give up and take Quinn up to bed, her phone sounded a caller trying to FaceTime. Emma jumped and grabbed her phone.

The picture was fuzzy, but it was Clay. She saw his big smile and his blue eyes.

"Honey! I'm so happy you could call."

Before Clay could even respond, Quinn scrambled into what was left of Emma's lap and grabbed for the phone.

"Daddy, Daddy, I talk."

"Someone wants to talk to you."

She heard him laughing as he saw her little face on his screen. "Hi Quinnie. How are you baby?"

"Daddy!" She reached out with her chubby hand and touched the phone. "I miss you Daddy."

"I miss you too honey. Have you and Mommy been having fun?"

Quinn nodded her head. "I see Grampa."

"Oh, you spent time with Grandpa? That's fun."

"I love you Daddy."

"I love you too Quinnie. You be a good girl for Mommy, okay? I'll be home soon."

Emma took back the phone and sat the little girl beside her, so she could talk to her husband.

"How's everything going there," she asked.

He sighed, and he could see the worry in her eyes. "Everything's okay Em. I'm just tired, ready to come home."

"Do you think you'll be able to head back on schedule?"

"We should, unless something goes sideways here. How are you honey? How's the baby?"

"We're both fine. I'm just tired, and slow, and…huge."

Clay's eyes swept over her image on his screen. "You're gorgeous."

Now she did start to cry. She sniffed and wiped at her tears. "You must have a bad connection," She joked. "I'm so swollen. My toes look like little sausages."

"You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen baby."

He felt awful that he'd been gone for so much of this pregnancy and that she'd had to manage alone.

"I'll massage your feet for you when I get home. I'll even paint your toe nails."

"Just promise me you'll come home soon. You need to be here when your son is born."

"I will be. You take care of yourself and try to rest."

She shifted her gaze to their daughter and laughed and he laughed along with her. "Okay, fair point. But, try, for me? The house doesn't have to be spotless and you can buy a microwave meal once and a while."

"I know. I'll try."

"And ask for help. Your dad and Maria Lopez, and even Naima would be happy to help."

"I will. Clay…I love you."

"I love you Emmie."

"Be safe."

She held the phone back in front of Quinn and whispered to the girl, "Blow Daddy a kiss." The toddler did as she was instructed, and Emma could see Clay mimic the action back to his little girl.

"We love you Clay."

He took one final look at his girls before he had to disconnect. "I love you too, all three of you."