Hi Everyone, thanks for taking interest in this story, following, favoriting, reviewing, and reading.

I appreciate the support.

** I am doing this in between applying for forensic science jobs, so if anyone has any openings, please message me!**

Also: I don't know anything about the military or medical jargon…. this is all fiction.

Please continue to read and review, let me know what you think!

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Chapter 14- Welcome Home

He couldn't help but cry as he relayed the story and all the information Mia gave him, Trent pipping in to explain the medical knowledge, as he told them all what happened, the realization that he could have lost Mia really hit him.

"What the hell was she thinking?" Jason blew up.

"Why would she go through this alone?"

"She is going to need a serious talking to when we get back." All the guys had different reactions, their heads whipping in Clay's direction when they heard,

"I love Mia."

The men of Bravo looked at him knowingly. That wasn't new information.

Clay just looked at them dumbfounded that it took almost losing her to figure that out.

"We know that Tinkerbell, we were just waiting for you to pull your head out ya' ass and figure it out yourself" Sonny teased.

"Nothing he can do about it from this shit hole" Jason commented.

"Well, he still has another couple months to figure out what he is going to do" Ray added.

Their time in Afghanistan was coming to an end. They were able to do their job and avenge their friend by killing the person who murdered their friend.

Alpha Team deployed with them their second month in country and helped them work through their mission list.

The assignments where planned that Bravo team was going to start off the deployment with Alpha team coming into clean up their mess and finish their assignments.

When Alpha Team got there to help them finish their assignments, Jason was able to debrief Jeremy and Derek.

"We got Saddik and his partner, but there are others in the network that have popped up since their boss was KIA" Jason explained over their case files.

"It's like whack-a-mole, you kill one and more pop out of the fucking word work" Derek replied.

Jason nodded in understanding, "yeah, we worked through most of the cases, and got Mandy as much info as we could, but as you know, our job is never done. There are always more bad guys to put away" he stated.

Jeremy shook his head, patting Jason on the back, "don't worry about that, you know we got your back" he added.

Derek nodded in agreement, "you know it Jase, you just worry about our little princess. She is growing so much, and Mia is going through a lot on her own" he replied.

Jason let out a deep breath, "yeah, I know. I honestly don't know how she does it, but she did and lucky for us, it finally made Clay pull his head out of his ass and realize his feelings for her" he explained.

Derek looked at the guys surprised, "seriously? So, he's going to throw Stella to the curb?" he asked.

Jason shrugged; they didn't really get that far into the conversation.

"I am not sure; we really didn't get that far into the conversation. He just said that he realized that he loved her. Who knows what he's going to do with Stella, but he's got a 14hr flight to figure it out" Jason stated as they walked out of the briefing tent and to the "common area" that was between all the tents.

The guys from Bravo were getting their things packed, getting ready for their deployment to end, while the guys from Alpha Team were just getting settled in.

"I get it, but maybe just make sure he gets rid of Stella, that would be optimal" Derek whispered as they joined the rest of the guys.

Jason laughed, "you are preaching to the choir" he mumbled as he made himself comfortable on a lounge chair.

Davis was gathering all their gear and getting it ready for the plane, while the guys got their belongings together and hung out with their friends from Alpha Team.

Derek handed everyone a beer as they all gathered around the bar area, "I would like to send off Bravo Team with heavy hearts knowing that we have to finish cleaning up their mess" he started causing the guys to laugh.

"Very funny…asshole" Jason clinked beers with him.

"I just wanted to send you off knowing that we got your back and we have you covered. All we need you to do is look after our loved ones at home" Derek added.

Ray held up his beer, and tilted it towards Derek, "you know we got you there, brother" he said, reassuring them all that they would look after their families.

It's just what they did for each other. That is what the Brotherhood is about. There was no man left behind.

They looked out for each other just like they expected the other Team to look out for them.

Over the next couple of days, Bravo team packed up their stuff and got ready to load the buses to take them to the air base at Bagram.

Jeremy and Derek stood with Jason at the front of base camp as the guys loaded their bags into the trucks to take them to the airfield.

"You think he's ready to head home and deal with the mess that Stella created for him?" Jeremy asked.

Jason shook his head, "nope. Mia went through some medical issues before we deployed that she didn't tell anyone about, especially Clay because of what happened with Stella. It really fucked him up" he explained.

Derek sighed and wiped a hand over his face, "Stella fucked up a lot of relationships for him. Mia was telling Nikki and Natalie about some things that were going on because she had Nikki and Natalie babysit and watch the kids while she was recovering" he stated.

"Well, he is going to have to figure it out when we get back because Stella isn't going to loosen the reigns" Jason added.

Jeremy nodded in agreement, "you're telling me" he stated.

Ray turned to Jason, Derek, and Jeremy and nodded to the bus indicating that it was time for them to go.

Jason nodded before he turned to the guys and gave them each a 'male' hug, patting their backs, "be safe and we'll see you stateside" he said his goodbyes.

Jeremy stood with Derek at the gate watching as the bus carrying all of Bravo Team drove away, praying they made it safely to the airfield.

Once the guys got to the airfield at Bagram, everyone was loading the C-140 Osprey that was going to take them back home.

Davis loaded all their gear, the guys all got onto the plane and made themselves comfortable for the long journey home.

Jason took a seat next to Clay on the plane and fell asleep after the pilots did their checks and they were in the air.

Clay on the other hand, was the complete opposite.

His mind was running a mile a minute thinking about his relationship between Mia and Stella.

He didn't know what to do.

Resting his head back against the seat, he just closed his eyes thinking about everything.

How was he going to explain to Stella that he loved Mia, and he was always going to love Mia outside of his daughter.

Back in Virginia Beach, Mia and the girls were getting ready for the boy's homecoming.

Mia had all the kids sitting in the living room on the floor with posters and markers, streamers, balloons and glitter.

Emma and her aunt were decorating the living room with 'Welcome Home' signs, balloons, streamers and pictures that the kids made.

"Alright guys let's make some welcome home posters for your dad" she announced to the kids, getting down on her knees to grab the posters and put one in front of each of the kids.

"Can I do purple sparkles Aunt Mia?" Jameelah asked.

Mia looked at Emma and Mikey with smiles on her face.

The excitement on the little kids' faces made her think of her niece and nephew when they were younger, and their dad was coming home.

"You can do whatever you like Gorgeous" she teased the younger girl.

Mia helped the kids make their posters, each with their own flare and personality.

RJ had a green poster with big brown and black letters saying 'I love you dad' for Ray, while JJ had a purple poster with pink glitter for her letters.

It was really cute.

Even Mikey helped Ally with her pink poster and welcome home poster for her dad.

It was really cute how excited she was for her dad to come home.

Once all the posters were done, Mia directed the kids to the kitchen so they could have some lunch.

By the time lunch was over, Naimah came to pick up Ray J and Jameelah.

"Thanks for keeping them Mia" she greeted the young doctor with a hug.

Mia waved her off, "it was my pleasure. We had a lot of fun. Mikey helped them make welcome home posters for tomorrow while Emma and I were able to clean the house" she informed her offering her some tea.

Naimah made herself comfortable on the island in the kitchen.

"Are you ready for them to come home?" she asked.

Mia sighed and shrugged, "that's a tough question. Of course, I want Clay home for Ally, my brother home for his kids, but the situation with Clay, Stella and I is beyond complicated" she tried to explain.

Naimah nodded, "yeah, I know that. I hoped that maybe doing what he was meant to be doing would clear his head and help him figure things out. I guess we will see when he gets back" she informed her.

Mia grabbed a cup of tea and sat across from Naimah at the island. "Yeah, you're telling me. I don't even know what I am going to do with my daughter" she exclaimed frustrated.

"Are you going to the plane tomorrow?" Naimah asked.

Mia nodded, "yeah, I have work in the morning, which is why I psycho cleaned my house today because I am not going to have time tomorrow. I am going to have to go to the plane straight from work" she informed Naimah.

The Veteran Seal wife chuckled and nodded in understanding. She knew what Mia had coming up and she knew it was going to be hard for her.

"I feel for you Mia, that has got to be tough" she stated.

Mia wiped her hand over her face and threw her hair, "yeah, it is going to suck, especially if Stella is going to the plane. I am going to have to do a lot of yoga before I punch her in the face for opening her fucking mouth" she argued.

Naimah burst out laughing, patting Mia's arm in sympathy. She was really glad she didn't have to worry about that.

"Well, you know if you need any help with anything, just let me know. I am going to take the kids to the plane so they can see Ray, so I can pick up Ally from daycare and take her if you need me too" she stated.

Mia nodded, "thanks, if anything, I think I am going to have Emma and Mikey grab her if my last appointment runs late" she said.

Naimah nodded as she took her tea to the sink, "well, let me know. I am off all day tomorrow" she replied as she said her goodbyes and gathered up her kids and their posters.

Mia hung up the posters around the living room before starting on dinner for the kids.

She wanted them to have an early night so they could be rested for their big day tomorrow.

The plane ride was the longest in Clays life. He was sweating bullets.

With the time differences they were passing through in the air made the time and the ride go by fast.

As they got closer to landing, Clay nudged Jason in the ribs to wake him up.

He needed to talk through his thoughts and feelings to work out what he was going to do when the plane touched down.

Jason woke immediately, looking around to assess his surroundings, stopping on Clay with a questioning look.

"What's going on? We landing yet?" he asked.

Clay shook his head as Jason looked around the plane and saw that the other guys were sleeping still in their seats.

"No, I need to talk to you" he said as he got up and started pacing.

Jason wiped a hand over his face and slouched in his seat to make himself comfortable. He had a feeling he knew what this conversation was going to be about.

"What's going on Clay? Did you get any sleep at all? You look wrung out" Jason observed.

Clay shook his head, holding his head, interlacing his fingers behind his head.

"No, I couldn't sleep. Too much on my mind. I need to talk to you about Mia" he sighed.

Jason gave him a pointed look, "What about Mia? Clay, I really think you need to sleep" he added.

"I can't Jase. I can't stop thinking about Mia and Stella" Clay replied.

"Okay Clay, talk through it. What's going on?" Jason said.

"What if Ally's changed while I've been overseas or Mia? What if she found a doctor or someone you know that doesn't leave the country all the damn time" he vented rubbing the back of his head nervously.

Jason chuckled, "Clay are you kidding me right now? You talk to Mia all the damn time when we are deployed or spun up. You have a better relationship than most married couples. There is no chance that Mia has a boyfriend, and you don't know about it" he reassured him.

"Well, what am I going to do with the whole Stella, Mia triangle that's ruining my life right now?" he asked his boss.

Jason shook his head, crossing his arms across his chest, "that one is not going to be as easy to answer. You need to figure out your priorities. I know you and Mia have this open, co-parenting relationship but Stella is not gelling with that or letting it happen. Clay, she is trying to get between your custody agreement and that is only going to cause trouble for you in the end" Jason stated.

Clay let out a deep breath, stressed even more after hearing that.

"You really think Mia would do that? Go the legal route?" he asked Jason, shocked.

"Stella is making her life hell and has been since she got with you" Jason replied.

Clay nodded, "yeah, I know. Jesus Christ, what the fuck am I going to do?" he exasperated.

"Clay, you have talked to Stella I don't know how many times about Mia and your relationship with the Teams, pretty much everything and she doesn't give a fuck. You need to decide what direction you want to go. With Stella being isolated from everything, or with Mia, your daughter and all of us" Jason explained.

"Yeah, I just don't know what to decide or how I am going to make that decision. It isn't going to be easy" he added.

Jason nodded in understanding, "you can say that again. Listen, you have five hours left in this flight. Sit back and use that time to think about what you are going to do" he suggested.

Clay nodded and took his seat, resting his head back, closing his eyes, letting out a deep breath.

He knew Jason was right. He really needed to think this through and decide what he was going to do.

Back in Virginia, Naimah called Emma and told her that she was going to pick up Ally from daycare when she picked up the kids and bring them with her to the plane because she wanted Clay to surprise Mia.

She deserved the surprise.

Davis got word to Naimah and Emma that the plane was coming early, and they were on an early flight path.

Emma picked Ally up from daycare and changed her outfit into some cargo shorts and a t-shirt that says 'my dad is a Navy Seal, what's your dad's superpower' before they took off towards the plane.

Emma stood with Mikey, Naimah and the kids waiting for the plane to arrive.

JJ and RJ got excited when they saw the plane in the air. Jumping and pointing at the plane.

"Get ready to see your daddy guys" Naimah said to her kids.

It wasn't long before the plane landed, Naimah holding the kids back until the guys started getting off the plane.

When Emma saw her dad and Uncle Clay, she could help but smile as JJ and RJ took off running towards the guys.

She put her cousin on the ground and held her hands as she led her towards the plane. "Look Ally, there's daddy" she said pointing to her Uncle Clay.

Ally squealed as she tried to follow the other kids towards her dad and the rest of the guys.

Ally waddling her way towards Clay with her hands in Emma's as they ran across the tarmac.

Clay met her halfway, leaning down and lifted her into his arms, pressing her tight into his chest, nuzzling her neck.

That was exactly what he was looking forward to, being back with his little girl.

"Hi Princess, I missed you so much. Daddy loves you so much" he pressed kisses to her cheeks,

Pulling her away for a minute, he looked down at her t-shirt and smiled. "I can see your Aunt Grace took you shopping" he teased, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

Ally just rested her head on her dad's shoulder and wrapped an arm around his neck to hold onto him.

Clay smiled as he pressed her to his chest, tiled his head down and kissed the top of her head.

He looked around to see everyone greeting each other.

Ray had JJ and RJ in his arms, Naimah hugging them from the side, while Emma and Mikey were hugging Jason.

He saw everyone there except Mia.

Emma and Mikey took their turns hugging their uncle, welcoming everyone home.

"Welcome home Uncle Clay, glad you are back safe" Emma said.

"Thanks Em, where's your Aunt Mia?" he asked.

"So, Aunt Naimah and I thought it would be cute if you surprised her at the hospital. She thinks the plane is coming in later, so she is working half a day" Emma explained.

Clay nodded and didn't even bother changing before he followed Emma to the car.

"I'll take Ally and follow you to the hospital" he told his niece.

Emma nodded before she got in her own car with her brother and her dad.

He had Ally stay with him, so he buckled her in her seat before he followed Emma to St. Vincent's.

At the hospital, Mia was in her last appointment of the day, looking at the clock as her patient just kept asking question after question.

She didn't want to be rude, but she already explained everything she could and told them she would be referring them to a specialist to help them further.

"Mrs. Jones, I am going to walk you out and schedule you with Dr. Rhodes. He is going to be able to answer your questions in more detail" she said getting up to walk them out.

Clay, Emma and Mikey walked into the hospital and stopped at the desk. "Hi Lt. Hunk, Welcome Back" Grace greeted.

Clay laughed as he walked over and wrapped Grace in a hug.

"Thanks Grace, can you page Mia? I want to surprise her" he said.

Grace nodded with a smile and picked up her phone to page Mia. "Dr. Hayes to the Nurses Station…Dr. Hayes to the Nurses Station" she paged.

Mia heard the page, turned to her patient and excused herself for a minute. "Excuse me, I need to answer this" she said, picking up her phone to answer the page, calling Grace, "hey, what's going on?" she asked Grace.

"Mia, we need you at the nurse's station. Just get here, I need to talk to you about something" she replied.

"Okay, it's nothing serious though right?" she asked.

Grace shook her head, "no, nothing serious. I just need you at the nurses station" she said.

"Okay, I am walking Mrs. Jones out and I will be right there" Mia stated.

Grace looked at Clay, "get ready" she said.

Clay stood on the side of the nurse's station waiting for Mia. They could hear her coming down the hallway talking to her patient.

As they got closer to the desk and Mia was explaining the next couple of appointments when she looked up to the desk and saw Clay, she just froze.

Her patient kept talking and walking, only to stop and realize that Mia was still behind them.

"Dr. Hayes" they called out to her.

Mia dropped the chart on the desk and launched at him.

She couldn't help but launch herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, Clay wrapping his arms around her back, squeezing her to him.

"I missed you so much Mia" he pressed his face into her neck.

"I am so glad you are back safe" she pulled back, cupping his face, running her hands down his body as if to make sure he was really okay.

All around them people in the waiting room cheering and clapping for them, causing Mia to blush bright red.

Mia pulled away turning to Mrs. Jones, "I am so sorry Mrs. Jones, Alexis will help you schedule your appointment" she said wiping her tears.

Mrs. Jones walked over and patted Mia's back, "don't worry honey, I am just happy for you and your family" she added before Alexis helped her over to the scheduling desk.

Mia turned back to Clay, finally noticing Emma, Mikey and Ally.

"What are you guys doing here?" she asked taking Ally from Emma.

"We wanted to surprise you Aunt Mia" Emma replied.

She greeted them with a hug, "okay, well, let me grab my bag and we can get some lunch" she said.

Mia went and changed out of her scrubs, signed out her patients, and met the group at the nurse's station.

"I'll meet you at home? I made all your favorites" she said to Clay and the kids.

Clay nodded, "yeah that sounds good," he replied before turning to the kids, "want to follow us to your aunt's house?" he asked.

Emma nodded, "sure we'll follow you to Aunt Mia's house" she stated.

They all followed each other to Mia's house, letting Mia pull in first so the rest could follow.

As the kids came in, they were so used to staying with their Aunt Mia over the past three months, they put their stuff in the closet and made themselves comfortable at the house.

Mikey helped himself to his sports drink, while Emma helped her aunt take the food out of the fridge.

Clay dropped his stuff down in the foyer before plopping himself on the couch with his daughter in his arms.

He wasn't letting her go for anything.

"Clay, why don't you go shower while I get lunch ready?" Mia suggested.

He passed Ally onto Mikey's lap while they watched hockey, and he went up to shower.

Mia and Emma started taking out the food, putting the dishes on the island while they set up the pasta and salads that Mia made.

She wanted to welcome home Clay and Jason the right way, so she made all their favorite dishes.

"Aunt Mia, can I ask you something?" Emma asked.

Mia nodded, "yeah honey, what's going on?" she was concerned.

"I know we are all excited about dad and Uncle Clay coming home, but what about the white elephant in the room, being Stella" she said.

Mia sighed as she finished stirring the pasta salad. "I don't know honey. It's no secret that we don't get along but like I told your Uncle Clay, I am not going to ruin his relationship, so if he wants her to come over or if he wants to go to her house, that is fine. It is not my place to tell him what to do" she reasoned with her niece.

Emma nodded in understanding, "I get that" she replied.

Clay came back downstairs to hear Emma and Mia talking in the kitchen.

He heard Emma's question about Stella and then sighed at Mia's answer. He knew he messed up and let Stella ruin one too many relationships.

"Hey, it smells good in here" he called out as he walked into the kitchen.

"Good, the food is almost done" she replied before calling out to her nephew, "Mikey, the food is almost done, go wash up."

Smiling, when Mikey walked in and handed a squealing Ally to Clay as he took a seat at the island while Mia finished putting the little touches on the food and started taking out dishes and silverware.

"So, what are your plans tomorrow?" Mia asked.

"I am probably going to see Stella after the debrief at headquarters with Blackburn. Are you off tomorrow?" he replied.

Mia nodded, "yeah, I knew you were coming home so I took the weekend off. I just had to work half-day today because I had clinic and some last minutes appointments. I am probably going to go Easter shopping" she informed him.

She avoided talking about Stella and decided to change the subject. She already said everything she had to say, and she was not going there.

He helped himself to some food and nodded in understanding, "are we having an Easter party or something?" he asked.

She shrugged, "I think that Naimah is going to have an Easter dinner for everyone, and we are going to have an Easter egg hunt after for the kids" she replied.

"Cool, I am looking forward to it" he stated.