Together

When they came back from the mission two days earlier than expected, Bravo was happy to be home and relieved that both of their boys were in better shape than when they left them two weeks earlier.

Bravo wasn't expected until the beginning of the week, but together with Delta they were able to wrap up Mandy's latest mission, which had gone smoothly, earlier than originally planned. Jason had called ahead to let Josh know they were getting ready to board the plane Friday and would be flying through the night and arriving home mid-morning Saturday. Bravo One had said that he wanted to surprise Clay, but that he could let Derrick and Brock know they would be arriving home soon.

"So how's it going on your end, brother?" Jason asked Josh warily when he called. "Have my boys been running Alpha ragged for the past two weeks?"

"Nope," Josh reported, happily. "Not at all. Clay was anxious the first several days, especially at night. But we all expected that. I had a little heart to heart with your youngest right after you guys took off. Daddy Josh reminded him of the behavior expectations, and we had a little stroll down memory lane together where we reflected back on the consequences of past bad decision making. Your runt and I agreed that he was going to do his very best to avoid fight-mode and come to me or Melinda if he was feeling shaky so that we could sort out any issues without unnecessary and unpleasant lectures, lockdowns or lickins'."

"And how did Sunshine deal with that?" Jason asked, chuckling.

"I'm happy to report that your kid was good as gold," Josh said. "As were my three handfuls. I'm not going to lie. Having the upcoming sleepover extravaganza at Derrick and Catherine's place to hold over their heads the whole first week was an excellent motivator. And by week two, they had all fallen into a regular routine and no one even attempted any nonsense. Melinda said that Lezlie going two weeks without making her threaten to go for the spoon felt like some kind of record."

"I'm glad to hear things went smoothly at Casa Daddy Josh," Jason said, clearly relieved. "And Trent will be too. You know he's been fretting about his babies. But we both know there is no one better than you and Melinda at kid wrangling. And Bravo owes you guys big time."

"Well, this was definitely a group effort, brother," Josh said honestly. "We had plenty of help all the way around. With all the kids. The Colonel and his wife took all five kids into DC on Wednesday. My kids and Corey were off school for a teacher training day, so they rounded everyone up at the crack of dawn, drove them all into the city to visit the Smithsonian. Took them out to eat at a 1950's retro diner with singing waiters and jukeboxes on the tables that the kids thought was the greatest thing ever. Then in the afternoon they went on one of those double-decker buses to see the monuments before they drove back home just in time for bed."

"No way," Jason said, laughing. "The mean old Colonel chaperoned five kids on a field trip to our nation's capital? And he took them to a diner complete with singing and dancing? That doesn't seem like his idea of a good time."

"I was shocked as well when Mrs. Colonel called Melinda and delivered the invitation," Josh said. "You know my wife heard 'no kids' and immediately called for dinner reservations at that Italian place she loves in Norfolk. She had them up and standing at attention in the driveway waiting for The Colonel's Subaru before the sun came up."

"He did tell me he was more than willing to help out when I saw him at Brock's place before we left," Jason said.

"And he was smiling and unfazed when he returned the unruly brood home safe and sound," Josh reported. "He said they were all polite, well-behaved and welcome at his house anytime. Even the girls. Mrs. Colonel said my girls were so sweet, and she misses having young girls around."

"Damn," Jason laughed. "Wait until Metal and Sonny hear that. Now we know where to dump the kids when we want some time in the brat-free zone."

"No shit," Josh said. "She said Lezlie was an 'adorable and charming little girl'. My Lezlie. Melinda said there must be an open bar option at the Smithsonian for anyone to label our little hellion sweet, adorable and charming."

"Well, I'm pleasantly surprised to hear that Sunshine made it through two weeks in the same house with JJ and they didn't both end up with their little asses worn out," Jason said. "What's the word on my other problem child? I'm assuming if The Colonel had time for a field trip that Katie must be holding it together at home with Brock."

"Brock is doing okay," Josh said honestly. "He had a rough start. Looked like hammered shit when he came into work the first couple days after you left."

"Damn," Jason said, concerned but not shocked. "Trent and I were both more worried about Brock than Clay. We knew you had Sunshine handled. And Brock was definitely in worse shape than the baby when we left. And poor Katie looked about ready to run for the exit when I packed up my bag to head out that Sunday night."

"Relax, Jase," Josh said calmly, hearing the upset in his brother's usually steady voice. "Your boy had a rough start, but he's doing a lot better. When Metal got a good look at Brock on Tuesday after one of your support kids picked up Clay for the afternoon, he ordered him to sleep on the cot in our cage room and held an emergency Alpha powwow."

"And how did that go?" Jason asked.

"It was very productive," Josh reported. "Alpha One circled the wagons and we brainstormed some ideas to reign in your boy before things got out of hand. Turns out we just might be smarter than we look."

"What did you come up with?" Jason asked, genuinely curious. "Because Bravo is definitely open to any thoughts Alpha has to offer on sorting our boy."

"Noah usually won't say shit if his mouth is full of it," Josh started. "But our own dog-boy suggested that Metal use his powers of persuasion on the vet to get Cerb sprung from the kennels for a weeklong vacation with the newlyweds. Noah rightly thought that his loyal canine companion might help keep Brock settled enough to make it through the night in his own bed without needing Derrick or Metal to camp outside the bedroom door."

"Fuck," Jason said. "That's a great idea, and should have been a no-brainer. I can't believe Trent or Ray didn't think of that. Did it work?"

"Like a charm," Josh said. "He's been coming into work every day, Cerb close on his heels, looking one hundred percent more settled and rested. No watery racoon eyes or fidgety hands. Now Metal convinced the vet, who thankfully likes Brock, to let the kid keep the dog at his place until you guys return. But the dog doc says that's way longer than the rules allow and Cerb needs to be back in the kennels on Monday morning. So we're going to need to see how that goes."

"Hey," Jason said. "If he's gotten almost two weeks of good sleep in his own bed, we'll take the win. And I will let Noah know when we get back that I appreciate his input. If Cerb going back to the kennel turns out to be an issue, we can cross that bridge when we get to it."

"I agree, brother," Josh said. "Take that win. And Melinda had what I think isn't a bad idea if Brock backslides with Cerb out of the house."

"What's that?" Jason said.

"Melinda says having Nacho, old and lazy as he is, has been a great support for her and the kids. Especially when I'm away," Josh said. "My girl suggested that maybe, since there are no babies on the scene, now would be a good time for Katie and Brock to get a dog of their own. They both love animals. And a dog that's part of their little family is different from a working military canine that we all know belongs to the Navy and will eventually be retired to another owner."

"Damn, brother," Jason said. "Alpha has called all hands on deck. You've got the rookie, the Colonel and now the ladies working to sort out Bravo's boys. Your wife is no slouch. Any woman who can whip my troublemaker into shape and still have time to problem solve for my other kid while wrangling three of her own babies is a Master Mama in my book."

"Oh you don't need to tell me that," Josh said, his wide grin coming through the phone loud and clear. "I may be slightly biased, but in my humble opinion, there is no better wife and no better mama than my pretty lady."

"You don't need to convince me," Jason said sincerely. "I say at least five times a week that you and Derrick must have been some kind of martyrs in your past lives to score the wives that agreed to take on you guys."

"Speaking of Alpha's own handsome devil and his long-suffering lady," Josh chuckled. "Melinda and I can't take all the credit for keeping the kids happy while you've been otherwise occupied. Derrick and Catherine have been on duty as well. Not only did they orchestrate a very successful, and sure to be talked about for weeks to come, weekend of fun in the 'anything goes as long as the parents don't find out' zone, the super couple also played a little divide and conquer on Brock and Katie."

"Divide and conquer marriage counseling has turned out to be their wheelhouse," Jason agreed. "So can I assume that Katie isn't packing up to move back home with The Colonel?"

"As much as The Colonel would probably love to load up his baby-girl's things and carry her back home, you are correct," Josh said. "Support from Derrick and Catherine, along with some time away from the 'old geezers', as I have heard we are known to the under thirty-five crowd, seems to have given the young lovebirds a new pep in their step."

"So that sounds like Trent's plan to hook up Brock with the support kids is working out as well," Jason said. "And did they actually refer to us as old geezers? Because as much as I like the little fuckers, I will have them running drills until they drop, monitored by Sonny."

Josh laughed. "No, they aren't crazy enough to say it in front of us," he said. "After disparaging The Bulkhead and Mr. T, I think Tim has decided Metal and Sonny got the message that he can hold his own in a pissing contest, and he should use some restraint and quit while he's ahead. And Trent's poor little fanboy looked like he was going to need oxygen after Sonny went after him at the Alpha-Bravo meeting in Trent's kitchen the morning before you took off. So he's not saying anything but 'yes, sir' to anyone on either Bravo or Alpha other than Brock and Clay."

"Trent was pissed off at Sonny for scaring the shit out of Jeff," Jason said. "He's a good kid, and aside from his hero-worship of our much respected medic, we owe Jeff and Tim for coming through for Bravo and taking care of Clay in Mexico. And we all know dealing with the kid, sick and in full meltdown mode, is no walk in the park, even for mature men with their own kids at home. So Sunshine had to be a nightmare for guys in their twenties with zero kid experience."

"I can concur after seeing your boy in panic mode in that infirmary," Josh said seriously. "Your support team surely earned their combat pay on that mission. And I have no doubt that Trent tore Sonny a new one when he got him alone for terrorizing the mini-medic, because he and the rest of the team came through again for Clay and Brock in Syria. That Kevin kid may not be winning any arm wrestling matches, but he's smart as hell, and he knew his shit when it came time to find your boys in that sandstorm. And when Trent and Derrick had their hands full taking care of Shorty, it was Jeff who never left Brock's side and kept him calm and settled. The kid made sure Brock got the attention he needed at the base infirmary and stuck to him like glue until Trent could take over."

"Oh, I know," Jason said. "And I told Sonny to back off as well. Tim has those kids operating like a well-oiled machine. He's proved himself capable of holding his own with me, Metal or any other long experienced team leader. And he always looks out for my boys, in the field or back at home. We all know Sonny likes to bitch and be the meanest bastard in the room. But he knows those guys are a valuable asset to Bravo."

"Well brother," Josh said. "We are surely going to miss having your boy around the house. But I guarantee Clay is going to be happy and relieved to have his daddy and grouchy uncles back home with him. And I have no doubt that Brock will be equally reassured to hear that you are coming home."

"And I can promise you that boss-daddy and the rest of the old geezers are equally relieved," Jason said. "None of us can sleep easy knowing our babies are so far away and out of scolding and spoiling range. And I speak for all of Bravo when I say that we are grateful and owe all of Alpha as well as our support team big time."

"Like I have said many times before, brother," Josh said sincerely. "We are family, and family takes care of each other. I know you need to get going, but when you talk to Derrick he can give you the lowdown on your boys' group therapy with Dr. Jeff."

"Derrick talked to Trent briefly after we arrived in Venezuela," Jason said. "He didn't get a lot of details. Just that Derrick wanted his thoughts on asking Dr. Jeff to talk to both Brock and Clay about what happened in Syria and how they are feeling now. Trent thought it was a good idea."

"Derrick knows more about how things went with Brock," Josh said. "But the kid is definitely looking a lot better than he did before you left. So if this shrink had anything to do with that, I agree that he's definitely a keeper."

"I agree," Jason said. "You know that I don't do shrinks, but he's been great with Clay and Trent trusts him. So I'm not surprised that Brock would also hit it off with Dr. Jeff."

"Ok, brother," Josh said. "Mums the word with the kid because I know you want to surprise him. But we'll see you soon."

"Thanks again for everything, Josh," Jason said. "We'll all be glad when this mission is put to bed and we can take our boys off your hands."

Saturday morning when Jason walked up Josh's driveway to surprise Clay and bring him back home to their little apartment, his kid was so happy to see him home, alive and in one piece, that he literally jumped from the top step of Josh and Melinda's front porch into his chosen dad's arms. Clay wrapped his arms and legs around the man he loved and depended on for everything, not caring if the entire neighborhood saw him looking like a ten-year-old holding onto his boss-daddy.

"Woah, there Sunshine," Jason said, not expecting to be hit by 135 pounds of flying Clay. Luckily he was in great shape and able to hold his kid's weight without dropping him or both of them going down.

"I missed you so much," Clay said, head buried in the older man's shoulder and arms wrapped around his neck.

"I missed you too, sweetheart," Jason said gently. Setting him down and kissing the top of his head, Jason wrapped his arm around his boy's shoulders pulling him in for a side hug and leading him toward the front door where Josh was watching the homecoming scene with a big grin on his face.

"Damn, brother," he laughed. "That was some pretty impressive catching there. If I had known your kid was going to go full leaping Spiderman on you, I'd surely have been ready to record it with my phone to show those skinny little support kids what us old geezers are still capable of doing."

Jason shook his head, rolling his eyes. "Fortunately, those little shits won't be around later today when I need to get Trent to make a house call with his IcyHot and magic rice bag combo to sort out my back."

"Sorry," Clay smiled sheepishly. "I wasn't expecting to see you in the driveway, and I got a little overexcited. Are you okay?"

"Pff," Jason snorted dismissively, tousling his kid's hair.

"Is he serious, Josh? Am I okay? You think Bravo One can't wrangle one skinny runt in flying monkey mode?" he said, wrapping his arm around Clay's waist from behind and pointing over at JJ who was also amused. "I may be an old grouch, but I can still toss both you and your partner in mayhem there over my shoulders and carry you both a mile without breaking a sweat."

Both boys were laughing. "I don't know Uncle Jason," JJ said, skeptically. "Clearly your baby seal is a lightweight. But I don't know about you carrying us both a mile."

"Boy," Josh said, sternly. "You better mind what your elders say. Not only could Master Chief Hayes haul you two troublemakers a mile, but I could lift and carry you both up the stairs with your sister under my arm as well."

"No way!" Clay laughed. "Let's get Lezlie down here and try it."

"That would be cool," JJ agreed. "Come on, Daddy. Can we try it?"

"Absolutely not," Melinda said, entering from the kitchen and shaking her head at the two senior operators. "Do not even think about it."

"What Baby?" Josh said, aghast. "You don't think I still have it in me to haul three teenage brats up those stairs?"

"I one hundred percent know you have it in you," Melinda assured him, patting his back. "But I think one display of daddy strength and agility in kid corralling is enough for a Saturday morning."

Turning to the boys she added, "And you two can march upstairs and clean that disaster site JJ calls a bedroom. Pick up all the junk I have no doubt is thrown everywhere, make the beds, and bring down the dirty clothes and whatever dishes and silverware you two have been hoarding up there for the past two weeks."

"That's gonna take all morning," JJ groaned.

"Then I guess you had better get your tails up there and get started," Josh said firmly, clearly meaning business.

"Yes, sir," JJ and Clay chorused, looking back and forth between the two very serious looking dads.

"Why are you two still standing here?" Jason asked, annoyed and staring them down. "I know you both heard Melinda. I need to go check on Brock, but I'll be back at noon, at which time there will be a two-dad inspection of that room. And I strongly suggest that we not be disappointed."

"Move!" Josh barked.

Both boys literally jumped and ran for the stairs, making themselves scarce.

"Really?" Melinda laughed once they were out of earshot. "You two are lucky Lorie alerted me to the developing situation happening here. I have no doubt that your babies think you are superheroes. But did you two old fools really think setting yourselves up for some ridiculous American Ninja style kid carrying challenge was a good way to start the weekend?"

"You don't think I could haul three brats up the stairs?" Josh asked, appalled.

"And I could definitely carry Clay and JJ a mile," Jason added.

"Oh, I'm sure you two dipshits could do it," Melinda said, shaking her head. "And you could no doubt get your fellow frat brothers over here to participate in your stupidity. But since I most certainly know that neither Catherine nor I want to listen to the whining and moaning about your aching backs that would follow the Navy SEAL Brat Wrangling Rodeo, and I guarantee you don't want to deal with Trent in pissed off medic mode, I decided to intercede and save your sorry asses before your children goaded you into making good on the bragging."

"Girl," Josh said. "'The Navy SEAL Brat Wrangling Rodeo' is a kick-ass name for our demonstration of strength and agility. And you are correct that Alpha and Bravo would be all in. It could be an Alpha vs. Bravo competition. Come on baby, it will be fun."

"No way," Melinda said sternly, pointing at both SEALS. "Do not even think about it. And I mean it Josh."

"Okay, okay," Josh said, laughing and wrapping his annoyed wife in a big bear hug. "I was only teasing. You think I want to throw out my back hauling those kids around? Don't get all worked up."

"Don't worry, Melinda," Jason said. "I owe you big time. I'm not going to let your over-exuberant, giant kid do anything to put himself flat on his back for the rest of the weekend. I'm sure you have jobs for him."

"I most definitely have jobs for him," Melinda said. "Starting with making sure your son gets that landfill at the end of the hall cleaned out. And I'm serious, Josh. I made the mistake of peeking in before Clay arrived and it gave me hives. Now that the two of them have been in there doing God knows what for the past two weeks, I'm afraid there could be rats nesting and the Wonder Twins up there wouldn't have a clue. And I guarantee there's ants."

She paused to take a breath, staring her husband down.

"He's your son," Melinda said, meaning business. "Handle it."

"He's not your son?" Josh asked in mock confusion.

"Don't push me boy," she growled. "Make me mad and I'll pick up my sister for a weekend at the spa in Norfolk, and you can spend the next two days here having quality time with your three kids and the dog who needs a bath. And if you get spun up, you can figure out what to do with your offspring on your way out the door."

"Message received, Baby," Josh said, raising his hands in defeat. "Consider the garbage dump as good as emptied out, cleaned up, and smelling like a field of daisies. And I am all over the to-do list."

"And Melinda," Jason added sincerely. "I meant that I owe you big for keeping Clay all this time. I know he's a handful, and he will absolutely not leave this house until that room exceeds your expectations. And I am more than willing to take JJ off your hands for the rest of the weekend. I can bring him back Sunday night. Just say the word and I will ask Catherine to take the girls."

Melinda laughed, giving Jason a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Relax Jason," she chuckled. "I was trying to scare Josh, not you. Clay was an angel the entire time he was here. And JJ's room was a trainwreck long before he got here. You don't need to take my kid. You just got home, and I know you have your hands full with Brock and Clay."

"Melinda's right," Josh said. "You don't owe us a thing. We love having Clay, and you take JJ plenty. You go check on your other kid. I know you've been worried about him since you left. I will go full grouchy dad mode on the boys and see to it that room is in top-notch shape by the time you get back. And there's no rush. We can keep your runt as long as necessary to get Brock sorted."

"Are you sure?" Jason asked sincerely. "I don't want Sunshine to be in the way."

"I'm positive," Melinda said. "As a matter of fact, I was thinking all week that it's been ages since we had an Alpha-Bravo barbeque. So how about you let me scare the hell out of those boys, and you two both go check on Brock and Katie."

"You're definitely scarier than me," Josh admitted.

"That goes without saying, honey," Melinda said, patting his arm. "I'll go check on the room progress and bring for motivational purposes."

"You know I love how twisted you are, girl," Josh chuckled.

"No chance that mess will be cleaned up by noon," Melinda said, shaking her head. "So how about after you check on the other kids, you give Trent a call to get the name of his meat connection and let Sonny know we need him on the grill tonight at seven. I'll text you a list of things I need at the market. Let everyone know they're invited, and tell Ray and Naima to bring the babies. Lorie will look after them."

"You sure about this, girl?" Josh smiled, already knowing the answer.

"You know I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't sure," Melinda scoffed, smacking her husband's ass.

"And before you go," she added. "I need you to have a chat with the girls while I'm handling the boys, and let them know they will be on duty until further notice helping me get the house cleaned up. And you let your baby-girl Lezlie know that she is on her mama's last nerve. So if she doesn't want to spend the evening feeling sorry for herself and nursing a sore backside alone in her room while everyone is enjoying the barbeque, she had better straighten up. ASAP."

"Should I take Mr. Spoon for back-up?" Josh asked solemnly.

"You take whatever you need to daddy-up with your little handful," Melinda snorted. "Because I am surely not putting up with one ounce of naughty from Miss Lezlie today."

"Yes, ma'am," Josh said.

The Alpha-Bravo barbeque was a huge success. Everyone was happy to be together, and the weather was perfect. All of the kids made it to Josh and Melinda's backyard with backsides intact. Including Corey, who Sonny and Clay drove into Norfolk to pick up for the night.

The boys spent most of the evening keeping a low profile in the driveway shooting baskets before dinner, and then hiding out in the basement on the Playstation, avoiding the girls and the little kids after dark. Josh's girls kept Ray's daughter amused all evening doing each other's nails and playing with the older girls' old collection of Barbie dolls on a picnic table in the backyard.

The adults sat around the firepit, drinking cold Bud Light and frozen Margaritas while enjoying Catherine's well-loved double chocolate brownies and Naima's Tres Leches cake.

Ray and Naima left around ten to get their babies home, and an hour later, Melinda sent her brood upstairs to bed in their newly cleaned rooms. Brock and Katie took Clay with them to deliver Corey back to Norfolk, and then home to their place to crash on the couch until Jason was ready to pick him up.

Once the kids were gone, Catherine helped Melinda get her kitchen back in order and then sat with her longtime sister laughing and finishing the blender of Margaritas and the last of the Tres Leches in the living room. They smoked a half-pack of Marlboro Lights and talked for hours about everything from the girl JJ asked to the prom to Catherine's upcoming trip to London during Alpha's two weeks off duty.

The senior brothers of Bravo and Alpha sat around the firepit shooting the shit like old men. They talked about Bravo's boys and how they were moving forward and getting past the Syria mission from Hell. They talked a little bit about the future and what they might do when the inevitable day came that they would move on from operating. Nobody was in the mood to linger on that, so they relatively quickly moved on to happier topics.

Derrick updated Jason and Trent on the group therapy with Dr. Jeff and their boys. And Bravo promised Alpha an adults only dinner at The Captain's Table, followed by drinks on Jason's tab at The Bulkhead.

It was a tiny token for the immeasurable gratitude Bravo felt for their lifelong brothers' unwavering support. From the moment they realized their babies were separated from them in Syria, until the moment Bravo, without their boys, stepped off the plane from the mission to Venezuela, Alpha never faltered.

Jason raised his glass after Metal's top shelf whiskey was passed and poured around the circle.

"There are no words to adequately express our gratitude for everything Alpha has done for us and our boys throughout the last month, so I won't even try," Jason said, his voice full of emotion. "I'm just going to say that we have been brothers for so long that I can't even clearly remember a time when we weren't at each other's sides and guarding each other's backs. But I want you to know, and I know that every man on Bravo feels the same, that no matter where we are, or what time may pass. When you need us, we will be there by your side. No distance too far. And no questions asked."

Later that night after Jason got his sleeping boy off of Brock's couch, his older kid walked them out to the truck.

"You're good to go for now?" Jason asked, putting his hand on Brock's neck and squeezing lightly to offer support once Clay was in the truck passed out across the bench seat.

"Yes, Dad," Brock teased lightly before wrapping his arms around Jason's neck and holding on tightly. "You know how much I love you right? And that I couldn't have made it through this without you."

Jason held him back, with one hand on the back of his head and the other gently rubbing his back. He didn't make a move to let his boy go until Brock slowly released him first. He kissed the top of his head, and reached up to rest his rough hand on the side of his kid's face, stroking his cheek lightly with his thumb.

"I absolutely know that you love me," Jason smiled. "And I know that you had better believe I love you more. And there was never any question that I would be with you through this hard time. Along with the rest of your family, I will be with you and Sunshine until you both are cleared for active duty. And long after that as well."

'Thanks Jase," Brock said, looking worn out from the busy day.

"You're welcome, son," Jason replied. "So how about you take your exhausted self back into your pretty wife, while I get your done in little brother home and tucked into bed for the night. Sounds like a plan?"

"Yes, sir," Brock nodded, turning to head back to the house before calling over his shoulder. "I'll talk to you tomorrow?"

"Absolutely," Jason called back without hesitation.

About an hour or so after he had gotten Clay down and dropped exhausted to the core into his own bed, Jason was awakened by the creaking of his already cracked bedroom door being slowly pushed further open.

Turning to squint against the light entering the dark room from the hallway, Jason closed his eyes and opened his arms, inviting in his youngest baby. Crawling up into the bed without hesitation, Clay curled into the strong arms of the only real father he had ever known or needed. The boy turned to rest his head on his trusted protector's chest.

"I missed you so much," Clay whispered, his voice full of emotion Jason could tell he was trying hard to control.

"Bad dream, sweetheart?" Jason questioned, knowing his boy had been exhausted when he fell into bed and would not have awakened for no reason. He kissed his head and rubbed his back gently, waiting patiently for his kid to answer.

"I woke up, and I didn't know where I was for a few minutes," Clay said, choking back tears. "That happened a few times when I was at Josh's house. I felt hot and scared and I thought for a minute that I was still in the cave. I was so scared, Jase. And Brock was trying to act like everything was going to be okay, but I could tell he was scared too. We just wanted you to come get us."

"It's okay to be scared, honey," Jason said, holding him tightly. "I was scared every single second I was away from my boys. And you can believe that your grumpy uncles were a nervous wreck as well. But, Sunshite, there was never any chance that we were not coming to get you. I will never not come to get you. No matter what."

"You promise?" Clay asked, softly.

"I promise," Jason said, firmly.

"Jase?" Clay questioned quietly. He suddenly switched gears and looked up at his chosen father, clutching Jason's shirt in his fist. "If I tell you something, can you promise not to be mad at me?"

Jason paused to think about how to respond before answering his clearly upset kid.

"Sunshine," he started. "I am never truly mad at you, even when I feel I need to punish you for doing something you know is wrong. I get angry and mostly frustrated or scared about the choices you sometimes make, but I'm not mad at you personally. And no matter how angry or frustrated I may be, I absolutely never stop loving you for a single second. Can you understand that?"

"I guess so," Clay said tiredly. "You get mad about the dumb stuff I do that I know is wrong. But you still love me and aren't mad at me as your kid, even when you punish me."

"Exactly," Jason said, smiling to himself. "So, with that in mind, is what you are going to tell me a confession of something you and JJ did while I was gone that you both know was wrong, but you decided to roll the dice and go for it anyway?"

Clay laughed softly. "No," he said, rolling his eyes in the darkness. "JJ and I didn't do anything to make you mad. It's pretty much impossible to get away with anything at Uncle Josh's house. Unless you want to risk going one on one with his spanking spoon. Which I definitely did not. And neither did JJ."

"So you both decided to use your heads for a change," Jason teased. "How refreshing."

"I want to tell you something that I was just thinking about," Clay said, hesitantly. "JJ and I talked about it. And I talked about it with Dr. Jeff and Brock too. They all said it would be okay to tell you, and that they were sure you wouldn't be mad at me."

"I would absolutely never be mad at you for telling me about something you are thinking or worrying about," Jason said. "I am your dad now, you are my son. And you can tell me anything without ever being scared that I'll be mad."

"It's so different at Uncle Josh's house, you know?" Clay said. "Different from here. And nothing at all like when I was with any of the foster families."

"Different how?" Jason asked, curious where this was going.

"Well," Clay said. "For one thing, JJ and the girls always have stuff to do, and things going on that are separate from Uncle Josh and Aunt Melinda. And they all go to work or school during the day and do their jobs. But then after work and school, Josh and Melinda drop the kids off and pick them up at different places. And they have dinner. And the kids do like homework and other stuff in their rooms. And Uncle Josh and Aunt Melinda watch TV at night."

"Okay," Jason said, slowly. "So, they are a normal family? Is that what you're saying?"

"I guess so," Clay said. "I never really knew a normal family. Is that how it was with you and Emma and Mikey? Before I mean. When you were married."

"I guess it was some of the time," Jason said honestly. "But when the kids were your age, I had only recently become Bravo One. I was spun up a lot, and they spent a lot of time with just their mom. Which is the same for Josh's kids. He wasn't spun up while you were there this time. Being Alpha means Josh is gone a lot too. But, I know they do all those same things with Aunt Melinda. Just like Emma and Mikey did with their mom."

"Did Emma and Mikey like school?" Clay asked.

"Yeah, for the most part they did," Jason said, surprised by his little sniper's sudden interest in traditional family life and school. "They liked being with their friends. And Emma did things like drama club and the yearbook. Mikey played hockey which he really liked. I missed a lot of their events, and I regret that. And I'm sure they do too. But that's the way it is with my job on the teams."

"I hated school," Clay said with zero emotion. "Well, sometimes it was better than being at home. But I still never was happy there. I was always in trouble. And then I would get in trouble again when I got home if my foster parents found out - like at the Green's house."

"But, JJ says school isn't bad if you do what you're told, and you do your homework," Clay went on. "He says he likes History and Computer Lab. But he's not good at Math, so that's annoying. But he likes seeing his friends. And they eat lunch together, and he likes to play football."

"Yes," Jason smiled. "Doing what you're told and turning in your homework is definitely the way to go for smooth sailing at school."

"Lorie is really smart, and she likes school and all her teachers," Clay continued. "Lezlie likes to see her friends. And she's not in trouble all the time like I was at school, but she gets calls or notes home sometimes. And when that happens, JJ says she's in deep with Uncle Josh and Aunt Melinda."

"Oh, I don't doubt that," Jason said. "Josh and Melinda do not put up with any nonsense at school."

Clay was quiet for a few minutes. Jason knew his kid, and he knew he had something he was trying to tell him. So he just continued to rub his back gently and wait him out.

"Sometimes, Jase," Clay said quietly. "Now that I'm with you, and I'm safe and have people to take care of me. Sometimes I wish I could go to school like JJ and Corey. I think I might like school now."

Before Jason could decide how to respond, Clay looked up at him and continued softly.

"Are you angry or frustrated?" he asked.

"No Clay," Jason said firmly. "I am not upset with you in any way. I wish you could go to school like JJ and Corey too. I wish that you could do all the things that other kids your age do. And it is completely normal and okay for you to think about that or even be sad about not being like other kids. Are you sad or angry that you don't have the same kind of family as JJ or Corey?"

Clay sat up immediately, still clutching Jason's shirt.

"No Jason," he said quickly. "That's not what I meant at all. I love you, and I love my family. I love Trent and Brock and Sonny and Ray. And I never want a different family."

"Woah there, shorty," Jason said, sitting up himself while putting his hand on Clay's head. "That's not what I asked you. I know you love our family. And we love you. And you are never leaving our family. I'm just wondering if maybe you are a little sad that our life is not like it is at Uncle Josh's house or The Colonel's house. You can wish some things were different without wanting a different family."

"Like how?" Clay asked, confused.

"When I was your age," Jason said. "I was the oldest, and I had four little brothers. My dad didn't make a lot of money. He worked at a factory in Buffalo that was cutting shifts and slowly on its way out. My mom was sometimes a waitress, and sometimes she would work at a grocery store, but she didn't have a career like Melinda or Catherine or Katie. And my dad hated his job, but he loved his family so he did it for us. That's why I joined the Navy as soon as I finished school. Because even though I loved my family, I didn't want to live that same life that my dad did."

Jason paused before continuing. He had never talked to Clay about his childhood, and he only mentioned it in passing to his older kids when they were growing up.

"Sometimes I thought about how it would be easier and maybe better if I was an only child like the kid who lived next door," Jason admitted honestly. "His dad worked at the same place as my dad, but his mom was a nurse, and they only had one kid so they could afford to go on vacations. His dad wasn't always upset or worried about money. His parents didn't fight. And I thought about how I wished sometimes my life could be like that. But, honey, that never meant I wanted a different family. Or I didn't love my parents or my brothers, because I always did. And I still do."

"I'm glad you understand me," Clay said, sliding down and resting his head back on Jason's chest. "I love Bravo. And I love you. And I never want a different family or a different life. But sometimes I think, maybe when I'm older, like Emma or Mikey, when you and Trent and Sonny aren't Bravo anymore, maybe I won't want to be Bravo anymore either."

"Sweetheart," Jason said, kissing his head. "Sometimes I think about that too. And so does Trent, and so does Sonny. You only need to be Bravo as long as you are happy being Bravo. And someday, when you are older and you're ready, there is nothing wrong with you trying something new. You are super smart and good at so many things. And you are brave and hardworking. You can be absolutely anything you want to be. And all I want is for you to be happy. And I do understand what you are saying. And I am not angry or frustrated with you in any way."

"So it's okay if I talk about this with Dr. Jeff?" Clay asked.

"Yes, Sunshine," Jason said. "You can talk to Dr. Jeff or Brock or Trent or JJ or anyone you feel like talking to about this. Or anything else that pops into your busy brain. And you can always, always talk to your grumpy old boss-daddy. Because I love you, and I am never too busy to talk with you."

"Even at 3:00 a.m. when you probably should be sleeping?" Clay asked brightly, feeling so much better.

"Yes," Jason deadpanned. "Even in the middle of the night when old geezers like me should be getting the rest we need."

"I'm not the one who said 'old geezers'," Clay laughed, burying his face in his chosen dad's chest.

"I certainly hope not, smart mouth," Jason teased. "Because I think we've established that I'm not too much of an old man to toss you over my shoulder and carry you up a flight of stairs with a spanking spoon in one hand and a bar of Irish Spring in the other."

"Night, Jase," Clay said, smiling. "I love you."

"Good night, Sunshine. And, I love you more."

'