After the disaster that was training yesterday, Maverick had decided to take a different approach.

So when Natasha woke up to a message telling her to get dressed for a beach day and meet at the Hard Deck, she was immensely confused.

Shaking Emmett awake, she shows him the message.

"What the hell is Maverick planning?"

Natasha could only shrug. "Who knows. I don't think anyone can figure out what goes on that man's mind."

Emmett flops back down, raising his hands to his face. Letting out a sigh, he turns towards his girlfriend. "Well, I'm not missing this, and Gen has been asking for a beach day, so we'll join you."

Now it was Natasha's turn to sigh. "Just be ready for them to question Gen. Bradley is the only one who knows about her."

Emmett knew she wasn't keeping Genevieve a secret. Just that it wasn't important to her work. And with the others she worked with and described, they would find some way to tease her about her practically adopted daughter.

(Not to mention there would definitely be some more old school and frankly misogynistic, higher ups that would constantly put her down since she was flying and not at home taking care of her daughter.)

But he could take it in stride easily, and Genevieve was always happy to meet new faces, even if she was a bit shy at times.

Waking up his daughter, Emmett had to hold in his laughter at her grumble about being woken up and subsequent excitement and energy after finding out they were going to the beach.

Natasha couldn't hold in her laughter when the girl came sprinting into the kitchen to practically inhale her breakfast.

"Slow down, little miss. We don't want you choking. The beach will still be there."

Genevieve pouted but slowed down anyway, allowing her parents to finish their own breakfast and coffee.

(No way was Natasha getting through this day without coffee.)

"Okay," Emmett clapped his hands. He had the beach bag ready to go, with some toys for Gen to play with and towels to lay on. "Sunscreen, and then we can go."

With the family of three finally ready, they loaded up the car and made their way to the beach, only speculating what Maverick had in store for them.

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Let's just say that quite literally everyone, with the exception of Rooster, of course, was incredibly shocked when Natasha and Emmett arrived with a child.

Emmett, clearly holding all the bags, was behind the two ladies who were chatting up a storm. But as they moved closer, Genevieve started to feel just a little shy and only wanted to be with Natasha. So she picked the young girl up, who immediately snuggled into her, despite the warm temperature outside.

It was Fanboy who bravely spoke first. “Uh, Phee, you've got a child attached to you.”

(Well, he tried.)

Payback was quick to slap the back of his head while Bob muttered under his breath.

Natasha herself only snorted in response. Emmett, who had finally caught up, made the introduction. “Everyone, this is my daughter Genevieve.”

They all waved at the young girl, clearly seeing she was a bit nervous around them. But then she spotted the only person she knew, besides her parents, of course.

“Roo Roo!”

Natasha quickly set her down only for Gena to be swept up into another hug from Rooster. “Well hi-ah little miss G. How are you doing?”

She giggled, giving him a rambling answer that really only the two of them could hear.

You see, the last time Rooster was in town, he had finally been able to meet the famous Genevieve Knight. And she took to him like a fish to water. (It was safe to say she loved pretty much anyone Natasha was friends with.)

The rest of the aviators could only look between the girl and the couple. Seeing the looks, Natasha squashed all questions.

“No, she's not biologically mine. But I've been in her life since she was 2, so she is in all the ways that matter.”

Emmett pressed a kiss to her temple at that, though her glare at the others didn't falter. They could think whatever they wanted, but the minute any of them opened their mouths about Gen, she was going to show them hell.

Luckily for the men, Maverick decided to finally grace them with his presence. “Good, you all made it.” And then he clocked Genevieve. “Who's the kid?”

Emmett just waved at the man. “Mine,” is all he had to say for Maverick to shrug and move on.

“Dogfight Football. Offense and Defense at the same time. I want us to play as a team out there. It doesn't matter what issues you may have with each other. If we aren't a unified team, people aren't coming home. It's as simple as that.”

And with those encouraging (NOT) words, the group was split into teams while Emmett finally got Gen away from everyone to set up their own little area.

Emmett and Gen had started making a sandcastle, as the aviators started the game.

They couldn't really tell what was going on. It was absolute chaos.

“Daddy, what's going on?”

Genevieve had the most inquisitive look on her face, highly confused. What they didn't know is that Emmett had made the exact same face. “I have no idea, Munchkin.” 

All the guys had taken off their shirts, while the women were in sports bras. (Emmett made sure Gen was distracted so he could stare at his girlfriend. Natasha caught his eye and winked, causing him to smirk.)

Maverick had the ball, and so did Hangman. People were running everywhere, sand was flying, and colors flashed.

Rooster caught his ball, scoring the first point, but Natasha caught the second right after. Suddenly, Coyote had the ball, and so did Fanboy.

Emmett had to stop watching the game for a little while when Genevieve asked for his help. The sandcastle just wasn't doing what she wanted.

He looks back up just in time to see Rooster and Coyote chest bump and shimmy about the beach. He couldn't help it. Emmett let out a wolf whistle, directed at Rooster, who could only flip him off.

But then Genevieve wanted to go into the water, so Emmett got her ready, and they went to the edge of the sand. Holding onto her hand, they walked a short distance into the water.

Genevieve was still pretty tiny, so they didn't go far. She was just happy to be playing in the ocean.

He looked back when he heard some booing, as Maverick left the game. He and Gen played around for a little while longer before she started to get hungry. So he brought them back to their towels, putting Genevieve in her little Stitch towel wrap.

As Genevieve ate her fruit, Emmett watched as Hangman scored, flexing and throwing the ball behind him, causing the others to drop. He shook his head, looking away to grab some water.

The game had taken a bit of a break, everyone needing some time from falling onto the sand so Natasha waved them over. Genevieve was oblivious, so when Emmett got her attention, he pointed to Nat.

She noticed the motion and got up running. “Tashi!”

The others kind of stopped for a moment, watching as the six year old sprinted across the sand into Natasha’s arms.

“Want the water, Gen?” Natasha asked the girl once they were together. She nodded, starting to leave before Nat grabbed her hand.

Genevieve wasn't allowed near the water without one of the adults, just for her safety.

But Natasha and Genevieve were doing some mini body surfing, just laughing and having fun. It was a sight Emmett was committing to memory, never wanting to forget.

The game picked back up not too long afterward, but Penny had offered to watch Genevieve for a little while inside the bar so he could join in.

Emmett had quickly figured out the game, having been watching all day. And nobody knew what he would be bringing to the game.

Much to Natasha’s enjoyment, his shirt didn't last long. Within five minutes, Emmett was taking it off, too hot with the sun and running.

It took a few rounds of the game, including accidently including Hondo and tackling him, for someone to notice.

“Yo Emmett, is that a Navy tattoo?” Coyote asked. He knew Emmett was a Ninja Warrior, but he didn't really watch the show. So he had never seen the story.

He stopped, turning around to face the man. “Yeah. I enlisted right out of high school. Discharged seven years ago.”

Hangman came over next. “That's a Seal tattoo.”

Maverick spoke next, his tone of surprise very evident. “You were a Seal?”

Emmett inwardly sighed. He knew this would come out somehow, but he was never mentally prepared for it. “Chief Petty Officer Emmet Knight of Seal Team 5, at your service.”

It took a moment for anyone to speak. “Damn man. I knew you were a badass, but I didn't expect that.” Payback was flabbergasted.

Emmett shrugged. “Things went to hell back home, so I didn't re-up when my contract was over. Came back to take care of my mom and younger brother.”

The timelines were adding up for Hangman. “And your daughter is, what? Six?

Emmett looked right at the man. “I wasn't in the best place when I came home, and it took me some time to adjust back to civilian life. I made some not so smart decisions, but I don't regret Gen. Never have and never will.”

They could all tell it was a sensitive subject, but there was one more question they all had. “If you don't mind me asking, what happened to her bio mom? Nat said she's been in her life since she was 2.”

Both Emmett and Natasha made a face at that. “Let's just say, while I will never regret Gen, I will always regret her mother.”

And that's all they needed to know.

Luckily, Penny had called them all inside for some food, and they all got to meet Genevieve some more.

She was certainly an energetic child, and once she was comfortable around the group, she was non-stop.

Emmett and Natasha got a good laugh out of these grown men, basically groveling and doing anything this little girl asked of them.

It wasn't a night they would soon forget.

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Word count: 1,758

First of all, Emmett's rank is not technically correct. I have him in the Navy for only about 10ish years which would put him at the Petty Officer First Class. He would have needed at least another 5 years in the Navy to be Chief Petty Officer, but it sounds better, so I'm going with it.

AND we got some more info on Emmett's background!!

Hope it was a fun beach day for y'all. Bye guys!!!