I wanted to say a few things before this chapter...
This is my first Clexa fic, not my first fic ever. I have the first half of this story done already so I am thinking I will be on a posting schedule of Wednesday and Saturday afternoons (EST) normally, today is a bonus day. The story will run about 20 to 25 chapters depending on how on topic I stay to my outline or if I run off tangent. (Sometimes Clexa demands it) If you have any questions, or just wanna talk about this story or anything Clexa you can find me on tumblr at Clexagiraffesandbrittana319 im new over there. I am posting this to A03 as well, but am going to keep the same schedule with it.
Well end rant here, I hope you enjoy this story...
Also I could use a Beta, so if your up for that... hit me up.

Clarke: I need you to come by and get the kids… I cannot paint while they are here.

Lexa: I am sorry, I can't right now… I am trying to finish up this plan with Indra and then I will be done.

Clarke: How long?

Lexa: An hour & a half two tops.

Clarke: Ughhhh

Lexa: I am sorry Clarke… maybe see what O is doing?

Lexa: Or Raven?

"I didn't sign up to raise kids with O or Raven!" Clarke breathed to herself.

She knew that Lexa was busy; she knew that when Lexa and Indra went into business together for themselves that it was going to be a lot. But she didn't realize she would be spending so many nights and days alone. They are working as private contractors for the military. Sending people 'in' to help train soldiers in military logistics and defense. Lexa and Indra had been in the military together, and Lexa retired just after she and Clarke got married, when they decided to have kids.

"Jacob Griffin Woods, I swear if you don't stop pulling your sister's hair!"

"She started it!" The nearly six year old boy said.

"She is three, how did she start it."

"Because Mom, she won't…" the boy paused as if he was thinking.

She opened her texts and typed.

Clarke: Hey, anyway you can help with these rugrats a while? They sure miss their Auntie?

"Sounds to me, like you are having to think awfully hard there, Jacob…" Clarke got up from her easel and lifted the little girl into her arms. "Miss Kate" She kissed her blonde hair. "Is brother picking on you?"

"Momma?" Kate asked for Lexa.

"I know, I want Momma too," Clarke sighed.

"Where is she?" Jake asked.

"Working, she and Indra had to get something finished then she will be on her way."

Her phone beeped in her hand, and she checked it, sitting down with Kate on her lap.

Octavia: Yeah, of course… You at home or your studio? Where is Lex?

Clarke: I am at the studio, trying to paint with them is impossible, and I have that deadline next week… for that art showing I have in three weeks… and this alien inside me. So… yeah my life is impossible at the moment.

"Can we go home?" Jake asked.

"I can't but Auntie O is going to come get you and I am sure she will take you home, or to her house…"

"Her house! Her house! Her house!" Jake chanted.

"We will see when she gets here."

"Is Momma there?" Kate asked.

"No honey, Momma is at work."

"Okay" She sighed.

"I know, me too" Clarke said. Kissing the little blonde head…. "Me too."

Octavia: I am not far, be there in a second… you and Lex okay?

Clarke: Yeah, just both busy, and stressed. A lot going on.

Octavia: Okay, you know you can talk to me…

Clarke: I know, thank you.

"Is Uncle Lincoln with her?" Jake asked.

"I don't think so, he was out of town with work remember?"

"Is he going to be back to watch my baseball game tomorrow?"

"It's Friday, and I don't know, we will ask Auntie O."

"Is Momma going to watch my baseball game?"

"I don't know, we will ask Momma."

"She's always working."

Lexa: Did you get someone to come get them?

Clarke: Yes.

Lexa: Are you mad at me?

Clarke: No.

Lexa: are you sure?

Clarke: yes.

/

5PM

"Thank you for coming to get them O" Clarke said as she handed her best friend a bag with some stuff for both kids in it."

"You're welcome. I love my little nuggets you know that!"

"I do, but this is the third time this week you have had to take them for me, and I just… thank you."

"Hey, no sweat… Your house or mine?"

"YOURS!" Jacob said excited pulling on Octavia's arm.

"That is up to you, you know Jake loves your place, but I may not be home till late. My wife says she will be home in 'two hours max'… but…"

"So four" Octavia nods, got it. Well I will take them to my place. We will make dinner… I have pjs there. They have their beds."

"Though they always end up in yours"

"You say 'no' to these faces!"

"She does!" Jacob said.

"I do" Clarke nodded, then kissed Jacob, and handed Kate to Octavia.

"I will let Lexa know to text you about pick up." Clarke said. "Thank you!"

"Of course, I love it" Octavia hugged her friend, "And you, how is my littlest in there?"

"Little still; long time to cook." She smiled.

"Call me if you need me." O said.

"You too, be good you guys, Mommy loves you."

"Love you Mommy!" Kate said.

"Yeah yeah, love you Mom." Jacob said running out the door with his auntie's hand in his.

Clarke sat back down at her easel and sent her wife a quick text.

Clarke: Kids went to O's house. Text her about pick up.

Lexa: Will do.

Clarke wanted more from her, she wanted to respond and say something, anything. But couldn't. She knew that Lexa was busy with work; she knew she and Indra had a ton on their plates, but they had a family, and she had a gallery showing in three weeks, which Lexa had pushed her to do. She was also three months pregnant. Something both she and Lexa had wanted, but Lexa was so excited for another baby. And now she was gone. The kids asked for her all of the time. Clarke put them to bed alone more times then she could count; and Lexa would get up in the morning early, and be gone before they'd wake up most days it felt like. Clarke was frustrated. And she felt alone. And her paintings were reflecting that. This was one of her darkest collections to date, and in a time in her life where it shouldn't be. They were great, and she was happy with them, but they were dark, and sad, and came from a place of loneliness and longing.

/

She had been painting for at least a few hours, she wasn't sure. She had found a rhythm and was only pulled out of it when her phone rang. She answered it without looking at the screen, honestly figuring it was her wife.

"Yeah?" She said haphazardly into the phone.

"Well aren't you just a ball of sunshine."

"Hey Rae" She said, "sorry, I thought you were Lex…"

"And things are that good with her, eh?"

"Ugh, I can't even right now Raven! What time is it anyway?"

"Okay, okay… and it's almost 8… stuck in a painting warp?"

"Yes, thanks to O who came and got my kids… again."

"You could have called me."

"I figured you were in the lab."

"I am… but I would have left."

"See, you would have left your job to come get my kids, but my wife won't?"

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

"No. Fuck it; yes… wanna go get a drink?"

"Clarke you can't drink…" Raven said.

"I can't; you can. And I could really just use some time out."

"Ark?"

"God, yes." Clarke said, "I will meet you there in like 20 mins, I just need to wash the paint off my face and then throw my hair up."

"Are you walking?"

"Yeah it's right down the street. I am just going to leave my car here… I could use the fresh air. We can walk back and I will drive you home."

"Okay I will Uber over. See you soon."

"Hey Rae?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"Of course."

/

Thirty minutes later.

Clarke and Raven were sitting at the bar, Raven having a beer, Clarke water.

Bellamy walked over, "Hey girls… Where is my sister?"

"Watching my kids like the fucking saint that she is!" Clarke said.

"You're not drinking?" Bell asked.

No one knew that Clarke was pregnant yet except Raven and Octavia and Anya Abby. She was waiting until the end of this month, just to keep on the safe side of things.

"No, I got to go home to the kids. Just blowing off some steam with Raven for a little while…"

"Well, glad you're here, anything you want on me, as always."

Bellamy owned the Ark, and the girls loved it as they always ate and drank for free, it was their regular hang out and right down the street from Clarke's studio.

"Thanks Bell, you're the best." Clarke smiled holding up her water.

"You're going to have to tell people soon, you're already showing." Raven said quietly as Bellamy walked away.

"I know, I always show right away." Clarke said.

Her phone buzzed her in hand.

Octavia: Lexa just texted and said she would be here at 9 she is on her way…

Clarke looked at the time, 8:30… "Of fucking course."

"What?" Raven asked swigging her beer.

"Lex… she was supposed to get the kids two hours ago and she is just on her way to O's house…"

"What is going on with that?"

Clarke: Come to The Ark when she gets em? Raven and I are here…

"Can we talk about something else for a little bit, we will get to that, I promise. But right now, I just need to talk about literally anything else. How are you?"

Raven shrugged. "I'm good. Busy as hell with work, and trying to find time to get to the doc to get my nub looked at."

"Everything ok with that?" Clarke asked concerned.

"I think it's just time for a new prosthetic…" Raven nodded swigging her beer.

"No not Prostie!" Clarke put out her booboo lip. "She's like part of the family!"

"Oh my god, you are such a dork!" Raven laughed, "Why do I hang out with you again?"

"I would say because you love me, but I honestly think it's because you love my kids now." Clarke laughed.

"Truth!" Raven held up her beer bottle and clinked it to Clarke's water glass before taking a sip. "I am fucking in love with those babies. Speaking of, can I have Kate soon?"

"Yes" Clarke nodded.

"Didn't even have to think about that" Raven laughed.

"You're her Godmother, why would I think about that?"

Clarke's phone buzzed on the bar.

Octavia: I am on my way. Lex just left.

Clarke: wonderful

"O is on her way" She said to Raven, and then her phone beeped again.

Lexa: Hey, I am on my way home. O said you were at the Ark with Raven.

Clarke: Yeah, just talking. Octavia is on her way, going to hang out for a little while. Is that okay?

Lexa: Yeah have fun, Kate is asleep and Jake and I are going to curl up and read a book I think. I love you.

/

About fifteen minutes later

"What's up bitches?" Octavia walked over and sat down on the other side of Clarke.

"Hi, I love you!" Clarke said leaning into Octavia. "How were they?"

"Great, as always; Kate fell asleep minutes before Lex got there."

"Of course she did" Clarke shook her head. "She had been asking for her all day too."

"Hey Octavia" Miller said from behind the bar.

"Sup Miller" O smiled.

"Beer?"

"Please" O nodded.

"Another Raven?" Miller asked.

"Yes, please" Raven nodded.

"You sure you don't want one?" Miller asked Clarke.

"Nah I'm good, can I get a…" She thought for a moment "Shirley Temple though?"

Miller grinned at her, "Like the virgin drink, Sprite and grenadine?"

"Please? With a cherry?" Clarke smiled.

Miller laughed at her, "Of course, coming right up…"

"So…" Raven said… "Talk to us, what is going on with Lex?"

"She has been MIA for weeks now!" Clarke sighed.

"Work?" Raven asked.

"Yes, but that is no excuse. When we talked about her and Indra doing this, she said she would have some late nights but keep it to just a few a weeks. And be sure to be home for dinner at least three nights a week and to tuck the kids in…"

"But she's not?"

"Nopppe" Clarke rolled her eyes. "I think she saw Jake two times last week awake. And I don't even know about Kate."

"That's shit." Raven said.

"It is, and on top of all of it, I am supposed to have this art show in three weeks, but I don't know if that's a good idea."

"No, no no!" Octavia said. "Didn't you say that Nia was going to make her decision off of this show?"

"O, I can't be a featured artist; I can barely get this one show together. I have a 6 year old and a 3 year old and my wife is never home. Plus I am" She looks around "pregnant again" She whispers.

"No, you have to talk to Lexa." Raven says loudly.

"Shhh, Jesus… someone is going to hear you. We know everyone at this bar; I don't really want my personal business shrewn all over… Plus Lexa and Indra just went into business with the Military I don't think I can really ask her to dial back after I told her to go for it."

"Their private contractors and she agreed to certain things before partnering with Indra and the government, I am sure it's possible." Octavia said.

"I don't know." Clarke shrugged.

"Well if she can't then I got you." Octavia said.

"Yeah, me too" Raven said. "You can't… you have to do this show, Clarke."

Her phone beeped, it was Lexa.

Lexa: Jake and I are going to go to bed, I am going to lay with him. If I fall asleep in there, wake me up when you get home k? I love you.

Clarke: okay. Kiss them both for me, I love you too.

"So?" Raven asked looking towards Clarke's phone.

"SO?" Clarke asked confused.

"Are you going to talk to her?" Raven asked.

"I don't know Rae." Clarke sipped her drink. "Fuck I wish this was beer."