"Mom?" Clarke had been watching her for a few moments before speaking up. Abby shots her head up unaware anyone else was near and smiles. A weak exhausted smile.
"Hi baby." Even her words are tired. Clarke steps into the room, right into her mom's waiting arms. They remain like that for a few seconds, just breathing each other in. At last the younger Griffin pulls away.
"I want you to do me a favor." With Clarke even requests sounded like demands.
"And what is that?"
"Marry Marcus." Abby knew if she had been eating at this moment she'd now be choking.
"What?" She asks a few seconds later after staring blankly at Clarke.
"Marry Marcus. You like him. He likes you. After everything we've gone through the last…God knows how long you both deserve to be happy. And I know you have tried to protect me from your feelings towards him because of dad. But mom it's okay. I'm okay. Plus I love seeing you happy. Marcus Kane makes you happy." Without realizing they had started Abby's face is covered in tears. Clarke leans in for another hug.
"I'm afraid." She whispers.
"Of what mom?"
"Getting hurt. Losing him. I almost already have so many times."
"I know. I know. But we have to keep hope right? He always makes it. I think because of you.' Abby gives a slight chuckle. 'You changed him for the better."
"Yeah but does he want me? Does he love me?"
"How could you think I don't?" Both women whip their heads around and up at the door.
"Marcus…" Abby says softly her tears forming again.