Chapter 2

Clarke exhaled a breath, running her slender fingers through her long waves as she sorted through the art projects all of her kids had done over the week. One project had caught her eye, and she didn't know what to do. Logically thinking, she should return it, however she wanted to display it through the class room with the other projects. Auggie had requested that she not do that however, and Clarke wouldn't and couldn't go against his wishes. She took in all the projects the kids had done, each one dipicting someone they looked up to, their hero and idol. Auggie's caught her eye the most simply because his wasn't a fictional superhero as so many had done. His was his father. The project possessed a photo of Auggie's father dressed in his police uniform while crouching down to rest his chin on his son's shoulder and both were grinning widely at the camera.

Next to that was a replica of his father's badge as well as reasons why his father was his Hero. Clarke read over them again for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

"My Daddy is Brave. He works hard to keep the city safe from bad people. He never lies, he always comes home like he promises. He is good, and helps everyone. He is hardworking and never breaks a promise he makes," Clarke closed her eyes, leaning back in her chair as she thought over what the little boy had written about his father.

"Someone's got her thinking face on," Clarke opened her eyes, taking in the sight of her other brother, leaning against the door jam of her classroom.

"Not really Murphy. Lincoln send you to escort me home today?" Clarke questioned with an eye roll, already pushing to her feet and deciding she would think about her class tomorrow when she had time, not now when she desperately needed to go home and sleep for a decade.

"We're your older brothers Clarke, we can't help but be over protective of you," he replied as he shrugged away from the wall and fell instep beside the slender blonde he called his sister.

"What are your plans for tomorrow? If nothing, Lincoln met this girl, she came in for a tattoo and they've been dating ever since, or well Lincoln's equivalent to dating and awkward flirting. Anyway he's inviting everyone over for a cook out and she's going to be there with her brother and nephew, and please do me this favor and come. I don't think I could handle watching Lincoln act like a whipped little puppy dog all night by myself. I need you're witty snark to keep me entertained," Clarke was laughing uncontrollably by this point as she nodded her agreement.

"Alright, I'll be there. Just stop begging, please," Clarke replied once she was able to breath normally again. Murphy snorted, crossing his arms over his chest before glancing at her from the corner of his eye.

"You seem out of it, everything okay?" he questioned, noticing how Clarke kept twisting Jake's watch on her wrist, fiddling with it in a way she hadn't done since they first lost him.

"I'm fine, don't worry," Clarke was unconvincing, but Murphy let it slide for the moment. They finally reached her apartment building which was only a ten minute walk from her daycare, however her brothers were both very protective of her.

"Tomorrow, around five. Don't forget Clarke, I need you there to keep me sane," Murphy reminded her as they reached the doors that would lead to the lobby of her apartment building. Clarke rolled her eyes before nodding her head in acknowledgment of what he was saying. Murphy offered her a two fingered wave before jogging down the steps of her building and making his way back towards his old car. Clarke shook her head before pulling the glass doors open and entering the lobby, closing her eyes for a moment before making her way towards the elevator that would take her up to the seventh floor, the top floor where her apartment was located. She just wanted a long bath, glass of wine, and to sleep, most likely on the couch since she wouldn't make it to her bed when she settled in to watch some mindless show on Netflix. Exhaling a breath, Clarke stepped off the elevator once it reached her floor and carefully dug her keys out of her bag that was hanging on her arm and unlocking her door, shutting it once she crossed the threshold and resting against it. She had only meant to stay there for a moment to gather her thoughts and plan her night, she hadn't expected to sink down against the door as she felt the overwhelming weight crushing her chest. She knew why Lincoln was holding the get together tomorrow, knew why Murphy was the one to walk her home, and she just couldn't process that it had been two years already since she lost her best friend because he had to go play hero, had to save the world because "It's the right thing to do Clarke. If I don't try to change the world, who else will?" She remembered his words and couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks as she sobbed against the solid oak door of her fancy apartment that her mother paid for.

"Griffin, you've got two seconds to open this door before I break it down myself! And you know I will, these security doors are child's play when it comes to me!" Clarke groaned, slowly opening her eyes before realizing she held slept on the floor in front of her door. The voice of her best friend drifted to her ears again, threatening to just pick the lock before Clarke pushed to her feet and twisted the deadbolt to allow her friend entry into her home.

"What time is it?" Clarke questioned, running her fingers through her blonde waves, only for them to catch on a few tangled strands. Raven took in her best friend, a grimace on her face as she stepped over the threshold, shaking her head.

"You look like shit Clarke," she didn't doubt that. Her eyes felt puffy, her cheeks sticky, and from what she felt of her hair, it was a rat's nest.

"You say the sweetest things," Clarke replied sarcastically as she led the way into her kitchen, intending to turn on her coffee maker and start a breakfast for her friend and herself. Raven shook her head, her long ponytail swinging behind her as she looked over Clarke again.

"Babe, I love you, but you need my blunt ass to keep you in check. You know damn well he wouldn't want you crying and moping. He would want you celebrating his life, not mourning it," Raven had only met Wells Jaha, Clarke's oldest friend a handful of times, but even she knew he wouldn't want his best friend feeling miserable. Clarke tensed at Raven's words, nodding her head slowly before reaching into the cupboard for two mugs.

"Today marks the two year mark that he's been gone. I was planning on going by the memorial wall, pay my respects to him and his unit, than I was going to Lincoln's for the cook out," Clarke explained, knowing Raven would have pushed until she told her the plans she had made for the day. Raven nodded as she slid onto a bar stool that lined the kitchen's breakfast bar, her amber eyes watching as Clarke moved towards the fridge and began pulling out a carton of eggs and other items for an omlete.

"Would you like some company?' Raven finally questioned, watching as Clarke looked up for the eggs she had been cracking, a nervous smile stretching on her lips before she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.

"Would you mind coming with me? Do you have any plans for the day?" Raven snorted at the questions, shaking her head before she pushed to her feet.

"Clarke, I wouldn't have offered if I minded. The only thing I have planned is going to Lincoln's later. I'm all yours until five. Go shower and get cleaned up. I'll finish the eggs," Raven moved the carton from her friend, nudging her in the direction of the kitchen's door way. Clarke only nodded before listening to her friend and making her way towards her bedroom with it's adjoining bathroom.

They didn't stay at the memorial wall for long, However Raven watched as Clarke slowly traced her friend's name, a soft smile on her lips before she closed her eyes in an obvious attempt to fight back her tears. She dropped her hand and turned on her heel, moving towards Raven and linking their arms together.

"How about we go get ready for my brother's cook out, find you a killer outfit that will convince my idiot brother to finally make a move," Clarke had suggested brightly, and Raven knew it was just a way to distract herself, and she allowed it, offering a toothy grin at the thought.

"I'm all for flustering Murphy, and the way you dress, I can't wait to hear your idea on what I should wear," Raven laughed, allowing Clarke to pull her towards her jeep, forcing a grin that didn't look nearly as fake as it had earlier.

They had spent the last few hours getting ready for the small party Lincoln was holding, and when they finally arrived, they were only an hour late.

"I sent you early in the morning to avoid her being late. I've had to watch by myself as Lincoln acted like a whipped puppy for this girl. I needed your snarky comments Clarke and you left me to suffer for an hour," Murphy was being dramatic and both girls could only roll their eyes.

"First off, I didn't leave you alone for an hour Murphy. Monty's here. Harper's here. Roan's here. You could have made small talk with them. Raven and I were having trouble trying to find something to wear," Clarke sniffed daintly, the way she knew Murphy thought was hilarious considering their upbringing.

"Miss Clarke!" a familiar voice shouted from across the room, drawing Clarke's attention from her brother and best friend to the little boy who was dragging his father behind him as he made his way towards her.

"Hello Auggie, what are you doing here?" Clarke questioned, her brows furrowing slightly in confusion as she glanced from the little boy to his father.

"Lincoln invited us when he invited my sister. What are you doing here?" Bellamy answered, confusion coloring his own features and the question coming out a little harsher than he had intended. Clarke schooled her features, the familiar cold mask she hadn't used since she moved out of her mother's home slid into place.

"Lincoln's my brother, he wanted me to meet this wonderful girl he has been talking to," Clarke replied coldly, watching the way Bellamy's eyes widened slightly at her words as well as her tone.

"Clarke, you're late," Lincoln's warm voice greeted her before enveloping her in a hug. Clarke offered her brother a warm smile wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.

"Well, Murphy made it sound as if this was a life or death situation. I couldn't miss it," Clarke replied as she released him and stepped back. Lincoln chuckled, shaking his head before glancing at Bellamy and Auggie.

"Bellamy, would you mind helping me for a minute with the grill. Clarke will keep an eye on Auggie, I would rather not have him that close to the flames," Bellamy could only nod, a small frown pulling on his lips before he ran his hand over his son's head.

"I'll be right back. Be good," he told his son before following Auggie.

"I have a question for you Auggie," Clarke spoke as she found a few empty chairs and sat in one, a small smile on her lips as the little boy followed her lead, watching her with intelligent eyes.

"I want to display your art project, but I know you said you didn't want that. I was hoping if I asked you, if you would allow me to do it," Clarke explained, watching the little boy think over her words.

"Why?" he finally asked, tilting his head to the side as he watched her.

"I was planning on displaying everyone's, but I wanted it be fair and I've asked everyone for their permission," Clarke explained, unaware of Bellamy and Lincoln watching her as she spoke with Auggie.

"Do you have a project you're going to display?" he asked after a moment, watching as Clarke's eyes widened briefly, before her gaze softened on the little boy.

"I do," she replied, watching as Auggie thought her words over before nodding his head.

"Okay. Mister Monty has one he wants to display too, I think everyone should put up something!" he exclaimed brightly, and Clarke could only nod in agreement laughing softly.

"Great idea," she said, leaning back in her chair and watching as Auggie played with his fingers for a moment before glancing towards his teacher.

"Who's your Hero Miss Clarke?" she closed her eyes for a minute, thinking over her words as well as composing herself.

"My best friend. He wanted to protect everyone and he left for a while," Clarke answered, watching Auggie nod before sliding out of his seat and running towards a woman with the same olive complexion and dark hair as him.

"He joined the army and never made it back, right?" Bellamy's rough voice drifted to Clarke's ears as she opened her eyes to see him seated across from her.

"He wanted to save the world and thought by joining the army and starting from the bottom, he could. He...I wish he hadn't been that idealist, but that's who he had always been, even when we were kids," Clarke replied, swallowing around the lump that was forming in her throat.

"I became a police officer to make the world a safer place for my son," Bellamy offered, watching Clarke glance towards him from under her eye lashes.

"I opened the day care because I wanted to help shape minds," she replied, offering a small smile, realizing she was comfortable in his company, something she hadn't expected from the way he had acted when she had first arrived. She thought, maybe he wasn't so bad after all.

A/N: Chapter 2! I hope you enjoyed! Feel free to let me know what you thought!