AN: I own nothing but my own imagination.

Please don't hesitate to comment, critique, question, or correct. Feedback is very much sought and appreciated, thank you! On a side note, if you have an suggestions for where you would like to see this story go, shoot them my way!


Clarke felt nerves she hadn't felt since college as she stood in her room, plucking through her dresser. Angrily, she rummaged through each drawer more than once nearing the point of just wanting to toss the content into the room freely. Of course, she refrained.

"Where the fuck is it?" She cursed to herself. The room was otherwise silent. While she had been playing music earlier, the playlist had stopped and she was too occupied looking for something to give a damn about ambiance. In a huff of defeat, she turned and went to Raven's room. The brunette wasn't home, but Clarke knew she was guilty of borrowing her clothes. She made a line to the dresser and rummaged it, still not finding her lost item. Taking to the closet, it was a mess. Her hands roamed the shoulders of everything hung up until finally, she felt it. Pulling out the hanger, Clarke was relieved to see the sweater she was looking for. It was a simple mid-tone blue sweater that almost looked like it had a shine to it. The fabric was unrealistically soft, and most importantly it was a gift from Abby.

With her victory in her hands, Clarke trapsed back to her room and found a new playlist. Her mood had been reset and she continued getting ready. Around six songs later, she was clad in the blue sweater, a nice dark pair of jeans that had been tucked into black knee-high boots, and she topped the look with an expensive looking black blazer. Checking herself out in the mirror, she gave herself a nice cleansing sigh and a nod. She was ready. As ready as she would be.

Thirty-seven minutes of radio music and light traffic, Clarke pulled up to a small bistro. It was so charming but was likely expensive. While Abby was a pretty down to earth person, she did have a bit of pretentious air about her. At least when it came to food. Maybe it had to do with how limited she was as a child, and how her career warranted her luxuries as an adult. At any rate, she would always indulge in good food. The blond left behind her little black sedan and entered the bistro. A tiny teenager clad in black greeted her. Clarke swiftly asked for "Doctor Griffin" knowing her mother always went by her title. The young lady nodded and escorted Clarke through the bistro to a back patio where her mother sat under a white umbrella.

"Honey." Abby cooed at the sight of her daughter. She stood to embrace her child, and took in her appearance.

"You look so great." She noted. Clarke pulled back from the hug, much as she didn't want to and surveyed her mothers own appearance.

"You look amazing Mom!" She said excitedly. Abby was in the best shape she had ever seen her in, and she looked well taken care of. Clarke then looked around them.

"Is Kane not coming?" She asked, as both women sat down. Abby shook her head.

"He'll meet us in a bit, he wanted us to have some time alone. It's been so long."

"This place is so cute, random find or?" Clarke asked, looking around. It was very shabby chic with touches of white everywhere. The theme was must have been Paris, or a version of it a younger girl would idealize. It was so charming nonetheless.

"Used to come here a bit. Their quiche is the best quiche ever, and they do all their baked goods in house."

"That's why it smells so good." Clarke's stomach agreed and Abby laughed. She didn't really think she was hungry, but the smell of fresh baked goods had an effect on everyone. The two commented on the venue in passing as they skimmed their menus and a server came to take their drink orders. They were ready with their food orders as well, so in one go they ordered their meals. It wasn't two minutes later the server returned with their drinks. Idly, Clarke twirled the straw in her glass around, mixing imaginary things.

"So, how are you? How is work, and Raven? Any new love in your life?" Abby leaned in, intent on catching up with her daughter. Clarke sighed, preparing herself.

"I'm alright, work is well, work. You know. And Raven is great. She misses you too and sends her love." She smiled at her mother.

"And" Abby goaded her about the question she avoided.

"I'm not seeing anyone. I was casual with a guy for a few months, but he kind of turned into a nutcase." Clarke was candid, which Abby appreciated even when it was things she didn't want to hear. Abby nodded.

"Well, one day you'll find mister or misses right. They have to be worth your time." Abby declared proudly, thinking no one was good enough for her daughter. She tried her best not to smother her though.

"What about you, how are you and Kane doing since we last spoke?" Clarke bravely asked. Her mother sat back and looked down. It was odd and painful to see shame on her mothers normally confident demeanor.

"We're doing alright, actually. He's coming around, and he's been very supportive. I hurt him with lying to him about everything, so I guess I'm just lucky he's keeping me around." She smiled at her daughter.

"Mom, you're both lucky. You two finding love with one another after losing dad was... " Clarke paused to think. "... almost feels destine. Maybe he is out there somewhere pulling strings because he knew you two would keep one another going." Her words came from her heart, and Abby looked surprised she would say such a thing.

"I never thought about it that way. You know I always felt guilty, falling in love with Dad's best friend after his passing. It just happened so naturally but I felt like I was doing wrong by Jake."

"No, mom. I know this is weird coming from me, but I wholeheartedly think you and Kane happened for a reason, and I just know dad is okay with it." Clarke shrugged. She wasn't religious, she didn't pray to anyone, deity or dead. However in her soul, she felt she knew where her dad's heart sat. He loved Abby to the end of the world and back, and Kane was the one person he trusted with his own family. When she said the words she did, she could almost imagine her father in the atmosphere playing marionette with the two. It made her smile.

"You're probably right. You are your fathers daughter." Abby clasped Clarke's hand and smiled.

Clarke herself grinned. She really did enjoy being compared to her father, as she was very much his child. They were both learners, leaders, and always wanted to do the right thing. On the same hand, she was also very much her mother's daughter. Both women were headstrong and stubborn but endlessly nurturing and great caregivers.

A few minutes later, their meals were brought out. Clarke had ordered a bread bowl with french onion soup that looked sinful. Her mother had ordered a ham and cheese quiche with a side of fruit. Both meals look perfect and smelled even better. To top it off, both came with fresh out of the oven blueberry muffins. Clarke couldn't help but pick at the top of hers the moment it was sat down. As they dove into their meals, they enjoyed them silently for a few minutes before they began chatting again. Abby spoke of her friendships from rehab which prompted her to ask about Clarke and all these new friends she had heard about.

"Well, I told you how I met them through Octavia, she was a patient. The fun part I left out was that same morning, I met her brother before hand when I bumped into him at the coffee shop and spilled hot coffee all over him." Clarke laughed between bites.

"You're kidding me? The overbearing brother was the coffee shop hit and run?"

"Yep. I think that's what made Octavia and I get along so well. I stuck it to her brother without meaning to. She practically loved me for it. After that though, we all just got along so well and Raven actually works the same site as Bellamy. We ended up all being at the same birthday party and that is that. One giant dysfunctional family of friends, but mom I have to admin. I love it." She glowed.

"Oh honey, that's so great. You always were weird at making friends, I mean look at you and Raven." Both women laughed.

"What can I say, when I make friends, it's in bad ways."

The rest of lunch was very light-hearted and enjoyable. The women shared conversation of new memories and old ones, and just enjoyed one another's company. They ended their meals and Clarke bought some muffins to go, citing Raven would kill her otherwise. Exiting the building, Abby looked at her phone.

"Kane is meeting us the strip mall you passed on your way here. We figured a little shopping halfway between your place and ours would be fair." Abby suggested.

"That's great, meet you there?"

"Yep." Abby kissed her daughters forehead, and they parted ways.


"Clarke, how are you?" A tall handsome man stood to greet the two women at the main parking lot. She saw him and went in for a hug.

"Kane." She smiled, hugging the man. She had known him most her life. After the cliche pleasantries, the three went about their shopping adventure. Kane didn't mind, he did have a knack for shoes afterall. Clarke on the other hand wasn't really ever one for shopping. At any rate, she took the time to enjoy seeing her mother happy and healthy and to catch up with her parental figures.

The trio wore out faster than expected. The excitement of being together and the activity level of being out was just a bit much for how slow Abby's life had been in recovery and how tiresome Clarkes was at work. After they hit up a few stores they sat down to grab a drink and finish up their day together.

"So Mom, I wanted have something for you." Clarke said, clearing her throat. Abby looked at her with confusion, not sure what Clarke could have for her. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the little box. She had put a small white ribbon around it, tied into a very uneven but charming bow. She set it on the table and slid it over to her.

Abby took the box and looked up at her. It looked as if she was asking permission like a child on Christmas morning. Clarke smiled. Abby slid the bow off the box and pulled the lid off revealing the silver trinket inside. She was instantly hit with tears.

"Oh honey." Abby blinked her tears away and looked between the item in the box to the girl who gave it to her. Kane leaned over and snuck a glimpse of the item, even he seemed to love it.

"That's perfect, Clarke." He noted.

Clarke took her mother's hand. "Mom, I don't do the sappy thing, but I wanted you to know how proud I am of you." She spoke as Abby picked up the charm and read both sides of the disc. Abby couldn't stop the tears from falling, she was so touched.

"I love it, Clarke. Thank you so much." She choked out, and moved to hug her daughter. They embraced like they hadn't seen one another in a lifetime, and even Clarke couldn't refrain from crying. She knew how much her mother had gone through and she knew how her mother felt like she had messed up and ruined her life.

"You're welcome Momma." She wiped her own tears away. Abby wiped her cheeks and under eyes, correcting her makeup.

"Sometimes I forget how grown up you are. You'll always be my little girl." Abby proudly stated and both women laughed, breaking through the emotional moment.

"Alright, before we ruin anymore of our makeup, we should get home before rush hour." Abby said. Clarke nodded composed herself.

"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. You remember Jackson, right?"

"The guy you mentored? Yeah, of course."

"He's transfering to your hospital this month. You two can reconnect."

"That's awes… wait a minute. Are you going to use him to check on me, Mom?" She gave her mom a cheeky side-eye and smiled. Abby threw her hands up, feigning innocence.

"I am a mother Clarke, that is my privilege."

"Fine! But don't be annoying. It really will be great to see Jackson again. I bet my friends would love him."

"Good idea." The three hugged. "Alright Baby, we need to go. I love you, and you can always reach me."

"I love you too."

"Take care of yourself, Clarke." Kane pat her shoulder lovingly.

"You too, and take care of Mom, or else." She made the empty threat. With that Abby and Kane took one another's hands and headed for Abby's car. Clarke watched him open her car door and see her off before he got in his own car. She loved seeing how close they were. While it reminded her of times where her father was alive, it filled her heart to know that her mother had love in her life after losing it. In her own car, Clarke sighed, settled in, and drove home.

Later that night at home, Clarke was texting Raven when she got a message from Bellamy. As if he knew what they were talking about, the message read:

(8:13) Blake: 'How'd it go with your mom?'

(8:13) Clarke: 'Are you talking to Raven…?'

(8:13) Blake: 'Nope. I'm a wizard.'

(8:13) Clarke: 'Oh, so Wick then.'

(8:13) Blake: 'Damnit. Cover blown.'

(8:14) Clarke: 'Try harder next time, nerd. It went good though, she loved the gift.'

(8:14) Blake: 'Ouch. Right to the heart, Griffin. Glad she liked it, you did good kid.'

(8:14) Clarke: 'k now go away Blake.'

Bellamy continued to message her after that, just a few sarcastic pleads to pay attention to him which Clarke ignored for the most part until a few minutes passed to which she replied with a sleeping z's emoji, trying to denote how boring he was. They rarely did text, but they always did harass one another. Clarke went back to her conversation with Raven, telling her to punch her boyfriend on her behalf, playfully. Raven agreed to such punishment and likely carried through with it, which likely lead to more as she stopped replying to her friend. Putting her phone down, Clarke got lost in her usual Netflix before calling it a night.

-x-