A/N Okay, let's get back to some more… human plot line. LOL
More bellarke in the next chapter. I prooomise.
A meeting is called and after hours of discussion, most of the laws remain as they always have been with the exception of capital punishment being reserved for only the most heinous of crimes.
Clarke is sitting around the main table in the mess hall listening to the debate as the nocturnal Cleo sleeps in her lap. The pup refuses to be anyone else's presence except Bellamy's and she trots everywhere alongside Clarke until she sits down and then the pup insists on hopping into her lap.
Clarke is content with most of the decisions being made at the meeting and is just starting to wonder when she can grab some algae to slurp on, when Marcus speaks up from where he sits gingerly in a chair at the next table.
"A mandatory conception program will need to be instituted to ensure the future of the human race." He says casually, and a few others nod, but Clarke tenses and looks around, first at Madi and then over at where Miller and Jackson are paling, a few tables over.
With a steely determination in her eyes and Clarke shifts a sleeping Cleo onto Bellamy's lap as she stands.
"Wait." Clarke says very clearly, walking forward to glare Marcus into cowed silence.
"I understand your logic but think about what you are proposing. You're essentially suggesting we rape an entire generation to build up the human population."
She waits to let her words sink in and Marcus' eyes go wide as Clarke turns to address everyone assembled, Madi steps to her side with a proud smile.
"Do we really want the human race to be jump started by parents who are coerced or forced into raising children that they may not want?"
Madi steps forward, eyeing the entire assembly in a silent demand for their attention, and Clarke takes a breath to watch her daughter take command of the situation.
"I'm with Clarke. Monty and Harper saved us all and gave us this new chance to start over and their only request was that we 'do better' and I say we strive for that."
Madi steps back again and looks to Clarke to continue with a nod.
"No one should be forced to have a child they don't want. There needs to be a choice." Clarke turns and locks eyes with Nilah in the crowd and another thought occurs to her.
"There may also be those amongst us that don't have a partner or are unable to have children but still want them. I think we should help where we can with that, too. The human race can take it's time to build its numbers."
Applause goes around the room and Clarke gives Marcus one more, hard look before walking away behind Madi as the girl makes her way through the crowd. Cleo hops off Bellamy's lap sniffs and chirps before scampering to catch up with Clarke.