When the doorbell rang, they were setting up dessert. They had been sitting around the kitchen table laughing and catching up on old memories. Memories about Octavia and Bellamy as kids. Memories about times with Clarke's parents. Memories from the girls too, Emori and Raven opening about their college campus experiences. Trying to keep it all PG for the mom in the room. Murphy had mentioned a couple times about feeling left out, he was the only one still in school. Wells would be graduating next weekend. Inevitable that he was going to be doing homework while the rest of them were off doing their own things.
Emori rubbed his back, trying to be supportive. Offering to help him with whatever he needed, and Raven making a quiet comment that she really didn't think there would be much studying involved. Clarke heard the doorbell again. Knowing who it was. She had surprised Bellamy at graduation, but knowing they were all going to be together, their small family. She wanted to do something for Murphy too. Who she had grown so close with.
Earlier that morning.
Clarke was getting ready for the day, Bellamy had jumped in the shower leaving her alone in her room. Clarke having her to do list handy pulled out a piece of paper with a number on it. A different area code then the town they lived in. She listened while the phone rang. "Hi, I would like to speak to Ms. Murphy please. If she's available for calls". The nurse responded it would be a moment. It didn't take long and she heard a small voice on the other line. "Hello, Ms. Murphy speaking". "Hi Ms. Murphy. I am sure you don't know me, but my name is Clarke Griffin, I am Bellamy Blakes fiancé". She waited but there was no registering or response, so she continued. "I understand this might be difficult since you have not been in the program that long but seeing how it had been a couple months, and John mentioned how proud he is that you are doing better I wanted to invite you to our home, we are having a dinner tonight to celebrate our graduation". "Oh, John didn't tell me he was graduating, he… he must not want me there". Clarke felt bad she had mentioned it. "Oh no, John isn't graduating yet, we all are, and I am sure he would be happy to see you. I thought it would be a nice surprise".
The line was silent for the next couple minutes. It almost sounded like she was trying not to cry. "I wouldn't want to be an intrusion, or have John be embarrassed of me. I have a free pass to leave but, I don't know if it's the best idea". Clarke only thought about how much it hurt her, what she had done in the past. But despite what ever events happened, she was his mom and would always be his mom. She wished she could take back the things she said to her parents the last time she saw them before they passed but she couldn't. Murphy's mom shouldn't be ashamed, she was trying to get better and she should be there for him. "I really insist, if you feel you'd like to". Clarke gave her the address and before hanging up the phone she added, "We all have skeletons in our closet, but I promise you no one will judge you here. It's a free invitation if you'd like. And I would be happy to meet you". Clarke heard the phone hang up not knowing if she would consider what she said. Clarke was happy she just got to reach out to her. She deserved to be there.
As Clarke pulled open the door, she didn't expect the woman who was standing in front of her. She was skinny, very skinny. Older, maybe in her later 40's early 50's. She had her hair down, streaks of grey running throughout it. She was holding her arms like she was cold, rubbing her hands up and down them. "Hi, you must be Ms. Murphy". The older women looking at the car pulling out of the driveway. She wasn't sure she should have come. Clarke held out her hand, and while the women looked at it. Clarke placed it back by her side. "I'm Clarke, we are just having dinner now, please will you come in". A call from the kitchen, getting her attention. "Clarke, babe. Who is it"? There had been enough surprise guests at the house that had been uninvited, and Bellamy would no doubt worry for a while trying to forget them.
The women started to back away, shaking her head. Clarke moved toward her pulling the door shut behind her. "If you need to take a minute I understand, here" she said pointing to the bench outside. "Please sit with me". The women walked over sitting on the far end while Clarke sat closer to the middle. She could tell she was nervous staring at her shoes as she patted them on the ground. A nervous tick, or maybe it was shakes from her past addiction. "I know it's hard, but he's going to be happy you're here. No one is going to judge you in there". Trying to be supportive and say anything to make her stay. "I've done so many horrible things…. In our lives. Things no one should endure. How can I just intrude on his way of living now? When he's probably perfectly content without me in there". Clarke reached out placing a hand on her leg, getting a quick look from Murphy's mom.
"Remember what I said, we all have skeletons. I wish sometimes I could face mine. But I never have the chance to again. This is something you can do to take a step forward in the right direction, just being there for him. Plus, you'll have to meet Bellamy his best friend, and his sister and mom are in there too". Hoping she didn't overwhelm her with how many people were at the gathering. "And your Clarke"? She asked, trying to remember her name from the phone conversation earlier. "Yeah, Bellamy's fiancé and childhood friend. We grew up together. And he was kind enough to share all the people in his life with me, including your son. Who is so smart and talented. He's a very kind man". That made his mom smile. She took a deep breath, ready to bring herself to her feet.
"Will you walk in with me, I don't… I don't want to be the first one he sees". Clarke looped arms with the woman, making sure she was comfortable. "I'll be right there with you the whole time". They walked to the door, Clarke making a move to open it. A few people looked up to see who it was that came to join the party. It wasn't until it became quiet that Murphy looked up. "Mom".
He was surprised to see his mom there, surprised and a little shocked. He loved his mom, had spoken to her over the phone since she started at the rehab facility. Kept his distance while she sorted out things, got better. This life he had though, was so different and he was a little embarrassed to have all his friends meet her, knowing some of them knew of their life together. Looking down as Clarke's looped arm with his mom. "Murphy, I know we have our little family celebration tonight, but I thought it might be nice if all the family was together. So, I called and invited your mom". She looked up at her. Hoping that Murphy wasn't too upset by her surprise, he didn't exactly seem pleased when they first walked in. "Um, I don't know what to say. Is it ok that you're here? I mean your not going to get in trouble or anything are you"? She shook her head, confirming that no rules had been broken. "I… I mean you can come in. Have a bite to eat, meet my friends". The women looked over everyone's faces. Not able to recognize any of them.
Bellamy walked over, reaching out his hand, "Hi Ms. Murphy it's really nice to meet you. I'm Bellamy Murphy's friend/roomie. Why don't you come in, we are having burgers, are you hungry"? The women just watched him; she wasn't used to people being so nice when they didn't need to be. "Come on mom, please. Murphy whispering to her, it was clear he didn't want her to embarrass him. The pressure was getting to be a little too much and she pulled her arm out of Clarke's, staring to rub her arms again. Closing her eyes as she stuttered. "I… I don't want to be any trouble. I just wanted to come by and say hello. It wasn't my idea… I just". She was trying to figure out what to say, while her mind kept thinking about all the stares, and obvious thoughts people were having. What was wrong with her? When backing up to leave, a woman close to her age came forward.
"Hi, I'm Bellamy's mom Aurora. It's so nice to have another parent here. Why don't we go sit on the couch where it's a little less kid central and talk? Would that be ok"? She was trying to break the ice, and it seemed to be working. Murphy's mom nodded her head, making her way over to the living space. Aurora smiled, looking back at the dining room. Clarke went to make Murphy's mom a plate, putting whatever was on it that she might eat. She looked up at Bellamy, feeling his arm go around her waist. "I did a good thing right, Murphy's not mad". Watching him sit in the living room with Bellamy's mom and his. He kissed the top of her head. "You did a great thing".
The evening carried on and by the end of it. Emori and John were sitting in the living room laughing at things he said. Murphy's mom had finished her plate and was smiling at her son, while Aurora left to help clean things up. Clarke was standing at the sink drying dishes and Lincoln and Octavia were sitting at the dining room table playing cards with the rest of the group. Aurora nudged Clarke in the side as she helped her. Clarke felt good about what she did, and she felt even better about the people she was surrounded by.
I don't know about anyone else but I really loved the idea of Clarke and Murphy's friendship after season 6. He shortly became one of my favorite characters after that. I hope you enjoyed this part. I feel like his character has so much depth to work with. Stay tuned for more and thank you to all the readers. Stay safe out there. And as always BE KIND