Chapter 46: Lexa

After the doc comes in a fixed me up, Clarke helps me with getting a shower. Luckily, the morphine hasn't kicked in quite yet. I can control myself enough to just let her help me and not make her uncomfortable. Then she helps me change into one of the suits we bought on our shopping trip, but she surprises me with a mint green tight-fitting V-neck shirt to go under it. Once I'm dressed, she has me sit down while she goes to change.

As I sit there waiting, I can feel the medicine start to kick in because I get lightheaded. When Clarke comes out of the bathroom, she wears a dress that is the same color as my shirt and hugs her body like a glove. The dress stops just above her knees, showing off her legs, which I'm just noticing are very toned. I stand there, taking in her beauty for a second before I stand and walk towards her. When I am standing close enough to look her in her bright green eyes, I say, "Ya Amar, you look…you look amazing." I lean in, pressing my lips to her cheek, then hold out my good arm and say, "Shall we, princess."

She takes my arm, and we walk down the hallway to find room 222. When we enter the room, Dr. Hines is waiting for us. Clarke helps me take off my suit jacket and kisses me on the cheek before she says, "I'm going to stand right outside the door while the doctor takes the x-ray."

Doc Hines says, "Clarke, you can stay behind the screen with me."

About twenty minutes later, we walk out of the room with my shoulder in a sling. Dr. Hines informs us that everything looks good with my shoulder. We exit the room and start down the tunnel and out to join our friends, but halfway down the tunnel awaits a bunch of cameras that start flashing as we approach. By now, the drugs have kicked in, and I am feeling great so, I decide to have a little fun and start posing for the cameras. Clarke is a little apprehensive at first, but when she sees me acting goofy, she begins to laugh and joins me in the fun. After about five minutes of pictures, a broadcaster comes over and asks a few questions about my shoulder. When we start to walk away, he says, "Hey, Stryker! One more question, what's next?"

I laugh and say, "I'm not really sure yet." I look at Clarke smiling at me with love in her eyes like I'm the only person here. I glance at the guy and then say, "What I do know is that I'm going to marry this girl right here one day." Then I turn, taking her hand, and walk away.

We take about two steps before she stops dead in her tracks and says, "What-What did you just say? I don't think I heard you over the crowd or something."

I lean in, kissing her cheek, and whisper in her ear so that I'm sure she hears me. "I said, I'm going to marry you one day."

When we finally make it to our seats, I collapse in to mine. Everyone is congratulating me and asking me if I'm okay. Once the questions are answered, I ask one of my own. "Can I get some food? I'm starving." Of course, everyone laughs at me.

As soon as I get settled into my seat, Asher comes and stands in front of me and asks, "Xa, can I sit in your lap? I will be real still, so I don't hurt you."

I look down at him and smile, "Sure, buddy, climb on up." I then look over at Ash and say, "You know, I hadn't ever really thought about having kids. I guess because of my childhood but being around him…I get why you want to have more. When the ref raised my hand, declaring me a winner, and he was with me looking up at me like I was the greatest person in the world…all I could think was I can't wait to have my own with Clarke."

Clarke and Callie both snapped their heads toward me and said, "What?"

Ash laughs and looks at Clarke, "Did the doctor give her morphine?"

Clarke replies, "Yes, why?"

"That explains why she is talking so much and saying anything that comes to her mind. The only other time I've seen her like this was when we were in DC, and she was on morphine, but don't worry when it wears off, she remembers everything."

"Um…I'm not sure I know what to say. Does she mean what she says while under the influence of it?"

"I…well, she is the most honest person I know…so, yeah. She means it. She probably just wouldn't have said most of it until she was ready. It seems that morphine acts like a truth serum to her, removing any filter she might have on her thoughts."

Callie speaks up, "So, you have been talking to her about having more kids?"

Ash turns red, "Well, it may have come up in conversation. Why? Do you not want more?"

Now it's Callie's turn to turn red, "I didn't say that. I just…well, it was hard doing it by myself, and I have thought about what it would be like having you to help, but I just didn't know if you would want to."

"Well, I can't say that I want to be the one to have it, but yeah. I missed out on so much with Asher not being here…I think this is something we should talk about later though the fight is about to start. Clarke, the morphine should wear off shortly, but until then, we shouldn't let her wander around by herself."

Around ten o'clock, we are landing on the Untouchable with the new strawweight champion aboard. The morphine has worn off by now, and I'm still trying to figure out how to bring up what I said with Clarke, but right now, it's time to celebrate. Hopefully, everything is set up. When we get off the chopper, Amelia is there to greet us, so that's at least one right thing.

I send a text to Petrona to find out the status of everything else, and she says everything is a go. She informs me that everyone is on the party deck where they watched the fight. We all made our way to where the party has already started. The bartenders were busy mixing drinks, and there was a fantastic buffet of food set up that I wanted nothing more than to dig into but…I had another pressing matter right now.

I walked over to where the stage was set up but empty and grabbed the mic. "Hey everyone, I hope you are all enjoying yourself. I would like to thank everyone for being here tonight and cheering me on. I won't take up too much of your time with my boring speech because I have a huge surprise for you all. First, though, I do need to say a few things. I want to congratulate Tecia, the Tiny Tornado and new strawweight champion, on her victory tonight. Everyone give her a big round of applause." She raises her hand, and everyone claps.

I continue, "Next, I would like to say thank you to my good friend Cree for surprising me tonight, and of course, Ash, if it weren't for you, I would still be fighting in the desert somewhere or dead. Can you please join me up here for a few minutes?" She just nods and kisses Callie on the cheek before walking up to join me.

"I know that our relationship has been…well, somewhat complicated, but if it weren't for you, I don't know where I would be right now. I will forever be grateful that you came into my life. Everyone here should know our story by now, so I'm not going to repeat it again other than to say that even though we were not meant to be lovers, you were meant to be in my life. I think we have both finally figured out where we are supposed to be, and I am grateful that you have found your way back to Callie and Asher because that is truly where you should be. Anyway, Callie, can you come up here also?" She turns red and shakes her head no. "If you don't, we will just come to you." She sighs and walks up the steps.

"Alright, I promised everyone a surprise, so here it is. First, I would like to welcome Florida Georgia Line to the stage and thank them for doing me the honor of being here." Everyone starts to scream and clap as the band walks out onto the stage behind us. "Now, before I let them do their thing, there is one more thing that I need to do. As you all know, Ash is not the most romantic person…." Everyone chuckles, and she cuts her eyes at me, but I continue. "But she came to the right person to help her with that issue…me. She wants to do something special for Callie, and I suggested she sing her a romantic song…." Now everyone, including Callie, starts booing and shaking their head no. "Judging from your reaction, I guess what she told me about her singing is true. So, I decided to help her out, but first, I just want to say once again that I am extremely happy for the two of you. Callie, I know we had a rocky start, but I really do think that you are the best person for Ash, and I hope that you know I will always be here for your family."

She says, "I know you will, and I am sorry for the way things happened but look at us now!"

"I agree. Ash, I will always love you and have your six, but I realize now that I was never actually IN love with you the way I thought. It wasn't until I met an extraordinary person, to be named later, that I realized that. So now, without further ado, this song is dedicated to Callie from Ashley. Guys, hit it!"

I look over at Ash, who holds her hand out to Callie as the music starts to play. I then look down at Clarke and wink before I start to sing. I walk closer to where Ash and Callie have started dancing and started to sing…Tell me that you love me/Say "we'll always work it out"/I know it's kinda scary/But it's only temporary doubt/I've done a lot of stupid things/But promise that you're gonna stay long enough to grow old with me/We're gonna see the good times love each other through the bad/It's gonna hurt like hell when we lose our moms and dads/So let my shoulder hold your tears/Walk beside me through the years/Baby let's see, where this love could lead/Let's hold hands on your favorite beach/Fix up a house that we found in the city limits/Tangled up in a satin sheet/And get a little loud when we've had too much to drink/And learn to love from a church pew/Laugh about all the times we counted pennies/Buy some land with a good view/To start a family/Baby grow old with me/It's gonna take a little time we'll have to work at it every day/We're gonna lose a lot of sleep and learn to eat out of a microwave/You know we'll probably never have it all/But that's part of building up the walls strong enough to stand up through the rain/We'll make some love on your favorite beach/And at the house that we found in the city limits/Talk our babies through the bad dreams/When they get a little older we'll tell them not to drink/Book a church when she finds a groom/Laugh about all the times they'll count the pennies/Give them land with a good view/To start a family/And baby you know we might take a turn down a backroad, maybe go where the wind blows baby,/But end up right where we were meant to be/Back and forth on a porch swing/Hard not to smile thinking how it don't get much better/Our babies, babies turning 18/What a family/Baby grow old with me/Baby grow old with me/Baby grow old with me/Tell me that you love me/Say "we'll always work it out" When I finish, I hand the mic to Ash.

She begins, "Callie, I know we have been through some tough times. I realize now that it probably looked and felt like I was always running away from you and most times, I think I was. I know I ran and never thought to look back when you didn't show up at the airport, and that is one of the two biggest regrets I have in my life. I should've found you and talked to you, tried to work it out…something, anything. I should have come for you, but that is in the past, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you if you let me. So from now on, I want to run to you, not away from you." I hand her the bouquet of flowers with the ring box in it, and she goes down on one knee, "What I'm trying to say is I want to always work it out, and baby, I want to grow old with you. Callie, will you marry me?"

When I look at Ash, she has tears running down her cheeks, and Callie is also crying and just staring at the flowers with the ring. I'm beginning to get nervous for Ash because she hasn't answered when Ash takes the ring out of the box and gets up. She says, "I know it has taken me a long time to figure it out, but you are the only one for me and…." Callie cuts her off by crashing her lips to Ash's and then jumps into her arms. When they separate, Ash slips the ring on her finger, and everyone begins to cheer.

Callie walks over to me and delivers a crushing hug, and kisses me on the cheek. When she lets go, I wince, and she immediately starts to apologize. Ash comes over and thanks me as well and hands me the mic back. "Okay, everyone, just one more piece of housekeeping before I let you enjoy the show. Clarke, would you please join me up here?"

She looks surprised and scared, like she is about to run. "Ya Amar, please." I say, "I promise it is not a marriage proposal just yet." Everyone laughs, and she starts walking up. When she gets to me, I take her hand and kiss it. "I'm sure you all saw the fight and me introduce Clarke as my girlfriend, but well, with everything going on, I just wanted to say a few things. Clarke, two incredibly wise women, once told me if it were meant to be, then it would be. At the time, I had no idea what the hell they were talking about, but the moment I met you…well, I realized what they meant. Then when I kissed you the first time, I knew for sure that I was meant to be with you, not Ash." I look at Ash and say, "Sorry, Ash." She laughs and says, "No worries!"

"Anyway, I want to dedicate this next song to you. Guys, take it away." The music to Meant to Be starts to play, and I hold out my hand and ask Clarke to dance just as Bebe Rexha comes on stage. Everyone starts cheering, and I look around to see why and I'm surprised to see her. I had no idea that she was going to be here.

Bebe Rexha says, "The guys told me about this little party they were playing on a yacht where they were going to help someone propose, and I couldn't help but to be curious. So when they told me the story of Ash, Callie, and Lexa…well, I just felt like this song was written for them, so I decided to tag along to sing it with the guys. But now that I have heard Lexa's voice, I think that she should sing lead, and I will back her up. So what do you say?"

I look at Clarke, then Bebe, and back to Clarke, who has turned bright red. I say, "I don't know, last time I sang to her, she thought it was just because I was drunk and that it didn't really mean anything…so…."

Bebe looks at Clarke, "Is that right?"

She starts to stutter, "W-well, she had said earlier that she wasn't drunk enough to sing and then she drank a lot so…I-I guess I just thought that she didn't…whatever! I know her well enough now to realize that she never does anything unless she means it so…."

Bebe looks at me and says, "So, Lexa do you want to sing it to her or what?"

I smile and say, "Hell yeah, I want to sing to my girl. Let's do this!" I take Clarke in my arms. I hold her with my good arm around her waist. I accept the mic starting to sing while I dance with her. Once I begin to sing, it's like the rest of the world just melts away, and it's just us, staring into one another's eyes and swaying to the music. "Baby, lay on back and relax/Kick your pretty feet up on my dash/No need to go/nowhere fast/Let's enjoy right here where we at/Who knows where this road is supposed to lead?/We got nothing but time/As long as you're right here next to me/Everything's gonna be alright" I pause here and look deep into Clarke's eyes, "I meant everything I've ever said to you. I need you to know that. I will go as slow as you need me to. As long as you are with me, everything is going to be alright. Your mom and Amelia told me if it's meant to be, it'll be, and now that I have found you. I know what they meant." I continue to sing, "If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be/Baby, just let it be/If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be/Baby, just let it be/So, won't you ride with me, ride with me?/See where this thing goes/If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be/Baby, if it's meant to be." I pause again and say, "Clarke, I want to see where this thing between us goes. I know in my heart and my gut that WE are meant to be."

"Bebe back me up on this verse with a few changes?" I say, and I pull Clarke closer as Bebe begins to sing the verse with me. My version goes, "I know you don't mean to be so uptight/That your heart's been hurt by Finn a couple of times/That he didn't treat you right/I ain't gonna lie, ain't gonna lie/'Cause I'm tired of the fake love/Show me what you're made of/Girl, I'm gonna make you believe." I say, "I'm not like Finn. I will treat you right. I'm going to show you what I'm made of and make you believe that I love you!"

She stops dancing and looks at me. I just keep singing, "Woah, hold up, girl, don't you know you're beautiful?/And it's easy to see/If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be/Baby, just let it be/If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be/Baby, just let it be/So, won't you ride with me, ride with me?/See where this thing goes/If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be/Baby, if it's meant to be/So, c'mon ride with me, ride with me/See where this thing goes/So, c'mon ride with me, ride with me/Baby, if it's meant to be/Maybe we do/Maybe we don't/Maybe we will/Maybe we won't/But if it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be/Baby, just let it be (Sing it, baby)/If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be (C'mon)/Baby, just let it be (Let's go)/So, won't you ride with me, ride with me?/See where this thing goes (Come for a ride)/If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be/Baby, if it's meant to be (Yeah)/If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be/Baby, if it's meant to be/If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be/Baby, if it's meant to be"

When the song is through, I look at her and say, "So…are you sure you want to see where this thing goes? I know I do, and I'm all in with you setting the pace."

She doesn't answer me with words but with a kiss. It was a slow, sensual, tender kiss…it was like a promise of everything to come. After a few seconds, we pulled back and were both breathing hard. Finally, I just smiled and said, "Okay, that's all for me. Guys and girl, you have the stage. Everyone enjoy the music, drinks, and food, that includes the band."

Bebe Rehxa looks at me and says, "You have an amazing voice and sing my song almost better than I do. So if for some reason this doesn't work out between you two, give me a call."

I feel Clarke tense up beside me and grab my hand. I can't help but smile and then say, "Thanks, but she is the only one for me."

Clarke and I walk off the stage into the crowd. My shoulder is beginning to ache, and I need a drink. As we walk toward the bar, Amelia steps in front of me with a smile. "Lexa, that was amazing! I can't believe you helped Ashley propose to Callie after everything that has happened."

I give her a hug and whisper, "It's no problem. Besides, I think I've found my forever person even if she hasn't realized it yet." I pull back and kiss Clarke on the cheek, and Amelia just smirks at me.

As we continue to the bar, Clarke asks, "What was all the whispering about?"

"Oh, it was nothing. I was just telling Amelia how happy I am that I found you."

She blushes, and we order our drinks, then I hit the buffet. The rest of the night is spent celebrating with my friends. Clarke and I drink and dance the night away. Around two, I decided to call it a night. I find the band and invite them to stay the night if they would like. If not, someone will take them ashore and drive them to a hotel. Then I find Tecia and tell her to take advantage of the steam room and cryotherapy. I figure everyone else knows the drill, and if they don't, either O, Jose, or Reed will take care of it for me.

Once downstairs, I grab Clarke in a hug and then pull her into a kiss. Our tongues met, and her arms reached around me, crushing our chest together. She tastes of hope, lust, and promise. Our tongues explore, tasting, and neither of us was shy at this moment. Finally, she pulled back so we could both take a breath.

Our eyes were laser-focused on one another. Where I used to see the nervousness in Clarke's eyes, there was nothing but clarity now. She says, "I am more than your friend and have been all along, even if I didn't know it. I knew I was in trouble the first time we met, but I kept fighting it. I know you feel it too. But I realize now that I want more than one night. You are all I want, you are what I need, you are who I have to have. This is all new to me, and it scares me to death, but…well, I want to be your forever."

I can't help but smile, "You don't know how happy that makes me! I knew from the moment I saw you the first night in the Dragon's Den that I was in trouble, also. One thing I have realized in the past few months is that I don't enjoy one-nighters. I want something more, and I want it with you. It has been you since I first met you! I just need you to know that I'm not in this halfway, I want that forever relationship, and I'm glad that you do too. So…forever begins tonight?"

She looks at me with a huge smile and says, "Yes, I believe it does." Then she crushes her lips to mine and moans. We couldn't get close enough. Our arms are wrapped around one another so tightly there was no space between us, and the kiss grew more urgent until I tried to move my bad shoulder and wince. She pulls back quickly and looks me in the eyes, "Are you in much pain?"

"It's not too bad, especially when your lips are on mine," I say with a smile. "So…can we just continue to kiss?"

She smirks, "As much as I would love to, I think we should get some rest. You need to take it easy with your shoulder. Besides, didn't we just say that we have forever to figure things out."

I stick my lip out in a pout, "But…I need you now, and you never know how long forever is going to be. It could end tomorrow!"

"What? Are you saying that your vision of forever is not actually forever?"

"Wh-What? No, I just mean…given what I have seen in my short life, tomorrow is never a guarantee, and I tend to live every day like it may be my last. I in no way mean that my forever is…."

She interrupts me with a quick kiss, "Sorry, I forget that you have had a difficult life. I understand what you mean now, but we have time. I promise, and I want all of you not broken you." She wiggles her eyebrows at me and says, "If you know what I mean."

I laugh, "Good thing I heal quicker than most because I don't know how much longer I can keep my hands off of you. Now that I know where I stand. Can you help me change out of these clothes?"