Chapter 61: Lexa

On the walk back down to the beach, I text Morrigan to see if she can look at the plane I have picked out online. Then I text Reed and Jose and ask them to meet me at the outdoor dining area. Morrigan texts back and says sure, so I let her know to meet me when she is ready.

Once Reed and Jose make it to the table to join me, I say, "I think with Ash gone, it would be easier if we took the Untouchable back to the dock. What do you think?"

Reed replies, "Probably, it makes more sense because it is easier to get on and off the ship."

"Great, so after Morrigan and I disembark it a bit, can you go ahead and take her back to the slip?"

"Sure, no problem."

"Another thing, since I won't be hosting a watch party or after-party for the next fight, we can leave her docked, and you two can come with me to the fight and not have to worry about the boat. Jose, are you going to be around later? I could use a sparring partner when I get back since I missed yesterday and this morning."

They laugh, and Reed says, "I'm sure you fit in some cardio while Clarke was here."

"Of course, but I need to hit something," I say with a chuckle.

Jose says, "Sure, just text when you get back."

Morrigan walks up, and we head out. I have already done extensive research online and picked out the plane that I think will work. I just need Morrigan's input. When we get to the airport hangar, we are met by Raffi Parsamian. He gives us a tour of the plane. It is a Boeing 747-8 that has been converted into a VIP plane, which means it doesn't have the original seating of a Boeing 747. It has been customized. There is an entry way much like you would expect on a commercial cruise ship but smaller when we enter the plane.

There is a spiral staircase that descends to the master suite and ascends to the sky loft. The master suite is nestled in the nose of the jumbo jet, directly under the cockpit but away from the engines. It includes a queen-sized bed, storage spaces, reading lights, a 65" smart TV, and a master bathroom with a walk-in shower.

The sky loft is located above the main cabin between the upper deck and tail, which contains 880 square feet of space filled with individual sleeping pods, a bathroom, and closet space. Each pod includes a TV, twin bed, and reading light.

In the main cabin to the left of the entryway is the crew area and galley kitchen. Behind the entrance is a dining room and office area, which can be converted into a conference room. To the right of the entryway toward the middle of the plane, space opens out into the centerpiece of the jet, a cavernous living area perfect for hosting guests or just kicking back. For more intimate discussions, paired leather seats offer more privacy along the sides of the hallway. Past the living area are four smaller lounge areas that can be converted into bedrooms, and the aft of the plane holds a 500 square foot state-of-the-art med bay.

After Raffi gives us the tour, he leaves and lets us explore on our own. I look at Morrigan and say, "So, what do you think? Can you fly this beast?"

She says, "Yes, but I will need a copilot."

"No problem, do you have someone in mind?"

"Actually, I do have someone in mind. One of my best mates from back home, Lincoln Whittle. I will give him a call and see if he would be willing to relocate. If that's okay with you. He would need a place to stay at least temporarily, but I trust him completely."

"That's no problem. I have plenty of space on the Untouchable. I would need him here in time to fly to Dubai for the fights."

"I'll make the call while you talk to Raffi about purchasing this beast."

A couple hours later, I am back at home sitting with the crew, toasting the purchase of my new plane. Morrigan has been in touch with Lincoln, and he should be here by early next week. I text Abby, O, and Bellamy to let them know that we will be leaving for Vegas in the morning at nine. Next, I stop by a jewelry store on my way to meet Clarke for dinner. I buy a charm for her bracelet that says, 'You are loved.' Then stop in for some Mexican take-out for Clarke, Lilian, and me.

I show up right on time and approach the nurse's station inside the ER. I'm just about to ask for Clarke when I see Lilian. She waves me over and shows me to the break room, where I spread out dinner for the three of us. Lilian leaves to find Clarke but not before saying, "Clarke tells me that she's leaving the hospital to help her mom on a research project. I can't believe she isn't staying for her trauma rotation. She has always been so focused on becoming a surgeon none of us saw this coming. The doctors and administration aren't pleased that they are losing her. Do you know anything about why she decided to leave?"

"That is a question that you should ask her, not me."

"Fine, I will go and find your woman. You can just hang out here."

Ten minutes later, they come walking into the room. Clarke looks tired, with dark circles under her eyes. She makes a beeline to my arms, which I open and wrap around her. I love how she snuggles into my chest, and I inhale her honey lavender scent that is now mixed with the smell of hospital sanitizer. I pull back and say, "Hey, are you hungry?"

She smiles, "Not really, but I'm glad to see you."

"You look exhausted. Maybe we shouldn't have…this morning. Anyway, you need to eat." I pull out a chair for her and then Lilian.

Lilian says, "I'm just going to eat in the cafeteria so you can have a few minutes alone. Thank you for the food."

"No, please say and join us," I say, then I pull out the box the charm is in and hand it to Clarke. "This is just a little something to let you know that I love you."

Lilian says, "Aww, you are so sweet."

Clarke looks at the box then me, "Cielo, you don't have to buy me presents."

"I know I don't have to, but I want to. I want you to know that I care and that you are important to me."

She turns red and kisses me on the cheek before opening the box. "I love it, thank you."

"You're welcome now eat, please."

As we eat, Lilian and I get to know one another a little better. She then asks Clarke, "So, why did you decide to leave and not continue your trauma rotation. Everyone has been asking me questions about it because they say I'm as close to a friend as you have here at the hospital."

Clarke looks at me and then her food before saying, "I'm going to give you the answer I told the administration and then the real one, but you have to promise to keep the real one to yourself."

Lilian just nods, and Clarke says, "I told the administration that the opportunity to work on the research project was too good to pass up, which it is. It's something that I believe in, but that isn't the whole truth. I'm also doing it because the hours and pay are better, allowing me more time to spend with Lexa. I know, I can't believe it either, but…well, I just can't get enough of her, and I want to have more time to spend with her."

Lilian smiles, "I'm happy for you. I was worried you were going to bury yourself in work and run yourself into the ground. That is until you dropped that asshole, Finn. I've seen a big change in you the past couple of months, and I like it. I am going to miss working with you, though."

I speak up, "Lilian, I'm sure Abby will need some qualified nurses on the project if you are interested."

"Really? That would be amazing. I'm sure that my son would love having me home more."

Clarke says, "You have a son? How old is he? Are you married?"

Lilian laughs, "Yes, he just turned seven, and I'm divorced. He stays with his dad while I'm at work, but he doesn't really like to. So, it would be great to have a little more of a normal schedule."

I say, "I'll have a contract drawn up and bring it by later this week for you to take a look at. If it looks good to you, then all you need to do is sign it and let us know when you can start. How does that sound?"

"It sounds amazing, but how do you know she will be willing to hire me?"

Clarke says, "One because I will tell her how good you are and two because Lexa is funding the project."

She looks between Clarke and me, and I shrug. Then, finally, Clarke says, "I don't know if I told you or not by my beautiful sexy girlfriend is also a great businesswoman, and she is also loaded."

After dinner with Clarke, I headed home. Jose and I sparred for about an hour, then after a cryotherapy session and a shower, Bellamy, O, and Echo came over to hang out talking and drinking.

Around one am, Clarke text and said, she was finally off and on her way home. I informed her that we were at the docks now and let me know when she got to the parking lot, so I could come to get her. Even though the docks were pretty much safe with security, I would rather her not walk alone this late at night.

She was exhausted when she got home, so I decided to give her another bath, and then we snuggled into bed. She has an early shift in the morning, and I have my physical in Vegas.