Chapter 69: Lexa

About four hours later, Callie and Ash emerge from their marathon session. I smile and say, "So, how was it?"

Ash smirks, "It was amazing as always! So, what did you and Anny decide?"

I look over at Callie, her face is red, and she is trying to hide. "What's wrong, Callie? Are you dehydrated? I can get you some water or…."

"Shut up, Lexa, stop embarrassing me!" Callie snaps at me but smiles.

"What fun is it if I can't tease you and Ash a little bit. Ash didn't seem to mind."

"Yeah, well, you and Ash don't embarrass that easily."

Ash says, "Leave her alone, Lex and tell me what's going on?"

I spend the next hour or so catching Ash up on everything that has happened since she left. I explained how Julian approached Abby about working for the CIA, but we decided to open our own facility instead. I explained that I had formed a company and named it AST Enterprises and that Abby was going to handle the medical research and Marcus Kane was going to be the head of the applied science division.

"Wow, you have been busy since I left!" Ash says. "How do you have the money for all of this?"

"Well, I had the money from winning the tournament, and the UFC fight winnings was $250,00 for winning the fight. Then there was the merchandising, which came to $109,268,292."

"I understand that, but you bought a jumbo jet, and I'm assuming you already have or will be buying some sort of facility to house these projects, plus salaries to pay. So how are you going to keep the business going?"

"Ash, I have it covered. I already have a few contracts for some of Marcus's prototypes, and if we can get this procedure to work, we will be able to use it to bring in money, as well. Plus, I had another fight with Mickey's club and won $500,000 for winning. In addition, I won eight million on playing the odds to win the fight in under a minute and then $80 million on a side bet to win in under thirty seconds. So, I think we have enough start-up cash, at least for now."

Callie gasps and says, "Holy shit, Lexa!"

"What? What's wrong?"

"I-I just can't believe you can make that much money on a fight, that's all?"

"Oh, yeah. I made it in exactly 18 seconds. Now I have the contract for this UFC fight. With this fight being a pay-per-view, I stand to make a lot more. Not only do I have merchandising rights but also PPV points."

Ash says, "Alright, smart ass, what is it that you need from Anny?"

Anny speaks up and explains to Ash what we talked about while she and Callie were…you know. She explains the procedure, and she thinks it is brilliant and will work even if we aren't able to isolate just Finn's DNA, the baby's DNA will be different enough so that a DNA test would be inclusive as to if he is the father or not.

Ash looks at me and smiles, "So, you are going to have a baby. How do you feel about that?"

"Well, Clarke is going to be doing all the work, and I hate the way it came about, but I'm fucking excited! I hate not telling everyone right now, but…that decision is Clarke's to make. I'm only glad she decided to keep it even if the procedure wasn't possible. It's funny. I never thought about kids until hanging out with Asher and then being with Clarke. I mean, even when we were together, the thought never crossed my mind. I guess because really, who would have carried the kid, not me."

Ash, Callie, and I all laugh. Callie says, "We know it wouldn't be Ash because she has already informed me that we were having more, but she wasn't going to be the one to carry them."

"At any rate, lately, I have been thinking about having kids a lot, and well, I can't wait to have one of my own. However, there is one thing that I could use your help with, Callie."

Callie looks at me, confused. Finally, I say, "We both know that Ash isn't romantic, and I have to come up with an epic proposal for Clarke after what I did for the two of you, and I'm coming up blank. I mean, I can't sing her a song because that's what I did for you, Callie. I can't take her to a romantic oasis in the desert, cook for her and talk about the stars and how she saved me because that's what I did for you, Ash. So, can someone please tell me what I can do for Clarke!"

Anny speaks for the first time, "Wait, so Lexa, you have proposed to both of them, and now they are married to each other, and you're having a baby with Clarke, who you now want to propose to."

I chuckle, "Well, when you say it like that, it sounds bad, but…really, it's just complicated. I did propose to Ash a long time ago under what I realize now were questionable circumstances, but I'm glad she is with Callie. I just helped Ash propose to Callie, and yes, now I very much want to marry Clarke."

Ash says, "Do you have a ring?"

I pull out the box and show them. Callie says, "Holy shit, that is beautiful."

I smile, "Thanks, but I can't take the credit for it. Clarke picked it out."

"What?" asks Ash.

"We were picking her out a charm for her bracelet, and I caught her looking at it, so I went back and got it. She doesn't know about it, though, and I don't know when I want to propose, just that I do, and it needs to be epic. I do have a plan as to how to tell everyone about the baby if I can talk Clarke into it."

Before long, we have landed in Dubai and are on the van headed to the hotel. I get Anny a room, and she says she is going to go sleep but call her when we needed her. I look at Ash and Callie, "Let's go up to my room, and you can collect Asher. I know he will be excited to see you, but I would like to use him to have fun waking up Clarke first if that is okay."

Ash smiles, "Sure."

It's about 6:45 when we walk into our suite, and I tell them to just hang out for a minute. I tiptoe upstairs, hoping that Clarke is asleep and not sick in the bathroom. When I walk into the bedroom, I see Clarke, Asher, and Sabrina sleeping soundly in the bed. I stand there for a minute, thinking how cute they all are and how much I'm looking forward to having a baby. Then, I sneak in and wake Asher up, making sure he knows to be quiet and whisper, "Want to help me wake up Clarke like we did last time?" He nods. "Alright, but don't jump on her this time. I will hold her hands while you tickle her, okay?"

He whispers, "What about Brina? Can she help?"

"Sure."

He proceeds to wake up Sabrina while I sneak over and take Clarke's hands and move them, so the kids have access to her underarms, and then they pounce like jungle cats. One on each side, tickling and laughing. Clarke screams, which makes everyone laugh even more as they continue the onslaught. I smile and say, "I guess you should get used to this now that…."

She cuts my sentence short with, "Don't you dare say it! You know they repeat everything. Now make them stop!"

I let her hands go, and then I grab Asher and begin tickling him, and Clarke does the same for Sabrina. Finally, Asher starts yelling, stop and that brings Ash and Callie upstairs and into the bedroom. Ash rushes in and scoops up Asher saying, "I'm here to save you!"

Asher then squeals, "Mommy? You're here. I thought you were working?"

"I was, but I needed to come to save you from Aunt Lexa and spend some time with you. Is that okay?"

"Of course, but Xa not hurting me. We just playing."

"I know, buddy. She would never hurt you. Why don't you and mom and I go to our room."

"Okay, but can Brina come too?"

"Sure. Hey Clarke, congratulations. Lexa, we will meet up later."