Chapter 72: Lexa

Clarke was extremely quiet on the walk back to the hotel and looked to be deep in thought. I still have a strange feeling that we are being watched or followed, but I just can't find anyone that sticks out. I know that Clarke talked to Callie about what happened with Finn, and I didn't want to pressure her about it, but I didn't want her thinking too much about it either. Unfortunately, she still wasn't talking to me by the time we made it to the elevator, and I couldn't take it any longer.

"Clarke, are you alright? You haven't said a word since we left the beach." She didn't answer me, just continues to stare straight ahead. I take her hand and bring it to my lips for a kiss, "Babe, please talk to me. What's wrong?"

She looks up at me and says, "Huh? What did you say?"

"I said what's wrong? You haven't said a word since we left the beach, and you're scaring me."

"I'm sorry, love. I was just thinking about Callie and my conversation. I don't mean to scare you. Everything is fine, I promise."

"Do you mind telling me what has you so deep in thought?"

"Just some things Callie said. I asked her how she managed everything that happened to her. We had a nice talk about how she felt some of the same things that I am, but she didn't have anyone to lean on like I have you. She helped me realize that as long as we are okay with everything, that's all that matters."

"Clarke, I love you, and I will support you either way, but I really want to have this baby with you. I fell in love with the little gummy bear when I saw it on the ultrasound, but if you're having second thoughts…."

"No! That's not it at all." She interrupts me. "I just didn't know if I wanted to tell everyone how it happened, but now, I do. If they can't accept our baby or me, then I don't need them in my life." The elevator door opens, and she says, "Now, let's finish what we started in the ocean in the shower."

After our nice long sexy shower, I hurried and got dressed. I put on a nice pair of black pants with a light blue button-up shirt. I rolled up the sleeves and added a small black tie with my dress boots. I wanted to look nice for what I was about to do, plus what we're going to do tonight. I text Lucas and ask him if he could get Niko to meet me in Abby's room in about fifteen minutes. Then I told Clarke that I had an errand to run while she got dressed, and I would be back in a few to get her.

I knocked on Abby's door, and Niko answered. Good, they were both here. Abby comes out and says, "Lexa, what is going on? Why did you want to talk to Niko and me alone?"

"I have something that I want to ask the both of you. I-I didn't think that I would be able to do it twice, so-so I needed you to be together."

Abby says, "Lexa, why are you so nervous? Is everything okay with Clarke?"

"Yes, Clarke's fine. Look, I love Clarke more than anything in this world. Niko, I-I know we haven't had time to get to know one another, and things between you and Clarke are stressed right now, but I-I want to do this right. That's why I asked you to be here. Abby, you probably know me better than anyone other than Ash and now Clarke. You have always been there for me when I needed you, whether it was medical-related or just needing advice on well anything…."

Abby interrupts me, "Lexa, you're rambling. Just get to the point. We all have somewhere to be."

"Abby, please. This is hard enough without you pressuring me. I know that you told me from the beginning that Ash and I didn't belong together. I was too stubborn to listen, but you were right. I-I just hope that you don't tell me that I am wrong about this. I love Clarke! I want to be with her forever, so-so do I…can I have your permission to ask her to marry me?"

Niko speaks up, "You're right. I don't know you that well, and I haven't been there for my baby sis in the past, so I don't know what her mindset is. I know that you are the first woman she has dated, which worries me some…but my baby sis has always known what she wanted. So, if she says yes, then that is good enough for me." He reaches his hand out for me to shake it, and I do. "I promise you that I will take care of her to the best of my ability."

I look to Abby, who has unshed tears in her eyes. "Lexa, I have seen the way you treat my baby with the respect and love that she deserves. I know that you will never intentionally hurt her and will stand by her no matter what. She's been happier the last couple of months than she has in a long time, and that is because of you. But, of course, you have my blessing to marry her." She wraps me in a hug, and I begin to cry, as does she.

"I know giving my history, you may think that this is fast because we haven't known each other long, but the way she makes me feel is like nothing I've ever experienced, not even with Ash. So I promise I will make her as happy as I can."

Abby laughs, "I know you will do everything in your power to make her safe and happy. Now the important question is do you have a ring?"

I pull the little box out of my pocket and open it. "Yes, ma'am, I do. I'm just not sure when or how I'm going to ask her. I just knew that I wanted to get both of your permissions before I did."

She takes the box and pulls the ring out to get a closer look. "This ring is amazing and incredibly unique. She will love it just like she does you. Now, why don't you go get her so we can go to dinner and karaoke."

"Yes, ma'am. Are Dr. Al-Mubarak and her partner coming tonight?"

"I believe so. Anny and the three of us had an excellent meeting this afternoon, and we all think everything is going to work out."

"Awesome, see you in a bit, and Abby, thanks for always being there for me."

Clarke

After our beautiful love-making shower, Lexa hurried to get dressed and said she had something to take care of. I'm actually a little worried about her. She seemed to think that I was having second thoughts about having the baby, which couldn't be farther from the truth. I'm just worried and a little scared about telling everyone tonight. Although I do feel a lot better after talking to Callie.

Oh well, I decided to try not to worry so much and just get dressed. So I put on this lovely form-fitting mint green dress that we bought the other day at the mall. I really like how it fits my body, and Lexa's eyes about popped out of her head when I tried it on. It has spaghetti straps that show off my shoulders and stops just above my knees. I bought a lightweight black see-through cardigan to go over it and matching heels. Once I'm dressed, I look at myself in the mirror and think I won't be able to wear things like this much longer, so I better enjoy it while I can.

I'm brought out of my thoughts by Lexa's arms wrapping around me from behind. As her chin comes to rest on my shoulder, she says, "Ya Amar, you look amazing. If I weren't so excited about the big reveal, I would undress you and take you to bed right now."

I laugh, "Well, we could skip it and stay here. You could just have your way with me, and no one would even miss us."

"Nice try, but not happening. I'm too excited! I want everyone to know, but if you want to wait, we can."

"No, I want to tell everyone. I'm just afraid of how everyone is going to react. What if they look at me differently or think I shouldn't have the baby?"

"Babe, we've got this. If someone from our group doesn't support us or looks at you or the baby differently…well, that's their loss because we don't need them. I won't have anyone disrespecting you or the baby." She wraps me in her arms in a hug. When I pull back, she kisses me deeply, and I can feel how much she loves me. "Now, let's do this, my baby momma!"

"Are you going to call me that from now on?"

She gives me that adorable smirk, "Um…unless it bothers you. I would like to, at least until I can call you my wife."

I feel my eyes go wide, and I cough, "Um…what? I think I can get used to it," I say with a smile.

She just laughs wickedly at me before she says, "Come on, let's go."