Chapter 90: Lexa
The following morning, I meet Ash and Jose by the firepit before exploring the island. The island is actually pretty small, and other than the house and outbuilding, there is nothing else on it. The shed that is surrounded by trees is rather run-down, but we luck out in the fact that it has some sort of root cellar in it. I look at Ash and say, "I don't think it will take much work to make this stable enough to be able to use it if we need to. What do you think?"
She replies, "No, it won't take much to reinforce the walls enough so that they won't collapse. It should serve our purpose."
"Good, now all we need to do is wait on Bellamy and Reed to get here so we can plan the rest of the mission so we can finally go home."
"So…did you talk to Clarke about the wedding?" Ash asks while we stretch before beginning our workout.
"I did, actually."
"And?"
"And I think I came up with a plan that she is happy with. I'm sure she is probably discussing it with Abby and Callie as we speak."
Jose smiles, "Would you care to share your plan?"
I laugh, "Sure, it's like I told Ash, it's not that I didn't want to go ahead and get married. I just didn't want to stress Clarke out with all the planning that is required. I didn't realize how important being married before the babies got her was to her. So after she told me, I researched and found a private island to rent that will take care of everything. That way, she doesn't have to stress out over every detail. She can tell them what she wants, and then all we have to do is show up and enjoy the day and then honeymoon afterward on the island with all our family and friends."
Ash and Jose look at each other and then back to me. "What?" I ask. "Did I do something wrong?"
Ash says, "That depends. What did she say?"
"I think she was excited about it. At least, she seemed excited. Why?"
Ash laughs, "Most little girls spend the better part of their lives planning their wedding. By the time they actually find a significant other, they already know exactly what they want, and it's best not to mess with their magical day."
"But you and Callie didn't seem to care. In fact, Petrona basically planned everything without any input from either of you, and it didn't seem to matter."
"That's because of the circumstances. I'm sure that Callie would have done things differently given the option, but she was happy with the way it happened after everything we had been through. Clarke, on the other hand, probably has something specific in mind."
"All she said was that she wanted a fairy tale wedding with all her family and friends present. Wouldn't a private island getaway with all those people be like a fairy tale?"
Jose speaks up, "Lexa, I'm sure that if she has any objections, she will let you know. I think it sounds amazing, and as long as she has some input on everything, I bet it will be fine."
"Thanks." We spend the next hour or so training with swords, knives, and hand to hand since that is about all that we will be able to conceal when the buy happens. We will all need to be proficient with knives especially. Afterwards, we decide to plan some training with the rest of the group so that everyone is ready when the time comes.
Clarke
By the time I wake up, Lexa has already left to go explore the island. We made plans to meet at the firepit for breakfast after her training session. I can't wait to tell mom about the conversation we had about the wedding. I find mom in the tiny kitchen of the boat making coffee.
"Good morning, mom."
"Morning honey, how are you feeling?"
"Not bad. The injection sites are a little sore, but other than that, I feel fine. So, I talked to Lexa last night about the wedding, and of course, she had a great plan to keep the majority of the stress off of me. That is the reason she hasn't brought up the wedding. She didn't want to add any stress to the pregnancy."
"That sounds like Lexa, always thinking about others before herself. I told you not to worry about the fact that she hadn't brought it up since the proposal."
"I know you did, but…I don't know for some reason I got it in my head that the only reason she proposed was because of the babies."
"Clarke, I would think that you knew her better than that by now. Honey, she loves you, and she is so excited about the twins. You should have seen how nervous she was when she came to ask your brother and my permission to propose. She could barely speak, and her hands were shaking so bad she kept them in her pockets the whole time."
"Wait, she asked for your permission to propose to me?"
"Yes, I thought you knew that."
"No, I had no idea. How does she know so much about our customs that she even knew that was something she should do?"
"I know that Lexa comes across as a badass fighter that doesn't care what people think about her, but she is actually a softy who always thinks of others before herself. She is always studying her surroundings and people in order to fit in better. When I first met her in my clinic, I could tell that she was intelligent. She asked a lot of questions about everything, and each time she came back, she seemed a little more comfortable."
"Mom, there is something that I want to ask you, but you don't have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable. Lexa and I don't have any secrets, and we tell each other everything. I know that she has told me and shown me repeatedly that she loves me more than she ever did Ash, but…well, you knew them when they were together. Lexa said that you helped her plan their first date and gave her advice on emotional things, so my question is, do you think she loves me more? Should I be worried about her still being in love with Ash? I know it's silly, but I just need to know."
"Clarke, it's natural to have doubts when things are moving as fast as they are for the two of you, but I can tell you that there is not one doubt in my mind that Lexa is completely in love with you and only you. The way she looks at you is filled with so much love and compassion that anyone around the two of you can see it. Yes, Lexa and Ash were hot and heavy for a brief time, but they had more lust and need than love. Lexa never looked at Ash the way she looks at you. Now, why don't you tell me this wedding idea she had."
"Thanks, mom. Right so, she found this private island in the Maldives that she wants to rent for the wedding. They have different wedding packages to choose from, and you can add your own personal touches to any of them. The wedding planner then makes all the necessary arrangements, and all we have to do is show up. Lexa said this way, I could have my fairy tale wedding without all the stress of having to make sure everything was delivered and set up. All I have to do is coordinate with my wedding planner what I want, and they take care of everything. They take care of the ceremony, cake, flowers, reception, meals, and we would have the entire island for our family and friends. Can you believe it!? Here look." I bring up the website for her to look at.
"Clarke, this looks amazing, but I don't know if I can afford this."
"You don't have to worry about it. Lexa said she has it covered. We just need to pick a date and then have a zoom meeting with the wedding planner."
"Okay, but I don't know how I feel about her paying for everything."
"Mom, she doesn't mind, but if it bothers you that bad, just talk to her about it. What do you think? Isn't she the most amazing fiancé ever?"
She laughs at me, "Yes, baby, she is an amazing person who is extremely romantic and loves to spoil you, it seems. Once we talk to Bellamy about our timeline here, we will pick a date. It would be best to wait until you are in your second trimester since you will have more energy during that time, so any time after 14 weeks but before 28 weeks would be best. Why don't we start making our way to breakfast? Lexa and her group should be back anytime now."
Lexa
As we head back to the campsite to meet everyone for breakfast, my phone rings. I look at the caller ID and see that it is Kane. "Hello, Kane."
"Hello, Lexa. I have some fascinating news for you. I have been working on modifying your armor so that it can conceal small weapons like knives and, to some degree, swords. Anyway, I have completed enough suits for your team to use on infiltrating the research facility, so I thought that Raven and I would fly out there and bring them to you. Raven says that you need her for the mission because she has the computer skills to download all the files. Oh, and I have a few other gadgets that may be useful."
Kane is talking so fast that it is hard for me to catch everything he is saying. "Whoa, slow down and take a breath. Email me everything you have along with your flight, and I will email you an address to ship everything to. Use the company card and get here as soon as possible. I will have Pav pick you and Raven up from the airport when you arrive and bring you to us. Thanks, Kane. See you soon."
Ash looks at me when I hang up, "Who was that?'
"It was Kane. He says he has us some new equipment that will help with the mission. He and Raven will be arriving soon."
When we make it to the campsite, everyone is already up and making breakfast and coffee. Once Clarke sees me, she gets up then runs to me, almost knocking me down. She wraps me in a tight hug and kisses my neck. I chuckle and look down at her, "Well, good morning to you. Is everything alright?"
She smiles up at me, "Everything is perfect. How are you feeling today?"
"I should be the one asking you that, but I'm fine. Just a little sore. You look happy this morning. What did I miss?"
"Nothing, I just had a talk with mom about the wedding, and I'm excited. That's all…well that and for once I didn't wake up dizzy or nauseous."
"So, you aren't mad about my idea for the wedding?"
"No, why would I be? It is going to be amazing."
"I'm glad you approve. I was a little worried that it wouldn't be what you wanted. I…"
She stops me by kissing me. "Cielo, I love it. Now let's eat. I'm starving."
We spend the rest of the day relaxing and fishing. Then, around four, Pav takes me, Ash, and Jose upriver to scout the village's surroundings where the research facility is located. By the time we get back to the island, Bellamy and Reed are there. We eat dinner, then Ash, Bellamy, Reed, Jose, Pav, Lincoln, Logan, me, Clarke, and Abby go back to the houseboat to discuss the plan.
"So, Bellamy, when and where is the buy scheduled to take place?" I ask.
"It's set for next Saturday. They have booked us a private overnight tour of Chernobyl that leaves from Kyiv. They have everything planned out. We board the tour, which is run by one of their guys, tour the exclusion zone and sites of Chernobyl. The tour frequently has overnight guests, and Ladizhichy village is one of the stops on the tour, so it isn't out of the ordinary. The van will take us to the village and then we will break off from the rest of the groups and drive down to the river where their facility is located, arriving around dusk. The information that Pav gave us looks to be correct as far as the locations of buildings and such. Here is the tour route map along with the locations of abandoned buildings in the village itself."
I study the map for a few minutes and then look over at Pav and point to a section of road north of the facility that comes to a dead end with a few abandoned houses. "Do you think that we can get a vehicle dropped off somewhere in here for a backup plan?"
Ash says, "What are you thinking?"
"If we hide a vehicle at this location, if for some reason we get separated or can't make it to the boat, we can hike north through the woods to there and then take the road to the beach in Teremtsi. We can then be picked up and transported back to the camp. It is a worst-case scenario, but it is better to have a plan b than not." I point to another spot on the map and say, "Pav, you will take the boat and drop Lincoln here and Logan here. They are the snipers that will cover us on the way out. You will then take the boat here and drop anchor until you see us send up the flare, signaling you to come to the dock for extraction. Lincoln and Logan, you guys will set up here and here, clearing the way for us on the way out. As soon as we are halfway to the boat, haul ass and meet us there. Any questions or better ideas?"
Ash asks, "Bellamy, were you able to get any information on the inside of the facility that might help us?"
He replies, "No, unfortunately, I couldn't."
Clarke says, "Lexa, I don't like the sound of this so-called plan."
"I know, sweetie, but it is the best we have under the circumstances. It will be okay. If there is nothing else, we will talk more in the morning about training while we wait. Right now, go have some fun."
Abby says, "Lexa, can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Um, sure. What's up?"
"I wanted to talk to you about the wedding."
"Okay, did I do something wrong?"
"Well…not exactly, but usually the parents of the bride pay for the wedding, and I don't know if I can afford to rent out the island. I know Clarke has always had her mindset on a fairy tale wedding, but…I just didn't know it would be this expensive."
"Abby, don't worry about it. I have everything covered. All I need from you is your blessing and attendance. Technically, I'm a bride too, and since I don't have any parents, I will pay for it myself. The only thing that is important to me is that Clarke gets the wedding of her dreams."
"But you shouldn't have to pay for all of it."
"Why not? If I were going to marry a dude, wouldn't I be expected to pay for it if my parents were no longer around?"
"Well…I guess. I hadn't really thought about it that way."
"So, we're good then?"
"I guess, but I would like to help out with some of the costs."
"That's not really necessary, but if it makes you feel better, we can talk about it later."