"Mom!" Clarke looked shocked, as did her mother. "What are you doing here?" She noticed the man standing just a foot behind the older woman.
"I could ask you the same question." Abby answered and tilted her head towards Lexa, who looked like she was about to crawl out of her skin. "Who is this? And why, may I ask, are you kissing her?" Clarke gulped, like actually gulped, she was pretty sure Lexa heard it and she know her mother saw it. So she hadn't told her mother yet that she was bi…gay…she really wasn't sure yet. The only thing she did know is that she was completely in love with the girl standing next to her, who was probably feeling pretty shitty that her girlfriend of two months hadn't bothered to tell her mother they were dating. In Clarke's defense though, it wasn't like Abby ever had time for Clarke to find the right time to tell her. She took a deep breath and intertwined her fingers with Lexa's.
"This is Lexa…my girlfriend."
"Your girlfriend?" Abby asked, though not entirely shocked if she were being honest. "When did this happen?"
"We're celebrating our two month anniversary." Clarke answered then motioned to the brunette man standing beside her mother. "And who's this?"
Abby, unlike Clarke, hesitated a moment before answering. "This is Marcus Kane, a coworker of mine. We're…we're seeing each other." She said carefully, and waited for Clarke's reaction. This was the first guy that Abby had introduced since Clarke's father pass several years ago. She hadn't been present to know whether it was a sore subject or not. They didn't really talk about Jake…they didn't really talk at all.
"It's great to meet you Clarke." Marcus politely stepped forward to shake Clarke's hand. "I've heard quite a lot about you."
"Really?" Clarke responded as she shook his hand. "I'm surprised because I've not heard anything about you."
"Clarke." Abby sternly started but Clarke continued anyway.
"Which actually isn't at all surprising since I've seen her all of a hand full of times in the past two months. I'm sure you are a nice enough guy." Clarke realized she was still shaking his hand and promptly jerked it back. "Sorry. This is my girlfriend Lexa.
"Hi." Marcus smiled and shook the girl's hand. "It's nice to meet you as well, Lexa."
"You too Mr. Kane."
"Marcus, Please." Lexa nodded with a smile.
"Marcus, it is." She said then looked to Abby. "Dr. Griffin, it's nice to meet you. I realize this isn't the best situation to meet your daughter's girlfriend but I assure you I really care for Clarke."
To Clarke's surprise, Abby actually smiled. "I'm sure you do Lexa. And you're right, this isn't the best situation, but it is a pleasure to meet you all the same." Abby looked to her daughter next. "Clarke, can I see you over here for a second?" The blonde nodded and both mother and daughter walked over a few feet for a private conversation leaving the two dates by themselves.
"Well this is awkward." Lexa mentioned and Marcus chuckled.
"It's definitely something." He motioned towards the two. "There seems to be a lot of tension between those two. Abby has talked about it with me some. When Clarke's father died, she said she didn't take it well and it was Clarke that had suffered."
Lexa nodded thoughtfully. "Clarke's said that their relationship hasn't been the same since. Now I think it's easier for them to avoid each other now than it is deal."
"Maybe we can help?" Marcus suggested.
Clarke followed Abby to the corner several feet away. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Marcus." Abby said as she turned to face the blonde. "I should have and I'm sorry."
Clarke sighed. "And I should have told you about Lexa sooner. It's just…we don't really talk. But I should have made the time to tell you." She felt guilty. Partly about not telling Abby but mostly she felt like she let Lexa down. They've been out to the brunette's parents since they started dated. But for the second time tonight Abby surprised her. She reached out, taking a hold of her daughter's arm.
"And I should've been available for you to tell me."
"So you're okay that I'm…"
"Gay?"
Clarke shrugged. "I'm not sure with what to label myself at the moment…but I'm sure that I'm one hundred percent in love with that girl over there."
Abby smiled. "As long as you're happy then that's all I want. I know I haven't been the best or even the most present mother. After your dad…I was broken and I wasn't strong for you like I should have been."
"I understand…I was kind of broken too."
"But you were always strong." Abby pointed out. "I feel that we really don't know each other that well; maybe we can get to know each other again. I would love for you to get to know Marcus, and I would like to know more about the girl who stole your heart as well." Clarke smiled just at the mention of Lexa.
"Me too." Clarke tilted her head in their date's direction. "He treats you right?"
"He does…your dad would have liked him too." She added quietly and Clarke nodded, trying to keep her tears at bay. This was the most they've talked in a long time and they were in a goddamn restaurant. "This isn't the time to hash all of this out." Abby stated what they were both thinking.
"You're right…we should get back." They both wiped under their eyes on the walk back, making sure their mascara didn't smear with their watery eyes.
"I'm glad we're talking again." Abby stated on the way over.
"Me too."
Marcus and Lexa smiled as they got closer. "Is everything ok?" He asked.
"Yes, everything is fine." Abby smiled.
"Good. So Lexa and I thought this is the perfect chance for us all to get to know each other so…"
"We told the hostess that we'd dine together." Lexa finished, taking the two Griffin's off guard.
"A-are you sure?" Abby questioned. "I know you two are celebrating tonight?" She looked to her daughter.
"Um…sure." Clarke said, even though she was kind of disappointed she wouldn't have her girlfriend by herself. She shook off that thought though; she just agreed that she and Abby would try. "Yeah, I think that's a good idea."
Marcus smiled. "Great, I'll let the hostess know. They were ready to seat us a few minutes ago but we wanted to make sure you would be ok with it efore we sat down."
"I'll walk with you." Abby said and they left the two young women alone.
"I hope this is okay." Lexa stated once the others were out of earshot. "Marcus seems like a nice guy and by the way he talked it seemed like your mom wants to but just doesn't know how to reach out." She rambled. "Are you mad?" She asked nervously. "I know tonight was sup-" She was cut off by Clarke's lips on her own. Before Lexa could even respond properly, the blonde had ended the kiss.
"Sorry, but you're too cute when you ramble."
"I hate when you call me cute…it's too…girly." She commented, making Clarke chuckle.
"Ok…pretty?" Lexa gave her a glare. "No? Delightful? Adorable? Loveable? Endearing? Charming? Should I keep going?"
"I like charming." The brunette answered. "Are you sure though?"
"It's fine babe, really. My mom and I talked and we agreed it was time to start anew." They saw Abby waving them over and the hostess standing beside them. The two started walking towards them when Clarke added. "But if this is the most awkward dinner ever, I'm getting a new yellow shirt." She threatened and Lexa smiled.
"Empty threats Princess." Lexa answered, she still hadn't told Clarke she had the dreadful yellow shirt from the beginning of their friendship.
"You know my threats are never empty."
A/N: So Lexa met Abby, not horrible like Clarke was expecting. What do you guys think about Abby's excuse for not being present? Should Clarke forgive and they move on?