AN: I know I haven't posted in a long time ... but there is so much school work to do now... and I'm going through a breakup. (Surprisingly the hardest breakup I've ever experienced. And the only one) But here you have chapter 39. Enjoy!
The next morning Lexa woke up alone. "Clarke?" she weakly groaned. She tried to open her eyes wider but she just felt so tired. Clarke had opened the curtains, which was kind of mean because the sun shined so bright that Lexa's eyes hurt. "Clarke…" Lexa groaned once more, this time louder. She twisted and turned in the bed in an attempt to avoid the strong light but it was impossible. After ten minutes of laying uncomfortable on the bed, Lexa searched for her phone on the desk. The clock was almost twelve. She groaned once more because she couldn't believe that she had slept that long.
"Good morning" Clarke walked in pajamas and sat on the edge of the bed. Lexa weakly smiled and tried not to look tired. Her head was too heavy but she managed to lift head just a little bit for Clarke to see Lexa's face. "Morning" Lexa slowly blinked. "Are you okay?" Clarke moved closer, placing her hand on Lexa's forehead, then placed her wrist against it. "oh my god, you're burning" Clarke removed some of Lexa's hair and placed it behind her ears. "My poor baby, I think you have a fever"
"hell no, I feel fine," Lexa said and removed her duvet from herself and walked to the closet. She was wearing black shorts and a black sports bra. Clarke walked up from behind her and hugged Lexa from behind, placing a kiss on Lexa's warm back. "Babe, you're burning," she said and leaned her head on Lexa's back. "I think you relax today". Lexa removed herself from Clarke and turned to face her. She held around Clarke's waist and pulled her closer. "But Raven and I looked forward to this. We have planned this for weeks" Lexa pouted. "I know babe, but I can see that you have a fever. Please just let me get you some medicine to make the fever decrease"
Lexa sighed. "Okay," the brunette walked back to bed and snuggled up between the many soft pillows Clarke and Lexa had against the wall. "Watch some TV or sleep, I'll be back with breakfast and medicine," Clarke said before she headed out the door. Madi hadn't come out of her room yet, so she knocked on Madi's door. "Madi?" She heard a weak and low, 'yes?' coming from her room. "Can I come in?" Clarke wondered. She got another low 'yes'. The blonde opened the door and smiled as she saw that Madi was all dressed up and sat on her double bed against the wall.
She was writing something on her computer, Clarke thought it was homework or something. "What are you writing?" Clarke asked as she sat on the edge of the bed next to Madi. Madi turned off her school computer. "Oh, nothing… It's just ugh" Madi swallowed and looked at her hands. "Hey, It's okay. Don't be afraid" Clarke placed her palm on Madi's back and caressed it to make her feel safe. "Is it a diary?" Clarke asked softly after a moment. Madi shook her head. "I write fictional stories…" Madi said with a low voice. "Wow, that's impressive. Do you write them for yourself?" Clarke asked, trying to make a conversation. "I-I… publish them on the internet" Madi answered. "Wow, so this is kind of your hobby?" Madi nodded at Clarke's words. Clarke could tell that Madi didn't feel comfortable speaking yet, but she will be.
"Lexa have a fever, I was thinking I could make some breakfast for her, are you hungry?" Clarke asked, trying to make eye contact with Madi, but Madi was trying to avoid looking in Clarke's eyes. She didn't like eye contact… she had her head down all the time, it was kind of a sign for something. Madi shook her head. Clarke sighed. "I think you should eat something. Breakfast is the most important meal" Clarke said carefully and tried smiling but Madi didn't see that. "Do you like cheeseburgers? Or do you call them toast? Or grilled cheese?" Clarke asked more than one question at the time. Madi didn't answer. She couldn't shake her head or nod, she had to answer. But the words were stuck in her throat… and the more she wanted to say… the tighter felt the throat, it felt like something was growing in there.
Clarke was understanding. She got why Madi didn't say anything. "Come, let's go downstairs and make some breakfast" Clarke smiled. Madi got out of her bed and followed Clarke down. Madi didn't say a word, she just uncomfortable stood beside Clarke. Not knowing what to do, how to stand, where to put her hands. Everything just felt uncomfortable. "grilled cheese?" Clarke asked Madi as she was standing next to the refrigerator, paying attention to Madi's every move. Madi nodded and Clarke quickly sent a smile before she turned to face the refrigerator.
Clarke told Madi she could sit down if she wanted to and she did. She put the grilled cheese on Madi's plate and headed back to the refrigerator and found apple juice, orange juice, grape juice, chocolate milk, milk, and water. "Help yourself" Clarke smiled politely. "I'm just going to give this to Lexa" she smiled and lifted the tray of grilled cheese, orange juice, a red rose up, medicine and a bottle of water up. Then she walked out of the kitchen.
When Clarke saw that Lexa was sleeping, she just wanted to lay beside her and sleep with her, but she knew there was a little girl down there that needed company. Clarke sat on the edge of the soft bed and touched Lexa's beautiful face. Lexa slowly opened her eyes and smiled at the blonde. She half awake. "I made you some breakfast, and here's some medicine" she pointed at the medicine. Lexa weakly groaned once again and sat against the wall. Bed Wall. And took her medicine. "I don't feel hungry," Lexa said.
"You should eat, even if you're not hungry. It will give you energy. Besides, you won't get better on an empty stomach" Clarke winked. Lexa laughed. "you're amazing. Thanks, babe" Lexa placed a hand on Clarke's cheek. Clarke wanted to kiss her so badly but didn't want to get sick. Instead, she placed a kiss on Lexa's forehead. "You're welcome honey" Clarke whispered and rose to her feet. Sharing once again a smile with the love of her life and headed towards the door. "I love you," Lexa said. Clarke stopped and smiled. She made her way back to Lexa and just looked at her with a bright smile on her face. She bends over Lexa and kissed her forehead, her rosy cheeks, and her other cheeks. "You're cute. I love you" Clarke said with a beautiful smile and walked out with a smile. Clarke frowned as something vibrated in her pocket. Oh, it was just her phone. It was a text from her mom.
Mom: Hey, honey. I just can't wait anymore, could Kane and I come over for dinner? We really want to meet Madi.
Clarke sighed. She really wanted them to come over, but Lexa wasn't feeling well. She was trying to form a sentence to turn their suggestion down, but Abby was quicker to type.
Mom: And I miss you, haven't seen you in days. (I know I'm being dramatic, but I miss my baby) and I miss Lexa too. And If you're not up to cooking, then I'll cook and bring it to you
Clarke laughed. Abby was literally dying to meet Madi. Clarke wanted Abby and Kane to come over, but Lexa didn't feel so good. But Clarke gave her medicine, so if she feels better in a few hours, Abby and Kane could maybe stop by for dinner. Clarke started typing while walking towards the kitchen.
Clarke: Hi, glad to hear you miss us so much and that you want to meet Madi so badly. But unfortunately, Lexa don't feel so well, but her gave her some medicine and if she feels better in a few hours then you can come.
It didn't take long before Abby had opened and read the text and started typing.
Abby: Is Lexa feeling bad? Is it like really bad? Should I come over and take a look at her?
Clarke: Gosh mom, no. I know what to do. Anyway, I'm pretty sure she will get better
Abby: okay then
Clarke sat on the chair across the table. Smiling a little at Madi. Madi didn't eat so fast, and she hasn't drunk anything yet. Clarke coughed a little to clear her throat. "If Lexa gets better, my mom and Kane, her husband, will come over for dinner. Is that okay?" Clarke wondered. Madi nodded. Clarke could see right through Madi, she knew that Madi didn't want to. But she was being nice. Clarke thought that it wasn't so bad since it was only two people. And two people weren't that bad, right? Well, she had to understand that Madi just met her and Lexa, and now she is about to meet Clarke's parents. This was kind of big for Madi.
"If it gets too hard, you just let me know, give me a sign and I can help you okay?" Clarke tried to get eye contact with Madi, but she was just playing with her food. Weakly pushing her grilled cheese back and forth on the plate. Madi nodded weakly. "Or you can just go up to your room# Clarke suggested. She once again tried to get eye contact with Madi, but the little brunette just couldn't seem to look up. Clarke was an understanding person. She got that Madi was having a hard time and that she didn't make eye contact with people was kind of a sign. Wasn't it?
Clarke sighed. She made her way to Madi and hugged her. Madi didn't wrap her arms around Clarke, no she didn't do anything. Well, she did let Clarke hug her, but that's it. "Come, let's go and eat in the living room. We can watch a movie" Clarke reached for her plate and glass and walked slowly to the living room. Paying attention to Madi's slow and careful moves.
"Do you have any suggestions?" Clarke asked Madi, the little brunette just shook her head. Clarke looked back at the TV and scrolled past movies. "Is this movie okay?" Clarke asked Madi, but already knew what Madi was going to say, or do. Madi nodded. Just like Clarke thought. "okay then" Clarke pressed the play, or "okay# button and started the movie. She put the remote next to her and started eating.
Madi wasn't eating as fast as Clarke. Clarke finished her grilled cheese much faster than Madi. Ten minutes after Madi finished her grilled cheese, but her glass was still full. It was silence for a few minutes. "You have a little sister and a big brother, right?" Clarke wondered. Madi nodded. "How are they like?" Clarke asked. Madi was thinking. It went a while till she had to say something. "My little sister and I are close… I guess?" she finally said. "You're not close to your brother?" Clarke wondered, a little insecure when she asked because she didn't know if it was too of a personal question. "Well… not like my sister and I. But he always stands up for me against my mom. And he's really nice" Madi smiled a little.
"So, you've got an annoying little sister and a nice brother" Clarke let out a short laugh. It made Madi smile wider though. "Why are you so close to your sister and not your brother?" Clarke asked. It made Madi think again. But she was glad they were making conversations. "I guess maybe it's since my little sister and I share a room together. So, we are kind of with each other every day. So, we talk a lot. And talking brings people closer" Madi said. Clarke nodded. "Talking does bring people closer"
"Well, I only got Emma," Clarke said as she knew the other conversation about Madi's siblings ended. "She's four years older than me I think. We're pretty close too" Clarke said with a smile. She didn't want to tell Madi about how her mom had separated them for years. She couldn't tell Madi about that. Not yet. "And I'm pretty close with my mom too. I tell her almost everything" Clarke smiled at Madi.
"I'm not close with my mom at all" Madi thought for herself. "I couldn't tell her anything without her totally freaking out" Madi's thoughts started to take over her mind. "She's very nice. And caring. I know when she meets you, she will totally love you" Clarke nudged a little on Madi's shoulder. Madi let a little smile show.
"Hours have past… It's almost 3 pm!" Abby said to Kane. "Calm down, I'm sure Lexa will get better. If not, why can't just the two of us eat alone" Kane walked behind Abby and hugged her from behind. "I'd like that… but I want to meet Madi" Abby said with an excited tone. "I know, Abby"
"I'm gonna go to Emma's" Abby removed herself from Kane and headed to the hall. "I want to see Isabella" Abby put on her shoes. "Bella" she corrected herself. Kane waved goodbye with a stupid smile on his face. Abby threw him a goodbye kiss and walked out the door. She thought she could walk today since it was such nice weather outside. It was a few flowers that had sprouted. She made a little bouquet and it actually turned out to be really nice.
A few minutes later she was outside Emma's door. She knocked on the door. And heard Bella run while laughing. And she could hear Emma almost shout "Bella!" behind her. Since Abby saw the handle was moving she thought Bella tried to open it. Then she heard someone lock the door open and opened the door. A smile was glued to Abby's face as she saw her girls. "Hey Bella baby" Abby beamed at the little girl. Bella smiled and waved. "Here you go" Abby put the little bouquet of flowers in her hands. "Give it to your father," Emma said and pointed in the direction of the living room with her head. Bella started running again. "Don't run! Be careful!" Emma said in a loud voice.
She sighed and looked at Abby. "She has started running and stopped listening to me," Emma said. Abby smiled. "awe, come here baby," she said and opened her arms for Emma. "Hey, I wanted to meet Madi today, Madi is Clarke and Lexa's foster daughter, by the way," Abby said. "-I know" Emma nodded. Abby was just about to continue but then she was a little shocked. "oh, you know?" Abby asked surprised. "Yeah, I work at Madi's school. A friend of her told me that she was worried about Madi, so I talked to Madi but she didn't want to talk to me. But, a few days later or the next day or something she came to me and told me about her situation at home"
"So you know pretty much everything?" Abby asked. "Not everything. I know some- things" Emma pressed her lips to a thin line. "She's been through much… at such an early age" Emma swallowed. "Like what?" Abby asked Emma. Emma shook her head. "I can't tell you. Professional secrecy" Emma said simply. "hm, right, okay" Abby said with a disappointed smile. Then her phone buzzed it was Clarke.
"Hey Clarke" Abby smiled.
"Hey, mom. Lexa if feeling better now. I can cook dinner now, then when it's almost done I'll text you, okay?" Clarke said on the phone.
"Yeah, okay. Bye" Abby said.
"love you" Clarke hurried before Abby hung up.
"love you too, honey" Abby smiled and hung up the phone.
Emma opened the door wider. Abby smiled. "I'm having dinner with Clarke, Lexa, and Madi later," Abby said excitedly. "You're excited to meet her" Emma smiled. "Well, of course, she's my daughter's foster daughter. Who knows how long she'll be around. The least I could do is make her feel welcome in this family" Abby said. Emma smiled at her mother. "Well said. I'm sure she'll be thrilled to meet you. But you should know that she was social anxiety, especially around people she has to get to know or talk to or meet. So don't push her to talk" Emma said. "or else, she will maybe have a mental breakdown later. Understood?" Emma asked.
Abby had a sad face. "oh my god… poor thing" the older woman said. "Yeah" Emma agreed. They talked over a cup of coffee, and Bella kept running and screaming. Abby saw how much it annoyed and bothered Emma. "It's just a phase she's going through. I remember when Clarke was three, she had so much energy that she ran instead of walked the whole day. And she screamed so loudly, I got so annoyed" Abby laughed. "Do you remember ever being like that?"
Abby regrets asking that question. Maybe it brought bad memories. But she couldn't possibly remember something from when she was three. Well, someone does, if it's a special memory. "I don't remember" Emma took a sip of her coffee. "But what I do remember was that I was very quiet. I didn't talk much" Emma started. It broke Abby's heart. She knew that because of everything Emma has been through she had lost her self and shut everyone out.
"I know I haven't told you this, but I was in a foster home till I was around 13. They treated me like… shit. I lost myself… I really did… and then I got sent to other foster homes… I was in each home maybe for six months, more or less. I didn't want to get yelled at, didn't want their attention even though I needed it. I didn't want their love because I knew I was going to be sent away to another foster home soon. So why bother getting to know them. I didn't have any friends because… everyone saw me as the "foster girl". And whenever someone tried to be friends with me I pushed them away. I had no one. So no, I don't remember ever being noisy" Emma said, almost with a mad voice. Abby couldn't tell if she was still upset or if she was a little mad or sad. But it was heartbreaking to hear what her daughter had been through.
"Emma… I'm so sorry" Abby grabbed Emma's hands. "It's okay. I forgive you. The past is the past. And we can't keep living in the past. Even though you carry it with you, and it's the past that has made me who I am" Emma said. "You're wise. You know that" Abby laughed. Emma nodded. "I know"
"Mommy…" Bella walked towards Emma while she was crying. Emma lifted her up and put her on her lap. "what's wrong honey?" She asked with a worried voice. "I fell…" little Bella burst out in tears. "oh, poor baby" Emma hugged her tight. "That's why you have to be careful, and not run inside, especially when I tell you not to. Okay?" Isabella nodded and wanted to go down again. Abby smiled at Bella, and Bella smiled back at Abby. Bella started laughing. Just like nothing ever happened.
"Well. I better get home. I have to get Kane ready" Abby smiled at Emma. Emma rose to her feet and followed Abby to the door. They hugged, this time longer than usual. Abby smiled. "Bye Emma" she turned her back and started walking. "Bye mom," Emma said and carefully shut the door. Abby stood still. 'Did she just say mom?' Abby felt butterflies in her stomach. She beamed and started walking.
"Smells good" Lexa smiled and sat on the car chair in the kitchen. "It's almost done. Can you call mom?" Clarke asked Lexa. "Sure, thing babe" Lexa jumped off the chair and grabbed her phone and called Abby. "Hey" Lexa smiled.
"Hello, Lexa. I'm glad you're feeling better" Abby said on the phone.
"Thank you. Clarke is almost done, she's just gonna throw it in the oven. You can come over now" Lexa said while smiling at Clarke.
Abby laughed. "okay," she said with a happy voice. "should I bring something?"
"No, we're good," Lexa said.
"okay. We'll be there in 5. See you"
"See ya"
As Lexa put down her phone the doorbell rang. "Well that was quick" Lexa joked. Clarke laughed and went to open the door. There was a blonde behind the door. "Niylah, hey come in" Clarke smiled.