Without further ado, I give you the chapter you've all been waiting for! Enjoy! :)
Chapter 39
Bellamy made his way to Clarke's apartment, his hands full with a bouquet of two-dozen red roses. He was just about to knock, when Lincoln skidded to a stop beside him. He briefly studied the man, before rapping lightly on the door.
"You and O going somewhere special tonight", he asked as they waited.
"Yep. Is that ok", Lincoln said slightly hesitant.
"I don't have a problem with it, and even if I did I wouldn't say anything. O's happy with you, and if you make her happy then I can learn to live with it."
"Thanks, Boss."
Both men jumped as Clarke's voice filtered through the door, "Come on in, it's open!"
"I thought I told her to keep this thing locked", Bellamy grumbled as he opened the door.
He and Lincoln moved inside, standing awkwardly inside the living room.
"You two sit down! It's not like you haven't been here before", Clarke yelled again from the back of the apartment.
Bellamy chuckled before taking a seat on the sofa, watching as Lincoln did the same. They sat in silence for a moment; the only sound in the quiet apartment was the blow dryer going in the bathroom.
"So, where are you taking O?"
"I thought I'd take her to this new Moroccan place down town", Lincoln answered, twiddling his thumbs, "What about you, where are you taking Clarke?"
"Princess and I like Italian, so I'm taking her to Amato's down on 23rd ", Bellamy answered.
"O likes to try new things, so I thought something she hasn't tried yet would be fun."
"I'm sure she'll like it. Clarke usually always orders the same thing, Shrimp Parmesan. We've been going there since, well forever. We're Amato's regulars. I still remember the first time we went…"
Nineteen year old, Bellamy Blake sat outside of Broken Shield High waiting for a certain blonde. Her sixteenth birthday had just rolled around and he'd decided to do something special.
O was out with Jasper for their five month-iversary, so he had Clarke all to himself. He had everything all planned out, and he couldn't wait to see the look on her face when he took her to the new Italian restaurant she'd been dying to try.
He smiled when he saw her coming, her nose stuck in a book as she walked. He admired the view, her blonde hair shining in the bright sunlight and the way her nose wrinkled in concentration.
"Hey, Princess", he said when she hopped in the truck.
"Hey, yourself. What are you so happy about, you look like you just won the lotto or something."
"Well, I thought we could try out that new Italian place. You know, the one you've been bugging me about for weeks."
He watched as her face split with the biggest smile, "Really Bell?"
"Yep, really. I've got us reservations and everything. We'll just go home, get changed, and head right over."
Bellamy waited at the bottom of the stairs, pacing back and forth until he heard Clarke's door shut. He looked up in time to see her descend, her hair swept up atop her head with little tendrils framing her face. She was wearing a nice pair of jeans and that blue top O had bought her for Christmas.
"You look great, Princess", he said with a grin.
"Thanks, Bell. You don't look half bad yourself."
The drive to the restaurant was quiet, Bellamy sneaking glances at the little blonde every chance he could. He parked outside the well-lit building, coming around to open the door for her and taking her hand in his own.
"Bell, what if someone thinks we're on a date", Clarke asked hesitantly.
"We tell them we're just two friends out for a night on the town", he smirked.
This seemed to calm her, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he wished it were a date. He led her inside, and then they sat down at a table near the back.
Bellamy watched Clarke as she perused the menu, her blue eyes bouncing back and forth as she read. Then he saw a slow smile curve her lips, and she quickly closed the menu and set it aside.
"Already find what you want", he asked, gazing at her over his menu.
"Yep. You found what you're looking for yet", she asked teasingly.
Bellamy shook his head, still looking over the many options until something finally caught his eye. He set his own menu aside with a smirk, and then took a sip of his water.
"Let me guess", Clarke said, tapping her chin with one tapered finger, "Lasagna!"
Bellamy laughed, "You know me too well, Princess. Although, I highly doubt it will be as good as yours."
Clarke tilted her head to the side, her blue eyes sparkling with mirth, "No one's lasagna is as good as mine!"
"Isn't that the truth", Bellamy grinned.
Cheerful banter flew back and forth, slowing down only when their food had arrived. They ooooed and ahhhed over the delectable dishes, humming in satisfaction as they ate.
When they were finished, and walked back to the truck, Bellamy felt Clarke take his hand.
"Thanks, Bell, that was the best birthday meal a girl could ask for", she said pecking him on the jaw.
"Only the best for my Princess", answered with a wink.
"I've taken her back every year on her birthday, not to mention the other fifty some odd times we go a year. We both always order the same thing, we sit at the same table, and we know the owners and wait staff by name. I guess you could say it's our place", Bellamy finished with a fond smile.
"You two really have been together forever, haven't you", Lincoln said in awe.
"I guess you could say that", the Rebel chuckled.
Bellamy's laughter died in his throat as Clarke walked in. The dress she wore fit her figure beautifully, her hair cascaded around her shoulders in a golden mass of gorgeous curls, on her feet were a pair of silver heels, and to top it all off was the bracelet he'd given her all those years ago.
"Well, what do you think", she asked with a twirl.
Bellamy rose, coming to stand before her.
"You look absolutely stunning", he whispered reverently before giving her a slow, passionate kiss.
When he pulled away, he smiled in satisfaction at the dreamy look in her blue eyes.
"These are for you", he said, handing her the roses.
He watched as she buried her face in the blooms, inhaling the sweet sent with a brilliant smile on her face.
"Why Mr. Blake, you really know how to treat a girl right", she said with a grin.
"Only the best for my Princess."
"Where are you taking me, my gallant knight", Clarke asked as she went to put the flowers in water.
"Amato's", he said simply.
Bellamy watched as she turned sharply, her eyes bright with excitement.
"Really, Bell? We haven't been in ages", she squealed as she launched herself into his arms.
"I know, I thought we were well overdue for a visit."
"I can't wait", she said, pecking his lips before turning to yell at Octavia, "O, Bell and I are leaving! You and Lincoln have a good time!"
"Will do! See you two love birds later", O hollered back.
Bellamy led Clarke out the front door, grabbing her hand as they made their way to the elevator. They walked hand in hand through the lobby and out to his waiting truck.
"Your carriage, madam", he said as he opened the passenger side door.
"Why thank you, kind sir."
The drive to Amato's was pleasant, the radio blaring and both people singing at the top of their lungs. By the time they reached the restaurant, they'd dissolved into a fit of giggles.
"I can't believe you still know the words to that", Bellamy said as he helped Clarke from the truck.
"Are you kidding me? You had that song playing nonstop your senior year! That was all we listened to! I think I could sing 'WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS' in my sleep", Clarke crowed.
"Alright, alright, so I may have gone a little overboard on that one", Bellamy chuckled.
"Well in your defense you had just one the state championship, so I think I can let it slide."
Bellamy opened the door for her, smiling at Geno as they walked passed the host. He led her to their table, pulling out her chair and getting her settled before taking his own.
They didn't bother to look at the menus, and soon their food was sitting before them. They talked and laughed over their Shrimp Parmesan and Lasagna, before sharing Chocolate Mousse for dessert.
Bellamy licked the chocolate from his spoon, and watched as Clarke did the same. She looked so beautiful in the candlelight, her hair glowing like an angel's halo. He watched as a little smile curved her lips, and she reached across the table to wipe a smudge of chocolate from his lip.
"There, all better", she said softly.
Bellamy grabbed her hand before she could move, gently wiping the chocolate from her finger. He ran one calloused thumb over the back of her knuckles, staring deeply into her pretty blue eyes.
Then he rose from his seat, her hand still clasped tightly in his own as he moved to kneel before her. He watched as her eyes widened, but thankfully she remained silent.
"From the day I met you thirteen years ago, I knew that you would change my life. You've been the light in my darkness, and my anchor through every storm. You've given me strength, given me hope, but most of all you've given me love even when I was least deserving. You've kept my secrets, and shared in all of my joy and pain. I love you, Princess, and I can't imagine a day without you. So, Clarke Griffin, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Bellamy stared up at her, smiling as she nodded through her tears. He quickly pulled the little black velvet box out of his coat pocket, and tenderly slipped the shiny ring on her finger.
The princess cut diamond shone from the silver band incrusted with smaller stones. It was a perfect fit, and Bellamy gave a sigh of relief.
"It's beautiful, baby", Clarke whispered, her hands moving to frame his face.
"I thought it was fitting for a Princess", he answered with a smile.
Bellamy inhaled sharply when her lips met his own. She tasted of chocolate, and salt, her tears mingling on their lips. She pulled back, her forehead resting against his own as she stared into his eyes.
"I love you, Bellamy Blake, and I cannot wait to become your wife."
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