Thank you all so much for the follows, faves, and amazing reviews! You guys astound me with your outpouring of support and kind words! I know we're all a little heartbroken, yet still hopeful, after that humdinger of a finale so I hope this chapter will ease the pain, even if only slightly! :)

Chapter 40

Raven walked into the Silver Fox, her gait hesitant and her gaze sweeping the shop nervously. She'd come to thank Clarke and Bellamy for their help, and she didn't want to leave without seeing them.

"Hello", she called.

She jumped when a loud thump sounded followed by a loud curse. Wick came out from under a blue Ford pickup, rubbing his head with a frown.

"What are you doing here", he asked, his tone annoyed but not angry.

"I was looking for Clarke. I wanted to thank her for all of her help."

Wick's features softened as he stared at the battered woman before him. Looking at her, he could tell that she hadn't always been so unsure. Her brown eyes shone with a confidence she tried to hide, and her stance was commanding even though she tried to slouch.

Thinking of the events that had brought about her downfall from the woman she'd once been angered him. Finn Collins had hurt two beautiful women, but the difference between Clarke and Raven was that the Princess belonged to a Rebel King who would go to the ends of the earth to see that she was avenged.

The dark haired woman before him had no one, but he was hoping he could change that.

"They're not here", he answered quietly.

Raven hung her head in embarrassment, "I'm sorry to have both…"

"You're no bother", Wick said quickly, "I was just about to take a break and go get something to eat. You wanna tag along, I hate eating alone", he finished with a smile.

He watched as her eyes flicked about the room, raking over the various vehicles with their hoods open and engines displayed. The smile that suddenly curved her lips brought a smile to his own.

"I'd love to", she said with a smirk, "On one condition… I get to tinker with some of those beauties when we get back."

Wick's eyes widened, a full-blown grin brightening his features.

"You know cars", he asked in surprise.

"Do I know cars? I've been elbow deep in motor oil from the time I could walk", she said incredulously.

Wick slung his arm across her shoulders, ignoring the way she flinched slightly. "Well, I think that can certainly be arranged. However, we've gotta eat first because I am starving!"

Octavia and Lincoln sat on the couch, both still laughing after the disaster that had been their dinner date. The Moroccan restaurant had been less Moroccan and more hell fire on a plate.

After burning off half of their taste buds, the pair had decided to head back to the apartment. They stopped at the grocery on the way, picking up two pints of Rocky Road.

Now they sat in comfortable silence, their hands chilled by the tubs of ice cream in their grasp. Octavia sat, her spoon in her mouth, and head tilted to the side. Suddenly she spoke, her voice filled with wonder.

"He's going to propose", she squealed.

Lincoln jumped, ice cream dribbling down his shirt. He frowned for a moment until her words began to sink in.

"Who's going to propose", he asked, eyes wide.

"Bell! He's going to propose to Clarke!"

"What makes you think that?"

"I've just got a feeling. Did you see how he looked at her after the trial? That was what made things complicated!"

"What are you talking about", Lincoln asked in confusion.

"I've seen that look on my brother's face only once before. You see Clarke got the bright idea after high school that she needed to find her own place. Needless to say, Bell was not happy…"

Bellamy Blake sat across from his sister at their kitchen table, the absence of a certain blonde felt keenly by both siblings. Neither spoke, they simply pushed the food around on their plates, frustrated sighs sounding back and forth.

"Have you heard from her", Bellamy asked, finally breaking the silence.

"No, I figured she'd call you first if she found anything", Octavia answered, accidently pushing her peas off her plate with one overzealous shove of her fork.

Bellamy glared at the mess, "I don't like it."

"I know you don't like it, Bell. I'm not a real big fan of the idea myself, but you know Clarke. Once she's got an idea in her head there's no dissuading her."

"Did you tell her she could stay", he grumbled.

Octavia threw her hands in the air in exasperation, her eyes rolling to the ceiling. "For heaven's sake, Bellamy, why don't you tell her she doesn't have to leave? You are her best friend, after all!"

Bellamy looked down at his plate, and then back to his sister. "Princess and I…"

"You're best friends, Bell, and it's fine. She understands you, somehow, and you understand her. You just work. I'm not offended, I'm actually glad you two have each other. Tell her!"

With that, O got up and put her plate in the sink. Bellamy listened as she marched up the stairs and slammed her door. Great, another emotional female to deal with, he thought.

He was just about to head to the shop when his cell phone rang.

"What's up, Princess", he answered when he saw her name on the screen.

"Bell, would you come and look at an apartment? I'm not sure about it, and I'd really like your opinion."

The hesitancy in her voice melted his resolve, and he found himself giving her an affirmation- promising to meet her in ten minutes.

Bellamy drove to the address she'd given, stopping outside of a run down apartment complex on the shadier part of town. He found her standing just outside the main office, her eyes downcast and her fingers jittering nervously at her sides.

"I know what you're going to say Bell", Clarke said as he drew near.

"Oh, do you now", he growled, his features hardened in a dark scowl and his eyes boring into hers with an angry intensity.

"Yes, but this is all I can afford at the moment. It's in Grounder territory, yours actually, so I'll be safe", Clarke muttered sheepishly.

"Princess, I don't patrol the apartments! I can't control what goes down here", Bellamy practically yelled.

"I know, but…"

"No, buts! What is this about, Clarke", he asked gruffly.

"I don't want to be a burden. I don't want you and O to get tired of me like my Mom did", Clarke whispered.

She stared down at her shoes, her heart in turmoil as she tried to make him understand. Then his arms were wrapped around her, and she found herself hugging him back.

She buried her face against his chest, his t-shirt soft against her skin. She felt him inhale, could hear his heartbeat. She relaxed, standing there in his embrace like he was the only thing holding her together.

Finally he spoke, the sound rumbling in his chest and humming against her ear.

"I will never get tired of you, Princess. You can stay with us as long as you like. You will always have a home with me and O. Stay Clarke", Bellamy said huskily.

Clarke felt tears gather behind her closed eyelids at his sincere declaration. She nodded, pulling back to look into his beloved face.

"Thank you, Bell, for never treating me like a burden to be handled or cast aside completely."

"Anytime, Princess", he answered with a soft smile.

"When Bell left the house that day, he was wearing the same look of determination I saw earlier. He was out to convince her to stay then, and I'd bet a hundred bucks he's doing the same thing tonight."

Suddenly the front door opened, and Bellamy and Clarke came strolling into the dim apartment arm in arm. Their faces were wreathed in smiles, and loving glances that were tossed back and forth.

"Hey, you two", Octavia called with a smile.

"Hey, O", Clare said, coming over to the sofa with her hand extended.

Octavia took her hand, a huge grin curving her lips when she saw the ring.

"You did good, big brother! That rock is gorgeous", O exclaimed.

Bellamy's chest puffed out a bit at his sister's praise, "I saw it in the jewelry store and couldn't pass it up."

"You did a great job, babe. It's the prettiest thing I've ever owned", Clarke grinned, kissing Bellamy's jaw.

The newly engaged couple made themselves comfortable on the small loveseat, Bellamy's arm thrown around Clarke's shoulders and their joined hands resting in his lap.

"So how was the Moroccan place", Bellamy asked.

Lincoln and Octavia stared at one another before bursting out laughing.

"If you want to eat spicy stuff then it's the place to go. We both realized what wimps we were and took what remained of our taste buds home for ice cream", O said with a smirk.

Clarke chuckled, "Amato's was great as usual. You two should try it some time, O. I don't think we ever took you there."

"No, you haven't. However, I think Lincoln and I should find our own place", Octavia said as she took her boyfriend's hand.

"Give it time. The right place will come to you, unexpectedly but at just the right time", Bellamy said, his voice soft and eyes upon his new fiancé.

"So, Clarke, have you set a date yet", Lincoln asked.

"Actually, we were talking about that on the way home. We don't want to wait and have a huge gaudy wedding. We'd like something small and intimate, just close friends and family. Maybe two weeks from now?"

Octavia's mouth hung wide open, her eyes nearly popping from their sockets.

"Two weeks! That's…"

"Yep, which is why we have to get a move on", Bellamy said with a grin.

"O, I was wondering if you could do me a favor", Clarke asked suddenly.

"Sure, Clarke. Do you want me to find a DJ, caterer…"

"No, although I'd like your help with those things that's not the favor I'm talking about. O, would you be my maid of honor", the blonde asked with a smile.

Octavia jumped out of her seat, meeting her friend half way in a tight hug. She felt tears well in her eyes, and her voice shook slightly as she spoke.

"I thought you'd never ask!"

"Well, now that that's settled, we gentlemen will leave you lovely ladies to your planning", Bellamy said as he stood, watching as Lincoln did the same.

Each man received a kiss, although Bellamy and Clarke lingered a little longer than the other couple.

Clarke stood, Bellamy's hands framing her face and his forehead resting against her own. She smiled, her hands fisted in the soft material of his shirt.

"I love you, Bellamy Blake, and I hate to wish my life away but I want the next two weeks to fly by", she said with a sigh.

Bellamy chuckled, placing a light kiss on her nose. "I love you too, Princess. We've got forever stretching out before us, and I'm looking forward to every second."

"Goodnight, babe", Clarke whispered as he pulled away, "I'll see you tomorrow."

She watched Bellamy go, her heart warming at the sight of that famous Blake smirk he threw over his shoulder. After the door closed, she turned to her friend.

"Alright, O, are you ready to help me plan a wedding?"

Thanks for reading! Leave me a review if you've got time to spare! I love hearing from y'all! Even if you need to vent about that finale!

Wright: Thanks for yet another great review! I'm so glad you liked the proposal! I would honestly love to write for the show, or just about any of my favorite shows! It would be a dream come true! Thank you again for your sweet words of encouragement, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the latest update! :)