Thank you everyone for all of the reviews, follows, and faves! You guys are the best! Also btw, I've got a new story out brought on by the finale lol It's called Abiding Love, and I love to know what y'all think! So, please feel free to check it out! :)
Chapter 44
Bellamy looked at Clarke where she stood beside him, gripping his hand, her features marred by a troubled frown. Her bottom lip was caught between her teeth, and all he wanted to do was smooth the worry from her face.
He saw Kane standing just beside one of the old wooden chairs in front of his desk. The man looked at Clarke, his eyes widening, and then his gaze rested on the younger man.
Bellamy sensed that the DA wanted to say something, but before he could the little blonde holding his hand pulled him into the office. She led him to his leather chair, motioning for him to sit.
"Bell, Kane has something he needs to say. You're not going to like it, but no matter how much you want to interrupt I want you to sit there and listen to everything he has to say", Clarke said, her blue eyes pleading.
Bellamy nodded, concern settling in his chest. "Alright, Princess, I'll listen and try not to interrupt."
"Good, Kane, speak fast", the blonde said before moving to lean against the wall to the Rebel's right.
"Son, I haven't been honest with you. I've kept something from you, and I need to have it out in the open", Kane said, waiting for the younger man to nod before he continued, "I'm your father. I left your mother when you were just a toddler. I allowed other people to influence my decisions, leaving my family to fend for itself. I know I can never make up for what I've done, but I want to apologize and ask to have the opportunity to get to know you and your sister."
Bellamy sat in shock, his heart hammering in his chest and his mouth moving like a fish stranded on dry land. He felt Clarke come behind him, her hands gripping his shoulders in a gentle show of support.
When he could finally speak, his voice didn't sound like his own.
"Why should I believe you", he said calmly.
Kane looked down at something he held in his hand, bringing forth a worn photograph. He handed it to Bellamy, watching the younger man's expression as he stared down into the smiling face of his mother.
"Why now", Bellamy asked simply.
"I realized that I was being a coward, and that I wanted to have a relationship with my children. I understand if you can't, but I just wanted you to finally know the truth."
Bellamy sat in silence, handing the picture back to its owner. He raised one of his hands, grasping Clarke's where it rested on his shoulder. He felt Clarke move, leaning in to whisper in his ear.
"Bell, I know that what he did was wrong but we've all made mistakes. He's trying to atone for his sins, meet him half way."
The Rebel thought on her words for a moment before looking at his father.
"I don't understand why you left us, but I do understand trying to right your wrongs. It will take time, but I think we all deserve a second chance."
He watched as Kane smiled, his eyes filling with unshed tears.
"Thank you, son."
Bellamy nodded, and listened as Clarke invited Kane over for dinner sometime the next week. Her hands gently massaged his tense shoulders as they watched the man go.
Then she spun his chair around, moving to sit in his lap. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and her face was mere inches from his own. She was smiling, her blue eyes filled with pride.
"I'm proud of you, Bellamy Blake."
"Thank you, Princess", he grinned, kissing her softly.
"How do you think O will react", Clarke asked suddenly.
"I think she'll be surprised, but I think overall she'll take the news pretty well."
"We should tell her tonight. Invite Lincoln over and have a family meeting", Clarke suggested.
"That's a great idea", Bellamy said, hugging her close.
She pulled back, her blue eyes meeting his brown ones, "Now, Mr. Blake, we need to get back to work. I have a dinner to plan, and if I'm not mistaken that Camaro still needs your attention."
Bellamy chuckled, "Alright, Princess, you win."
"You bet I do, I always win", she said with a sassy wink.
Bellamy threw a grin over his shoulder before exiting the office and walking back to the Camaro. He popped the hood, leaning over to stair at the motor, his thoughts on the upcoming family meeting.
It'd been a while since they'd had one of those. He reached down into his toolbox and pulled out a socket wrench, his mind wandering to a night several years ago when his Princess had called their last family meeting.
Bellamy walked through the front door, exhausted and in desperate need of a shower. He had just reached the stairs when Clarke stuck her head out of the kitchen.
"Pssst", she lisped, motioning with her head for him to come closer.
"What", he asked rather loudly.
"Shhh, I need to talk to you", Clarke muttered, an adorable frown coloring her features.
"Ok, shoot Princess."
"We need to have a family meeting", she whispered.
"Why? What have I done this time", Bellamy asked, arching one dark brow.
"This isn't about you, this is about O", she answered seriously.
Mention of his sister quickly got his attention, and he stepped closer, lowering his head conspiratorially as he leaned against the kitchen doorway.
"What's up with O?"
"She's been acting funny lately, coming in late, leaving early. I don't like it. We need to talk to her", Clarke said sounding very much like a worried mother hen instead of a concerned friend.
"Alright, if you think it's necessary", he replied.
"Good, I'll make her favorite. Get her in a good mood", the blonde said, her nose scrunching in thought.
"Aww, Princess. Why do we have to have her favorite? Why couldn't you fix mine? I think I'll need it more than her anyway", Bellamy whined.
Clarke reached out, slapping him on the shoulder.
"Oww", he yelped.
"We had your favorite last night, and I sent leftovers with you to the shop. We're having enchiladas", Clarke growled.
"Yes ma'am, whatever you say", Bellamy said grinning at her display of protective affection for his sister.
If there was one thing he knew about Clarke Griffin, it was that she would go to the ends of the earth for those she loved. He felt blessed to count himself among that select few.
He turned back to find her staring at him, her head cocked to the side. Then she smiled sweetly, her blue eyes dancing with mirth.
"I'd appreciate it if you'd go shower! You smell like the south end of a north bound mule", she grinned.
Bellamy laughed, "Where on earth did you hear that?"
She looked up at the ceiling, tapping her chin with her index finger as she thought.
"I have no idea, but it's catchy isn't it", she said with a bright smile.
"Only you, Princess, but I will obey your wishes", Bellamy said with a stately bow before making his way to the stairs.
Later that night as the three sat around the table eating chicken enchiladas smothered in queso, Bellamy noticed Clarke shooting him odd looks.
"What", he mouthed over O's head.
"Talk to her", Clarke mouthed back.
Bellamy rolled his eyes, yelping when her shoe connected with his shin under the table. Octavia looked up, her face a mask of confusion.
"What is up with you two? You've been acting weird all afternoon", she asked.
"Uh…", Bellamy stammered, shrugging when Clarke glared at him.
"We're worried about you, O. You've been acting strangely lately and I, err WE, were making sure everything's ok", Clarke said.
Octavia looked between them, the two people she loved most in the world, and then burst out laughing.
Clarke and Bellamy shared a confused glance, before turning back to the giggling girl.
"Knowing you two, you already had me addicted to heroin and joining the Grounders!"
Bellamy caught Clarke's wide eyed gaze, her mouth ajar with mortification. His own face felt pinched, his features etched in a dark scowl.
"What is really going on, Octavia", he asked sternly.
Octavia pushed the remaining remnants of her enchiladas around on her plate, her head bowed and eyes glued to the mess she was making with her food.
"I've been getting help with school from one of Jasper's friends", she uttered quietly.
"You've been cheating", Bellamy nearly yelled.
O's head jerked up, her eyes widening in alarm. "No, not that! He's tutoring me!"
Bellamy felt himself relax, glancing across the table to see Clarke leaning back in her chair with a sigh.
"You two always expect the worst, don't you", the dark haired girl said angrily.
"No, O. We were just concerned, but why did you hide this", Clarke asked.
"I didn't want either of you to know I was having trouble. You would have swept in and tried to save the day. I wanted to do it on my own, make you proud."
"O, we are proud of you", Bellamy said, taking his little sister's hand in his own.
"Really", the girl asked with a hesitant smile.
"Really", Clarke confirmed.
"Awww, thanks guys. Now I've gotta run, I have to meet Monty and go over some Calculus homework. I'll see you later", Octavia said, kissing Bellamy on the cheek and giving Clarke a fierce hug.
They watched her go, their faces identical masks of shock.
"I never would have guessed that one", Clarke said in a hushed tone.
"You and me both, Princess. I'll help you do the dishes and then you owe me a Spartan documentary", he said with a smile.
Bellamy smiled to himself at the memory. He and Clarke had always been a team, handling things together even when they didn't always handle things correctly.
He didn't know what he would have done without her, how he would have handled O's teenage years without the spunky blonde by his side. She'd kept him sane when his world had been torn apart by feminine hormone catastrophes and boy trouble.
He'd been able to weather every storm with her there beside him, always telling him it would be alright. He looked up from the car, peering through the doorway of his office.
Bellamy could see her sitting at his desk, a pencil clasped in her teeth as her eyes darted back and forth over something she was reading. She looked up then, a smile curving her lips a she waved.
Yep, life was never boring with the little blonde spitfire he now called his own.
Thanks for reading! Please review if you've got a second! :)
Wright: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you liked Lincoln's flashback! I love your idea about the wedding toasts; I will definitely plan on something like that! :)
Martha: Thanks for the review! The wedding will be here before you know it! :)
A big thank you to all of my other guest reviewers! You guys are awesome! Thanks for your support! :)