Sorry it's taken me so long guys; I've had some major writer's block over the past few days! I'm hoping I'm out of the woods though, so maybe I'll be back to regular updates soon! Enjoy! :)
Chapter 48
Clarke woke that morning to a text message on her phone. Bellamy's face smiled back at her from her screen saver as she swiped to read the message. She smiled when the words of her fiancé popped up on the screen.
Have a good day, Princess! I'll see ya tonight ;)
Her fingers flew across the screen as she typed out her reply before setting her phone back on her nightstand. She pulled herself out of bed, her feet recoiling at the feel of the cold hardwood floor.
She pulled on one of Bell's hoodies lying on the end of her bed, and then made her way out into the living room. She could see O and Lincoln sitting on the couch. He dropped by every morning on his way to the shop to have breakfast with Octavia, so she wasn't surprised to see him.
Clarke went straight to the coffee pot, thankful that Lincoln had had the foresight to start the coffee maker. She poured a cup, inhaling the aromatic steam before taking a sip.
"Good morning, Clarke", O called.
"Morning", she croaked back.
"Hey Clarke!"
"Hi Linc, you and Miller starting on that Bentley today", the blonde asked.
She grinned as the man's face broke into a bright smile as he nodded enthusiastically. All of the mechanics had nearly had a conniption when some rich guy pulled a shiny black Bentley into the garage.
"Yeah, Boss said the guy wants it by the end of the week."
"You two have fun. I'm sure my husband to be will be dying to get his hands on it too."
"I will never understand their obsession with cars", O said dryly.
"I'm just happy Bell will have something to keep him occupied", Clarke answered.
"Uh, he's going to drive us all crazy", Lincoln suddenly blurted in a rare show of dramatics.
Clarke and Octavia both turned to stare at him, their eyes wide.
He blushed, his cheeks heating slightly. "I just meant that when Clarke isn't at the shop he mopes", the man finished with a shrug.
"Mopes", Clarke asked from where she leaned against the island.
"Yeah, he'll gripe about everything. None of the guys will do anything to suit him, and he'll spend the whole day staring longingly at the office."
Octavia burst out laughing, rocking back and forth as her giggles spilled forth.
"Oh, if you think that's bad, Princess over there will be checking her phone every five minutes saying 'I'll just call him really quick. It won't take long I promise'. Which turns into a twenty minute conversation of I miss you's and I miss you mores."
Clarke watched as O and Lincoln both howled in laughter, tears streaming down their faces. She smiled to herself, knowing that she and Bellamy were so over the moon that they rarely even noticed their love struck behavior.
"Haha, just wait until you two get engaged. You'll be worse", Clarke said with a cool glare.
"Sweetie, Lincoln and I haven't been dancing around each other for the past eight years, so I highly doubt that", O said with a smirk.
"I love him, ok. I love your brother like I love no one else. He's the center of my universe and I don't care who knows", Clarke said with a raise of her chin.
O just smiled, her features softening. "We're not complaining Clarke. Seeing you and my brother finally happy TOGETHER is the best thing ever. I love that you're so attached to each other that you can't stand to be apart."
"Thanks, O", the blonde said as she crossed the room to hug her friend.
"You're welcome, now hurry up and get ready! We've got a dress to find!"
Clarke gave her friend one more hug before waving bye to Lincoln. She made her way to the bathroom, showering quickly before slipping one of Bell's white t-shirts over her undergarments.
She padded back to her room, pilfering through her closet until she found the blouse she wanted to go with the jeans she'd bought last week. She pulled on the clothes she'd picked out, hopping around her room on one foot as she put on her socks.
She slipped on her knee high brown boots, and then went to finish her hair and do her makeup. After she'd finished her routine, she went to sit on the couch, grabbing the remote as she plopped down.
Clarke had just turned on the TV when the front door opened and Bellamy came strolling into the apartment. She grinned when he saw her, his lips curving into that smirk she loved.
"Morning handsome", she purred.
"Morning Princess", he said before bending over the back of the couch to plant a searing kiss on her lips.
He flopped down beside her, taking the remote in one swift movement. The television flickered off and he turned to face her. His dark eyes warmed her very soul, and the love she saw in them made her heart beat a little faster.
"I wish I could come with you", he whispered.
"I know, me too. Bridesmaidzilla, however, would never allow it", Clarke answered with a smirk.
She grinned even wider at Bellamy's dramatic eye roll.
"You'll just have to settle for dinner and an art exhibit."
"How about we have dinner at my place, and enjoy some peace and quiet", Bellamy suggested.
"You're just hoping I'll make you lasagna", the blonde said cheekily.
"I cannot tell a lie", Bellamy said with a chuckle.
"Hey, get your butt up! It's time to go", Octavia said as she came sailing into the living room, dabbing the finishing touches on her bright red lipstick, "Don't you have a job or something, big brother?"
"Yeah, O, I was just leaving", Bellamy said with a grin.
He gave Clarke a quick kiss and a sympathetic look before making his way out the door.
"Ok, O, let's head out", the blonde said, grabbing her purse.
They stopped at the only dress boutique in town, going inside and just staring at the assortment of white dresses that lined every corner of the store. They found an attendant, and the woman quickly began to pull dresses for Clarke to try.
The blonde was ushered into a dressing room, and zipped into the first dress. It was a mermaid style with a sweetheart neckline, covered in delicate lace. She twirled in front of the mirror, her blue eyes catching those of her friend.
"What do you think?"
"I like it, but I don't think it's the ONE", O answered.
Clarke had to admit the other girl was right. She liked the elegance of it, but she wasn't so sure it fit the vision she had in her head.
"Alright, young lady, let's get you into another one", the kind attendant said.
Clarke went back, coming out in several other dresses but none of them really stuck out. She was beginning to get frustrated, the time crunch weighing on her shoulders, when her phone rang.
The older woman, Gladys, left her in the dressing room with an understanding smile, closing the door behind her as she went.
Clarke wept when she saw Bellamy's face on her screen, his name emblazoned in white letters across the middle.
"Bellamy", she sobbed.
"Princess, what's the matter", he asked, his voice becoming frantic.
"What if I don't find one", she blubbered.
She heard his sigh of relief, and then the smile in his voice as he answered. "Sweetheart, I would marry you even if you wore a burlap bag. Don't stress, the right one will come to you", Bellamy answered softly.
Clarke leaned back in the tufted chair, her anxiety melting away at the gentle cadence of his voice. She took a deep breath, her resolve returning.
"Thanks, babe", she said, imbuing her words with all the love she felt.
"You're welcome, Princess. Now get back after it, I have complete faith that you'll find the perfect dress. Just know that the dress doesn't matter one whit to me, it's the woman wearing it that I can't live without."
At the sound of his deep voice ringing with sincerity, Clarke began to cry anew. Her face wreathed in a huge smile, and her arms aching to hold the man she loved.
"Have I told you today how much I adore you, Bellamy Blake?"
"Never hurts to tell me twice", he said with a deep chuckle that sent a shiver up her spin.
"Well, then Bellamy Blake I ADORE you", Clarke answered.
"Right back at ya, Princess."
Clarke hung up, her mind wandering to all the times that Bellamy Blake's voice had soothed her.
It was her first semester of college, and the first morning of finals. Clarke had studied nonstop for the past week, and her nerves were tangled and twisted until she thought she'd throw up.
She left the house, her old white Taurus groaning and clicking in the early morning air. She was just about to exit off the main highway when the car spluttered and then she began to lose speed.
The bucket of bolts died as the blonde pulled it to the shoulder. She sat in stunned silence for a moment before the frantic tears began. If she missed the test she would fail the class and all of her hard work would be for nothing.
Clarke reached for her phone on the dashboard, the stupid thing falling into the floorboard. She scrambled for it, knocking her coffee over, dark liquid staining her shirt. She screamed in frustration, tears coursing down her cheek and blurring her vision as she tried to dial his number.
When his deep voice sounded on the other end, she wailed, "Bell!"
She heard shuffling on the other end, and then he sounded slightly out of breath when he next spoke.
"I'm on my way, where are you?"
Clarke rattled off her location, sniffling as he assured her he would be there in five minutes.
True to his word, Bellamy Blake's truck pulled in behind her five minutes later. She watched as he jumped from the vehicle, running to her car and yanking the door open.
His hands were on her face, his eyes roving over her weepy features and then down the length of her body searching for injuries.
"What is it", he asked, his tone saturated with worry.
"My car won't start and my final starts in ten minutes", Clarke bawled.
She felt Bellamy help her from the car, observing dumbly as he grabbed her backpack from the backseat and then pulled her keys from the ignition.
"What are you doing", she asked in confusion as he pulled his shirt over his head.
"Here, yours is stained", he said handing her his pristine white t-shirt.
Clarke just stared at him for a moment in all his shirtless glory, tan skin gleaming in the early morning light and a bright smile curving his lips.
"Come on, Princess, it's nothing you haven't seen before", he chuckled as he made his way to his truck.
She followed, still clutching his shirt to her chest. She crawled into the passenger seat, and sat quietly as he drover her to school. She glanced at him, noticing the smirk that still painted his features.
When the truck came to a stop, Bellamy shoved her out.
"Good luck, Princess. I'll take care of your car, and send Miller to pick you up later!"
Clarke waved, and then made her way inside the large, looming building. She rushed to the bathroom, changing into Bellamy's shirt and stuffing hers into her backpack.
She made it to her test on time, and passed with flying colors. She waited for Miller, but his car never showed. Instead, Bell's truck pulled up right on time. He rolled down the window with a grin as he stared at her.
She wore his white t-shirt, a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, and her favorite pair of converses. She looked too cute with his shirt swallowing her whole and her hair a riot of messy curls.
"Your carriage awaits, Princess", he called.
She climbed in on the passenger side, a grateful smile curving her lips.
"Thanks for saving me Bell", she chuckled.
"Saving damsels in distress is my specialty", he said dramatically before pulling into traffic.
Clarke giggled at the memory, her quest for the perfect dress renewed. She texted Octavia and told her to start looking because they weren't leaving until she found the ONE.
Thirty minutes later, Clarke Griffin stood before the mirror in the most beautiful dress she'd ever seen. O had found it, saying she thought Bell would really like it, so the blonde immediately tried it on.
It was an A-line silhouette, fitting her figure in all the right places. The skirt swirled around her in a flurry of tulle, catching the light as she twirled slowly. It was just full enough to make her feel like a princess, but not enough to make the dress heavy.
The dress had a sweetheart neckline, showing a little bit of skin but still remaining in the realm of modesty. The bodice was satin, soft and gleaming, with a silvery jewel encrusted belt at the waist.
The blonde smiled at her image, happy tears burning her eyes.
"He'll love it, Clarke", O said as she dabbed at her own tears.
"It is beautiful", Clarke breathed.
"Well, it's settled then", Gladys asked.
"Yep, I want to say yes to the dress", the blonde answered happily.
Clarke went back to the dressing room, and quickly got dressed. She and O stood at the front counter and paid for the dress, taking the large white garment bag with gentle hands.
They shopped for bridesmaids' dresses, finding the perfect shade of red in the perfect style. After they were finished, they stopped at a little coffee shop before heading back.
They ordered and then took a seat by one of the large windows.
"I had fun today, Clarke. Thanks for inviting me", O said with a smile.
"Thank you for coming with me! I never would have found the perfect dress if it weren't for you."
"You're good for him, Clarke. Always have been", Octavia said suddenly.
He's everything I could ever dream of. My very own knight in shining armor", the blonde smiled.
"I always knew you cared for one another, but I guess I never knew how much."
"We spent a good portion of our lives denying our feelings", Clarke grinned, "I guess we finally got tired of it."
She watched as the brunette smiled softly, reaching across the table to take her hand in her own.
"You've always been part of the family, Clarke, but now it's official and I'm so happy you're going to be my sister."
"Me too, O. Me too", Clarke replied softly with an answering smile.
Thanks for reading! Please drop me a review if you've got time! I love hearing from all of you! :)
Alexis: Thanks for the review! I'm so glad you've been enjoying the story! I'm trying to wind this thing down, so a mushy Bellarke happy ending will be coming soon! I'm right there with you on the show! I want some more Bellarke on there too! :)
Martha: Thanks for the review! I'm starting to really like Murphy too! I'm glad you the part he plays in the story as well as my Bellarke tidbits :)
Wright: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you're enjoying the Clarke/Murphy friendship! It just seems so natural to me lol Yeah, I kinda dug up some sad bits of Bellamy's past. I don't know why, but for some reason I pictured his mother this way, broken and lashing out at her children. Bellamy would want to shelter Octavia, so he would obviously take the brunt of her harsh accusations and carry the burden of trying to care for her. I really wanted Clarke to be the one person in Bellamy's life who was always there with a gentle word of encouragement or a shoulder to lean on. I think it makes their relationship that much sweeter. I wanted Octavia to tell Kane off, but then I wanted her to come around. I thought having Kane ask about Clarke would prove that you don't usually see the Blake's without their favorite blonde! I could totally picture Clarke telling Murphy he was family. I think sometimes family can have a broader definition than just flesh and blood. I'm glad you enjoyed Bell's separation anxiety; I thought it'd be really cute! I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the chapter, and WOW that's an amazing compliment! Thank you for your kind words and your support of my stories! It really means a lot! :)