Ok, I'm going to take a minute and brag on you guys! I literally have the best readers ever! You guys are always so upbeat and positive! You're always so encouraging, and I just really wanted to thank you for that! You guys are all absolutely awesome, and I am so thankful for you! Enjoy! :)

Chapter 54

The next morning, Bellamy woke to someone kissing him. He sighed, the scent of her apple blossom shampoo giving her away before he even opened his eyes.

He deepened the kiss, pulling her down to him and tangling his fingers in her blonde hair. He felt her smile against his lips, and then pull back as a throaty chuckle escaped her lips.

"I'd been hollering at you for a good five minutes, so I figured this would be the most effective way to wake you up", Clarke said with a grin.

Bellamy's eyes opened, his dark brown orbs much darker than normal as they roved over her features. His mind wandered to that day many years ago when he'd kissed Clarke Griffin for the first time.

Bellamy came dragging in the house a little after one in the afternoon. He'd gotten a call from Lynx at three that morning saying that there was some Sky trouble at the shop.

Lynx's "trouble" turned out to be an all out turf war at the Silver Fox, which he secretly thought the Grounder leader orchestrated. However, he did as he was told and had the cut to prove it.

He'd made it in enough time to get things stopped before it got out of hand. Miller and the guys had them pinned down by the time he got there, and all he had to do was give an intimidating speech.

However, they hadn't anticipated the idiot that bossed the enemy crew. He came in guns blazing and Bellamy had been forced to subdue him. He the gun away from the lunatic, only for the guy to pull a knife.

Bellamy took a nasty cut to the side before the guy was finally zip tied with the rest of his crew.

"Get them outta here, and be sure they understand that we won't play so nice next time", he growled as he watched his men remove the enemy.

He'd spent the rest of the day at the shop until he couldn't take the burning in his side another minute.

"I'm heading out, Nate", he called as he left.

Now he stood in the kitchen rifling through the cabinets for the good pain medicine Clarke kept stashed behind the plates. He grabbed the little white bottle, took one of the small blue pills and washed it down with a glass of water.

It hit him about five minutes later and he was out on the couch. He slept really well for a while, but then he began to dream.

His nightmare was one of the same one's he had nearly every night. He was at the shop, and the building was empty. The sun was shining and Clarke came strolling into the garage.

Her hair is down, and her face is wreathed in a smile. He returns her grin, and watches as she approaches. Then there's a gun in his hand, and it goes off. He screams in horror as he watches her fall, blood pouring from a hole in her chest.

He rushes to her side, tears coursing down his cheeks. He begs for her forgiveness- begs for her not to leave him. Her blood coats his fingers, splatters on his clothes. Anguish fills him as he watches the light fade from her eyes.

Then he hears her voice, but it sounds far away. A gentle hand shakes him awake, and he sits up quickly. His tired gaze finds her face, her blue eyes vibrant and very much alive.

He cups her face, his thumbs brushing over the skin along her jaw. The softness of it sooths him, and he feels his breathing slow.

"Princess", he whispers.

Then she's getting closer, and he doesn't realize it's because he's leaning forward. Her lips are a mere breath from his own, and he closes the distance. She's stiff at first, but then she melts against him.

Bellamy Blake had kissed many a girl, but kissing Clarke Griffin was like being kissed for the first time all over again. He wanted to go on kissing her forever, but his mind began to become foggy and he felt himself slip into unconsciousness.

Later, he woke to find his side bandaged and a sandwich lying on the table beside him. He sat up slowly, and then it all came rushing back.

He'd kissed Clarke! His lips tingled and warmth spread through his body as the memory surfaced. His head whipped around when he heard footsteps, a blush creeping up his neck when he saw her.

"How are you feeling", she asked as she sat down beside him.

"Better", he said slowly, "Clarke did I do anything while I was out?"

He watched her, looking for any sign of embarrassment or unease. Instead she shook her head, confusion lining her face.

"No, why?"

"Just wondering. I had the strangest dream, but it felt so real", he answered.

He watched as she smiled softly, and then he knew. That kiss wasn't a dream. It had been real!

Bellamy was pulled from his thoughts when Clarke's voice sounded above him.

"What was that look for?"

"What look", he asked in confusion.

"That starry eyed look", Clarke said with a giggle.

"I was thinking about our first kiss", Bellamy replied with a grin.

"If you could call it that! You passed out on me!"

"Hey, I was severely injured!"

"Not to mention doped out on pain killers", the blonde said smiling.

"I thought I'd dreamed it", Bellamy said.

"That was no dream. Believe me, I felt that kiss for hours to come."

Clarke's eyes widened as she realized what she'd just said. She groaned inwardly as Bellamy's expression turned smug.

"Hours, huh", he said, his voice dropping an octave or two.

Clarke gulped at the look in his brown eyes, and then he was kissing her. There was no passing out this time, and when he pulled away her lips tingled and sizzled with the heat of his kiss.

She smiled down at him where he was still laid back against the cushions. His white t-shirt was rumpled and his black curls were riotous. She ran a hand through them, still amazed by how soft the silky curls were.

"We need to get to the shop", she said absently.

"Ok", he replied.

Still neither of them moved. Then Bellamy gripped Clarke's hand, bringing it to lay against his chest.

"I love you, Princess", he said kissing her palm.

Clarke smiled, "I love you too, babe."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

About an hour later, Bellamy and Clarke finally made it to the shop. She entered the dim garage, finding Murphy bent over an old El Camino.

"John Murphy", she practically yelled.

She watched as every man in the shop turned to stare at her. She ignored them, marching up to her friend where he remained staring at the old engine.

"John, I thought I told you no work today", she huffed.

"I got bored, Boss", Murphy said with a sarcastic smirk.

"You're gonna think bored here in a minute. Come on, I need to check your stitches", she said tugging on one of his belt loops.

Murphy sighed, glaring at Bellamy's smirk as he passed him.

Clarke saw him settled in one of the chairs and then moved began to examine the stitches. She was quiet as she worked, her mouth set in a determined line and her eyebrows furrowed.

"You're all good. NO heavy lifting today. You can tinker, but if I catch you doing anything that will rip those stitches you're going home. Understood?"

She watched the man nod reluctantly and then leave the office. She shook her head, and then sat down at the desk to finish her wedding preparations. She needed to double check with the florist, caterer, and the venue.

She made her calls, then heard a strange female voice echoing in the shop. She rose from her seat, meandering out onto the shop floor to find Raven Reyes standing beside Wick.

Clarke smiled as the man looked down at the woman with a tender expression, his hand reaching to take hers. Just then the dark haired girl turned with a smile.

"Clarke", she called, "I hear congratulations are in order."

"Raven, it's so nice to see you again. Wick", Clarke said with a smirk, nodding in the man's direction.

She watched as his face turned a charming shade of pink, his gaze never wavering from the woman beside him.

"Wick, you should bring Raven to the wedding", Clarke exclaimed.

"I…", Wick stuttered.

"I'm not…", Raven stammered.

"We'd love to have you. Wick's a great guy, and I'm happy to see he's found a great girl. We'll be looking for you tomorrow", the blonde finished with a grin.

She left the couple, a mischievous smile on her face.

She caught sight of Murphy where he stood talking to Bellamy, both of them staring into the engine cavity of the El Camino. She approached, stopping to stand beside the redhead.

"John", she said garnering his attention, "Bell and I were wondering if you'd do something for us."

"Sure, anything for you Boss", Murphy said with a grin.

Clarke smiled, "Thanks Murphy. You know since my Dad died I really don't have anyone to walk me down the isle. So, I was wondering if you would do me the honor of giving me away."

She watched as Murphy's eyes widened and then she was engulfed in his embrace. She hugged him back, not missing the kiss he placed on against her hair as he pulled back.

"I would be honored, Clarke", he said hoarsely, his eyes suspiciously moist.

"Thanks, John. It really means a lot to me that you would be willing to do that", Clarke smiled.

"You've been the one person who's believed in me, it's the least I could do."

Clarke felt her own eyes beginning to tear up, so she decided it was time to go. She stepped up to her fiancé, giving him a quick peck on the lips.

"O's dropping by. She and I are going to go pick up the dresses and the tuxes for all of our boys", she said with a grin.

"Alright, you two be careful and I'll see you tonight."

Clarke stopped in her tracks, spinning slowly to face her soon to be husband.

"Uh, about that…"

"Princess", Bellamy said, his eyes rolling to the ceiling.

"O wants it to just be the two of us tonight. I think she's starting to get all sentimental", Clarke said conspiratorially.

"Fine, I'll see you tomorrow then", Bellamy sighed.

Clarke cringed at the thought of having to wait until tomorrow to see him, but she also didn't want to hurt O's feelings.

"Ok, well I love you and every second is going to be torture", Clarke said as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Same here, so you'd better hurry up and get out of here before I decide to run away with you", Bellamy growled.

Clarke kissed him on last time and then took off out of the shop.

Bellamy watched her go, and ten turned back to the car at his fingertips.

"I'm happy for you, Bell", Murphy said softly.

"Thanks John. She'll either cure me or kill me", the Rebel chuckled.

"I think we both know she's been good for you from the moment your sister met her", John said knowingly.

"You're right, Murph. The Princess has been my saving grace from day one and I can't wait to make her mine", Bellamy said with a smile.

Thanks for reading! Please review and tell me what you thought! :)

Wright: Thanks for the review! I'm so glad you enjoyed the Murphy/Clarke moment in that last chapter! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one! Kane definitely has come a long way, and he's still working on it. I just really like his character, so I was thrilled to get to incorporate him into this story! Abby is still annoying, and I'm planning a little bit of a chat between her and Clarke so we'll see how that goes. I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! :)