Well, I hope the wedding lived up to everyone's expectations! Now on to the reception! :) Enjoy!

Chapter 57

Bellamy was very experienced in the art of watching Clarke Griffin; he'd been doing it his whole life. So, when her body tensed and her smile faltered while they were greeting their guests, his gaze immediately began to scan the small crowd.

Then he saw her, Abigail Griffin. Instinctively a growl rose up in his throat, his hands fisting at his sides. He felt a hand on his shoulder, turning to find Murphy standing beside him.

"She took care of it", he said quietly.

"I told her…"

"No matter what her mother did, she's still her mother. Even after everything your mom did, you'd still love to have one more minute with her and you know it."

Bellamy glared at his friend, letting the words of wisdom soak in.

"You're right", he groused.

"Of course I am", Murphy said with a grin, "Now if you'll excuse of me, I see a brunette I need to catch up with."

Bellamy grinned, his gaze spotting Chloe where she stood talking to Monroe and Miller.

"Go ahead, buddy. You deserve a little happiness too."

He watched as his friend sauntered over to the woman, one hand in his pocket while the other was secured in the sling. He shook his head, a smile playing across his lips as his dark eyes found Clarke once again.

He reached for her hand, his thumb brushing over her ring. It felt unreal and unimaginable that the woman he'd loved his whole life was now rightfully and truly his. His breath caught when her blue eyes found his face, love radiating in the azure pools.

Bellamy was just about to pull her close for a quick kiss, when a voice stopped him.

"You look beautiful, Clarke."

He watched as Clarke turned to stare at her mother, "Thanks Mom."

"Mrs. Griffin", Bellamy said, extending his hand to his mother-in-law.

"Bellamy", Abby replied as she shook his hand.

It would be hard to miss the animosity in her son-in-law's dark eyes, yet he made no move to stop her as she hugged her daughter close. She would have to admit now that Bellamy Blake was a good man, a man of honor.

She'd seen the night that he'd paid her a visit that he would do anything for her daughter, and obviously that extended to allowing Clarke to make her own choices even if he didn't agree with them.

Abby turned to the young man, taking his hand in one hand while her daughter's was held securely in the other. She met his dark gaze as she squeezed his hand.

"You are a good man, Bellamy Blake. I was so wrong. I let the past cloud my judgment, and I couldn't see the treasure my daughter's found in you. I'm glad it was you who's guarded her heart all these years. I'm proud to call you my son-in-law. I know you can't now, but I hope one day you will be able to forgive me", Abby finished, tears sparkling in her blue eyes.

Bellamy took a deep breath, his gaze never wavering from hers.

"You're right, right now I can't move past what you did. But, in time I will. I don't want to be the reason Clarke doesn't have a relationship with her mother. However, if she ever decides that she doesn't want you in our life then I will stand by that decision."

He watched as Abby nodded, slowly loosening the grip on their hands before turning to walk away. As they watched the woman go, Clarke turned to him, her features bright and open.

"Thank you, sweetheart", she said as she moved closer to wrap her arms around him, "I know how hard that was, but that's just why I love you. Even when something's hard you just keep going, you do what's best for those around you even if you don't agree. What she said is true, Bell. You're love is my greatest treasure, and you are a great man- a man I wish my father could have known because he would have adored you."

Bellamy brought his hands up to frame her face, gently brushing away the tears that were slowly coursing down her cheeks.

"You are the most amazing woman I have ever known, and even if I don't care for your mother, I care for you. I always have and always will want what's best for you, Princess. You were given to me, and I want to make sure that you always feel like the treasure you are."

Bellamy closed his eyes as Clarke's lips moved against his own, sweet and alluring. He could have stood right there for an eternity, his hands roaming to the soft fabric of her dress, her scent surrounding him, her hair falling silky soft against his cheeks. However, the maid of honor wouldn't allow it.

The young couple broke apart at the sound of a throat clearing. They turned, sheepish smiles on their faces, to find Octavia standing with her arms crossed and her foot tapping. She was fighting to keep her scowl in place, a smile threating to curve her lips.

"The reception is waiting on you two", she said in mock annoyance.

Bellamy grinned down at the woman in his arms, "Well, Princess, I guess we've kept them waiting long enough."

They strolled hand in hand onto the large patio. A cheer went up, as they made their way to the large white cake. They cut into it together, taking the first piece.

Bellamy took a small piece in his fingers, bringing it to Clarke's lips. She opened her mouth, licking the icing from his digits as he popped the cake into her mouth. The heat in her blue eyes did strange things to his heart, warmth spreading throughout his body as she fed a small piece to him.

He watched her eyes widen as he too licked the icing from her fingers, placing a kiss to her palm. He grinned in mischief, and then pulled her to him unable to stay away from her.

They kissed to the shouts and wolf whistles, the world fading as they reveled in the other's touch. They broke the kiss slowly, pulling back to gaze into each other's eyes.

Just then a song began to float on the warm afternoon air, causing Clarke to smile. She took Bellamy's hand, leading him onto the dance floor for their first dance as man and wife.

She shivered as he slowly placed his hands on her waist, his warm dark brown eyes burning with a bright intensity that made her heart flutter in her chest. They swayed to "Marry Me" by Train, the music surrounding them and the words speaking for them.

As soon as the song was over, Clarke turned to the DJ a smile on her face and lifting her voice above the murmur of the crowd.

"Let's rock the house, Monty", she yelled.

Monty Green nodded with a grin, and the strains of an upbeat melody boomed through the speakers.

Bellamy spun Clarke out, and then brought her back to him. They danced and danced and danced some more. Then the music began to slow again, and suddenly there was a tap on his shoulder.

He turned to find his father standing there with a smile on his face.

"Can I cut it?"

"Sure", Bellamy said with a smile.

He watched as his father took Clarke in his arms, a smile on his face as he went to find his sister. He found her dancing with Lincoln, so he cut in. He pointed to their father where he danced with Clarke.

"He's more than I could've ever dreamed", O said quietly.

"He is pretty great", Bellamy replied.

"But he'll never replace you", Octavia said, her blue eyes so much like their father's gazing into his own, "You will walk me down the isle, and my first dance will be reserved for you."

Bellamy hugged his sister tight, "I love you, O. I will gladly walk you down the isle, but lets not rush it."

His sister's melodious laughter warmed his heart, "Alright, Bell, I'll take my time."

Across the dance floor, Clarke smiled up at Marcus Kane as he spoke.

"I knew from the moment that I met you that my son was in good hands. I'll never forget that morning you came into my office to bargain for the Silver Fox and your men's freedom."

"That day was pretty monumental for me too. That whole time was so painful, but I really grew through the adversity."

"It hurt so much having to lie to you. Bellamy was like a caged tiger. I couldn't tell him what you were doing because for some reason I knew that he would have walked through fire to see that you were safe. All the while you marched through the darkness to avenge his death", Kane said quietly.

"He has been the most important person in my life since the day my father died. I had no one, so I attached myself to Bellamy. He got me through some pretty dark days."

"And you did the same for him."

Clarke chuckled, "Everyone thinks that I saved Bellamy, and in a way I did, but he saved me. After my dad died, I was like a ship without a rudder. I didn't know what to do. My relationship with my mom was shattered, and I didn't know where else to turn. Bellamy didn't leave my side for three days. He held my hand, dried my tears, and kept telling me everything would be alright until I actually believed it."

Clarke's gaze moved to the object of her affection, a smile curving his lips and his dark eyes sparkling with mirth.

Suddenly Kane's voice echoed above her, "Thank you."

At her confused expression, he continued, "Thank you for loving my son. Thank you for never giving up on him. Looking at him now, I see the man he is, and I know that's because of you."

Clarke smiled, her gaze traveling back to where Bellamy danced with O.

"Bellamy Blake has always had a potential for greatness, he just needed someone to believe in him. That's all I've done since I met him that warm Halloween night, believe in him, even when he didn't believe in himself. I have loved him in one capacity or another for the majority of my life, and now I can truly call him mine. He has changed my life, and I will forever me indebted to him for that."

Kane looked down at the young woman in his arms, her blue eyes glued to his son's every movement. This was what he'd wanted for his son from the moment he'd met him- a woman who would love him with this intensity.

Now, he knew. Bellamy had had that love his whole life because Clarke Griffin had loved him almost that long, and looking at her now he could see that her love wouldn't simply burn out. It would go on and on, still burning just as brightly years from now at it did in this moment.

He watched as Bellamy's gaze collided with his wife's, how those dark brown orbs so much like Aurora's sparked with joy. Then his long legged strides brought him back to his bride for the last dance of the night.

Clarke felt Kane step away, and then Bellamy's arms were once again wrapped around her. The smell of his cologne was intoxicating and all she wanted was for this moment to last forever.

The afternoon had gone, replaced by a starlit sky. The hanging lights glowed brightly, casting a soft glow on the patio below.

The blonde looked up at her new husband, her fingers toying with the silky curls at the nape of his neck.

"You're beautiful, Bellamy Blake", she whispered, "The most handsome man I've ever known, but more important is the beauty of your heart. I love you, my Rebel king."

The deep chuckle that reverberated through his chest brought a blush to her cheeks as his hands tightened their hold on her waist.

"My beautiful Princess, you always know what to say."

"Only where you're concerned, you inspire me, Bell."

At that Bellamy kissed her again, soft and full of tenderness. She held on to him, never wanting to let him go. However, just like every other time that day, they were interrupted.

"Alright, we need to get these two love birds out of here, but before they go no wedding would be complete without the toast", O said, her voice echoing through the speakers, "As maid of honor, I'll go first. I have known these two all my life. I met Clarke Griffin when I was seven years old, and the night my big brother took us trick or treating was the beginning of a beautiful romance. If someone had told me that my brother would both steal and marry my best friend I would have laughed because I already knew. Even as kids, these two fought like an old married couple and the love was already there. As we grew older, I watched as Clarke grew closer to Bellamy, her eyes following his every movement. Her worried pacing kept me up many a night, and her overprotectiveness made for some entertaining moments. The change my brother wrought in my best friend was always instantaneous. She was always uptight, but with Bell she was free to be herself, the Princess he loves. So, here's to my favorite couple! I wish you both every happiness, and I love you so much", O finished tearfully.

Clarke dabbed at her own tears, Bellamy's eyes suspiciously moist as well. Then it was Miller's turn. He took the mic with a smile, and then he began to speak.

"I've known Bellamy Blake since I was fourteen years old. Looking at the big lug you wouldn't think there'd be a tender bone in his body, but where that little blonde is concerned, Blake is a pile of mush. She'd walk into the shop, and it was like he knew she was there without even having to turn around. Then there's the weird eye thing! There were days when I was convinced a scientific study should be performed immediately because I swore those two could read each other's mind. If you ever saw Bellamy's face when Clarke walked into a room, you'd know he loved her no matter how much he denied it. Every guy in the shop knew the Princess was off limits unless you wanted to incur the Boss' wrath. On days when he'd been stressed and beaten down, she'd walk in and it was like the weight lifted from his shoulders. She would talk to him, those blue eyes never missing anything he tried to hide. They have always been a force to be reckoned with, and I know they're going to have an amazing life together. So, here's to the Rebel and his Princess!"

Clarke smiled at her husband, tears in her eyes at the sweet words of their friends and family. He took her hand, placing a kiss on her wrist. Then they were ushered away to Bellamy's truck.

The back window was covered in colored chalk, and a string of tin cans were tied to the back pumper. Their bags were packed and thrown into the back ready to go.

Bellamy ran with Clarke, quickly opening the passenger door and helping her inside. He buckled her in, placing a quick kiss on her lips before running around and sliding into the driver's seat.

He drove away to the sound of their family's cheers. He looked over at Clarke and found her staring at him, her blue eyes sizzling. He took her hand, her fingers melding perfectly with his own.

When they finally made it to their honeymoon cabin, he helped Clarke from the truck and then swept her into his arms. He carried her over the threshold, setting her down in the front room.

He left her, running back to the truck to grab their bags. When he returned he watched as she snatched something from one of the bags and ran for the bathroom.

"I'm gonna take a quick shower, get rid of this makeup and hairspray."

Bellamy removed his coat, unbuttoning the top button of his starched white shirt and sitting down in the room's lone chair. He grabbed his beloved copy of the Odyssey; the worn pages yellowed and dog-eared.

Then the sound of the bathroom door opening caught his attention. He looked up, his mouth going dry when he saw her. There she stood in his white shirt, her hair falling down her back in damp curls.

She approached him slowly, wrapping her arms around him and capturing his lips with her own. Then she pulled back abruptly.

"No interruptions, I think I could get used to that."

Bellamy laughed, resting his forehead against hers and getting lost in her bright blue eyes. Then her small hands brought him back to the present, as her nimble fingers worked on the buttons of his shirt.

"I love you, Bellamy Blake", she said between kisses.

"I love you too, Princess."

The next morning they woke in each other's arms, the same way they would wake for the rest of their lives. Love had brought them this far, and it would see them through. Clarke was convinced that as long as she had Bellamy Blake beside her, life would always be beautiful.

Thanks for reading! Please review! I love hearing from all of you! :)