Sorry it's taken me so long guys! I've started back to school and this week has been crazy! Thank you for your patience! Enjoy! :)
Chapter 14
Clarke thought her life would change drastically, but really things stayed the same. She took care of Bellamy and Bryce, cooked their meals and tended to the many "boo-boos" the two seemed to accumulate.
Over all life was good. However, she'd noticed something the past month about Bellamy. Something was bothering him and she didn't know what it was. She'd thought about asking him multiple times, but the timing hadn't been right.
Then one night after supper, as they put Bryce to bed, Clarke finally discovered the reason for her husband's hurt expression. They went through the routine, Clarke tucking the little boy in and giving him a kiss. Then Bellamy stepped forward, running a hand through the child's curls and telling him goodnight.
As they turned to leave the room, Bryce called out his usual, "Goodnight Momma, goodnight Bewamy!"
Clarke watched as her husband's face fell, and his brown eyes clouded with hurt.
"Goodnight buddy", Bellamy said before making his way to their room.
As Clarke dressed for bed, she studied Bellamy. He lay on his stomach, his intense gaze directed at the opposite wall. His strong back, littered with scars, was unmoving except for the gentle rise and fall of each breath he took.
She climbed in beside him, laying on her side and running her fingers up and down his spine in a gentle caress. She felt him shiver, and then he rolled over to face her. The look in his brown eyes broke her heart, but the wounded tone of his voice caused her near physical pain.
"Why doesn't he call me dad", Bellamy asked brokenly.
Clarke stared at him for a moment, trying to think of anything that might sooth his worries.
"Maybe he doesn't understand", she answered finally.
"Clarke, you and I both know that's hog wash. That boy is smart, he understands. What if he doesn't like me? What if he grows to hate me? I'm a terrible father."
Clarke's hands moved of their own accord, gripping his face and bringing his gaze up to meet her own.
"You listen to me, Bellamy Blake, you are a wonderful father. Never let anyone tell you any differently. Bryce will come around. We'll talk to him, so there's nothing to worry about."
She watched as Bellamy sighed, his breath ghosting over her face causing small tendrils of hair to tickle her forehead. He pulled her close, wrapping his strong arms around her.
As Clarke lay in the silence, her eyes closed as she listened to Bellamy breath, she thought about Finn. It was quiet moments like this that the ghosts of the past haunted her.
She remembered him being vibrant, and so full of life. However, the sound of his voice was beginning to fade from her memory. She didn't fight as hard to hold on to those things she remembered about him, thinking that past was better left buried.
Tonight though, memories surfaced- memories of the quiet times she'd had with Finn. Those times that she'd once treasured now paled in comparison to what she had with Bellamy.
She'd once longed for Finn's touch, for his embrace. Now looking back, she couldn't ever imagine wanting anyone else but the man who held her close. Her husband had become her whole world, and she found her resolve to keep him at arm's length was crumbling.
In the past month, Clarke had memorized everything Bellamy Blake. From the way he liked the tea that Lincoln brought them, to his sleeping habits, she knew it all.
It was comforting to know someone so intimately- to be able to read their expressions and understand the subtle nuances of their voice. She had something with Bellamy that she could never have had with Finn- she had a life.
As Clarke finally began to drift off to sleep, Bellamy's quiet snores the only disturbance, she was thankful for this man- her husband. A man she would love for the rest of her days, the father of her future children, and her partner in the journey called life.
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The next morning Bellamy woke to Clarke in his arms. This was his favorite thing about married life, waking up with the same woman every morning. His tent had had a revolving door of women from the moment he came to the ground. Then he'd grown close to Clarke and his invitations stopped.
He found that being with another woman when the only woman he truly wanted was his beautiful blonde co-leader, was agonizing. So, he'd stopped. He focused all his attention on Clarke, and being there when she needed him.
Now she was finally his, and the thought caused him to smile. He stared down at her, her blonde hair flying in all directions and her dark lashes fanned across her pale cheeks.
Bellamy couldn't resist any longer, he reached out and tenderly caressed her cheek- displacing the tendrils of hair that had fallen in her face. He watched as her eyes fluttered open and a smile curved her lips.
"Morning", she said, her voice husky from sleep.
"Morning beautiful", Bellamy replied.
He saw something pass through her blue eyes, darkening them. It was gone before he could comment, but the gentle kiss she pressed upon his mouth was enough to make him forget.
Bellamy felt the loss of her presence as she rolled out of bed and began to gather her clothes. He lay in bed, watching her steady movements as she readied for the day. He was always enthralled when she got to her hair, the brush carding through the thick blonde curls with ease as she removed the tangles.
He slowly got to his feet, his leg now fully healed. Clarke was still making him take things slow, but at least he could walk free of the crutch. He dressed on his side of the room, sitting down on the bed to tie his bootlaces.
When he raised his head, Clarke was standing before him. She came forward, placing her hands on his shoulders, her blue eyes earnest as she spoke.
"Would you like to talk to Bryce this morning or tonight?"
"Let's talk to him this morning and get it over with", Bellamy sighed.
He watched as her expression softened, and she leaned forward to rest her forehead against his own. One of her hands moved to massage his neck, kneading the knots of tension that tightened the muscles.
"Whatever it is, we'll get through it together. Bryce loves you, sweetheart, and you are the best dad. So, don't worry, ok? We'll get to the bottom of this."
Bellamy felt his heart warm at her term of endearment. He placed his hands on her waist, his thumbs stroking back and forth across the material of her shirt.
"Thanks Princess. I don't know what I would do without you", he whispered.
He watched as her blue eyes turned playful, a smirk curving her lips.
"I know exactly what you'd do without me", she grinned, "You'd grumble. O says that's all you do while I'm out gathering herbs. Don't think I don't know you miss me when I'm gone Mr. Blake."
Bellamy growled low in his throat, grabbing Clarke in one swift movement and depositing her on the bed. He leaned over her, watching as her blue eyes went wide, and then he started tickling her.
"Well, Mrs. Blake, I have every right to miss you", he said, Clarke's giggles filling their bedroom.
He decided that there couldn't be a more beautiful sound than Clarke when she was happy. He loved her laugh, but he rarely got to hear it. He didn't realize he'd stopped tickling her until he was kissing her.
Her hands wound in his hair, her fingers massaging his scalp as his lips moved across hers. When he pulled back, the smile was no longer curving her lips but was still shining in her azure gaze.
Just then his stomach growled, and Clarke's giggles started anew.
"Well, it looks like someone's ready for breakfast", she said with a grin.
"Yes I am, so woman you'd better go fix me something to eat", Bellamy growled playfully.
"Yes, sir", Clarke replied with a mock salute before sashaying out of the room.
Bellamy followed her, sitting down at the wooden table to watch her work. Soon Bryce came out to join them, taking a seat on the bench beside Bellamy.
"Morning buddy", the Rebel said as the little boy smiled up at him.
Suddenly Clarke spoke, breaking the taut silence in the room.
"Bryce who am I", she asked, her eyes never leaving the meat she was cutting.
"You're Momma", the little boy said with a grin.
"Very good. Who's Bellamy?"
"The little boy squirmed for a moment, his eyes downcast.
"Bewamy", he answered softly.
Bellamy watched as Clarke's gaze trained on the little boy, her blue eyes searching his little face.
"Bryce, do you love Bellamy?"
"Yes, he's my…"
"He's your what", Clarke prompted.
"He's my friend", Bryce answered slowly.
"Bryce, Bellamy is more than your friend", Clarke answered gently, "He's your Dad."
Both adults watched as the little boy's expression turned to one of alarm.
"No", Bryce said frantically, "Bewamy can't be a daddy."
Bellamy's heart broke, and he struggled to come to grips with what the little boy said. However, Bryce's next words stopped him.
"Daddy's leave", the little boy whispered.
Bellamy watched as Clarke's eyes clouded with tears, her gaze pleading when she turned to him. He could tell she didn't know how to answer. He knew the same fears plagued her too- fears that he would die or worse grow to hate her.
He decided to take this moment to reassure them both.
"Bryce", he began after taking the little boy onto his lap, "I'm never going to leave you and you're Momma, ok? I love you both so much, and I always want to be here for you. I can't promise that nothing will ever happen to me because I don't ever want to break a promise to you. You don't have to call me Daddy right now, but I hope one day you'll understand that I'm not going anywhere."
Bellamy felt the little boy's arms come around him, hugging him as tight as the five year old could manage.
"I love you, Bewamy", Bryce murmured.
"I love you too, buddy."
Thanks for reading! Please review and tell me what you thought! I love hearing from you guys! :)
Wright: Thanks for the review! I'm so glad you enjoyed the wedding! That thing gave me fits lol The vows were probably the hardest thing for me to write, so I'm really happy you liked them. Abby was rather annoying, and her comments about our favorite Rebel were unfounded. Most of the 100 attended, except for maybe Jasper. He's still not a happy camper, but we'll get him taken care of soon! :)
