Today is the day Lexa finds out if everything she's been working towards the past two years, all the pain she's endured, would be worth it. She is absentmindedly playing with the ring on the finger of the blonde girl's hand she's currently holding.
"Ugh, I'm so over courtrooms." Clarke sighs.
Lexa laughs. "Welcome to my world. You would not make it as a foster kid." Clarke rolled her eyes.
"We're up Lexa." Indra says from the courtroom doors. Lexa nods and stands up, walking hand in hand with Clarke until she reaches the swinging door at the front of the benches. She takes her seat at the table and looks back at Clarke who is sitting directly behind her. The blonde leans forward and whispers familiar words, "Don't worry, we got this." Lexa smiles, feeling more confident now and turns around to see the judge enter the room.
Lexa's leg was nervously bouncing up and down under the table as she watches Judge Jaha looking over all her paperwork.
"Alright Ms. Woods, I've reviewed everything here and it seems like you have it all in order. I've talked to your boss at the cafe, Mr. Kane at the AYRC, some teachers, the Griffin's who will co sign on your apartment and all of them have nothing but praise and confidence in you. You're a very impressive young lady." Lexa smiles at this information, This is a good sign, she thinks. Then Jaha continues, "Now, with all that said, I always have a difficult time granting emancipation, for I believe a child should stay a child as long as possible."
Lexa's shoulders and head fall in disappointment.
"However," he continues, causing Lexa's head to turn back up towards him. "I've read what you've been through and let's face it, you stopped being a child long ago. Now on top off all that, you just turned 17, happy belated birthday by the way, so I really don't see any reason why you have to wait another year before you can be legally responsible for yourself." Lexa stares at him hopefully and he smiles back. "I'm granting you emancipation Ms. Woods."
Lexa lets out a sigh of relief and smiles. "Thank you, sir." She quickly turns around to meet the blue eyes staring proudly at her. The blonde gives her a quick smile and a wink before Lexa turns back around to finish listening to the judge.
"I believe you will be a great success Ms. Woods. Best of luck to you." He stands and gathers his things. Just before he walks through his chamber doors, he pauses and turns around. "Oh, and Ms. Griffin," he begins, causing both the blonde and brunette to look up curiously at him. "I'm glad to see you've improved the company you're keeping."
The Griffin's, Lexa and Indra walk out of the courthouse out to the parking lot. "This is me." Indra says as she comes to a stop. Lexa smiles at the woman and puts her arms around her. "Thank you for everything, Indra. I've had dozens of social workers throughout my life and you're definitely my favorite." Indra smiles down at the girl. "Thank you Lexa. We both know the system is far from perfect and I'm sorry we couldn't help you more. But you my dear, are a shining star. Maybe one day, you will have a hand in helping improve the system that failed you so many times."
"I plan on it." Lexa states matter of factly. Indra smiles and says goodbye to the Griffin's before getting in her car.
Soon after, the four of them are in their car and Mr. Griffin starts the engine. "How about a celebratory dinner?" He says. "Sounds great, Mr. Griffin." Lexa replies.
As he begins driving, Lexa feels blue eyes on her. She turns her face to meet the eyes and arches her eyebrow, "Yes Clarke?"
"Is that what you want to do? Be a social worker. Work in the system?"
Lexa nods. "Who better to fix it than someone who has lived it."
Clarke grabs her hand and squeezes it. "You're amazing, do you know that?"
Lexa smiles shyly. "If you say so."
Lexa decided she wanted pizza to celebrate, so the four of them found themselves in a local pizza parlor eating and chatting animatedly. Lexa loved meals with the Griffin's and she'll miss them once she moves out.
Suddenly Mr. Griffin claps his hands together, "Ok! Present time!"
Lexa narrows her eyes at him as he pulls out a small rectangular box from his jacket pocket and places it in front of her. "What is this? You didn't have to get me anything."
"Shush." Mrs. Griffin says. "Now go on. Open it. Happy emancipation day, sweetheart."
Lexa smiles and unwraps the box. Her jaw drops when she sees it's contents. A brand new iPhone. "Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, I can't accept this. You've done so much for me already." She pushes the box back towards them only to be stopped by Mrs. Griffin's hand. "You're keeping it." She said plainly.
"We had a feeling you'd put up a fight, so listen here kid." Lexa stares at Mr. Griffin and waits for him to continue. "You need a phone. You're going to be on your own… living alone. And honestly, it'll make me sleep easier at night knowing you have it. We put you on our family plan so it's not a big expense. Now, if it'll make you feel better, you can pay your share of the bill, which will be $20 a month. That is what the additional line breaks down to."
Lexa is sure that's not actually what the additional line costs but knowing she won't win that fight, she shakes her head vigorously. "I'll do it. I'll pay you every month. Thank you!"
The Griffin's smile triumphantly and go back to eating as Lexa turns on her new phone. She notices that all three Griffin's numbers are already programmed in her contacts. Not a second later her phone chimes in her hand, alerting her of a new text message.
Her first ever text message.
Clarke: Welcome to the wonderful world of texting! 3
Lexa smiles.
Lexa: Ugh. Now you can annoy me 24/7.
Clarke laughs out loud when she reads the text and shoves the girl's shoulder playfully before putting her attention back on her pizza.
Lexa takes a moment to look between all the Griffin's. She's never felt so cared for, so loved. These people are her family. She leans back in her chair and casually lifts her new phone up. She quickly snaps a picture without any of them noticing. She takes a moment to admire the photo then places the phone on the table, not wanting to miss anymore moments of this meal.