Chapter 19
"Happy birthday best friend." Lexa grinned as she let go of Costia's hand and pulled Anya into a tight hug.
"Thanks dork."
"Happy birthday A."
The birthday girl smiled as nicely as she could. "Thank you. Everyone is out back."
"Clearly Raven is in charge of the music." Lexa laughed as she heard the familiar sound of bass boom throughout the house.
"As if I would trust anyone else. I'll be out in a minute."
Lexa and Costia both nodded and walked out into Anya's backyard. Scanning the room Lexa looked puzzled when she saw Octavia but not Clarke.
"Hey O."
"Sup Lex Luther." Octavia grinned as she saw the look on Costia's face try to remain cordial. "This is my boyfriend Lincoln?" She pat his leg causing his attention to turn away from the discussion he was having with Gustus.
"Hi, nice meet you Lexa. I've heard a lot about her."
Lexa raised her eyebrows with a grin. "I'm certain none of it was good but it was probably all true. This is my fiancé Costia."
"Hi, it's nice to meet you." They shook hands and Lexa gave Octavia a small but approving nod without anyone noticing.
"I'm going to get a drink, did you want one?" Costia asked, getting a nod from Lexa in response.
Octavia laughed as Lexa sat down next to her. "She's in New York, she's supposed to be back at some point tonight but I'm not sure when." Lexa tried to hide the questioning look but Octavia caught on to it. "Yes New York, something to do with work but I have no idea what exactly because she didn't know. They called her and asked her to fly out so she agreed. She didn't leave without saying goodbye, mostly because your mother would kill her."
"Liz would kill whom?" Costia smiled as she handed Lexa a glass of wine.
"Clarke, she's away on business." Octavia grinned as she saw the look on Costia's face change. "She's supposed to be back by now but her flight got delayed. I was just saying she should be here any minute." She added for good measure just to watch Costia squirm.
XOXO
"Come on Commander you know how the dance goes?" The night was winding down and most everyone had left Anya's so Raven had made it her mission to get Lexa to dance.
"She's a suit she doesn't dance anymore with us blue collars." Echo joked as her and Octavia started dancing.
"Maybe later." Lexa grinned as she sat back down next to Costia and kissed her on the cheek.
"Why do they call you Commander? I've never understood it."
Lexa rolled her eyes. "Just an old joke that won't die." She said loudly so that everyone would hear.
"Wait does she not know?" Octavia turned around with the biggest smirk on her face.
Lexa shook her head. "You were never supposed to know! Why can't high school die in high school?" As if on cue Raven started playing another song.
"You're getting married, no secrets."
"This will remain in the vault, she doesn't need to see that." To try and change the subject she started rapping to the song Raven was playing. It didn't take long for her other friends to join in. She looked to Costia to see if she wanted to join but the other woman simply smiled and sat next to Lincoln who looked utterly confused but was laughing with Gustus.
"Have they always been like this?"
Gustus nodded his head. "Sadly, it's gotten worse the older they get, I thought Octavia's presence would help but it seems Clarke found the one woman in New York who would make it worse." They both laughed.
"Shimmy shimmy cocoa what? Listen to it pound, light it up and take a puff, pass it to me now. I'm going down down baby, yo street in a range rover." They all looked up to see a smiling Clarke standing by the back door in a pair of dress shorts, a fancy tank top and a white blazer. Her hair was pulled back into a loose low bun. It didn't take her long to walk over and wrap her arm around Anya's shoulder and start singing in her ear.
"I'm sorry I'm late, what did I miss?" She asked as she kissed her friends cheek.
"They were trying to get the Lexa to dance but she wouldn't." Lexa turned her head toward Gustus and stared him down as he grinned and drank his beer.
"Yeah Commander, lets see those old moves or do you really not have it anymore?"
She knew it was a challenge, she knew exactly what Clarke was doing but she also knew the same thing that Clarke knew, that it would work. "Play my damn song Raven. I don't know how I'm going to do this in a dress but we're about to find out. Hold my drink Cos." She handed her drink to her fiancé. "Wait," she took it back and finished it before handing the woman her empty glass.
As the beat started to play she started to stomp her feet on the wooden boards of the deck as she clapped her hands. As the beat got faster so did she and she couldn't help but grin at Costia's jaw on the floor. But she really couldn't help but laugh as she saw the look on Octavia's face.
A minute in she saw Clarke and Anya stand beside her and she knew it was a challenge. "Break it down!" She yelled and Octavia spit out her drink as Lexa stomped harder than she had been as Clarke and Anya started following her lead. They went through the entire routine over the next two minutes. When it was done they all looked at each other and burst into a fit of laughter. "State champs for a reason." Lexa put on her cockiest we're the best face as she moved right into Octavia.
"I'm suddenly glad I only walked in on lap dances! Because if I walked in on that probably would have ended up pulling out my gun."
"Looks like you still have it Commander, well done." Clarke saluted her as she grabbed herself a glass of wine.
Costia still looked somewhat confused. "I still don't get it."
Clarke grinned. "She was the leader of our dance team, some teams call it the general, sergeant anything like that. Lexa was the Commander because she's always been a little miss bossy pant that thought she could rule the world. So Commander, like Commander and Chief."
It all made sense then. "How did I never know that?" She looked at Lexa as the woman sat down next to her.
"Some things are better left unsaid. They've been calling me Commander since I was a kid because I was a little bossy."
"A little?" Raven questioned.
"I had to compete with that one, you know how bossy she is." She looked at Gustus who shook his head.
"I don't know what you're talking about, my fiancé is the sweetest woman in the world." He answered correctly as Anya sat on his lap and kissed his cheek.
"You're so whipped." Raven laughed with the shake of her.
"I have to agree you are whipped man." Monty piped in from where he had been standing next to Raven.
"You're all a bunch of assholes." She looked at all her friends before landing on Clarke.
"Me? What did I do? I haven't said a thing!"
Lexa narrowed her eyes at her. "You started it!"
Clarke laughed as she drank her wine and nodded at Costia looked at her for confirmation.
"That I did. When we were six years old. Our parents are best friends, me and this one, not so much. I was learning how to swim and little miss 'I know everything' decided to jump into my pool and started doing laps without water wings! Then commanded me to do it her way! Yes commanded!"
"I was trying to teach you not command you, not my fault you were slow."
"Put a sock in it Commander."
"How did you pass preschool, let alone med school?" Lexa chirped right back.
Clarke let out a snarky laugh without saying a word as her and Lexa looked at each other before they both started laughing because they knew exactly how Clarke had passed med school. "I had a good study buddy." She said as serious as she could muster and thankfully her comment went right over Costia's head.
XOXO
New York – Five Years Ago
"Seriously, I don't know how I'm going to remember all of this."
Lexa sat on Clarke and Octavia's couch as Clarke paced around the living room. "I have an idea!"
Clarke looked at her and shook her head. "I don't have time for that right now Lex. Believe me I wish I did because you sitting there like that, all sexy and beautiful is not helping."
"Trust me and I'm far from sexy in my sweat pants."
"Actually those are my sweat pants and you look damn sexy in them." Clarke took in the way Lexa was sitting on the couch, her t-shirt was raised just enough for her hipbones to be poking out. Before her stare could last any longer Lexa stood up.
"You're positive Octavia isn't coming tonight right?" Clarke nodded as she sat down.
"Good."
"You know if I fail my test, no med school for me and then I'll have to bum around here, like literally become a bum." She heard Lexa laugh from the kitchen and the sound of cupboards opening and closing. "What the hell are you doing in there Lex?"
"Patience, and close your eyes. If you peak I will let you fail!" Lexa answered as she poked her head around to make sure Clarke's eyes were closed. She proceeded to turn the stereo on and found her play list on Clarke's ipod. She watched as the smirk appeared on Clarke's face the instant she heard the sound of 112's Anywhere start to play.
"Can I open my eyes yet?"
"Nope. Keep em closed." Another moment and then Lexa was standing right in front of her. Clarke felt Lexa reach for her hand and she had to take a deep breath in order to remind herself to keep her eyes closed. She felt her girlfriend pull hand flat against her stomach. "Without opening your eyes, tell me where your hand is."
Lexa watched as Clarke bit her lip before swallowing the lump in her throat. "Your abs. Mhmm, definitely your abs."
"Medically speaking."
"Your abdomen, I can't know exactly which because my eyes are closed."
Lexa grinned. "Fine, open them."
Clarke slowly opened her eyes slowly to the sight of her girlfriend standing in front of her in nothing but her bra and panties. "Why the hell did I move half way across the country again."
It was Lexa's turn to smile as she leaned down and kissed her girlfriends cheek as she slowly pushed the woman's shirt up her body before taking it off completely. Glad that Clarke had finally given up arguing with her. "No more arguing?" She asked as she started to slide Clarke's sweat pants off. The woman only shook her head as Lexa leaned her back against the arm of the couch.
Clarke reached out for her once Lexa moved back only to watch Lexa shake her head. "But I stopped arguing."
"Yeah but you were right, we can't have you fail."
Lexa sat back on Clarke's legs and reached over towards the coffee table and picked up the small paint can and paint brush. She watched as Clarke's face turned to one of confusion before she opened the lip and dipped the brush in.
"Is that what I think it is?" Clarke asked once she saw what was on the brush as Lexa pulled it out of the can.
Lexa wiggled her eyebrows with a nod. "Mhmm, I was saving it for later but this seems like the perfect way to use it."
"Have I ever told you how extremely sexy your voice is?"
Lexa couldn't hide the grin that took over her features as she swiped the chocolate dipped brush over Clarke's collarbone. "You may have told me once or twice. Now, it's study time. Where is the chocolate, in medical terminology?"
Clarke's eyes involuntarily closed. "Clavicle." For getting it correct Lexa leaned down and slowly licked the chocolate off of Clarke's collarbone eliciting a small whimper.
Bringing the brush back up Lexa swiped it across Clarke's neck. "What is the name of the main artery of these veins run into?" Again Clarke gave her the right answer, or what Lexa thought was the right answer. She dragged her tongue across the chocolate until there was nothing left and gently sucked on Clarke's pulse point.
"How do you even know if I'm telling you the right answer?"
"Are you complaining because you can go back to wearing a hole in the floor."
Clarke shook her head quickly. "No, please continue this is the best study session I have ever had!"
Looking over Lexa noticed one of Clarke's many textbooks on the table. With a mischievous smile she leaned over and opened it before applying more chocolate to Clarke's body.
For the next half an hour she teased, helped, definitely helped Clarke study by strategically placing the chocolate in small patches on different parts of her body. Sometimes she'd ask what body part it was, sometimes she'd asked what someone's ailment may potentially be if they had pain in certain areas but she always cleaned the chocolate up, so long as Clarke got the right answer.
"And what is this?" She placed a trail of chocolate on Clarke's hip and a small dotted chocolate line across her waist to her other hip.
Lexa leaned over Clarke, her hands resting on the couch on either side of Clarke's head. "Ilium, ischium and pubis." Looking over at Clarke's textbook she read of what it said. "You don't need to consult the book, I know I'm right."
"Yes you are." Leaning down, holding her hair back with both hands Lexa dragged her tongue over the chocolate trail excruciatingly slowly. A hum of approval sounded throughout the apartment but neither Lexa or Clarke could tell you which on them it came from.
"Fuck Lex." Clarke gasped out in an airy tone as she sat and ran her hands along her girlfriend's stomach and around to her back successfully pushing her back on the couch so that she was now on top. "My turn, because I can not wait any longer to get my hands on you."
"But it's study time." Lexa tried to use the sternest voice she could.
"I'm good, very, very good. So lay back, shut up and let me study your body because it is far better than any textbook and I can assure you I have it etched permanently in my mind."
Lexa was going to protest until she felt the cool stinky substance being dragged down her abs to her belly button. This time there were no questions, no answers and certainly no more waiting because as soon as Clarke put the brush down her lips were taking it ever delicious drop of chocolate that sat on Lexa's abdomen.
As soon as Clarke heard Lexa moan she slid her fingers behind Lexa's back and undid her bra. The moment the bra hit the floor chocolate was in it it's place and Lexa was biting her lip in anticipation.
Noticing the look on her girlfriend's face Clarke leaned over and whispered in Lexa's ear. "Best study session ever but that's my job."
Lexa was about to ask what Clarke's job was but she didn't get the chance as she felt the other woman's teeth pull at her bottom lip. Pulling it back gently before leaning back in for a long kiss.
XOXO
Hours later Clarke sat on the beach, watching her friends run in and out of the water as the fire they made continued to burn. Raven, Anya, Octavia and even Lexa had decided that they were going to celebrate Anya's 30th birthday the right way. By acting like they were teenagers again. At some point they decided that the beach was always the best go to option but the boys had fallen asleep and Costia excused herself because she had to work in the morning. So the five girls ended up back at Lexa's, grabbed a couple bottles of wine, some red solo cups and headed for the beach.
Clarke was incredibly tired which was why she was the only one sitting by the fire, trying to stay awake, to keep an eye on her friends. Without a word Lexa sat down next to her, not close enough that they were in each other's bubble but close enough to feel the other's presence.
"You're leaving aren't you? You're going back to New York?" Lexa asked after a few minutes of silence. She had been watching Clarke ever since the woman had stepped out the back doors of Anya's house and she could tell some thing was going on inside the blonde's head that she wasn't saying.
Clarke looked at her questioningly before taking deep breath. "How did you know that? And it's not in stone yet but it is a possibility. One of the top general surgeons in the world, yes I said world, not country is going to be starting work in New York and they're trying to recruit me to be his second."
Lexa's throat got really dry and she wasn't sure as to why she suddenly couldn't find the words to speak. "I don't really know what I'm going to do but it doesn't really feel like home here anymore. I wanted it to, but it doesn't. Then I look at them, and my mom and it makes everything harder."
"Do you have long to make the decision?"
"Yes and no, they want an answer sooner rather than later but I was advised to not wait to long."
Lexa nodded. "Whatever you choose, they will all support you but you have to do what's best for you, not what's best for everyone else. It's not their lives."
Clarke hugged her knees. "Thank you, that means a lot."
"Of course."
Before either could say anything more Anya ran over to them like a child running to her parents are park, a huge grin on her face. "Can we go back to your house and watch Harry Potter on the projector outside?"
Lexa let out a loud laugh. "Yeah, we can do that. Who all is coming?" Raven and Octavia threw their hands in the air. "We really have regressed." She joked as she put her hand out to help Clarke up.
Clarke hesitated and Lexa was going to bring her hand back but at the last moment she felt Clarke's hand in hers. "You're more than welcome."
"Damn right she is, she doesn't have a choice in the matter." Anya slurred as she stood in between her two friends, wrapping an arm around each other them. "I can't believe I'm getting married before you two. You guys were the perfect couple but Gus and I are like way more attractiver."
Both women looked at their friend. "It scares me that you protect this city."
Anya laughed. "It scares me that you practically run this city when you have been known to make some pretty poor choices."
The stern tone in Anya's voice made Clarke laugh without meaning too earning her a look from Lexa.
"Sorry, just the way she said it."
"Yeah Commander, Clarke Kent thinks I'm funny because she's the best and you done fucked up when you let her go. You know Clarke if I was into the ladies, I totally would have put a ring on it and not thrown it into the ocean!"
"I love you too Anya." She grinned as she held onto her friend's side.
XOXO
Around lunchtime Costia walked into the Callaway residence to the loud noises of a television. Rounding the corner she stopped as she saw her fiancé and friends lounging around the living room, still in their pajama's eating pancakes and watching Bones.
"Hi." Lexa greeted her from where she sat on one end of the couch, opposite Clarke.
"Hi, having fun?" She asked as she leaned over and kissed Lexa without caring who was in the room.
"Indeed we are."
"Take it you couldn't find anything better to watch while you eat? I'm sorry everyone Lexa likes to watch gross things while consuming food."
They all let chuckled slightly, their attention still focused on the television. "It's okay Costia, we're used to it." Raven finally answered.
"Yeah Clarke does this all the time at home so I'm numb to it at this point too." Octavia chirped in as she stood up. "I'm getting more pancakes, who wants?"
Lexa picked up her plate and held it out for Octavia to take. "Clarke made her famous pancakes, you should have some before they're gone."
"Since when do you like that pancakes?" Costia asked, trying to maintain the smile that was on her face.
"I love pancakes, I'm just choosey with which ones."
"Got it. Well I just stopped in to see how you were doing. I should get back to the office."
Lexa nodded. "You sure you don't want anything to eat?"
"I'm sure, I'll see you later for dinner?" She asked as she leaned forward and kissed her fiancé just in time as Octavia came back into the room and handed Lexa her third helping of pancakes.
"I will meet you there for eight. Have a good day."
"You too. Bye everyone." They all offered her somewhat weak goodbyes as they got back into the show.
TBC…