Chapter 20
Los Angeles - 6 Months Later
Clarke rushed through the airport, thankful that she had decided to only bring a carry on with her. She looked down at her watch and tried to take a deep breath. Her flight had been delayed so she had got onto the next possible flight because there was no way she was going to miss this wedding.
An hour later she thanked the cab driver and made her way inside the building. A smile finally taking over her features as she found Raven in the crowd. "You made it!"
"Yeah, barely. I swear I need my own private jet because I have the worst luck with flight times." Clarke sank down into her seat and let her shoulders relax.
"Only you could look that hot having traveled all day."
"Hot is right! It's getting cold at home now."
"And you want me to come visit. Ha. Really not selling it."
Clarke rolled her eyes. "Fine, I see how it is. Just remember you can't be mad at me for replacing you if you aren't around."
"Octavia is cool and all but she's not rocket scientist. I'm awesome and cannot be replaced. Speaking of, where is that little Yankee Doodle?"
Clarke laughed. "She couldn't make it out, with her just getting back she couldn't take the time off."
Before Raven could ask her any more questions music started to play causing everyone's attention to turn towards the doors. Once the doors opened Clarke's jaw nearly hit the floor and she had to swallow the lump in her throat twice. Her heart started to beat a little too fast and it took her a moment to calm it down as Lexa walked down the aisle.
XOXO
Laguna Beach – Six and a half months ago
"Hi champ." Mr. Callaway smiled at her as she walked into the Callaway's backyard.
"Hey." She smiled as she gave him a hug. "You better be taking it easy!"
Elizabeth laughed as she handed Clarke a glass of sangria. "What brings you by? Not that we mind having you over but I have a feeling it's bad news."
Clarke nodded with a sad smile. "Bad but good all in one."
"You're leaving again aren't you?" Again Clarke nodded. "I told you Lizzie, New York has corrupted her."
"Don't mind him, you know he just misses you."
"Well now whose gonna take care of my good lookin' behind when my heart starts acting up."
Clarke laughed with the shake of her head. "My mom will take great care of you. She is the expert."
"What's taking you away from us so soon? Have you not been telling me about a secret someone."
"No, definitely not you know the other thing that can take me away from this place and ya'll is work. I have an amazing opportunity to study under an amazing doctor and I'd be a fool not to take it, mom surprisingly agreed with me so that should tell you how big a deal this is."
"That's amazing sweetheart, though we're sad to see you go, it's far too good having you home."
"Yeah I guess, if your mom thinks it's a good idea I'll support it." Jeff finally gave in with a smile on his face. "Just remember what I told you, no matter where in this world you live you are our second daughter and if you need anything at all, you call."
"Yes pops."
"Good." He nodded affirmatively as Clarke and Elizabeth shared a look without him noticing.
XOXO
"Hey you." Lexa grinned as Clarke walked up to her at the reception.
"Hi." She smiled back as they stood in line for the bar. "How were pictures?"
"Not great," Clarke's face changed to slight concern, "cause we both know how much the camera loves me, and I felt bad because today is about Anya."
Rolling her eyes the blonde ordered her drink and then looked at Lexa who nodded before Clarke ordered her drink as well. "Was I right?"
Lexa nodded. "I love whiskey bar limes but I have to admit I haven't had one in forever! I drink a lot of wine now a days."
Clarke laughed as she felt a familiar hand on her back and smiled when she saw her best friend who took her drink out of her hand. "Thanks boo." Raven grinned as Clarke looked over at the bartender and ordered another round.
"For the record I drink my fair share of wine too, but tonight I think we all can let loose. Anya wouldn't have it any other way. I also have strict instructions from Octavia that I either come home with make out stories or she's locking my doors."
"You don't even live together anymore." Lexa looked at Raven questioningly, she really had no idea what was going on in Clarke's life and to be honest she wasn't sure she had known her at all over the past four and a half years.
"She still has a key!"
"You aren't roommates anymore?"
Clarke laughed with the shake of her head. "No, we haven't been for awhile. Her and Lincoln got a place together and I'm pretty sure they'll be the next ones walking down the aisle. After you of course." Clarke wiggled her eyebrows as Raven looked at Lexa with her own questioning look. "Speaking of, when are you taking your walk?"
"Yeah Lex, have you two finally set a date?"
Lexa took a long sip of her drink and was saved by the bell, literally. "Sorry ladies, we're going to get this show on the road and thank god because I am starving."
"Thanks Nyks." Lexa smiled as she finished her drinks. "I'll see you both in there and good luck with the making out stories."
XOXO
"Now everyone get your asses on the dance floor because I'm ready to do what I'm the best at and since there are no rockets up in here, I'll let my spinning take you out of this world. Yes Clarke, that means you better get on the floor right now!"
Clarke rolled her eyes from where she sat at her table with her childhood friends. "I'm going to kill her, and she wonders why I continually put 3000 miles between us."
"She just misses you." Echo grinned trying to hold back her laugh. "Seriously, we all do. We didn't get you long enough."
"So get yourselves up to New York and we'll show you how NYC does it."
Monty, usually quiet and usually on Clarke's side starts laughing. "No offense Clarke but the inside of a hospital doesn't really appeal to me."
"I go out, thank you very much!"
"Prove it." Echo quips as she stands up and puts her hand out.
Clarke raises an eyebrow at her. "Are you and Raven cohorts?"
"You'll never know, now move that pale behind." With a roll of her eyes Clarke took a hold of Echo's hand as she was led to the dance floor.
"Single guys and ladies, Clarke Griffin is now on the dance floor." As soon as she heard Raven's voice she turned towards her friend and flipped her off without anyone noticing except Raven.
XOXO
An hour later Clarke shook her head with a laugh as she finally left the dance floor. Walking to the bar she ordered herself a classic Manhattan and stepped outside for some air. As much as she loved her friends she had had a long day of traveling after finishing a long night shift at the hospital.
Thankfully when she stepped outside on the back deck of the building no one else was around. She leaned against the railing that sat just in front of the small waterfall. Admittedly the venue was stellar and Clarke would have to remember it for if she ever got married. Then again it really wasn't her style but it was still a place to remember.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't heard the door open and close behind her. "Hi there, I'm Lexa is this space taken?" She pointed to the spot directly next to Clarke.
Clarke snapped out of her gaze and turned her head to see Lexa smiling at her. "If we're being scientific then yes technically it is."
"Damn, I really wanted to stand next to the only truly pretty girl out here."
Clarke rolled her eyes even though she had a smile on her face. "I'm pretty sure that's Anya, because hello have you seen that dress?"
"Yes actually, I helped pick it out because I am awesome and have phenomenal taste."
"You're flirty tonight."
Lexa suddenly became hyper aware of the way she was acting. "Sorry, I'm a little drunk. We sort of started early and have been keeping a steady pace all day."
"You're fine," Clarke caught herself as she looked away from Lexa, "it's fine," she quickly covered as she tipped her head back and finished her drink.
Lexa couldn't help the laugh that escaped her as she looked at Clarke for a moment longer before averting her attention to the water. "Did you want to be alone? I just came out to get some air myself but I don't want to interrupt."
"You can stay, I came out here to cool off and have a minute. I love everyone and miss everyone but I have had a crazy long day and to me it is currently," she looked down at her watch, "about 1 in the morning and I worked all night."
"When are you headed back?"
"In about six hours."
Lexa looked a little shocked. "You can sleep if you want and take the jet back tomorrow?"
"I couldn't do that but thank you for the offer. I'll sleep on the plane, or when I'm dead."
"Anytime, might as well use the darn thing, I haven't been to New York in forever."
"Now that is a crime! You should bring Costia, I'm sure she'd love it."
Lexa laughed as she stood straight up. "I'm going to head back inside and make some more rounds before I'm too inebriated to walk, talk or just function in general."
"I'll come with you, it's getting a little breezy." Lexa smiled and held her arm out for Clarke to take.
XOXO
Raven being Raven, noticed Clarke and Lexa walk back in together arm in arm and instantly started to change the tempo of music she was playing. "All right all you love birds, I'm going to slow it down for a couple of minutes so grab someone, hold 'em close and keep dancing."
Clarke gave Lexa a thankful nod as someone came up to talk to the brunette. Clarke saw it as a good opportunity to head back to the bar and then finish the cheesecake that she saw waiting for her at her table.
"Hi, sorry I'm going to steal her for a quick minute Mr. Wallace."
"The bride gets whatever she wants and you look beautiful my dear, you both do." With a quick hug the older gentlemen walked away, leaving Lexa trapped in Anya's web.
"What is it? You can't seriously need to pee again, you went like five minutes ago and that dress is heavy! Recruit someone else to lift it."
Anya gave her friend a pointed look. "One, it's my day and you agreed to be my bitch. Two go and ask her to dance! She's sitting there all by herself."
"No I agreed to be your bridesmaid and I'm pretty sure if I disturbed her while she ate her cheesecake, you would no longer have a bridesmaid."
"Maid of honour, so I suppose bitch of honour, I like it. Go, now or I will ask her for you and that will be really awkward."
Lexa couldn't roll her eyes any harder as Anya let go of her arm and walked away without giving her a chance to rebut anything she had just been told. She was about to walk over to Clarke but instead her feet led her to the bar where she ordered two drinks. Downing the first and giving herself a little more liquid courage she started her trek over to where the blonde was finishing her cheesecake.
"For you." Lexa grinned cheesily as she set the drink down in front of Clarke who was just finishing her cake.
"Thank you, I needed this. Are you reading my mind again?"
"Maybe I am but you'll never know." They both laughed awkwardly. "I feel as though Raven has been playing music all night to try and get us to dance together."
"You picked up on that too?" Clarke shook her head as they both looked over at their friend who was pretending like she wasn't looking at them.
"I did so what do you say we give them what they want. Care to dance with an old friend?"
Clarke looked around, unsure if she should accept or not. "Are you sure it's okay? You're fiancé isn't exactly my biggest fan."
"I'm positive, and it's just a harmless dance although my dance skills have been known to get me lucky a few times."
"You really don't pull arrogant off the same way you used too."
Lexa faked being sad. "Ugh, I really need to work on that some more."
"Please don't." They both laughed as Clarke reached her hand out so that Lexa could help her up. "We'll tell Anya it was her wedding present."
"Deal." Lexa led Clarke over to the dance floor and behind some of the crowd in hopes that they wouldn't draw too much attention to themselves.
It took them a moment to get over the awkwardness of being so close but Clarke eventually wrapped one arm around Lexa's neck and held her other out for Lexa to take. She felt the brunette's other hand rest lightly on her lower back. As soon as they were together the song changed again causing them too look at one another with a knowing smile.
"You're the most beautiful girl in the room." It slipped out as the two exes were almost cheek-to-cheek. "I'm sorry, it slipped." Lexa pulled away slightly but Clarke's grip didn't let go.
"I was going to say that about you."
"How does it feel baby, wanna know how does it feel." Lexa hummed softly along with the music and Clarke felt the woman relax a little.
It all felt a little too comfortable, a little too real even though in the moment it seemed like they were living out a fairy tale. Clarke had to remind herself who she was dancing with and let her anger bubble up to the surface again, just enough to keep her head in check because she could have gotten lost in that dance.
"You really shouldn't sing, stick to dancing."
"Won't you come closer baby, mmm now you already got me where you want me baby." She sang a little more with a smile and a slight laugh.
"Girl it's all on you, have it your way and if you want you can decide." Clarke sang back in tune with the music too prove her point.
Lexa twirled her around before pulling her back in. "Point proven, you win."
"Saying that must taste like vinegar."
"It does, but good thing I like it." Lexa countered smoothly as the song started to come to an end. "Thank you for the dance Miss Griffin."
"My pleasure Miss Callaway."
With that they broke apart and went in separate directions, both of them needed a minute to remind themselves once again of what world they were really living in.
XOXO
Exactly five hours and forty-five minutes later Clarke was standing in line waiting to board her flight. The rest of the night had gone by smoothly and was far more fun than she had expected the night to be.
She smiled at the flight attendant as she stepped up to the podium and handed the woman her ticket.
"Clarke! Clarke! Clarke wait!" It took her a minute but she finally turned around after hearing her name. She searched the crowd before her eyes narrowed in on the arm waving in the arm and a woman running towards her.
"I'm sorry, one minute." She stepped aside and waited. "Are you okay?" She asked with slight concern as the woman knelt over with her hands on her knees trying to catch her breath.
"Yes, I'm okay. You forgot this." Clarke looked down at the phone in the woman's hand.
"Oh shit. Thank you so much because apparently you're out of shape Commander."
Lexa straightened up, suddenly catching her breath. "I'm in great shape thank you. Let's see you run around an airport at full speed for a half an hour when you're drunk. Besides I just saved your ass Griffin."
"That you did, losing this would have been a huge headache that I don't have time for."
"I'm sorry to interrupt Miss but we're about to finish boarding." Clarke nodded politely at the flight attendant.
"Take it that's your cue to leave."
Clarke finally took her phone out of Lexa's hands and slipped it into her carry on. "I suppose it is. Thank you for the dance tonight."
"Anytime, did you ever get your make out story for O?"
"Sadly no, I don't have the game I used too, probably because I mostly talk to people when they're unconscious."
"Might have something to do with it but you better get going because little miss over there is not looking to pleased. Have a safe flight."
"Thanks, it was nice to see you and good luck with the wedding planning, I'm sure it'll all come together eventually."
Something about the way the words came out of Clarke's mouth stung and Lexa wasn't quite sure why. "Thank you." She smiled and she hoped that Clarke hadn't picked up on the slight change in her tone.
"Feel free to call me the next time you venture out my way. Goodnight Commander."
"Goodnight pretty girl." Lexa said to no one as she watched Clarke walk down the path to her plane.
XOXO
"What do you mean you didn't tell her? Are you really that dense? Don't respond to that because I already know the answer." Lexa, Raven and Anya were all sitting at the restaurant the following morning having brunch before they drove Anya and Gustus to the airport.
"I didn't tell her, I brought her her phone and that was it."
"You say that like you didn't have all night to tell her." Raven added to Anya's statement.
"It wasn't the right time, it was your wedding."
Anya shook her head. "That makes it the perfect time to tell her! God only knows when you're going to see her again and it isn't exactly something you can tell her over an email."
"One day, now can I finish my brunch in piece because this hangover is bad enough. I don't need you two making it worse."
XOXO
Laguna Beach – 5 Months Ago
"Can I ask you something?" Lexa smiled as she sat down on the couch next to Costia.
"Of course. Should I be worried?"
Lexa shook her head no as Costia turned to face her. "How on earth did you agree to go out with my after Greece?"
She watched as the look of confusion washed over Costia's features. "What are you mean?"
"I couldn't have been that good the first time we hooked up considering I was so drunk I didn't remember it. That alone should have had you running of the hills."
Costia let out a laugh and it caught Lexa off guard. "You think the first time we hooked up was that night in Greece?" Lexa nodded. "Oh honey, no. We were both way to drunk, I'm surprised we found our way back to our room. Have you thought this whole time that that was our first time?"
Lexa swallowed the lump in her throat, unsure of what was happening. "Yeah, I mean I woke up naked in bed with you, also naked."
"I knew you didn't remember the night but I never knew you thought we had sex that night. We were naked because we decided to run into the water. You're so cute."
"All this time, I thought we hooked up that night and I felt so guilty."
Costia shook her head and pecked Lexa's lips quickly. "No need to feel guilty, you didn't forget any major details. Should have asked me years ago, probably would have solved that."
"I would have except I felt too bad."
"Well it's all taken care of now. Remember we have reservations tonight for a taste testing and we need to go through the video footage for that montage."
"The reservations are already in my phone and as for the montage, watch away. I'm sure mom would love to help with that and she's the one who knows where all the old videos are."
"Okay, see you tonight." Lexa smiled and leaned over to kiss the top of Costia's head before she made her way out to her car.
Once inside she started it and dialed her best friends number. "I didn't sleep with Costia that night."
"What?" Anya asked confused on the other end of the line.
"That night in Greece, the night I threw my phone into the sea and gave up on any future I may have had with Clarke."
"Again you are the world's biggest idiot. I swear I do not understand how someone so smart can be so dumb at the same time."
TBC…