Chapter 25
"What are we gonna do for my bitches birthday?" Octavia laughed as her and Lexa ran through the park.
"You're asking me this why?" Lexa answered with the shake of her head as they stopped to buy some water.
"It's her dirty thirty I figured we needed to go big."
"You just wanted to say dirty thirty didn't you?" Octavia nodded happily as they both chugged back half their bottles of water. "Finn doesn't have anything planned?"
"Hell if I know, I've met him twice. I think he's scared of me and I think Clarke is scared to bring him around Lincoln and I."
"That's probably a wise choice for obvious reasons."
Octavia shrugged. "You were never scared of me."
"I was around before you two got close, and you didn't have a gun when we first met."
Octavia raised an eyebrow. "Yes I did and a tazer but who's paying attention to detail."
"And you all wonder why I don't sleep. Anyways, shouldn't you be asking her other friends? She seems to have enough of that, I can't keep up. I'm trying to learn all their names from when she talks about them but I mostly end up nodding my head."
"They'll all tell her plus you've been spending the most time with her lately."
"I have not." Octavia looked at her running partner. "Okay so we've gone out a few times."
"A few? It's like every other day Lex Luther. Either on her lunch break or for dinner, and late night coffee."
Lexa blushed slightly, not realizing just how much time her and Clarke had been spending together. "To be fair, you and her are the only people I really know here. It's been kind of nice getting to know you both again."
"Mhmm, you can peel your lips off my ass now."
"You seriously need to stop talking to Anya and Raven." At the mention of her friend's names Lexa's eyes lit up.
"Oh shit, I know that look and I'm pretty sure I'm going to like it." Lexa smiled and wiggled her eyebrows as she threw her water bottle out and took off running leaving Octavia to groan and chase after her.
XOXO
Laguna Beach – 4.5 Years Ago
Clarke took a deep breath before reaching forward and pressing the doorbell. It felt weird for more than one reason but she couldn't remember the last time she had rang the doorbell at the Callaway house. Even before her and Lexa had started dating she was always told to walk right in and would get into some serious trouble when she didn't.
She waited for a minute before she heard the sound of footsteps inching closer to the front door. She held her breath unintentionally as the doorknob turned and only let it out once she saw Elizabeth standing in front of her.
"Clarke! It's so good to see you sweetie! Please come in." Clarke nodded trying to hold back the tears.
"Hi. Sorry to stop by with no warning."
"Oh please honey, you don't ever need to apologize for coming over. Especially when you live across the country!" Once again Clarke found herself nodding as her throat started to dry up. "Jeff isn't home but he should be home shortly."
Clarke sat gingerly on the chair in front of the island in the kitchen as Elizabeth went to the fridge and got poured her a glass of water. "Is she home?" Clarke finally had the courage to ask.
"I'm afraid she isn't." Before the first tear could fall from Clarke's eyes Elizabeth's arms were around her. It wasn't long after that that Clarke broke down in the older woman's arms.
Elizabeth held her for at least a half an hour before Clarke finally got a hold of herself. "She's not coming home is she?" Elizabeth was speechless; all she could do was shake her head no.
An hour later as Clarke sat in the kitchen absentmindedly watching Elizabeth cook dinner Jeff Callaway came home and took no time at all to cross the room and give Clarke the biggest hug he probably ever had. Clarke had been his second daughter long before her and Lexa even thought about dating so he knew by the look on her face that she was hurting and he didn't like it.
"She's with her isn't she?" Clarke finally asked after a somewhat wordless dinner.
Elizabeth and Jeff shared a look. "She's in Europe of with Costia." Jeff finally said, knowing that his wife wouldn't be able too. They were both ready to move to Clarke's side if need be but in true Clarke fashion she swallowed the lump in her throat and lifted her chin up.
"I guess she's made her choice then." A pause. "I don't know what she's told you both but I truly have no idea what happened or why. I have tried calling, I've tried emailing, I don't know what more I can do to get through to her but please know how much I love her and that that has never changed. I would never intentionally hurt her."
"We know sweetheart. For what it's worth we hope that whatever happened gets resolved. You two are too perfect together to be apart but heaven forbid that doesn't happen know that you are always welcome here."
Jeff nodded along with every word his wife was saying. "And that we will love you no matter what happens between you and Lexi. You will always be a part of this family Clarke, you won't lose us."
Clarke bit her lip as she tried to hold back the tears as she got up and hugged both the Callaway's. "I love you both so much." Elizabeth kissed the top of her head as Jeff rubbed her back gently. They loved their daughter and hated to see her in pain but seeing Clarke like this they knew whatever Lexa was battling was not something that Clarke had truly done, even if Lexa thought so.
xoxo
"Should we tell her you were here when she gets home?" Jeff asked gently as they pulled up to the airport.
"No, if she doesn't know because her and I talked then I'd like to leave it at that if that's okay."
Elizabeth and Jeff nodded. "Of course, whatever you want. We'll visit soon."
"Octavia will be happy to hear that. I love you both so much, thank you for always being there for me too." With that Clarke grabbed her back from the backseat and stepped out of the SUV with the feeling that everything was going to be entirely different the moment she stepped onto the plane back to New York.
XOXO
"Hey what are you doing right now?" Lexa asked once Clarke answered her phone.
"It's three a.m. what do you think I'm doing?" Was Clarke's sarcastic reply.
"If I had to guess, I'd say walking out of work."
Clarke stopped walking and looked back at the building she had just exited. "Are you stalking me again?"
"It's not stalking if you like it."
"Who said I did?"
Lexa smiled to herself at Clarke's response. It always made it more fun when someone could give her back what she gave out. "The smirk that is currently plastered over your face."
Clarke's face turned from smirking to questioning as she took a look around the parking lot of the hospital before seeing a light start to flicker. Shaking her head Clarke walked towards the light. "What are you doing here?" She asked over the phone.
"I wanted to see if you wanted to get something to eat because I'm starving!" Lexa answered, hitting the end call button on her phone as she sat leaning against her bike. Helmet in her hand.
"You could have called Octavia."
"I did, she's stuck working the beat tonight so I had to settle with you. She told me you'd be done work soon, hence why I'm here."
"Great, so I'm second best?"
Lexa laughed. "Not at all, you're third. George, the hotel doorman was stuck working too but I told him I'd bring him something back with me. So you're actually third."
"You want to eat alone don't you?"
"I mean if you aren't hungry." Lexa grinned as Clarke shook her head as Lexa passed her the extra helmet. "Climb aboard."
Clarke took the helmet from Lexa's hand before putting it. It had been awhile since she had been on the back of a bike but some things came back to you naturally. Sort of. Lexa moved her hands up to tighten the strap of the helmet for Clarke before putting her hand out to help Clarke on.
Without thinking about it Clarke wrapped her arms around Lexa's waist and leaned into her as she started the bike. Something about it felt so comfortable even though this was the closest she had been to Lexa in a very long time.
Lexa took a deep breath as she started the bike, the feeling of Clarke's warm hands radiated through her jacket. Her heart sped up and she could only hope that Clarke didn't feel it beating through her chest. Leaning back a little she grinned as she gave Clarke a thumbs up. A second later Clarke reciprocated with the same gesture before returning her hand to where it sat around Lexa.
XOXO
"What do you mean she didn't say anything?" Octavia asked as she continued to jump on Clarke's bed like a child.
"She didn't mention it at all. Not a single word, or gesture. I even paid for breakfast. I'm pretty sure she forgot!"
Octavia stopped jumping and sat down on her knees next to Clarke. "Even if she did forget, why is it bothering you so much?"
Clarke glared at Octavia. "What? It's a fair question."
"We were together for seven years and she's known me my whole life how could she forget my birthday!"
"Well are you facebook friends?" Clarke shook her head no. "Are you instagram friends?" Another no. "Are you friends on any social media platform?"
"No but that's not the point she shouldn't need social media to remember someone's birthday that she's literally known her whole life. It bothers me because we were supposed to be friends." It was Octavia's turn to give Clarke a knowing look. "What?"
"Supposed to be friends my arse!"
Clarke buried her head under the covers as she tried to hide from the world and more specifically from Octavia. "She always made such a big deal about my birthday. She always made it about me, and making sure that I knew I was loved so for her to not even so much as send a text message is bullshit and it sucks."
"Maybe she has her days mixed up. With the amount of hours she works that is very possible."
"No O, she straight up forgot!"
"There is nothing straight about Lexa."
Without removing herself from her make shift cave Clarke grabbed her spare pillow and smacked Octavia with it. "I guess I've been forgetting that we're not the old us, we're not Clarke and Lexa always and forever. We're just Clarke and we're just Lexa but it's hard because when we're around each other we fall back into this easy carefree rhythm. I keep having to remind myself that that isn't who we are. We're exes trying to be friends."
"And yet it bothers you that she seemingly forgot your birthday?"
Clarke finally emerged from her hiding spot. "I think I'm just being emotional. Thirty is such a daunting age and it's really scary."
"Thanks way to make me want to catch up to you! Seriously though Clarke, I think you're putting too much thought into this. She'll remember by the end of the day. Did Finn at least get you something pretty." Octavia wiggled her eyebrows.
"Ugh, no. I got a brief happy birthday around midnight, just after yours and Lincoln's. I think things may be fizzing out a bit but who knows we'll see where it leads."
"On that depressing note I'm going to go and make you your favourite omelet and get you a cup of coffee. You stay here, not that I think you're going to move." Octavia laughed as she pounced up from the bed and out the door. It had been tradition for so long now that Clarke was used to it. Every birthday they would wake the other up and make them breakfast as sort of an apology for a years worth of having shitty roommate moments.
xoxo
"She totally bought it! She thinks you forgot." Octavia spoke as quietly into the phone as she could so that Clarke wouldn't be able to hear her.
"I feel really bad, it's really hard for me not to say it. It's been hard the last four years not to say anything today but now that I'm here in New York and we're friends it's brutal!"
"Then don't say anything and be very busy at work." Octavia heard Lexa's groan and tried not to burst out laughing. This was the part of the plan that was Octavia's idea and she was loving it far too much.
Ten minutes later she walked back up to Clarke's bedroom and dropped handed her the plate. "These smell really good O."
"I'm awesome, you don't have to tell me."
Clarke rolled her eyes as Octavia turned the television in the bedroom on and crawled into bed next to her best friend.
XOXO
"Have you heard from Raven yet? Is she coming up next weekend?" Octavia asked as she and Clarke got ready for dinner later that evening.
Clarke frowned. "Yeah she called and wished me a happy birthday and said she was so sorry but that she wasn't going to be able to make it. Something about Pluto and building something, I don't know. She said she's going to make it up to me as soon as work settles down."
"I'm sorry that sucks donkey balls."
Clarke shrugged as she put her earrings in. "It's fine, I guess that's what happens when your best friend is a rocket scientist. They aren't easily replaceable." Octavia put a supportive arm around Clarke and kissed her cheek.
"Dinner is going to be amazing and Lincoln is paying. I told him we should be making Finn pay but Linc said that was rude." Clarke laughed as Octavia hailed a cab for them.
"Thank you."
Octavia smiled. "What for?"
"Being here." Octavia winked at her.
"Stop being so sappy, it's your birthday and just because your crush forgot about it doesn't mean she isn't in to you."
Clarke rolled her eyes. "She's not into me and she is certainly not my crush. Remember that conversation we've had about a hundred times about how that ship has sailed, and sunk? Raven will build an actual space ship before Lexa Callaway and I will ever happen again."
"You wouldn't know considering how much time you two spend together."
"We don't spend that much time together."
Octavia raised an eyebrow. "If that's what you tell yourself at night when you fall asleep. Actually she's probably what you think about when you put yourself to sleep since Finn isn't…"
"…do not finish that sentence Octavia or I will throw you out of this cab."
Octavia bit her lip and tried not to laugh. "Sorry is it a sensitive subject?" She continued to chuckle to herself as Clarke ignored her and looked out the window.
XOXO
"Holy shit! Mom!" Clarke grinned as she saw her mother sitting at the head of the table.
Abby smiled and stood up to hug her daughter. "Happy birthday Clarke." Clarke pushed her mom back slightly so she could look at her still a little shocked. "You didn't seriously think that I would forget your birthday, especially your 30th."
Clarke smiled sheepishly. "I'm just glad you're here. You didn't warn me that thirty sucked! I feel so old!"
Abby shook her head as Clarke finally let her go. "Thirty is actually where life really starts."
"I'll take your word for it." Clarke smiled as she sat down between Finn and her mom, finally starting to feel a little better about her birthday.
XOXO
"I don't understand why we have to stay at your place when mine was closer."
"Birthday traditions Clarke! We've always spend birthday's here, we can turn the barbeque on and make smores and watch shitty rom coms until the sun comes up."
"I'm tired, we could have done that at my place too."
"It's your birthday, stop being whiney and be thankful you got the day off work." Octavia put the key in the lock and started to open the door.
"I love work, that doesn't sound like a bad idea. I mean even Finn couldn't get someone to cover his shift tonight." Clarke stepped into the dark apartment that she was so familiar and instantly knew something was a little off.
XOXO
"SURPRISE!" The lights came on, almost blinding her for a moment before she took a look around the room to see everyone she loved in the same place. Raven, Anya and Echo had the biggest grins on their faces as Raven ran up to her and gave her a huge hug.
"Did you seriously think if work told me that I wouldn't tell them to go float themselves?"
Clarke almost wanted to cry tears of joy as she hugged Anya and then Echo before Gustus came over to pick her up and spin her around, instantly making her laugh.
Once she was back on the ground Clarke took another look around and saw her mother sitting back smiling but it was who was next to her that made Clarke's heart jump. Moving over she wrapped her arms around Elizabeth and Jeff. "What are you both doing here?"
"I was flying with my doctor, so I figured I was safe. Especially since we're visiting the doctor who saved my ass."
"I think it was your heart dear." Elizabeth joked. "We wouldn't miss your dirty thirty." She winked causing Clarke to laugh with the shake of her head.
"Mom, please don't ever say that again."
Just as Clarke was about to say something to Lexa Octavia walked over with a large bottle of champagne in her hand and pulled her away.
"Alright girlie, make a wish and pop it open."
Closing her eyes for a second she laughed as she pushed against the cork in the bottle. A loud Pop! and the cork went flying as everyone cheered a 'happy birthday'. Looking around the room once again Clarke's eyes landed on Lexa who was leaning against the kitchen counter next to their parents, a large smile on her face.
TBC…