Thanks for all of the reviews, follows, and favs guys! Here's yet another chapter! Hope y'all are still enjoying the story, and now on to protective Bellamy and the Abby we all know and begrudgingly have to put up with ;)

Chapter 12

"I'm here to see you." Abby replied.

Clarke glared at her mother, reaching out to pull Octavia behind her.

"Well, how did you find me?" Clarke asked coldly, "I don't remember giving you my address."

"That one's on me Clarke."

The blonde turned to stare open mouthed at Marcus Kane as he made his way to her mother's side.

"Marcus? What are you doing here?" Clarke asked in confusion.

"You're mother and I are old friends. She told me how badly she wanted to see you, and I couldn't lie to her." Kane replied, his eyes beseeching Clarke to understand.

"Mother, I'm not…" Clarke trailed off angrily.

"Do you still have that foster child?" Abby asked snidely, interrupting her daughter.

Clarke literally saw red at her mother's statement, her fists balling at her sides as her rage burst forth.

"How dare you!" Clarke yelled, her mother stepping back in surprise, "He is my son, and I honestly don't care whether you approve of my choice or not!"

"You can't blame me!" Abby screeched, "Not after that sham of a marriage!"

"See! That's why I didn't tell you where I was! I don't need your censure!" Clarke cried, angry tears pooling in her eyes.

Just then the door swung open, revealing a shirtless Bellamy along with Clarke's two boys.

"What's going on here," Bellamy growled, stepping beside Clarke and laying a protective hand at the small of her back.

"Oh this is just great, Clarke! I see now you've foregone marriage altogether to shack up with some middle-aged bum." Abby sneered.

"Now listen here," Bellamy said angrily, "You're daughter isn't shacked up with anyone, and I am not a middle-aged bum. Either speak respectfully or you can leave."

Clarke relaxed, the anger draining from her slowly as the warmth from Bellamy's hand seeped into her skin. She looked up at him, finding his dark eyes sparking with anger and his jaw clenched tightly.

"It's ok, Bell. She's always like this." Clarke said as she mustered a smile for her gallant knight before turning to enter the house, "Are you coming Mother?"

Clarke entered to find the three kids standing rigidly in the entryway. Octavia was still frozen in surprise, AJ looked apprehensive, and Lincoln was just plain angry.

"O, why don't you take your things to our room. Lincoln, take these bags and put them on Bellamy's bed. AJ, baby, you can go to your room," Clarke finished softly.

She watched the kids go, Bellamy coming to stand beside her.

"I'll go get dressed and then meet you in the kitchen." he said darkly.

Clarke nodded, leading her mother and Kane into her spacious kitchen. She kept her back turned, going through the motions to make coffee and then putting on tea for her mother. Why did the woman always have to be so difficult?

"How's Lincoln?" Kane asked kindly.

Clarke didn't turn, she felt betrayed by the man and no amount of concern on his part would make it go away.

"He's fine." she said, "He adores the new coach."

She heard Kane sigh, and for a moment she felt a stab of guilt at her words but she quickly shoved it away. She turned when Bellamy entered the room, watching as he stopped to lean against the counter just in arm's reach from where she stood.

He'd changed into a pair of the new jeans she'd bought and one of the white t-shirts. His hair was slightly damp, causing the dark curls to shine as they fell across his forehead. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he looked the picture of protective fierceness.

Clarke placed his mug in his hands, his fingers brushing against hers sending a zap of electricity up her forearm. His gaze captured hers, and the way his brown eyes smoldered caused warmth to chase away the cold that had invaded her body the moment she'd seen her mother.

She poured a cup of coffee for Marcus, and then a cup of tea for her mother, setting the drinks before them before resuming her place beside Bellamy.

"Alright, what do you want?" Clarke asked her mother, her hands gripping the countertop until her fingers turned white.

"I came to see you, just like I said. I want to make things right between us." Abby replied.

"By insulting me and my kid? Yeah, Mom, that's really how to go about this." Clarke said with a shake of her head.

"I'm sorry, Clarke. It's just that I didn't want you to completely ruin your life." Abby said, pinching the bridge of her nose and squeezing her eyes shut tight.

"So, I'm a mistake?" came a voice from the kitchen doorway.

Clarke looked up to find Lincoln standing there, his dark eyes full of reproach and hurt etched in his features.

"No, sweetie." the blonde said, motioning for her son to come to her.

Clarke wrapped the boy in her arms, hugging him tight.

"You will never be listed among my mistakes, do you hear me?" she said, pulling back to look her son in the eye. "You and AJ are my two greatest accomplishments. If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't change a thing."

Abby watched her daughter, realizing for the first time that Clarke was ten times the mother she ever was. She hung her head in shame, knowing that she had a lot to apologize for.

"I'm sorry, Clarke." Abby whispered, causing her daughter's head to snap up.

For a long moment, the room was silent. Bellamy and Lincoln both stood with their arms folded beside the petite blonde, both glaring at the intruders. Finally Clarke spoke, "I forgive you, Mom."

Abby smiled, rising to hug her daughter. However, she was stopped when Clarke held out both hands- shielding herself.

"I forgive you, but our relationship needs work." Clarke said sadly.

"I understand, and I want to work on that with you if you'll let me." Abby replied.

Clarke nodded, "Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"We'd love to." Kane answered quickly, garnering a smile from Lincoln.

Clarke had just turned to ask Bellamy what he'd like for supper, when the front door banged open. Raven and Wick entered the house, arguing as usual, shedding coats and shoes in the entryway before coming to a halt before entering the kitchen.

Raven's eyes narrowed, her lips forming a thin line of disapproval as she stomped to Clarke's side.

"What is SHE doing here?" Raven asked angrily.

"She's here to reconcile." Clarke replied, hoping to sooth her friends ruffled feathers.

"It's a bit late for that isn't it?" the mechanic growled, her heated glare falling on Abby.

"I don't think it's ever too late to…"

"Oh shut it, Kane- you old turncoat," Raven hissed, cutting the man off midsentence, "You know what happened, why would you bring her here after everything she's done?"

"Monkey, this isn't…" Wick began before Raven cut him off with a wave of her hand.

"Don't Monkey me, Kyle Wick. I'm the one who had to help Clarke off the floor of that apartment, her clothes splotched with her own blood. I'm the one who had to help her nurse AJ because she was so sore she couldn't hold his weight. I'm the one who had to watch her flinch every time a man raised his voice.

"Then Dr. Abigail Griffin has the audacity to disapprove of Clarke's adoption of Lincoln! Did you know that Clarke was barely speaking before Lincoln came into our lives? Yeah, your daughter was so broken by that jerk face that she was scared of her own shadow, terrified it was going to happen all over again. Then this little boy came along, and it was like a switch was flipped. Clarke threw all of her energy into the boys, into trying to make a better life for them. Thanks to Lincoln she started to get better, and you dare say that she wasn't fit to care for him." Raven finished with angry tears in her eyes.

The room sat in stunned silence, except for Raven's soft sniffles. Wick came forward and took her in his arms, running a gentle hand up and down her back.

"I would say I'm sorry, Dr. Griffin," Wick said quietly, "But I think you needed to hear that. You're daughter suffered a great deal from the actions of one cruel man, and through that Raven suffered as well. I'm not saying you could have helped one bit, all I'm saying is you could have been there. Instead you shut your daughter out."

Abby's face crumpled, her hands moving to cover her tears as she leaned into Marcus' embrace. The man patted her shoulder, whispering words of comfort as he gently rocked back and forth.

Soon she pulled away, her tearful gaze falling on Clarke where she stood with her head bowed- blonde curls falling in her face. Before Abby could speak, Bellamy stepped beside Clarke, taking her hand in his own.

"I think that's enough for today." he said quietly, his thumb running over Clarke's knuckles in a quiet display of support and affection.

"Wait," Abby said, "Please let me say one thing, and then I'll be finished."

Bellamy nodded, Clarke's fingers tightly gripping his own.

"I'm sorry, Clarke. I never knew exactly what you went through, and I felt guilty. I lashed out because I was so angry with myself that I transferred that anger to you. I am so proud of you, and the life you've built with your children. You are a great mother- I see that now. So, please forgive me."

Clarke raised her eyes to meet her mother's gaze, sighing as she nodded.

"Like I said, Mom, I forgive you." Clarke replied, "Now who's hungry?"

Lincoln stared at his mother, his hands trembling as he hugged her.

"Why didn't you ever tell us?" he asked quietly.

Clarke pulled back, framing her son's face with her hands, "You didn't need to know, baby. That's all in the past, and I'm in a good place now. So, don't worry, ok."

Lincoln nodded, his eyes still uncertain as they darted to Bellamy.

"She's fine, buddy, I promise. We won't let anything hurt her ever again." Bellamy said as he once again took Clarke's hand, "Why don't you go find AJ and O?"

The teen nodded gratefully, kissing his mother's cheek before hurriedly leaving the room.

"He's a good kid." Marcus said with a smile.

"That he is." Clarke replied proudly, "We think he's going to get State MVP this year."

"I've missed out on so much." Abby said sadly.

"Yes you did, but you're here now." Clarke said, moving to hug her mother.

"Well, now that that's taken care of," Wick said brightly, "How about we all adjourn to the living room and let Clarke work her magic."

Clarke watched as everyone but Bellamy filed out of the kitchen. She felt his hand, gently and warm, as it cupped her jaw and brought her gaze to meet his.

"You left a few things out of your story." he said huskily.

"I know," Clarke said shakily, "I wasn't proud of how I fell apart after it happened."

"Sweetheart, you went through something terrible." Bellamy said, "You had every right to fall to pieces!"

"But I had a baby, Bellamy, and I practically ignored him for two months," Clarke replied, tears once again gathering in her eyes.

Bellamy pulled Clarke into his arms, rubbing her neck as he whispered in her ear.

"I don't believe that for one second. You were hurting Clarke, and just like you told Lincoln- it's in the past. You have raised two incredible kids and you've done it all on your own."

Clarke leaned back, allowing herself to get lost in Bellamy's dark velvety gaze.

"Since when did you become so important to me?" she whispered.

"Probably around the same time you became so important to me." Bellamy smirked.

"Well, I'm glad you're here Bell." Clarke said, hugging him tightly.

"Me too, Princess."

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Surprisingly, dinner went very well. Abby complimented Clarke on the baked chicken, while Marcus shoveled large spoonful's of the garlic mashed potatoes into his mouth.

Conversation drifted from Lincoln's games, to AJ's history talks with Bellamy, and finally to Clarke's work at Mount Weather High. Nothing more was uttered about the past, everyone keeping their words light and their smiles in place.

"I think that went well." Bellamy said later as he helped Clarke with the dishes.

The rest of the crew was in the living room, AJ entertaining them with his rendition of the Trojan Horse. The couple could faintly hear his dramatic soliloquy, and could easily imagine his enthusiastic hand gestures as he told his tale.

"I'm inclined to agree with you. My mother was civil, and AJ managed not to spill his juice." Clarke replied with a grin.

Bellamy chuckled, drying the last plate before settling it atop the others of its kind in the cabinet. He followed the blonde into the living room, taking the empty seat beside her on the couch.

The room erupted in joyful applause as AJ took his final bow, his story finally coming to a close.

"Alright, time for bed." Clarke said, rising from the couch.

"Awww, Mom!" three voices whined, Octavia's eyes widening when she realized what she'd said.

Clarke overlooked it, hugging the girl tightly. "I don't mind one bit." she whispered before telling the kids to say their goodnights.

Hugs were given and reluctant goodnights issued before Clarke followed the kids upstairs. She got AJ tucked in, kissing his forehead and then turning off the light.

"Goodnight little man." she called before shutting his door with a soft click.

Octavia was next. "Night, O." Clarke said, smoothing back a few dark errant curls.

"Thanks for today, Clarke. I had a great time." Octavia said with a smile.

"Me too, sweetie. We'll do it again sometime soon." Clarke replied, flipping off the light.

Clarke found Lincoln sitting up against his headboard, a book open on his lap as his bedside lamp cast a soft glow across his features. He looked up as she entered, his eyes troubled.

"Is everything ok, Mom?" he asked as Clarke sat on the edge of his bed.

"Everything's fine. It was a shock to see her here, but I honestly believe that she wants to make things right."

Lincoln nodded, "I'm glad Bellamy was here."

"Why is that?" Clarke asked in mild confusion.

"He handled things far better than I could have, and I don't worry as much with him here. I don't feel like I have to protect you all the time." the teen replied, his head bowed.

For the first time Clarke realized what her son must have gone through. He was the man of their house, and as such he must have felt it was his responsibility to protect her.

Clarke sighed, reaching out to stroke her son's cheek. His eyes met her own, and she smiled.

"I appreciate that, buddy, but I'm the parent. I protect you, ok? But just between us, I'm happy Bellamy's here too."

Lincoln smiled, and Clarke could see his anxiety melting away. She kissed his forehead, patting his knee as she rose to leave.

"Mom?" he called.

"Yeah, baby?" Clarke said, her hand on the door knob.

"If you wanted to marry him, I'd be ok with it." Lincoln said with a smirk.

Clarke rolled her eyes, shaking her head in disbelief, "Well, I'm glad I have your permission but let's not get carried away."

"Alright, goodnight Mom." Lincoln called.

"Night, Linc." Clarke said before closing his door.

She made her way back downstairs, once again taking the place beside Bellamy. She fought the urge to smile as his arm came around her, his fingers twirling in her hair.

"So, how long have the two of you been together?" Abby asked.

Raven nearly spewed coffee everywhere, a very unladylike snort drawing the room's attention.

"What did I say?" Abby asked in confusion.

"Nothing Mom, Bellamy and I aren't together." Clarke replied, shooting her friend an odd look.

"Really? Could've fooled me." Marcus said dryly.

"We're just…" Clarke said, turning her questioning gaze to Bellamy.

"We're just working on it. Taking our time." he replied for her, an easy smile curving his lips.

"Well, we really should be going." Abby said.

Clarke walked her mother to the door, waving as she and Kane made their way into the murky darkness. The headlights of her mother's car illuminated the light snowflakes that began to fall, disappearing as they drove down the old dirt rode away from the house.

Raven and Wick came next, hugging Clarke before making their way to their car. Clarke smiled, Raven's grumbling about the cold reaching her ears just before the loud slam of the car door.

The blonde shook her head at her friend's nonsense, closing the door and sliding the deadbolt in place. Just as she turned to make her way back to the living room, she ran into a solid chest.

She looked up, her eyes meeting Bellamy's as he smiled down at her.

"I guess it's back to work tomorrow…" Bellamy said.

"I guess so…" Clarke replied, her fingers dancing against her thighs in nervous agitation.

Bellamy looked like he wanted to say something more, but instead he leaned forward and gently kissed her on the forehead.

"Goodnight, Princess." he whispered, turning and leaving her standing in the entry way with her mouth ajar and eyes wide.

After he disappeared, Clarke felt a smile tug at her lips. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and warmth spread throughout her body. It'd been a long time since she'd felt anything akin to this, and, to her utter surprise, she embraced it without fear.

Thanks for reading! Please review! I love hearing from y'all! :)

Wright: Thanks or the review! I'm glad you're enjoying the story and the fluffy Bellarke domesticity! :)

Martha: Thanks for the review! I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying the story! Finn is going to show up in chapter 16 or 17 so we're almost there! ;)

To all my other Guest Reviewers: Thank you so much for taking time to review! I'm glad y'all are enjoying the story, and you have no idea how much your kind words mean to me! :)