"What if she says No?"
"Before you can worry about an answer, you actually need to ask a question, buddy. Don't worry, she won't say No."
"Promise!"
"I promise. Now gimme a kiss! – Well thanks for drooling all over my face!"
Clarke was smiling at the sight of Aden and Lexa discussing on her phone screen, they apparently hadn't realized that Clarke had already answered their Facetime call.
"Yeah, I won't say No. Whatever the question is!" she laughed.
"Hey Clarke! Aden has a question."
"Yeah, I figured. What's up boy?"
"Mom and I, well... she um, we're going to the zoo in the afternoon and I asked whether you could come with us? And mom said I should ask you that myself, so... wanna go to the zoo with us?"
Clarke's heart melted, that boy was just too adorable.
"Sure! I haven't visited on in ages! Would it be a problem if my brother Finn also came?"
Aden expressively shook his head and the two women laughed.
"Alright, see ya later then!" They hung up and Clarke typed in a message to her Finn. He wouldn't fully appreciate it, it was their sibs–day, but she was sure he'd understand and be cool about it. She opened their text conversation and realized that he could owe her one anyway.
Clarke (10:14am): Okay, I'll pick you up at 3pm but you have to play hero for one day. I promised a friend and her son to go to the zoo with them today and that you'll come with us. He's 8 and I'm sure you're already his idol. ;) Would you do that? Please? Xx
Finn (10:16am): a 'friend' huh? ;))) sure thing tho!
"You must be Aden! Can I get a high five?" Aden grinned and high fived Finn.
"Lexa, this is Finn. Finn – Lexa. Cool. Ready to go?"
The boys disappeared the second they entered the zoo, so the two women developed a slow pace, rather focused on talking than on their surroundings.
"Please tell me that Finn's a skater! Aden would love to learn but I'm the last person who could help him with that."
"It's your lucky day today! But are you sure you want your son to skate? I remember when Finn started, he had a broken bone every two weeks."
"Yeah Clarke, go and worry a mother! Great, thanks for that! But I'm sure it'll be–" Lexa paused as her phone went off. "Woods?" She mouthed a Sorry to Clarke, who realized she hadn't even known Lexa's last name. For some reason, it was perfect, she thought. Maybe because of the shade of green that Lexa's eyes were, maybe because something about the brunette always reminded her of the calmness and relaxation that nature provided.
"No, Matt, I said I wanted a decision this morning. I said 8am. And you – no, not really. Listen, there's nothing I – No – Yeah I understand but there's nothing I can do now. It was his – Alright, calm down." her voice softened. "It was his last chance and you knew it, Matt." She sighed. "Then please call him yourself, because I won't talk to him, not a single word, I don't have to remind you of that. – Okay, then at least call another one of The Lost Boys. I'm actually busy right now, we'll speak later, okay? ... Matt?" She looked at her phone but Matt had already hung up on her.
Clarke wondered who Matt was and whom they were talking about that Lexa wouldn't speak to, not a single word, but she didn't ask, instead just raised an eyebrow to appear interested but not nosy.
"Work." Lexa offered and got going again. They spoke about this and that but nothing in particular, as they strolled through the zoo.
"Mom!"
"Heyy, buddy! What's– hmpf!" Aden came running up to the two women and bounced right into Lexa, hugging her tightly.
"Finn and I found the lions, they're over there! Come on, you gotta see them!" Aden stated excitedly, already pulling Lexa towards the lion cage.
Clarke had offered to give Lexa and Aden a ride, and they were currently stopping in front of Abby's house to drop Finn off.
"I don't wanna tell you what to do but I'm sure she's expecting you to at least say Hi or something." Finn got out of the car and bent down to look Clarke in the eyes. "Please, Clarke, she's your mom. Just for a minute."
Clarke grimaced and turned around to Lexa, who was sitting in the backseat with a sleeping Aden snuggled into her. "It's okay, Clarke, go. Take your time, we'll wait."
The siblings walked up to Abby who was already standing in the doorframe. As usual, Clarke backed away when her mom was about to give her a hug, and she knew that Lexa could witness the whole scene but she'd explain it another time.
"Hey honey, how are you?"
"Mom, I don't have time really, I have friends waiting in the car."
"They can come in if they want, dinner's ready and I'm sure it's enough for all of us."
"Okay, but not all of us are staying. I'll call you someday." Clarke promised, although everyone knew that that wasn't going to happen. "See ya kiddo!", she quickly hugged her brother and went back to the car, her pace fast enough to show her mother that she wanted to leave but slow enough for Lexa to not get suspicious. At least not more than she already was.
She got in the car, fastened her seatbelt and rolled down the window to wave her family goodbye.
"Bye Clarke! And thanks again! Oh and Lexa, tell Aden I'd love to teach him some skateboard tricks!" Finn grinned. Clarke nodded and started the engine.
"Honey, call us when you know whether you can make it on Christmas! And tell Atom I said Hi!" Abby shouted, waving and smiling until the car turned and disappeared.
"Atom, huh?"
"We broke up a long time ago."
"And you didn't tell your mom." Lexa figured.
"Yeah. My love life is none of her business."
"So you're not going to bring any partner for dinner? It's your thing but if you ask me, it's special that a mother cares about her child and I saw the love in her eyes when she realized that you were getting out of the car."
Clarke blushed. She had caught herself a few times already, imagining Lexa and her, and now Aden, at Abby's on Christmas, having dinner, drinking and laughing. It had felt right and she had thought about the fact that she would have to introduce Lexa to her mother – in case Lexa felt the same and in case they'd ever get together, that was.
"No, I... can we talk about this another time?" Lexa shot her a small smile and nodded.