Hello everyone. I know I said this would be the last chapter, but since it keeps getting longer, I decided to give you a little taste before the final one. Relax! the actual last chapter won't take a year to be posted lol, in fact it's almost done, I just need to add some more details and it'll be delivered to you hopefully in a month tops!
Summary: Clarke and Lexa share the happy news, the preparations begin. The bachelorette party is on.
The wedding day comes fast enough, some stories wrap-up.
"OMG YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED!" Raven all but screams at the news Clarke just delivered. She squeezes her friend in a bear hug.
"Damn! You finally grew those ovaries, huh?" Octavia slaps Lexa's arm, making her blush. "Congrats," she says and pats the girl on the back.
Now it's Octavia's turn to hug Clarke while Raven also takes Lexa into her arms.
After the congratulations and the fangirling over the beautiful ring; something seems to occur to Raven.
"You guys are getting married...you know what that means, right?" Raven looks at Octavia with a complicit smirk.
Clarke and Lexa stare at each other in confusion.
But then, in perfect sync, Octavia and Raven scream. "BACHELORETTE PARTY"
"Oh crap..." Clarke pinches the bridge of her nose.
"What is that?" Lexa is sure she's heard that expression before, but can't seem to recall.
Clarke starts to explain, but Octavia beats her to it.
"Ohhh you're going to love it!" Octavia remarks, wiggling her eyebrows.
"We have to start planning it!" Raven voices excitedly.
"Woah woah!" Clarke interjects. "We don't even have a date yet!" But it falls on deaf ears, her friends are already walking, taking Lexa with them.
"It's a bit like Clarke's birthday party, but ..."
...…
Later, after a slow private engagement celebration; Lexa and Clarke cuddle in bed in complete ease.
That is until Lexa presents a query. "We need to pick a date, right?"
"Well, that would be ideal." Clarke teases, earning her an eye roll.
"Ok, let's see..." Lexa thinks. "Do you think any of the Elders are still awake?" She stares at Clarke, feigning seriousness.
Clarke scoffs at the return of the teasing. "Babe!" She slaps Lexa's shoulder.
Lexa laughs, "Okay, okay, sorry." But then she adds in a more sober manner. "But honestly, I would marry you today if we could. I can't wait to call you my wife and spend the rest of my life with you."
The words touch Clarke's heart. She smiles brightly. "I fucking love you so much." She leans in and gives Lexa a long, hard kiss.
After pulling away - too soon for Lexa's taste - Clarke mentions. "So when?"
"What's the earliest it can be without seeming desperate?"
"Hmmm," Clarke thinks. "Maybe two..."
"Weeks?" Lexa offers with a grimace.
Clarke laughs, "Months!"
Lexa grunts and sinks her head into the mattress.
At the cute gesture of desperation, Clarke lets out a sigh. "I would like to marry you right away too, Lexa. But I also want to have a proper wedding and well, preparing a wedding is really hard work. Give us some time to make it as nice as possible, please." She rests her forehead on Lexa's. "I promise you, you'll love it too."
Not completely convinced, but trusting Clarke to make the best choice for both of them, Lexa concedes. "Fine."
"Great!" Clarke lets out a triumphant smile. "So it's settled? Two months?"
"Two months," Lexa voices with an eye roll.
…
Once the date was set, the most important people in their lives were informed of the happy news and preparations began in earnest.
Raven made sure to design the most beautiful wedding invitations to be sent to the selected guests.
She and Octavia had also already started making arrangements for the bachelorette party.
"Hey!" Raven greets as she enters Octavia's room. Then she takes something out of her bag. "Here you go!" She hands Octavia the invitation.
"Oh, um, thanks." Octavia takes the envelope and retrieves the invitation, looking carefully at the information inside. "Pretty cool as usual, Ray." She praises her friend.
"I know." Raven confirms confidently. She's so wrapped up in her own things that she doesn't notice the change in Octavia's demeanor.
The General has suddenly become thoughtful, pondering something that has been on her mind since Clarke and Lexa announced their wedding. Now with the invitation in her hand, making the event a certainty, Octavia has a decision to make, and quickly.
...
The next day, at sunset, Octavia paces nervously outside the clinic, muttering to herself.
"General?" Anna, who has just finished her shift, calls out in surprise.
"Hey Anna," Octavia greets her, momentarily forgetting her nervousness to point something out. "What did I tell you?" She looks at the young healer with a raised eyebrow. She let it pass the last time they saw each other, but now she makes sure to remark.
"Oh, right," Anna blushes, feeling caught. "Octavia." She corrects.
"That's better!" Octavia nods firmly.
"So, what are you doing here?" Anna asks next, trying not to sound too hopeful.
Octavia shakes her head and comes back to the topic. "Oh right, I... I was waiting for you."
Even though she secretly hoped that was the case, the admission still manages to take Anna aback. "Waiting for me?"
"Yes, um, there's something I need to ask you." Octavia, getting her nerves under control, goes for the easier part. "Well, um, Clarke and Lexa are getting married."
"Oh wow, that's wonderful news!" Anna expresses, genuinely excited. She doesn't shy away from sharing her thoughts. "After all they have been through, they really deserve to be happy together."
"Of course, yeah," Octavia replies, still pretty much freaking out inside. She clears her throat before letting out the words she has been rehearsing for a few hours. "Well, uh, they are obviously having a wedding ceremony and all, so I was wondering if you, um... If you would like to be my plus one."
If the fact that Octavia was waiting for her was a big surprise in itself, the invitation is a whole new experience for Anna. "Oh, I..."
Luckily for Anna, Octavia was in such a self-doubt loop that she didn't notice how nervous she had suddenly become.
After a few more seconds, when it finally sinks in that the invitation is real, Anna comes up with an answer: "I would-I would love to.
"Oh cool!" Octavia lets out a sigh of relief.
They stare at each other dumbly.
"Ok, uh, I'll fill you in on the details soon... if you don't mind." Octavia informs more formally than she intended.
"Of course, yeah." is the only thing Anna can come up with.
"I have to - I'll see you later then." Octavia retreats immediately after; so fast so that she misses the enormous smile plastered in Anna's face.
...
The days pass quickly, and family and friends begin to arrive in Polis for the soon-to-be-celebrated wedding.
Myrreh and Bellamy and their children are among them. They arrived a week early to spend some time in town with the kids.
And for other reasons, too.
"Ok, I better get ready." Myrreh mentions as they enter their room in the tower after a day out.
"Are you going somewhere?" Bellamy asks curiously as he puts a sleeping Max on the bed.
"Yes, to the bachelorette party." Myrreh says calmly as she picks up the clothes she'll be wearing for the occasion.
"The what?"
"The bachelorette party; I mean, you know about those, right? you're a Skyman, your people invented it, no?" Myrreh can't help the joking sarcasm in her voice.
Bellamy frowns, not wanting to be mocked. "Of course I know what it is! I just didn't know they were having one."
Myrreh chuckles. "Octavia and Raven are Clarke's best friends." She looks at her husband with a knowing look.
"Oh right!"
It doesn't need any more explanation.
But Bellamy has new doubts. "And until when is that?"
"I have no idea," Myrreh answers honestly as she goes to the bathroom with her clothes in hand.
"Uh..." Bellamy glances at Max, who is still sleeping soundly, and then at Aurora, who is playing in her small bed, before following his wife. "When do you think you'll be back?"
"No idea either." Myrreh replies with the same nonchalance as before.
"But..." Bellamy starts to argue but is interrupted by his wife.
"I'm just going to have some fun with the girls, Bell, probably some harmless dancing and drinking. I'm sure you can handle the kids for a few hours. Now, if you don't mind, I have to take a shower, I really have to hurry." She pecks her husband on the lips before closing the door in his face, leaving him completely stunned.
…
It was decided to have the bachelorette party two days before the wedding so they wouldn't have a hangover during the actual ceremony.
Raven and Octavia made sure to make it fun for their best friend... and as torturous as possible for the former Commander... just because they could. That included an idea they planted in Clarke's head.
"ONE WEEK!" Lexa exclaims as soon as Clarke tells her how long they have to go without sex before their wedding.
"Yes, one week." Clarke confirms matter-of-factly. "That way we can build up some sexual tension that will be released on our wedding night." She wiggles her eyebrows.
"But Clarke..."
"Shhh." Clarke puts her arms around Lexa's neck. "Hey, I promise it'll be worth the wait." She whispers the words seductively to Lexa's lips.
"But..." Lexa is left speechless.
"How about we make the most of it before the week starts..."
Not that Lexa has anything to say after Clarke's offer.
...
As promised, the bachelorette party was very similar to Clarke's birthday party... but not quite.
Clarke prepared Lexa for what was to come. "... and remember, whatever happens at the party stays at the party." She announces with a wink before opening the door to the bar that the girls have separated for the occasion.
The first thing Lexa notices is that there are only girls, which she was explained was the whole point of the party. She also notices that there are two stages, for what? She doesn't know, but she's already very curious.
"There you are!" Raven suddenly appears and greets the girls with excitement.
"Finally, we can start." Octavia rolls her eyes as she turns to the guests. "Girls! Your attention, please. The bachelorettes have arrived."
The women at the bar cheer.
Raven walks behind the couple and gently pushes them further into the place.
Octavia waits a few seconds for them to wave and acknowledge the guests before continuing. "There's not much to say except to wish the bachelorettes a lot of fun in their last hours of singleness."
The comment elicits laughter from the women.
"To all of you, thank you for coming, have fun and, well... enjoy!"
A big woo from the female audience is apparently the cue for the show to start.
The question Lexa has been asking herself is suddenly answered.
The stage on the left is occupied by muscular, handsome young men in tight clothes. The one on the right by voluptuous women in sexy dresses.
"What the..." Lexa is momentarily speechless.
Unlike her, the guests are screaming with excitement as they run to get a nice spot on their favorite stage.
Clarke laughs and takes Lexa's hand. "Come on, I know where to go."
...
If the little show at Clarke's birthday party was stimulating for Lexa, this strip show was... exhilarating to say the least.
Lexa's eyes didn't know where to look. The movements and bodies of the strip dancers have Lexa very distracted.
Clarke doesn't mind at all. In fact, she finds it quite amusing how responsive Lexa is to the show. But the night has just begun, so after this first taste she invites Lexa to relax and explore the bar on her own and see what it has to offer.
Not much convincing was needed. Lexa immediately started walking around the place with renewed interest. Almost immediately she spotted a familiar face.
"Esiry!" Lexa calls to her friend. "You made it!"
"Hey!" Esiry walks over to the other girl. "Of course I did, I wouldn't miss it for the world." She admits honestly.
A short moment of content silence and Lexa speaks.
"So, um... quite the display, huh?" Lexa tries to casually point out.
"Yup... they are certainly... impressive." Esiry remarks, feigning composure.
"Would you look around with me to see what else is out there?" Lexa suggests, making her last effort to appear unaffected.
"Yes, please!" Esiry accepts, unable to hide her excitement.
Both friends giggle like two schoolgirls as they go in search of adventure.
...
Clarke also took the opportunity to join her friends and look around. In fact, she saw some familiar faces, like Myrreh. But unlike Lexa, not all of them were fun to see.
"Isn't that your mother?" Octavia mentions, staring at one side of the bar.
Clarke turns in the same direction.
Abby is sitting on a couch.
"Oh, yeah." Clarke is about to approach the woman to say hi when she notices what's going on.
One female dancer is pouring a shot in Abby's mouth while another is rubbing her ass on Abby's lap.
"Oh my God!" Clarke exclaims, stopping dead in her tracks and grimacing at the scene. "Mom!" she then calls out indignantly.
Abby, who has just noticed her daughter, simply shrugs and continues to enjoy the attention of the two girls.
Raven, Octavia and Myrreh burst out laughing as they watch Clarke walk away.
...
In the aftermath of this unwanted encounter and in an attempt to put it behind her, Clarke goes in search of her young fiancé.
After hearing about the unfortunate display, Lexa decides to help and takes Clarke to watch one of the other shows about to begin.
Ironically, what she has just witnessed helps Clarke make up her mind about something. She turns her head to the side and makes eye contact with her friends.
Immediately, Raven and Octavia pick up on what Clarke is trying to communicate. Both smile devilishly.
With a final wink of acknowledgement, Clarke's attention returns to her girl. She raises her drink and invites Lexa to do the same.
Noticing Clarke, Lexa tears her eyes away from the stripers for a moment and raises her own drink.
Clarke grins and clicks her glass with Lexa's.
Not sure what that means, but liking it anyway, Lexa returns the sentiment.
Oh, the poor girl has no idea what is coming.
Just as the current performance ends, Octavia and Raven approach the couple.
"Enjoying the view?" Raven teases Lexa with a grin.
"Uh, yeah, yeah." Lexa replies honestly, a little dizzy from the stimulation.
"Perhaps you would like to take a closer look." Octavia remarks suggestively.
"Hmm?" Lexa asks, confused as to what she means.
Clarke feels the need to clarify. "They mean a private lap dance, babe."
"A wh... a private what?!" Lexa says in a high tone.
Esiry's eyebrows shoot up, she likes where this is going.
"This is going to be interesting." Myrreh whispers into the girl's ear.
"A lap dance you dummy!" Raven says. "Come on, let's go." She grabs Lexa's arm.
"But-but, Clarke, I..." The idea sounds appealing but scary; exciting but inappropriate, considering she's not single. A lot of conflicting feelings seem to overwhelm Lexa; she stares at Clarke, silently begging for some direction.
Fortunately, her concerns are quickly dismissed.
"This is your last chance to see a body other than mine up close. Just go." Clarke reassures.
Any attempt at a reply gets stuck in Lexa's throat as Octavia and Raven finally show her the way to the private lap dance area.
...
After a while, and with everyone expecting her, Lexa returns.
She wears a look of wonder, as if she's just passed through the gates of lesbian heaven and come back, as if she's achieved transcendence.
Octavia and Raven high five each other, feeling their mission accomplished.
"You okay?" Clarke asks, holding back her laughter, but genuinely interested at the same time.
"Huh?" Lexa makes a sound as if to acknowledge her fiancé, but not really.
At the response - or lack thereof - Clarke just chuckles and goes to grab her girl. "I think you need a little break after that."
Still very out of it, Lexa lets Clarke take her away from the dancers.
As they walk away, Esiry and Myrreh exchange glances until the other woman suggests.
"Should we..." Myrreh points her head in the direction of the private lap dance area.
It doesn't take long for Esiry to answer. "I thought you'd never ask."
...
Despite everyone's insistence, Lexa and Clarke decided to have a modest ceremony in the forest near Polis.
Only a small group of select people were invited, including, of course, their family and friends.
The chosen place is surrounded by trees - as per Clarke's wishes - and beautifully decorated with flowers - as Lexa ordered.
There are tents set up for the guests to put their finishing touches on, flanked by two large tents for the exclusive use of the brides.
Inside one of the big tents, Clarke stares at her dress in the mirror; a white wedding gown styled with some grounder details. She can't stop smiling, she's in a state of wonderful bliss. With her are Abby, Octavia and Raven, who are helping her get ready. They are just as excited and giddy as she is, which she finds sweet.
In the midst of these dreamy thoughts, one person makes her way into her mind, briefly stopping her cheeriness.
Niylah.
A pang of guilt and sadness engulfs Clarke at the memory of the woman she couldn't love.
After she and Lexa decided on their wedding date, Clarke debated whether or not to invite Niylah. Eventually she decided she should, but not with a simple invitation from a messenger, but with her delivering the news in person. After all, Niylah had been kind enough to send only a letter when she found out what had happened to Lexa in the war, so as not to bother them with her presence at such a delicate time.
"Oh wow," Niylah exclaimed as Clarke delivered the news.
It was only for a second, but Clarke could see the pain in Niylah's face. It broke her heart, but there was nothing she could do. She wanted to say some words of comfort, but she didn't have the time.
"I'm so happy for you!" Niylah hugged Clarke, genuinely excited.
"Um, thank you." Clarke whispered into Niylah's shoulder, swallowing her inner guilt. Then she decided to keep her words to herself and let things happen as they should.
They talked for hours about wedding plans and Niylah's life.
When Clarke finally announced it was time to go, Niylah asked her to wait while she went to get something.
"Look, I appreciate the invitation, I really do." Niylah began. "But as you must have figured out, I don't think it's a good idea for me to go." She finished with a grimace.
"Oh no, no, I understand it's okay." Clarke said seriously; she was expecting this outcome anyway.
"I'll send a gift anyway." Niylah informed and when Clarke just chuckled, she added. "This would be a wedding present, for you and Lexa, but," she voiced as she came closer to Clarke. "This is just for you."
Clarke took the item Niylah handed her. It was a knitted bracelet. She stared at it, confused.
"I traded them from a traveler some time ago. I mean, if Lexa could have those with her little friend, why can't we? We're really good friends, too, right?" Niylah smiled and showed Clarke a bracelet already on her wrist, similar to the one she had just given her.
Clarke threw her head back in laughter and allowed herself to just enjoy the moment. Niylah's little action was all she needed to be sure that their friendship would be okay no matter what.
…
"Nervous?" Raven asks from right behind her.
Shaking her head a little to clear the remaining thoughts, Clarke replies. "A little."
"It's okay to be nervous. It's okay to feel." Raven assures her with an encouraging smile. "This is your day Clarke, you have earned it. Enjoy it," she puts a hand on Clarke's shoulder.
Clarke smiles back at her friend and puts her hand on top of hers.
'Yeah, she's right.' Clarke can say without any doubt. After all she's been through and all she's done, she deserves to enjoy this.
...
Lexa, settled in the other big tent, watches her mother make sure her full on grounder dress is immaculate. She smiles, reminding herself that this is not a dream, not even something she dared to imagine in her previous life. This is reality, sweet and incredible reality; she is finally getting married to the woman she loves. Lexa lets out a sigh of contentment, free of the guilt her previous responsibilities had forced upon her at the mere thought of happiness. Also, with the certainty that Costia is watching from the spirit world and blessing her union with Clarke, she can finally be at peace.
Well, there's one small issue that still bothers her.
Xxx
Lexa had it all planned out. The moment she and Clarke would be officially engaged, she had to talk to Orita. Her honor wouldn't allow her to let anyone but herself tell Orita about her wedding.
All she had to do was ask Esiry where Orita was staying at the moment.
Esiry and Orita had become good friends after the war and Lexa's rescue.
The young warrior thought that was wonderful. She was glad that Orita had someone to talk to and keep her company. She certainly needs it, especially after what happened between them. Something that left a sting in her heart and will always haunt her.
"Orita?" Lexa called from outside a tent in the deep forest of Triku, hoping that her former friend was there.
The blonde girl came out, surprised to say the least. "Lexa."
There was a tiny smile Lexa was unable to conceal, it made her really happy to see Orita.
"What are you doing here?" The question was more curious than judgmental.
That brought Lexa back to the point. "Oh, uh, I wanted - I wanted to talk to you about something..."
...
Orita remained quiet for a few seconds at the news, her feelings for Lexa even though slowly leaving her heart were still present. Anyway, she cleared her throat and expressed herself in the most articulate way. "Well, I appreciate you coming all the way out here to tell me yourself."
It shocked Lexa a little. Not that she expected to be congratulated, but still, Orita's coldness hurts her more than she expected; especially knowing how Orita was with her before. "Yes, of course. It was the right thing to do." Yet she concealed it.
After a curt nod, Orita stared at Lexa with an unreadable expression.
It was her cue; Lexa was no longer welcome or needed there. Shame and sadness overwhelmed her. She had the urge to leave immediately, but something stopped her, something she really needed to say, so she does. "Orita, I..." Lexa looked at the girl with kind eyes. "I really want you to be okay. I want you to find happiness with someone who loves you the way you deserve." She swallowed and keept the emotion in her voice as she continued. "I will always be grateful to you for saving my life. You didn't have to after all the pain I caused, but you did. It shows what an honorable person you are and how deeply you love. I know it is too much to ask, but I really hope that one day you will find a way to forgive me. I wish you all the best. Goodbye." Said that and with a sigh of resignation Lexa turned to leave.
She had not taken more than five steps when Lexa heard the other girl calling her.
"Lexa, wait!"
Lexa turned expectant, hopeful.
Orita seemed to make an effort to say something, Lexa noticed and gave her the time she needed to formulate whatever it was she wanted to express. Eventually she did.
"I-I wish you the best, too. I also want you to be happy... with the woman you love." The sadness in her tone was obvious, but there was also honesty behind it. Leaving behind her still conflicting feelings for Lexa, Orita continued. "And I..." And just like she told her that day in the clinic, but this time elaborating, she said. "I do hope one day, that is possible, I mean you and I becoming friends again. I'm certain it will be possible… one day."
That's all Lexa needed to hear. An involuntary smile graced her features. It is not a given, but at least she can hold on to the promise. For now, that will have to do.
"One day."
Xxx
Lexa sighs at the memory. Her heart is content with the hope that she can regain the friendship they had.
"Last touch."
Jahnisce's voice snaps Lexa out of her reverie. Just in time to appreciate the beauty of the flower crown she - personally - insisted on wearing.
The older woman gasps. "You look so beautiful, Strikon." Jahnisce's voice wavers a little.
Lexa admires the beauty of her entire outfit, combining the traditions she grew up with, her mother's love and hard work, and her favorite thing, flowers. "Thanks to you." She tells her mother with a soft smile.
Jahnisce tries in vain to hold back her tears, but manages to let out. "Well, I had to make sure that the most beautiful love story of mankind had a nice-looking happy ending, huh?"
That makes Lexa giggle cutely. "A very happy ending indeed." She holds her mother's hands.
They remain in contented silence, embracing the moment.
…
"Girls, girls..." Octavia, who came out a few minutes ago to make sure everything was in order, excitedly announces. "It's time."
Clarke and Abby exchange looks. They both give similar exhalations of content nervousness.
Raven shrieks before hugging Clarke. "I'll wait outside, good luck."
"Let me know when I can open the flap ." Octavia informs, giving mother and daughter some privacy.
There are many things that Abby wants to say to Clarke at this moment. A lot of dreams and hopes she held in her heart as she watched Clarke grow up in this crazy world they were forced to live in. But right now, and after all they have been through, Abby realizes that what she feels inside goes beyond words. So she just stares at her daughter, trying to convey her thoughts with her eyes.
Clarke's lips tremble as she instinctively takes her mother into her arms.
They both melt into an intense embrace that lasts for quite a while.
Eventually, they naturally pull away with happy smiles and watery eyes.
"Shall we?" Abby finally asks, wiping the tears from her eyes.
After doing the same, Clarke takes a deep breath and with the assertiveness that has characterized her for years now, she says. "Let's go."
With Clarke's hand under her arm and already collected, Abby calls to Octavia to open the flap.
...
"Hey, Lex." Esiry suddenly pokes her head into the tent. "They're ready for you."
The news seems to sober both women.
Jahnisce gives Lexa one last look to make sure everything about her dress is in order before saying. "Ok Strikon. This is it. Go and start your new life." She leans forward and gives Lexa a kiss on the forehead.
"Mochof nomon." Lexa speaks solemnly in her native language as a sign of respect to her mother.
With a slow nod of her head, Jahnisce leaves the tent.
Esiry stares at Lexa, giving her friend a silent look of appreciation.
Lexa blushes, but enjoys the implied compliment.
The young warrior is about to let Lexa do her thing, but first she gives her a little warning. "She looks stunning, by the way." With a mischievous wink, the girl disappears from Lexa's view.
"Uh..." Lexa doesn't have time to answer, her friend is already gone. Anyway, with eager curiosity and a last breath of courage Lexa finally comes out of the tent.