Chapter 11
"Thank you for taking such good care of him." Anya said into the phone she was holding between her ear and shoulder as she moved around her kitchen looking for something to eat after a long day of work.
"No problem but I was just doing my job, Lexa was the one that was taking good care of him. She's so good with him, I understand why I'm only his second favourite now."
Anya laughed quietly as the rest of the occupants in her house slept. "You are both equally his favourites, but yes she is good with him. I'm also very proud of her you to very remaining civil and making him feel as comfortable as possible."
"How's he doing?" The doctor asked, clearly avoiding speaking about Lexa any further.
Relenting Anya grabbed a slice of pizza out of the box that had been sitting in the fridge. "Good, he's sleeping now and he's very excited for you to draw something on his cast. He won't shut up about it. I tried to draw something on it for him and he said that I wasn't allowed but it was reserved for his auntie Clarke."
"Sorry, not sorry but I'll let you go get some sleep before you get super cranky. Send the kids and Gus my love please. Call me tomorrow and let me know how he is."
"I'll try and remember." Anya grinned, knowing Clarke hated when she said that because she most likely wouldn't remember.
"I hear my son is trying to set you up with Harper. He knows your type." Anya laughed as she and Lexa sat at the restaurant waiting for their food. "I mean Harper is hot so at least he has good taste."
Lexa rolled her eyes and sipped her wine. "Harper and I are strictly friends, even when she was in New York, nothing ever happened outside of harmless flirting."
"Girl has a killer body though."
Once again Lexa rolled her eyes. "You know it's not all about physical appearances she also happens to be an amazing person." Anya smirked at Lexa's admission. "I hate you, I swear it's not like that."
"I'm just saying you need to get laid, it's been awhile, since you saw that girl on your last business trip. That was over two years ago, before dad got sick. You desperately need to get laid and chill out. You work to hard, you deserve some happiness and a little fun."
"And by fun you mean sex?" Lexa asked behind a smirk of her own.
"I mean if that's how you're going to take it."
Shaking her head Lexa was thankful to see the waiter approach them with two plates of food in hand. All she could hope was that this would shut Anya up about her sex life, at least for an hour or two.
A month later Lexa found herself back in Wilmington, this time it was business related. It was a dream of her father's to help support the community he grew up in and Lexa wanted to make that happen. She also missed the rest of her family, mostly her niece and nephew but she supposed everyone else too. This had been the most she had stayed State side in probably years but she'd be lying if she said it wasn't nice to not be traveling all over the place.
Except for the moment she wasn't working, instead she was meeting Harper for dinner at Aden's insistence. "Hey." Harper smiled as she approached the table Lexa had gotten for them.
"Hey yourself." Lexa smiled as she stood up and gave Harper a quick hug before pulling the other chair at the table out for her.
It was clear that both women were enjoying themselves, they had made it a habit to get together every now and again for dinner when Harper was living in New York. It was nice to get back to something that was comfortable and Lexa made a mental note to thank Aden for the set up when she saw him next. "He adores you." Harper said causing Lexa to snap back into reality.
"I think I adore him way more. He's the coolest kid and so smart. I mean he does have good taste in women after all."Shit, am I flirting?Lexa mentally chastised herself but was thankful when she heard Harper let out a small laugh.
"With you as an aunt I would expect nothing less of him. Do you maybe wanna get out of here? Maybe go somewhere a little less formal?" It took Lexa a minute to process what Harper was asking her. "I mean like a bar or something, maybe a little pool for old times sake?"
The brunette let out a breath that she hadn't been aware that she was holding. "That'd be awesome actually, I haven't done that in far too long."
Lexa called for the waiter and after arguing with Harper for a solid ten minutes she finally convinced the other woman that she was paying and that was that. "Next time is on me then, and don't bother arguing Lexa it's only fair."
"Or you can buy me a drink and call it even?"
Lexa caught herself genuinely smiling. She really didn't get out too much anymore. She had to admit that the light, easy feeling she currently found herself feeling was an unexpected delight. It was nice to be out with a friend and not have to worry about whether or not the reason they were out was because they were trying to further a business arrangement. "I can definitely do that." She watched as Harper smiled as they got up from the table and made their way to the do.
They got into a cab and Harper gave him the address, one that Lexa didn't recognize but she was kind of glad she didn't. Too many places here still reminded her of Clarke and frankly she was trying her best to not think of the blonde doctor. Anya was always telling her she needed to go out and have a little more fun and though she hated to admit it, her best friend was right.
"I hope this place is okay." Harper says as Lexa opened the door for her, allowing her to walk through the door first.
Entering the bar Lexa can only nod. "Yeah, I think it'll be just fine so long as it you can buy me that drink." She winks playfully as she follows Harper towards the bar. After ordering they decide to head out onto the patio to enjoy the warmer weather. They're laughing over something ridiculous as Lexa opens the door to the back patio and truthfully she probably should have been paying more attention to what she was doing because she nearly falls right down the small step that she hadn't seen. Except she doesn't hit the ground, she doesn't hear the glass she was holding shatter as it hit the floors and she has to admit that the floor feels really warm and soft and smells like the orchid and coconut milk shampoo Clarke used to use. Then realization hits and she wishes she had hit the ground and she hopes her instincts are wrong.
"I'm so sorry, I'm not usually this clumsy." She says and she feels another hand reach out and grab a hold of her elbow gently.
"You okay Lex?" She hears Harper say from behind her and she knows her instincts are right when the grip on her waist tenses ever so slightly.
Lexa takes a deep breath and nods. "I'm okay." Then she finally gets the courage to look up and concerned blue eyes are looking right back at her. A look that she knows all to well, and all she can do is nod her head as she finally regains her balance and composure. Clarke Griffin would always be the death of her. "Thank you, and sorry again. I didn't spill my drink on you did I?"
She watches as Clarke shakes her head no. "You didn't spill a drop of your drink, quick hands. My drink however didn't have the same fate." It's then that she looks over and sees the empty glass Clarke is holding. She wants to say something but Clarke's hand is still on her waist and it's distracting. Taking a breath she pulls back and straightens her jacket. "I'll go get you another drink, bourbon?"
Clarke nods as she realizes Harper is the voice of the person that asked about your well being. "Hey Harper."
"Hi." Comes Harpers soft response and you thank god that Harper is well aware of the you and Clarke situation.
Lexa's about to turn to go back inside and order Clarke another drink when she sees a figure emerge from behind her. "Here ya go my dear." She'd know that voice from anywhere and Lexa's heart kind of sinks in a way she knows it shouldn't after so long.
"Lexa?" She hears the figure ask.
"Niylah, hi. It's nice to see you again." Her professional voice finds its way to the surface.
"You too, it's been to long. I hope you're okay. That step gets everyone, hell I still trip down it and I've been coming here for years."
Lexa lets out a small laugh, Niylah was always nice and she couldn't blame her for how she felt about Clarke.
"We should probably get a table before they're all gone." Harper suggests and Lexa is thankful for the save, she'd have to remember to pay Harper back for that one later. "See you at work Clarke?"
"Yeah, of course. Have fun." And then in the blink of an eye Clarke and Niylah disappear back inside the bar.
Once Lexa sat down and composed herself she smiled thankfully at Harper. "You are slowly gaining on my favourite peoples list."
"I'm going to remember that, but running into exes is never easy, especially when you literally fall into her arms." Harper laughs and she's lucky there is nothing around that Lexa can throw at her.
XOXO
An hour later they walk back inside once it starts to get a little chilly and Lexa hates that the first thing she notices is the sound of Clarke's laugh. It draws her attention towards the pool table in the corner of the room. She does her best to pull her attention away and focuses on how busy the inside of the bar had gotten.
"Looks like we may not get a table right away, so how about another round of drinks on me?"
"I only agreed to let you buy me one drink, and since I put you through the ex awkwardness the next round is definitely on me."
XOXO
"If this is too weird for you we can go somewhere else. I really don't mind."
Looking over at Clarke and Niylah playing pool Lexa shook her head as she looked back over at Harper. "I'm okay, thank you though. It was a long time ago, we just don't really see eye to eye now a days."
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself? You forget I was there in New York during the post breakup days. I was also there when you first got back from that big business trip with a smile on yourself that you reserve just for her."
"Shit, I keep forgetting you're the only who knows about our little rendezvous." Harper let out a laugh and instantly Lexa felt a little lighter, she forgot how much she had missed having Harper around. They had lost touch again when Harper moved back to Carolina but Lexa would always be grateful to her for putting up with her depressed state after she and Clarke had broken up.
XOXO
"Clarke, if you stare any harder you're going to burn them." Niylah joked as she put her pool cue down and took a sip of her beer.
Clarke had been trying to focus on the game she and Niylah were playing but she could hear Lexa's laugh even over the music and it was driving her crazy. Lexa was supposed to leave after the wedding and not come back and if she was it was only supposed to be visiting Anya and the kids. Now here she was, everywhere Clarke turned and it was infuriating. She hated the way Harper had her head back laughing at whatever Lexa was saying and all she really wanted to do was yell at them to shut up. "Hmm? I'm not staring I'm just…" she trailed off and looked up at Niylah apologetically, "you're right, I'm staring, I'm sorry. How about we get a table and sit down for a bit?"
"It's okay," Niylah smiled and Clarke felt a little better. "Except there aren't anymore empty tables but I can ask if Lexa wants to switch with us, I think they've been waiting to play."
"Yeah that sounds good." Taking a deep breath she set her cut down against the table and made her way over to the table in the corner that Lexa and Harper were sitting at. "Sorry to bother you but Niylah and I were just wondering if you guys maybe wanted to switch? My feet are killing me and I haven't seen you guys play yet. Unless you didn't want to play, then just ignore me." Clarke mentally berated herself for rambling, but she figured it was either ramble or be rude and she wasn't in the mood for another fight with her ex. She watched as Harper looked over at Lexa to see what she wanted to do, smile still on her face.
"Thank you Clarke, that's very kind of you guys, we can switch back whenever you all want to play again, it won't take me long to beat this one." She nodded her head in Harpers direction who faked being hurt by her words.
"Of course, call it small town hospitality."
"I'll have you know I one that one time at Donaldson's on fifth." Harper rolled her eyes as she got up and went to grab her coat off the back of her chair.
"Leave it, I promise I won't let anyone steal it." Clarke smiled, trying to ignore Harper's comment.
For her part Lexa raised her eyebrows. "Thank you Clarke, I must go seriously win now. You know I let you win to help you impress that girl that was giving you googly eyes all night." She smiled as she got up and pulled her chair out for Clarke, some habits never died.
Twenty minutes later Clarke couldn't help but look over to see Lexa with a smug look on her face as she was bent over the table lining up her shot to beat Harper for the fourth time. She felt the breath in her chest hitch as she took in the way Lexa's wavy hair fell over one shoulder and the look of concentration on her face. Clarke always found it hard to study when Lexa was sitting next to her doing the same because she found her concentration face to be far to distracting and sexy. Her throat felt dry as she Harper set a round of drinks down on their table.
"I lost, so you both get drinks too as a thanks for me getting my ass handed to me."
"Is she really that good or are you that bad?" Niylah asked jokingly as she happily took one of the beers off the tray.
"She's that good, I don't think I've ever actually seen her lose unless it was on purpose. She won enough money from these two guys once that it paid for our drinks."
Niylah laughed. "For the night?"
"For the next month of outings. Needless to say, they never asked her to play again."
"Are you talking about me again?" Lexa asked as she reached around Harper and grabbed a beer. If she had to be this close to her ex she damn well was going to try and drink the awkwardness away.
"Harper was just telling us how you won a months worth of drinks." Clarke filled her in, a small hint of annoyance coming through in her voice.
Lexa nodded with a laugh. "That was a hell of a night, I don't know how I made it up for my flight the next morning."
"But it wasn't quite as good as the night we all went to that gay club in Brooklyn." Harper tried to hold back her laughter. "You know the night you paid over a hundred dollars for a pizza.
"What?" Niylah asked, a little to into the story.
"It's not as crazy as it sounds. This one here got super drunk and I didn't want her throwing up at my house. She kept saying she wanted pizza but the place was closing just as we walked up to the door, so I offered the guy a hundred dollars to stay open just long enough to make us a simple cheese pizza. Then I gave him a tip, it's really not that crazy."
Niylah shook her head. "Why's that so funny though, I feel like we're missing part of the story."
"I may or may not have dropped said pizza off the roof of Lexa's building because I insisted on sitting outside to enjoy the fresh air."
"You dropped a hundred dollar pizza?" Niylah ask, now trying to hold back laughter. "What did you do?" She asked Lexa who could only chuckle.
"Nothing, absolutely nothing because this one almost had a complete breakdown and started crying about how the pizza didn't deserve that kind of fate. I've never looked at cheese pizza the same way again."
"The worst part is that the pizza was stuck to the sidewalk the next morning when I left."
Niylah winced. "Ouch, way to have the night carry into the morning." Harper nodded in response as she shook her head, the memory still slightly haunting her.
"How'd your girlfriend feel about another woman spending the night?" Clarke meant it to come out as a joke but the moment the words left her lips she knew it had fallen short.
"My girlfriend?" Lexa questioned, seriously not following what Clarke was asking her. Clarke nodded and in that moment Lexa wished she hadn't had as much to drink.
"I wouldn't know she was across the country."
Though Lexa was clearly referring to Clarke the blonde immediately made the assumption that she was talking about Costia, reaffirming the idea the Lexa had been in L.A. to see her and not Clarke. "I guess some people are worth the long distance then." Clarke spat as she downed the rest of her beer and grabbed her coat as she got up and left the bar.
"I better go after her, thanks again for the drinks and sharing your table." Niylah quickly got up and ran after Clarke, leaving Lexa to slump down in the chair that Clarke had just left empty.
"You too." Harper called after them before turning back to Lexa. "What the hell just happened?"
Lexa shook her head. "I have no fucking clue."
XOXO
"Hey slow down there good looking, wanna talk about what just happened?" Niylah asked as she finally caught up to Clarke.
"Not really, I just want to go home and sleep it off."
Niylah nodded and wrapped a supportive arm around Clarke. "Of course."
"Thank you, for understanding." Clarke finally let out as she stopped walking and turned to look at Niylah.
Smiling the other blonde wrapped Clarke into a hug. "Anytime, I was around for the whole Clarke and Lexa lifetime movie, it can't be easy."
"It's not that I'm jealous of Harper, or that seeing Lexa really bothers me. I'm just not ready to talk about why it does bother me, not yet." Niylah nodded in response as they continued to walk, leaving the bar behind them in the darkness.
XOXO
Later the next Lexa heard the soft sound of the doorbell and got up from where she sat at the kitchen table, trying to read over her emails while the kids were sleeping. Even though she was on vacation she tried to at least maintain a brief knowledge of what was going on at the company so that she wasn't completely blindsided when she got back to work.
She figured Anya had just forgotten her keys at work, she certainly wasn't expecting to open the door to find her ex-girlfriend. It took her a minute to find her voice as they both stood staring at each other. "Hi, sorry, come in." Her hair was in a mess of curls on top of her head in a messy bun. She hadn't taken her glasses off since she thought she was opening the door for her best friend. Instead she was getting stared at in a way that only Clarke Griffin could stare at her. On one hand it unnerved her and on the other it sent the best possible chills down her spine.
It took Clarke another moment to realize she was still standing outside before stepping into the now opened door. "Hey, Anya and Gus aren't home yet I take it?"
"Ah, no they're not sorry." Lexa closed the door and started walking back into the kitchen with Clarke right behind her. "Is everything okay?" She asked as she sat back down in front of her laptop and started tidying the few stacks of paper that were sitting next to her.
For her part Clarke leaned against the door frame that separated the kitchen and hallway. "I'm okay, thank you for asking I just stopped by to check in with Anya and check up on Aden."
"He just went to bed not too long ago, he may still be up."
"It's okay I'll let him sleep, can you let Anya know I stopped by please. I'll let myself out."
Lexa nodded and watched as Clarke's form retreated down the dark hallway. "Clarke wait!" She let out quietly before making her way down the hall, catching the woman just as she was opening the door. "I'm sorry about yesterday, I wasn't trying to parade anything or throw things in your face."
"I'm sorry too. I kind of lost my cool and it wasn't your fault. I didn't think you were trying to throw anything in my face. I just forget that you and Harper got closer when she was in New York." Clarke kept the space between them as she opened the door only turning back once she was mostly out of it. "Don't work to hard Lexa."
"Thanks, drive safe and I'll let Aden know you were."
XOXO
"You're telling me that you haven't told her yet?"
Lexa rolled her eyes as her best friend sat at the end of her bed. "No, I haven't and I'm not sure it's best I do. We'll leave the past in the past and the present in the present."
"You two are so god damn frustrating! There are things you need to tell her before one of us does, or better yet before I get your niece and nephew on it."
Lexa glared at Anya and if it hadn't been Anya's house she may have just lunged at her. "You wouldn't dare."
"We both know that I absolutely would."
Little did they know that on the other side of the door there were two sets of listening ears. "Who do you think they're talking about?" Aden asked his sister as they sat with their ears glued to the door. "Maybe its Auntie Lexa's princess?"
"Those are just made up stories."
Tris looked over as her little brother went red in the face. "No they aren't! They're real because Auntie Lex is the greatest!" With that he stormed off as his sister shook her head laughing.
"Boys," she mumbled as she rolled her eyes and headed off to her own room secretly hoping that she was wrong and that they weren't just made up stories.
TBC…