Hey babes! Back with a new one for you! Meant to have this posted yesterday, but just never got around to it. So here we are.

Enjoy!

*November 26, 2020*

Dragging Wells through the diner's front doors, knowing that Bellamy isn't far behind, Clarke makes her way toward one of the booths with a smile. She waves to her friends who are already sitting there, some of the group out of town to spend Thanksgiving with their relatives. Thankfully for Clarke, her mom is always working too much to travel over the holidays, so she never goes anywhere. And Bellamy's mom is pretty much estranged from any of her remaining family members, which means they don't go anywhere either, so she and Bellamy get to spend every holiday together.

And now Wells gets to spend Thanksgiving with them this year which she's understandably excited about. She would love to have him come and spend Christmas with them too, but she doesn't know how feasible that'll be, given how insistent his dad is on spending the holidays with Wells, even if they don't do a whole lot of festive activities. It's a miracle that Thelonius let Wells come visit for Thanksgiving. But she is certainly not one to complain.

"Everyone, I'm sure you all remember Wells," she says to the group as she slides into the booth next to Murphy. Wells grabs the empty chair across from her and Bellamy settles on her other side.

Murphy nods once. "Jaha."

"Murphy, always a pleasure."

"Uh-huh. Can we order now since you're all here?" Murphy asks, glancing over at her.

Jasper leans forward from his place on Murphy's other side, an eager look on his face. "Yeah, please, Clarke? I'm starving."

Clarke laughs quietly. "You guys didn't have to wait for us."

Harper waves her off from her seat next to Wells. "Don't be ridiculous. Of course, we did. It's not a Thanksgiving breakfast without everyone here that's able to be."

"Very true," Clarke agrees with a small nod. "Just give the three of us a minute to figure out what we're going to get. Jasper, when it's time to order, don't get more than you know you can eat, okay? We don't need you throwing up later because you ate too much here and then at dinner."

Jasper huffs, leaning back in his seat. "I won't get the double portion."

"Thank you." Clarke grabs the menu in front of her and pulls it closer across the table, looking to her side when she hears a small huff of air coming from her best friend. She raises a brow at him. "Can I help you?"

"I was looking at that," he responds, gesturing to the menu.

She shrugs. "We can share. Besides, we both know you're going to get the same thing you always do, so I don't know why you want to look at the menu anyway."

"It's the principle of the thing."

Clarke nods slowly. "Uh-huh. Sure it is." She looks up across the table at her other friend and smiles softly. "Any idea what you want yet?"

Wells shrugs. "I don't know. Probably just some pancakes."

"You have to get the pumpkin pecan pancakes," Jasper pipes in. "They're amazing. They only make them for Thanksgiving. Everyone wants them."

"Not me," Murphy speaks up, barely glancing at his menu. "I'm perfectly fine with the cinnamon waffles."

Harper smiles. "I always love going for the cinnamon French toast."

"And I have no idea what I want," Clarke adds. "I don't think Little Bean wants what I usually get because I'm getting nauseous just thinking about it."

Bellamy rests a comforting hand on her back, dipping his head to look at her with concern in his eyes. "Do you want to leave? We can find somewhere else to eat if this place is upsetting your stomach."

"But we always eat here," Jasper reminds them with a small pout. "It's a Thanksgiving breakfast tradition."

"I realize that, Jasper," Bellamy replies, "but Clarke's stomach is pretty sensitive lately so if she's unable to stay here and eat, then we're going to go."

Jasper frowns. "Okay. I get it. I don't like it, but I get it."

"Don't worry, Jas," Clarke says, trying to appease the boy despite how queasy she is starting to feel. "I'll be fine. Right now it's mostly just nausea, I don't actually think I'm going to be sick."

Jasper nods. "Oh, that's good. I hope you stop feeling so nauseous."

Clarke snorts. "Me too. But I think I've still got a little while until that happens. I just wish it would happen sooner. I also wish this baby would get out sooner than they will because I am not thrilled about everything that's going to happen throughout the rest of this pregnancy, but I know I have to wait on that, too."

"It'll all be worth it, though."

Clarke turns a narrowed gaze at Bellamy. "Says the guy who's not going to have to carry a baby for nine months while being a sophomore in high school."

Bellamy nods. "True. But I still know it'll be worth it once Little Bean is here and you get to hold them for the first time."

Clarke lets out a small breath, a wistful smile pulling at her lips at the same thought she's had many times since finding out she's pregnant. The thought of finally getting to hold her baby after he or she is born, and all the feelings she's bound to have in that moment. It's overwhelming sometimes, just imagining it. But she's also very excited for it to happen.

Shifting a little in her seat, Clarke focuses her attention on the menu, her eyes running over all the options, hoping to find something that won't make her sick. And if all else fails, she knows Bellamy will find a way for her to get some type of food that won't completely upset her stomach.

.

.

.

Clarke breathes deeply through her nose as she steps into the Blake household in front of Bellamy and Wells, multiple familiar smells assaulting her nose. Thankfully none of them make her stomach churn. She rests a hand on her stomach and pats gently, a silent way of saying 'thank you'. She doesn't know what she'd do if she wasn't able to eat Aurora's cooking. Especially on Thanksgiving.

"Everything smells amazing," she remarks, shrugging out of her jacket and handing it to Bellamy. "Thanksgiving at your house is the best."

Bellamy smiles as he walks past her just enough to look at her. "You say that every year."

"That's because it's true every year. Your mom is one of the best cooks in the world and her Thanksgiving dinner is always incredible."

"I'm looking forward to this dinner you're always raving about," Wells says with a smile.

"You're gonna love it. I swear, Wells, it's like heaven."

"Your high praise is always appreciated, Clarke."

Clarke turns and smiles at the woman approaching, stepping closer for a hug. "Hi, Aurora."

"Hi, sweetheart." Aurora hugs her tightly and then leans back. "How are you feeling?"

Clarke shrugs. "Okay. Haven't thrown up all day, so that's a plus."

Aurora smiles. "It certainly is. Wells, it's good to see you again. It's been a while."

"Too long," Wells replies. "It's good to see you again too, Ms. Blake."

She waves him off. "I know I told you the last time to call me Aurora. All of Clarke's and Bellamy's friends do."

Wells smiles and nods once. "Of course."

Aurora smiles at him and then looks between the three teens. "Why don't you three go make yourselves comfortable, there's still a few hours until dinner's ready. I'm sure Octavia would love the company."

Bellamy chuckles. "Of course she would. Where is she, anyway?"

"Up in her room sulking, I think. You know how she always wants to go to that breakfast you do with your friends."

Clarke smiles, resting a hand on Bellamy's arm when he takes a step toward the stairs. "I'll get her." She moves through the room and toward the stairs, holding onto the wooden railing for a bit of balance as she goes. When she reaches the landing she turns toward Octavia's room, knocking lightly on the door once she's in front of it.

"Come in."

Pushing the door open and stepping inside, Clarke smiles slightly at the sight of Octavia sitting on her bed cross-legged. "Hey, O."

Octavia looks up and grins. "Clarke! You're back!"

"We are." She crosses the carpet and plants herself on the young girl's bed, pulling her legs up underneath her. "Your mom said you'd be up here. She also said you were a little upset that you didn't get to come with us today."

Octavia shrugs. "You and Bell are always hanging out with your friends. Sometimes I wanna hang out with you guys too."

"And sometimes you do," Clarke tells her gently. "You've come to football games with us, and you've hung out with us during the summer too. But sometimes older kids just need to hang out by themselves with friends their own age without little sisters around. I promise it's nothing personal against you."

"It's not?"

Clarke shakes her head. "Of course not. You're probably the best little sister in the universe, throughout all of time and space."

Octavia laughs which Clarke takes as a victory. The young girl shifts on the bed, her brows furrowing slightly together. "Clarke, can I ask you something?"

"Of course. You know you can ask me anything. So what's on your mind?"

Octavia shifts again. "Um...is the baby...is it hurting you?"

Clarke's brows furrow together tightly. "Why would you think that?"

"I overheard Mom and Bell the other day, talking about how you can't eat sometimes because of the baby. Is it hurting you?"

Clarke smiles. "No, the baby isn't hurting me."

"Then how come it won't let you eat anything?"

"You know, that's a really good question. One that I, unfortunately, don't know the answer to. Nobody knows why that happens, just that sometimes when you have a baby, it's difficult to eat all the foods you used to love eating. And sometimes you wanna eat some really weird stuff."

"Have you wanted to eat anything weird?"

Clarke tilts her head. "Mm, not yet. But if it does happen, I'll be sure to tell you all about whatever weird stuff the baby makes me want to eat." She takes a deep breath and then lightly pats Octavia's leg as she stands up. "Now come on. Your brother and Wells are waiting for us downstairs so we can all hang out before dinner."

Octavia beams. "Can I pick what we do?"

"I think that sounds reasonable."

"Cool. I'll race you," Octavia declares before darting across the carpet and out of her room.

Clarke just laughs quietly to herself and then follows Octavia out of the room. At a much slower pace, of course.

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.

.

"Wow. If this tastes as amazing as it smells, then I don't think I'm gonna be able to move after dinner," Wells remarks as his eyes roam over the platters and bowls of food spread out across the top of the table.

Clarke smiles brightly at his words. "I know, right? Just wait, it tastes even better than it smells. Seriously, Aurora is a genius in the kitchen."

Aurora laughs quietly. "Thank you, Clarke. But before we eat, there is something we need to do."

"We have to say what we're grateful for," Octavia chimes in with a giddy smile, bouncing in her seat excitedly. "Can I start? Please?"

"Of course you can," Aurora tells her.

Octavia grins. "Cool. Um...I'm grateful for all my friends at school, and for Mom, Bell, and Clarke. Oh! And I'm grateful for my puppy."

Bellamy rolls his eyes. "Pretty sure Mom's been over this with you already, O. You're not getting a puppy anytime soon."

The ten-year-old shrugs. "Doesn't hurt to try."

Bellamy chuckles. "Yeah, sure. Who's next?"

"You go, Bell."

Bellamy smiles at his sister. "Okay." He takes a deep breath. "This year, I am grateful for my mom and Octavia, for still having my best friend in my life, for my health, and for my good grades. Mom?"

Aurora smiles. "Well, I don't think mine ever changes from year to year. But I'm grateful for still being employed, for both of my beautiful, healthy children, and all of their friends who help keep them entertained and out of my hair most of the day."

"Can I go next?" Wells asks, raising his hand in the air just a little. "I'd have to say that the thing I'm most grateful for this year is being able to see my oldest friend again. It has been way too long. And uh, I guess I am also thankful for my dad, and that I still have him around, even if he is working a lot."

"Very good answers," Clarke tells him with a smile. She turns her attention to the other figure sitting at the table, smiling softly at her stepdad. "Your turn, Marcus."

He smiles and takes a deep breath. "Okay. Well, I am once again grateful for being invited to Thanksgiving dinner with all of you. I am also grateful for my wife whom I love very deeply. And I am especially grateful for my incredibly brave stepdaughter, and all that she is. You're a wonderful young woman, Clarke, and I am grateful every day that I get to be a part of your life."

Clarke smiles a little brighter, wiping the tears from her face with a small laugh. "I guess that means it's my turn. Well, as always, I am very grateful for everyone sitting at this table right now. You all mean so much to me. I'm grateful for this baby"—she rests her hand on her belly—"even though Little Bean was completely unexpected and unplanned. I'm grateful for the amazing support system I'm going to have, and all the family this baby already has. Just….the unexpected certainly makes you open your eyes a little and think about what's most important." She smiles over at Bellamy, grabbing his hand and giving it a small squeeze.

She takes a deep breath and shifts in her seat, turning to look at everyone else. "Now then, who's ready to eat?"

So? What did you think? Let me know in a review down below. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Until next time,
Jellybean96 out!