Grounders

CHAPTER 9

The day Clarke and everyone was due back Charlotte was more than ready to see her mama and sistra. Oh, who was Lexa kidding she was ready to see her family too.

The rest of the week had Costia and Niylah coming into TonD.C. Costia hadn’t been told that Alexis was alive and in the town. Alexis was in the tent playing with Charlotte and Lexa at the table, when Costia and Niylah came into the tent. The only reason anyone knew someone had entered the tent was when they heard a gasp of breath. When they all looked up, they saw Niylah holding up Costia, so she didn’t fall.

Alexis who had Charlotte in her lap at the table began to stand up and handed the little girl off to Lexa so she could go to Costia. Again, Alexis always had seen Costia as another daughter just like her sistra Anya. Between Alexis and Indra, they always made sure that the two girls knew the love of a mother figure. Alexis moved to Costia and pulled the girl into her and gently took her to the ground to hold her close. Like Anya Costia just held on tightly to Alexis while she just cried all her emotions out. Niylah had moved over to Lexa and gave her a hug and then went to introduce herself to Charlotte.

“Hello Charlotte, I’m Niylah Costia’s houmon,” as she held out her hand.

At first Charlotte just huddled up to Lexa, but she knew how nice Costia was, so she pulled away from Lexa and took Niylah’s hand in hers, “hewo Niwah.”

Both Lexa and Niylah smile at the way the girl said her name.

Costia had finally started to calm down enough to pull away from Alexis and look at her. “I can’t believe you’re here,” then she looked to Lexa. “You skrish why didn’t you tell me Auntie was home.”

It was at this point that Anya walked into the tent and saw Costia in Alexis’s arms. Anya’s eyes got big because she knew she hadn’t been able to tell her sistra that Auntie had found her way home, and she knew the look on Costia’s face was one she only knew when Costia was fighting mad, so Anya ran back out of the tent. Costia fought her way out of Alexis’s arms and took off after her sistra.

“You come back here you branwoda,” Costia yelled as she too ran from the tent.

Charlotte looked at Lexa, “nomon will Auntie Cos hurt ain Anya.”

Everyone in the tent went quit and just staired at the little girl. Alexis got a huge grin on her face, Niylah just looked at her with her mouth open and Lexa, well Lexa had tears in her eyes and a soft smile on her face.

When Charlotte looked at Lexa, she poked Lexa’s cheek with her little hand, “nomon pwease we need to save ain Anya.”

Alexis came over and scooped Charlotte up and put her on her hip, “let’s go save your Anya. She is going to need the strik prisa help to save her from Auntie Cos,” and with that they left the tent in search of the two branwoda’s running around camp. When they found the two, they were in the lake with Costia jumping on top of Anya and shoving her under the water.

Meanwhile back in the tent Lexa was sat in her chair not believing what she just heard twice. Niylah reached out for her to pull her up and to follow. “Come on nomon we wouldn’t want to miss the three-year-old yell at the branwoda’s would we.”

Lexa shook her head and got up to follow. When they stepped out of the tent it wasn’t hard to find where the two had run off too, all the warriors who were outside were all looking at where the two had run.

Lexa just shook her head because of course Anya ran towards the lake. When they were younger Anya, just like what Lexa did to Raven, would take Costia to the lake and throw her into it when Costia bothered her. Costia was never a fighter, don’t get Lexa wrong Costia knew how to fight but she would only fight if she had to defend herself or her family.

When they found themselves at the lake all they saw were arms and legs flailing around in the water. Then they say Costia stand up holding Anya down in the water, and that was all it took for Charlotte to lose it.

“NOMON MAKE AUNTIE COS STOP HURTING AIN ANYA,” she screamed.

Everyone stopped what they were doing, and Anya came up out of the water coughing and about to go back after Costia until she looked where Costia was looking and saw Charlotte crying in Lexa’s arms. No one has ever seen Anya move so fast to get somewhere as she was trying to get to Charlotte. Once she did, she took the girl from Lexa and Charlotte just pushed her face into Anya’s neck and sobbed.

“Shhh stirk prisa I’m ok, I’m ok,” she kept repeating to little girl until the girl started to calm down. Anya just rubbed her back and kept rocking her until Charlotte had calmed down enough to talk to her. “Strik prisa I promise I’m ok. My sistra and I were just playing. Your auntie would never really hurt me. She was just upset I hadn’t been able to tell her that Alexis was home.”

It was then that Charlotte pulled her face from Anya’s neck and looked at Costia. “y…you wouldn’t hurt ain Anya Auntie Cos,” Charlotte asked.

Costia walked up to Charlotte and put her palms on her cheeks and whipped them of the tears coming down her face. “I would never purposefully hurt my sistra strik prisa. I love her so much and she means so much to me.”

Anya didn’t make a move to whip away a tear, and nobody could prove it. Except Lexa and Niylah who had both seen her quickly wipe her face. Anya knows people love her, but she has always taken it upon herself to be the protector and not to let others protect her, and here she is with this little three-year-old, who is fighting mad, trying to protect her. There was a little cry and that brought Anya out of her thoughts.

“I’m so sorry strik prisa for having upset you and I hope you will forgive me for fighting with your Anya,” Costia said with a very serious face.

Charlotte looked at her for a second thinking about what Cos had said. “You were just playing with your sistra Auntie Cos,” Charlotte asked.

“Sha goufa we were just playing.”

Charlotte looked to Anya and then back to Costia and raised her finger to her, “you will not hurt ain Anya and if you do you will have me to deal with and I am training very hard with my sword.”

“Sha goufa I will not hurt your Anya,” Costia said bowing her head.

Lexa and Niylah were doing their best not to smile at how serious Charlotte was being until they heard the horn to announce that someone approaches.

“Nomon what is that noise,” Charlotte asked.

Lexa looked to Cos and Anya whose jaws had fallen to the floor and their eyes were about to pop out of their heads. She then turned her attention back to Charlotte. “That ain goufa is the horn announcing someone is approaching the gates and if I’m correct it should be the parties from the quest making their way home.

Charlotte almost fell out of Lexa’s arms as she all but jumped down to run to the gates shouting, “come on nomon, mama is home.”

Anya walked up next to Lexa and nudged her shoulder, “come on nomon lets go,” and walked past Lexa to go get dry clothes on so she could great her strik sora. Lexa followed behind her.

Costia just stood there with her mouth still open when Niylah walked up to her and pushed her jaw shut. “Come houmon lets get you dry close and go met everyone coming home.” Costia just looked at her shook her head with a smile and took Niylah’s hand to have her lead them to the tent to get changed.

Once everyone was changed into dry clothes, they all headed to the gates to welcome everyone and the first group to return was Murphy’s group. When he stepped through the gates he went straight to Lexa and bowed. “Murphy, I see you are less two people. What happened out there.” This was all planned before they left for the quest.

“Heda on our first day we were attacked by Reapers and three mountain men. Echo and Octavia were captured while we were trying to fend off the Reapers. We caught one and kept them alive in the hopes that maybe Clarke could take a look and see if she maybe could help them become who they once were,” Murphy said.

When Lexa took in the Reaper, she was surprised to see Emori standing there and know understands why he kept one alive to bring back. “Sha Murphy. If you don’t mind, will you please keep an eye on the Reaper until we can have Clarke look at her.”

“Sha Heda,” Murphy said bowing his head.

Lexa then looked to the cart and saw all the food that the team had returned with. “Thank you all. You have made your Heda and the people of TonD.C. very proud. Please take your cart to the food hut so that it can be prepped and then you may return to your tents to get clean and rest for the festivities tonight.”

The group all bowed and then moved out as Heda had ordered. The next group to return was Ravens, and Lexa had to catch herself from having her jaw fall open. Anya on the other hand had just walked up next to Lexa and had a huge smile on her face. “Anya is that what I think it is,” Lexa asked.

“Sha Heda my girl’s group took down and brought back a puana,” says with so much joy in her voice.

“OH, MY GOODNESS,” someone says next to Anya only for her to look and see her sistra standing there. “Anya is that the girl that has caught your eye bringing in a puana.”

“Sha sistra it is,” Anya says.

“Nice job Anya she is Meizen,” Niylah said and got an elbow to the side by Costia. “What Cos she is, and you know it. You also know that I only have eyes for you,” she said kissing Costia on the cheek. Costia just smiled at Niylah and wrapped her arms around her waist.

Once Raven saw Lexa she and the rest of the group, walked to where she was and bowed her head, although she also had a huge ass grin on her face as well. “Heda, we have brought you whatever this big gorilla thing as a thank you for allowing us the opportunity to become Trikru.”

Even though she could see the little grin on Ravens face she knows they are trying to show Heda and the Trikru how much the people from the sky respected them and wanted to become a part of Trikru.

“Mochof Raven. Your group has made us all very proud,” Lexa says.

“Pro Heda,” they all say together.

Lexa turns to the people of TonD.C., “gona’s please take the kills to be taken care of and make sure that Raven and her group receive the skins from the puana.”

“Sha Heda,” the gona’s say and then run off to take care of their orders.

“Raven please take your group and go get freshen up and some rest before the festivities tonight,” Lexa said.

Raven and the group bowed their heads and headed off towards their tents to do just that.

Once Raven was in her tent Anya came in behind her and wrapped her up. “I missed you so much strik sora,” Anya whispered in Ravens ear sending shivers down her spine.

Raven spins around in Anya’s arms and puts her arms around Anya’s neck, looks into her eyes. “Strik sora who took down the puana,” Anya asks.

“Well Fox and I were out hunting when the ground shook and there was a loud roar. When we saw it, I told Fox to run, and I took on the puana myself because I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt so I was trying to make it go the opposite way of our camp.”

Anya just looked at Raven and then laughed at her. “Only my strik sora would take on a puana on her own and live to tell the tale of it. Even Clarke and Lexa didn’t kill one and it was the both of them.”

“Well, I am Raven Fucking Reyes, so you know,” she said with a smile.

Anya just kissed and then leaned back, “yes you are ain strik sora. Now let’s get you a bath and some new clothes so because you smell like a puana.”

“Jok yu, Anya,” and with that Raven starts walking away with a laughing Anya following after her.

Back at the gates Lexa is still awaiting their family to arrive home. Lexa was starting to get worried when she spots a black stallion coming into view with her angel sitting atop it. Lexa let out the breath she was holding and jumped when something lands on her shoulder. Alexis lets out a chuckle. “Easy there strik Heda its just your nomon.”

“Sha,” Lexa breaths out.

“Are you ready to see your girls.”

“So ready nomon. I have missed them dearly, but I am grateful for the time that I got to have with Charlotte,” Lexa said with a smile.

It was then that people started talking and pointing out in front of them. Lexa looked where they were pointing, and she could see the Trikru warriors start to appear out of the forest led by Gustus. When he got closer Lexa could see a smile on his face.

As he approached Lexa, he leaned into whisper to her. “Your houmon is amazing strik Heda,” to which Lexa smiled and nodded her head because she knew how amazing Clarke is, “but my granddaughter, oh she is something else.”

Lexa looked at the pride in his eyes and leaned into him and whispered. “Pro nontu, and I have done what you asked of me and told nomon all about the past life and who everyone is to each other.”

Gustus smiled knowing Alexis would be so happy to have two wonderful granddaughters, but also to have a daughter in Clarke. With that Gustus walked over to Alexis and picked her up to swing her around while she just laughed and yelled, “put me down you big grizzly bear.”

Lexa watched on with a smile knowing that this life was going to be so much better than her last one and seeing her parents together again being who they always were made Lexa so happy. She was so lost in watching her parents that she startled when she heard someone next to her gasp. When she looked back out of the gates, she saw Clarkes group coming towards them, but really gets her attention is Madi and something large and black on the back of her horse. Once the group arrives near Heda Gustus walks up to Madi and he helps her down off her horse and then helps her to get the kill down. Once Madi has the kill secure she walks up to Lexa to stand in front of her and bows her head.

“Heda, I would like to present to you and the people of TonD.C. with this panther.”

Lexa looked at Madi with such pride, and everyone else was in aww of the young girl from the Skai showing not only Heda but the village itself so much respect. The people who know the past have such pride in their hearts for Madi and Clarke is trying her best not to cry at the scene before her, so to help herself not to cry Clarke joined her daughter in bowing to Heda and once that happens the rest of the group join them in bowing. Lexa takes a look around at the villagers and gona’s and all she sees are her people in aww of the Skai people showing them so much respect, and she is happy that this will hopefully be the beginning of everyone getting along and stopping any deaths that occurred in the other timeline to not occur here.

Heda then gathers herself to speak, “Madi we are all so proud of what you have come to offer us, and we accept this gift and all the others your group have brought us today. Please stand and go get cleaned and some rest as there will be a feast tonight in honor of the people from the Skai becoming Trikru.”

On Heda’s words gona’s came over to retrieve the groups cart from the hunt. One gona bowed to Madi asking if he may take the panther to prepare and that he would bring her the skin as her trophy for the kill. Madi nodded and smiled as she was not expecting to have anything to show for her prize except the stories and memories of killing it.

Everyone was about ready to leave and head to get cleaned up and rest when through the sea of people there was a tiny figure weaving through it, and before Lexa knew it a small body was flying towards her. Luck for Lexa she reacted quickly and caught the little girl flying at her.

“Nomon they wouldn’t let me get to you,” Charlotte said with tears running down her cheeks. Seeing her little girl cry made Lexa’s heart break but make Heda ready to tie someone to a tree. It was then that Lexa looked up to Clarke and what she saw would have been funny if not for Charlotte crying. Clarke was standing there with her eyes wide, and her mouth hung open. Lexa looked at her not fully understanding why Clarke would have that look on her face, and then it hit her that Charlotte had called her nomon. Lexa just smiled at Clarke but couldn’t say anything because it was at this time that Madi had walked up next to them.

“Char why are you crying,” Madi asked with a look of concern on her face.

“Th…at man over there held me back and told me I wasn’t allowed to be near Heda cause I not Trikru. No matter what happened with the qwest. He said we should have been killed when we arrived.”

Lexa had watched where Charlotte had pointed and saw that she was pointing to Quint. He was a warrior who thought he knew better than everyone else and thought he should be Chief of Trikru, but nobody likes him, and he did not receive one vote to become Chief. Before Lexa could say anything, she sees someone slip behind him and slit his throat. As he is bleeding out it is then that she notices it’s her nomon who has slit his throat.

“Nobody messes with a child, especially a child I have grown to love as my own grandchild,” Alexis states. She then lets Quint go and he falls ungracefully to the ground dead.

Lexa nods to her nomon and then looks at a few warriors standing close to her. “Please collect the body and take him out of town. Let the forest claim him.”

“Sha, Heda,” the warriors say bowing their heads and then quickly heading over to the body to remove it.

Heda then looked around to her people who had all gathered around and then she spoke. “Today we welcome new family home. They will no longer be known as the people from the Skai. Now everyone please let’s get ready to celebrate our new family becoming Trikru with an amazing feast,” and with that the people started moving off to start getting the village ready for an amazing celebration.

Lexa moved away from the center of town towards her tent and entered into it so that she could start to get ready for the feast as well. She had just reached her table with her water bowl on it when she heard her tent flaps open, and she got a grin on her face because only one person on this Earth would dare enter her tent without being announced. Just as she turned around a body was colliding with hers and she was barely able to keep her balance from the force. Clarke wasted no time connecting her lips with Lexa’s. When they pulled apart both breathless, they put their foreheads together just taking in the moment both missing the other terribly. The moment was broken up by two people crashing through the tent flaps.

“See I told you Anya. I told you that they would be in her sucking face,” Raven said.

“Raven they are standing there not,” Anya stopped herself and looked in thought for a moment, “what does sucking face mean Raven.”

Clarke just rolled her eyes and spoke, “it’s another way of saying kissing Anya.”

Anya scrunched up her nose and looked at Raven. “I don’t ever want to see my cousin sucking face ever again. Once was enough and she broke the poor girls nose trying to get away from her when I walked in.” Anya stood there and then looked at Lexa when she spoke again. “Where did that poor girl go. We never did see her again after that.”

They heard a thud and turned to see Raven on the floor laughing at Lexa. Clarke was trying her hardest to pretend she was coughing and not laughing, and Lexa looked to Clarke with a pout on her face.

No on noticed the little enter the tent until she spoke up. “Mama why is nomon sad,” looking at Clarke with watery eyes.

Clarke looked at Charlotte and it just about killed her to see her little girl with tears, but she also was filled with so much joy that her little girl saw Lexa as her mother as well and loved Lexa so much all ready. “Well Char, see Auntie Anya just told us a little embarrassing story about your nomon where she accidently broke a girl’s nose when she was little.”

Charlotte looked at her mama with her eyes scrunched and her little hands on her hips. She looks around at all the adults in the tent until she lands on Anya. “You mean like how Raven broke your nose Auntie Anya when she tried to get away from you.”

Everyone just stood there for a moment before bursting out laughing. Anya grumbled about it not being funny and rubbing her nose while Raven came up and rubbed her back while trying to stop laughing. Charlotte meanwhile had made her way over to Lexa and held her little arms up for Lexa to pick her up and she did. Charlotte just nuzzled into Lexa’s neck and Lexa felt better having her little girl cuddle with her.

“We should all start to head out for the feast and true initiation into Trikru,” Lexa said as she led everyone out of her tent.

When they stepped out and started walking to the center of town then passed by the training pits, and to Lexa’s surprise her nomon was out there with Ontari and Madi training both of them. She had them both squaring off against one another and she was pleased to see how well Madi had already become and that Ontari looked like she was having the time of her life training with her aunt.

Clarke leaned into Lexa, “she looks so happy to be out there. She looks just like you.”

Lexa got a big smile on her face because yes Madi did look like a younger version of herself out there. She was dragged out of her thoughts when she heard her nontu’s voice. “Heda, I believe she is better than you at that age,” Gustus said with a teasing grin.

Lexa looked at him and then spoke, “tomorrow prepare to spare with me old man.”

Gustus lets out a booming laugh and that gets Charlottes attention from her little cat nap she was taking while being held by her nomon. When she saw who had woken her, she almost fell out of Lexa’s arms to get to him. “Nomon put me down pwease I need to get to Gus-Gus,” Charlotte asked.

Lexa just looked at her. “I thought I was your favorite.”

Charlotte looked at Lexa and patted her cheeks with her little chubby hands before she spoke in a very serious tone. “Nomon Anya is number one, Gus-Gus is number two Awexis is number three mama is number four and you nomon are number 5.”

Nobody had noticed that the three from the training pits had come over and heard the little girls’ rankings, but Alexis lets out a big laugh. “My strik Heda the look on you and Clarkes faces are priceless.”

Charlotte just smiles and taps Lexa again. “Nomon may I please go to my Gus-Gus now.”

Lexa just nods her head and hands the little girl over to her nontu, and they turn and start walking towards the center of town for the feast. Alexis and Ontari follow behind.

Anya clapped Lexa on the back laughing, “still not the favorite and still behind Clarke.” Anya moved on towards the feast slowly waiting for Raven to catch up to her.

“It’s ok you may still have a shot with Madi, but if your nomon as anything to do with it you may be moved down her list too,” Raven says moving to catch up to Anya.

“Clarke,” Lexa whines.

“Yes niron,” Clarke says with a soft smile.

“I’ve lost Charlotte I need to train some with Madi so that I can be her favorite.”

Clarke just chuckles taking Lexa’s hand in hers not caring who can see. “Niron they will love you more than anything in this world because you are amazing. I know Madi will love sparing with you, but remember she is Anya’s seken and you should make sure she is ok with it when you do or Madi will learn she can come to you and not listen to her Fos.”

“Sha hodnes, you are correct, and I will,” Lexa says. “Let’s get to the feast so we can make sure Raven doesn’t eat all the food.”

Clarke laughs and then takes on a serious face, “Oh shit your right let's go,” pulling Lexa along with her.

Once everyone was gathered Lexa walked up onto a platform along with Indra and the Chief. Clarke, who was standing in the front with the rest of the group from the Skai, looked like she had seen a ghost when she recognized who the Chief was. It was then that Lexa spoke, “people of TonD.C. and from the surrounding villages. We gather her today to initiate the people who fell from the Skai into Trikru and welcome them as our brothers and sisters. Now usually there is a second step to becoming a part of Trikru, but with Echo and Octavia being taken by the mountain and the people from the Skai willing to help us bring down the mountain we are going to bypass the second challenge and accept them into Trikru. Plus, bringing down a panther, puana and reaper I believe they have proven they are worthy.” The people all seemed to agree with their Heda, and all were shaking their heads that they to agreed. “Chief Tris will you please induct them.”

Tris bowed her head, “Sha Heda. People from the Skai you have shown Heda, the Trikru General Indra and me the Chief of TonD.C. that you are more than willing to become our brothers and sisters. Do you all agree to uphold Trikru laws and the laws of the coalition.”

All of the Skai people had taken a knee and were bowing to Chief Tris, “Sha Chief we agree to uphold Trikru laws, and the laws set forth by the coalition.”

Tris speaks again. “Do you vow to protect your people from unknown enemy’s and to protect your Heda at any and all cost.”

Again, they all speak. “Sha Chief we agree to protect our family and the Heda at all costs.”

“Then rise and form this day forth be known as proud members of the Trikru,” and with that they all rose and with that a loud cheer came from everyone that was surrounding them.

The newest members of Trikru were led over to a table where Lexa and Tris had moved over too as well. Everyone was trying to see what was on the tables, but it was difficult with the setting sun. It was then that Tris spoke up. “Madi could you please come up here.”

Madi looked to her ma, who just nodded her head to go ahead and move up to the Chief, so she did and bowed her head. Tris just smiled at how much respect this child held for her leader. “Madi we the people of TonD.C. are so proud of you for saving a member of your group, but we are also impressed with the fact that you strik gona have also taken down a panther. The people of TonD.C. would like to present to you the skin of the panther. This is something that we hold as a prize possession.”

Madi takes the fur and holds it tight to her. She looks back up to Tris and goes down on one knee and bows, “thank you Chief I hope that I can keep helping and protecting TonD.C. in the future.”

“Rise strik gona you have made us all proud,” and with that Madi stood up walked back to Clarke who had a huge smile on her face and some tears coming down her cheeks.

When Madi reached Clarke, she pulled her into a big hug and Madi just huffed mumbling, “ma let me go.” Clarke just laughed at her daughters whining, while Raven who was standing next to Clarke was mocking Madi, “ma let me go.”

Madi lets go of Clarke and starts to move towards Raven who starts to move behind Costia who was standing next to her. Costia is just laughing at what is unfolding as she is being used as a human shield by Raven to block Madi from getting to her.

Back at the table Tris is trying not to laugh to much at the scene in front of her, while the people around the table are all laughing, and Tris thought that these new members of Trikru are going to be a welcomed breath of fresh air to TonD.C. “Heda these people are about to change our lives forever and I think I’m going to enjoy the ride we are about to take with them.”

“Tris you have no idea what kind of ride we are about to take,” Heda says.

“Costia don’t let the little ankle bitter get me,” Raven says while trying to dodge Madi’s hand grabbing her.

“Ankle bitter, stop hiding behind someone and be an adult,” Madi shouts back at Raven.

Raven peeks around Costia sticking out her tongue, “you be the adult you little ankle bitter.”  What Raven wasn’t expecting was being picked up off the ground and flying through the air. Everyone was laughing and following her down the road. Raven is yelling and trying to punch the back of the person carrying her down the road. “Put me down. Put me down right now.” Raven lifts her head up just enough to be able to see Anya jogging up from behind everyone. “Anya help me,” Raven screams.

Anya wasn’t able to save Raven in time and instead was going into the lake to help her get out of it after being thrown into it. Once Raven was up and could wipe the water out of her face, she looked around to see who had thrown her into the lake and that’s when she spotted Lexa with a smirk on her face with Madi standing next to her with the same smirk. Raven pointed to them, “You,” she said to Lexa. “You threw me into the lake. What the hell Lexa.”

“Raven, I warned you when you were calling Madi names the last time, and I threw you into the lake not to call her names. You obviously didn’t learn your lesson, so I figured you needed another lesson.”

Raven just looked to Lexa and then shivered from the cooler air hitting her wet clothes. She jumped a little when she felt something being put around her. When she looked down, she saw it was an amazing coat and she was instantly getting warmer. Then she looked at who put the jacket onto her and saw Tris standing there with a soft smile on her face.

“Raven this jacket was made by our best tailor here in TonD.C. Her husband was killed by the puana that you took down and she wanted to make you something from its furs that you could wear.”

Raven had tears coming down her face. She really looked at it and it was this beautiful red color with the black fur lining the inside of it, and she just ran her fingers up and down the red leather. “Well damn you made me cry and I don’t like to cry in front of people. Can I ask is the person who made this here in the crowd.”

“Sha she is nomon can you come here,” Tris said, and this lovely lady walked up to Tris. “This is my nomon Lily and she made you that jacket.”

Raven looked at the woman and then she just pulled the woman into a huge hug, while the little woman just wrapped her arms around Raven’s waist. “Thank you so much for this jacket. It is the nicest thing anyone has ever given me.”

“Oh, dear girl thank you for making sure that beast doesn’t hurt another one of our people,” Lily said.

Raven let go of Lily and apologized for getting her wet and Lily just laughed. “You our new family have brought much joy into this village. I’m so happy that our people are finding joy again, especially Anya,” Lily winked at Raven and Anya who was standing just behind Raven blushed. Lily just laughed at Anya and then went to stand by Tris who put her arm around her nomon.

Lexa was smiling at how her Clarke and the wonderful people of the Skai who have become her family have already started to make her people better. As she was looking at the people gathered around who were having fun, she heard a splash behind her and turned to see what happened. What she saw was Clarke coming up spitting out water and her nontu standing there with Charlotte on his back laughing their heads off, until Charlotte saw Lexa looking at them.

Charlotte then whispered something into Gustus ear, and he looked up to see Lexa staring at them. “Yep, strik prisa it is time to go,” and with that Gustus was off and running away from the lake.

“That’s right you better run old man. I’m going to get you both back for this,” Clarke yelled as she was coming out of the lake. As Clarke was just about out of the lake, she noticed Costia doubled over laughing and so Clarke went up behind her and grabbed her around the waste. Costia shrieked and was fighting to get out of Clarkes hold but it was too late, and she too wound up being thrown in the lake. Once Costia stood up Clarke gave her hug and helped her out of the lake.

It was then that Lexa spoke up, “alright everyone if you are soaked from the lake, please go get dry clothes on. Everyone else please head back so we may begin the feast.”

Once everyone was back and in dry clothes Lexa stood up to address everyone. “I want to thank our new Trikru family for all their hard work and training since arriving from the Skai. I believe they will be valuable members of not only Trikru, but TonD.C. as well. So let us feast and welcome our new members home,” and with that everyone started eating and talking.

It was a wonderful night that ended with Lexa helping to get the kids back to the tent and into bed. “Nomon,” Charlotte said, “will you stay with us tonight.”

Lexa didn’t know what to say as Madi wasn’t calling her that, yet and her and Clarke hadn’t talked to the girls about how they felt for each other.

“Sha nomon stay with us. Plus, I think ma would like it if you stayed too,” Madi added. Clarke who was trying to busy herself with anything was blushing. “Oh, come on ma we know you two like each other. Maybe even love each other. Charlotte loves Lexa and calls her nomon and she has been more of a mother to me, other than you of course, so I see her like a nomon too.”

Clarke was looking at Madi and didn’t notice Lexa whipping the tears from her cheeks. “Well, I was going to talk to you both about it soon, but if you already know then yes, I love Lexa and I love that she has become a nomon to both of you, and you both see her as that without me ever having to say anything,” Clarke looks over to Lexa and sees the tear stains on her cheeks. “So, Lexa if you’re okay with it your children and I would love it if you stayed with us tonight and every night after that if you would like,” Clarke finished and looking down at her feet that were kicking at the ground.

Lexa got a bright smile on her face and walked over to the kids again kissing them each on the forehead. “Ain goufas I would love to be your nomon and stay with you and your ma. I hod yu both.”

Both Madi and Charlotte said at the same time, “we love you too nomon.”

Clarke walked over kissing the girls and telling them she loved them and then went to the bed that Lexa was getting ready to get into. She wrapped Lexa up from behind and placed her chin on Lexa’s shoulder. “Well, I guess we have a family now and I don’t have to try and figure out how to tell them about us.”

“No Clarke you don’t, and I have the love of my life and two amazingly wonderful daughters that I love with everything in me,” Lexa said with a sigh of contentment.

With that they both got into the bed and moved to the center cuddling into each other. Clarke laid her head onto Lexa’s shoulder while Lexa started running her fingers through her hair.

“I hod yu in Clarke,” Lexa said kissing her forehead before shutting her eyes.

“I love you Lexa,” Clarke said sighing into the kiss and following Lexa into sleep.