Chapter 10
It wasn’t long before everyone was awake. Madi was left with Harper and Monty.
The rest of the group is in the rover on their way to the valley.
“Bellamy?” Raven’s voice says over the radio. “I got the signal up again. What’s going on down there? Over.” Clarke holds the steering wheel with one hand, and reaches for the radio with the other.
“Rae?” Clarke’s voice comes out croaky. It surprises her, she’s never been one to be overly emotional, but talking to one of her closest friends after all this time makes her emotional side creep out.
“Oh shit you're alive!” Raven says.
“And they call me cockroach.” Murphy laughs.
“Hey Murphy,” Clarke says with a laugh.
“Dude how did you survive all that time by yourself?” Raven asks.
“I wasn’t exactly alone,” Clarke responds. “I’ll explain more when I see you.”
“Don’t keep me guessing. Did you befriend a bear or something?” Raven guesses. Clarke pauses before responding. She wants to tell her everything. Gossip about the mistakes she made with Bellamy and how if very well could have cost her her relationship with Lexa. She wants to tell her all about how amazing Madi is. She wants to tell her how Madi loves science, and would love to study under Raven when she’s a bit older. She wants to tell her everything, but she can't.
“Not exactly, I-”
“Had a baby,” Echo interrupts.
“Yeah,” Clarke confirms. There’s a long pause.
“So I’m an aunt, cool.” Raven says, coming back on the radio. “I am going to need an explanation, next time I see you.”
“Are we aunts or uncles?” Murphy asks, receiving a groan from everyone.
“Are you asking if I had a boy or a girl?” Clarke asks for clarification. It was a stupid joke, she remembers, that they had on the ark. “She’s a girl, Madi.” Clarke answers.
“Cool, I’m an aunt too.” Murphy jokes. “Are we not going to ask about the baby daddy?” Bellamy snatches the radio from Clarke, reaching it to where he is sitting in the back seat. He fills them in on the prisoner situation, and the rubble prevents the people in the bunker from getting out. Even though it was business and a potential threat looming, Clarke begins to feel content. It’s been so long since she’s been around her friends. So long since she’s even spoken to another adult. She’s happy.
“We’ll split the valley down the middle,” Lexa negotiates.
“Threatening 253 people is not the best way to start an alliance.” Diyoza argues, turning to Bellamy.
“We don't want much, we just want peace.” Bellamy adds stepping forward.
“Yesterday you just wanted your wife?” Diyoza asks. “Girlfriend?” Diyoza smiles, knowing she’s starting trouble.
“None of that, but that’s not what we are discussing.” Clarke says. Diyoza looks amused at the whole situation. “Splitting the valley, do we agree?”
“Where’s the little one?” Diyoza asks, looking behind the group and into the rover. This raises many red flags for Clarke, and Bellamy and Lexa as well, it seems, as they step forward, looking like they want to fight. “Woah, woah, it was just a question.”
“We have something else to ask, to solidify peace between our people,” Lexa says, returning to being Heda. It makes Clarke smirk, no one can say no to Heda.
“Mommy!” Madi says at a run. “Woah what is that?” Madi asks, looking up at the prisoners mining tools. They tower over Madi’s little frame. She’s never seen tools like that, she has hardly seen much technology at all. It’s fascinating.
“Thanks,” Clarke says to Monty and Harper as they walk over to them. They trail behind Madi, slower than her excited sprint.
“No trouble,” Harper smiles. “She’s so sweet. We had fun, didn’t we Madi?” Harper asks looking at Madi. Madi, instead, watches the removal of the rocks. “Take my word for it.” She adds with a laugh.
“I believe you,” Clarke laughs. “No, but really thank you.”
“There she is.” Diyoza says, walking closer to them. Clarke pulls Madi closer to herself. “I heard you outsmarted some of my men.” Madi looks up at her mom, and then back to Diyoza with a little nod. “Good for you. Smart girl.”
“It wasn’t hard.” Madi brags.
“I’m sure it wasn’t,” Diyoza laughs. “How old are you?” Madi proudly holds up five fingers, she is still excited about being a full hand. Clarke continues to hold Madi close, but she honestly doesn’t think that Diyoza would do anything to her. She seems interested in Madi, and Clarke believes her intentions are good.
“Is everything alright?” Lexa asks, as her and Bellamy come over to them.
“Yeah, we’re all good here,” Clarke answers honestly. Diyoza looks from Clarke to Bellamy to Madi to Lexa.
“Can I just ask?”
“No,” the three answer in unison.