Sweet Child of Mine
“Happy birthday” Lexa whispered, kissing Clarke’s nose. Clarke peeked one eye open and observed Lexa, who was wearing nothing but a white thong with the words: Property of Clarke written in red, bold ink.
“Is this part of my birthday present?” Clarke asked, biting her lip. Lexa nodded as she crawled back on top of Clarke. “Where did you get this?” Clarke questioned, tugging at the band of the thong.
“It’s a secret.I have your present at my loft ”
“Care to share”
“ A parson’s desk. I saw you didn’t have one when I came to pick up your painting. Better late than never. We can go get it later. I have other things I’d like to do first” Lexa told her, leaving a dark bruise on her collarbone.
“Oh, yeah. Like what?”
“Like get dressed so we can make it to lunch with our parents on time” Clarke groaned and pushed Lexa off of her. “Octavia wants to take you somewhere first. She didn’t tell me where but she said it was important”
“You just want to get rid of me so you can put the finishing touches on my surprise birthday party”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about” Clarke rolled her eyes and sat up. Lexa kneeled in front of her and kissed her stomach. “Behave for mommy. It’s her birthday, so she gets special treatment” Lexa smiled up at Clarke, placing one more kiss above her navel before standing up.
“Are you going to that every time I leave? Because that’s going to get annoying pretty soon” Clarke kissed away the pout that formed on her girlfriend’s face.
“We’re bonding,Clarke”
“So where are we going?”Clarke questioned, sliding into the front seat of Octavia’s car.
“To find Raven. Any idea where we’re headed?”
“Do you remember where she went when her and Wick broke up” Octavia sighed and started the car.
“This could’ve been so much easier if you hadn’t stolen my brother’s innocence”
“Since when was Bellamy ever innocent and how do you figure I stole it?”
“He bragged about losing it to Murphy when we went on Spring Break together. I remember thinking ‘that poor girl’” Octavia laughed when Clarke shoved her into the window. “Careful! Lexa would kill me if anything happens to you or that fetus inside you” Clarke rubbed the steadily growing swell of her stomach. “When do we find out the sex of that thing? I could use the money I win from the bet to buy it presents”
“Don’t call my baby an ‘it’”
“Well I don’t know what it is”
“Lexa has been reading baby books” Octavia gave her a knowing look “Okay, we have been reading baby books and it said that if it’s a boy we can find out when I’m about twelve weeks. If it’s a girl then we have to wait to know for sure until I’m eighteen to twenty weeks”
“You sound excited”
“I’m fucking terrified but Lexa makes it better” Octavia smiled, pulling into the garage of her brother’s apartment. “You ready for this?”
“I think I’m supposed to ask you that. I’ll go and see if she’s there so you don’t have to deal with Bell if you don’t have to” Octavia left no room for argument as she left the car, locking the door to emphasize her point.
Pretty Girl- How’s the surprise party coming?
Charmer- I’m getting ready for lunch. I don’t know anything about a party?
Charmer- Did you find Raven?
Pretty Girl- Not yet
Charmer- Well, good luck. Tell sapling I love him/her
Pretty Girl- sapling?
Charmer- you know, a baby tree.
Pretty Girl- …
Charmer- Baby Woods. Woods means there are trees. Therefore a baby tree. Sapling
Pretty Girl- Where did you get that from?
Charmer- Me and Lincoln thought it up.
Pretty Girl- You two are dorks
Charmer- But you love me. :D
Charmer- I gotta go. Sorry. Love you
Octavia hopped back into the car, sighing loudly, turning Clarke’s attention away from her cellphone.
“You didn’t find her?”
“Nope. I think I know where she is though. You probably do too” Clarke locked her phone and refastened her seatbelt. “Do you know where he lives now?”
“He's still in the same apartment as far as I know. Are you sure she’s there? I don’t want to start more trouble and have Raven not even be there”
“Only one way to find out”
“Clarke”Finn breathed out once he opened the door. “ What are you doing here?” Octavia pushed past him, looking around the apartment.
“Is Raven here?” Clarke asked, following Octavia around the apartment.
“Who’s at the door?” Raven questioned, walking into the living room. “What are you two doing here?’
“Looking for you”
“What for? Don’t you have better things to do with your time? Like take care of that baby growing inside you”
“You’re pregnant?” Finn intervened, stepping close to grab Clarke’s hand. “If I had known I would have”
“It’s not yours, dumbass”Octavia muttered, trying to hold back her smile at the crestfallen face look on his face formed when Clarke snatched her hand back.
“It’s not?”
“Nope” Octavia smiled, sitting on the edge of the couch. “But we’re not here to rub that in your face. We’re here to pull your head out of your ass, Raven”
“Of course it’s my fault. Clarke gets a free pass”Raven scoffed, opening the door, hoping they would leave.
“She didn’t do anything wrong. You started this shit and you ran away because you couldn’t back up any argument you made. Even after all that we’re still here. Now, are you going to tell us what’s really bothering you or shut us out”
“I don’t know what I did to make you say the stuff you did but whatever it was I’m sorry. I don’t want my kid to grow up without his or her aunty Rae. What can I do to fix this?”Clarke expressed, stepping in front of her friend.
“Just go”
“You may not want to be my friend anymore but you’re still family. That doesn’t change. You don’t have to keep hiding here. I practically live with Lexa now. If Finn makes you happy, no one is going to stop you from being together”
“I think your girl is drunk, Clarke” Octavia informed her, pointing to Lexa, who was stumbling over to them.
“Clarke!” Lexa shouted, laying her head on Clarke’s lap. “Are you having fun? I hope you’re having fun. I’m having fun” Clarke smiled down at her girlfriend and started running her hand through her hair.
“I can tell. What have you been up to?”
“Jasper challenged me” Lexa slurred, pointing to the boy with his head in the trashcan. “I won”
“I see. Let’s get you to bed” Lexa nodded and Clarke threw her arm over her shoulder and carried her into their room. Clarke pulled back the cover and laid Lexa down. Lexa pulled her on top of her and grinned at her.
“I love you”
“I love you too”
“No, like I’m gonna marry you one day,Clarke Griffin. Or should I say Clarke Woods” Lexa chuckled at her own words.
“Bit cocky are we?”
“Nope. Just stating facts” Clarke just smiled and kissed her forehead before turning to leave. “Wait! Where you going?”
“I have to kick everyone out first” Lexa was satisfied by her answer and rolled over in the bed. Clarke slipped out of the room and gathered everyone’s attention. “I love that you all came but I need you to leave. I’m pregnant, tired, and you guys are annoying me because you’re preventing me from going to sleep. With that being said. Thanks for coming. Get out” As the crowd of her friends began to disperse, Lexa appeared in the doorway of her bedroom in her bra and briefs. “Can you make sure everyone gets out? I have to deal with that”Clarke asked Octavia, nodding towards Lexa.
“I got it” Clarke walked over to Lexa and gently pushed her back into the room.
“Why were you out there?” Clarke asked, laying her girlfriend back in the bed.
“You took too long”Lexa grumbled, cuddling a pillow.
“Why are you half naked?”
“I got hot. Come to bed. I wanna cuddle”
“Ok. Let me get dressed”Clarke quickly stripped and got herself ready for bed before setting a glass of water and an aspirin next to Lexa and crawled into bed. Lexa closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around Clarke. The blonde switched their positions to prevent Lexa from getting sick on her or her bed. Clarke turned Lexa to lay on her back and pecked her on the lips but Lexa tired to deepened it and she pulled back. Lexa frowned and tried to kiss her again but Clarke pulled away. “Let’s try that again when you’re not drunk”Lexa nodded and slowly fell asleep.
Christmas Day
“Patriots fan”Gustus greeted when he opened the door. “Man you got huge” Lexa shot him a intense glare. “I mean you’re looking very healthy these days. Pregnant looks beautiful on you”
“Nice save. I know I’m bigger than a normal twelve weeks pregnant woman, but we’re not mentioning that” Lexa helped her take off her coat and hung it up before leading her to the kitchen. Indra and Abby were sitting at the island, flipping through Pregnancy and Newborn magazines. “You don’t even know the sex. Why are you guys looking at pregnancy magazines?” Abby and Indra looked up to see Clarke walking towards with her hand resting on her stomach.
“Merry Christmas, Clarke”Abby said, smiling at the annoyed look on her daughter's face. “It's never too early to plan ahead, Clarke. You never told me how many weeks you are” Abby continued as her daughter sat on the stool in front of them. Lexa stood behind her, holding her waist in case she slipped.
“Twelve. I have twenty-eight more weeks of this bullshit. If another person I don’t know touches my stomach, I’m going to end up in jail for assault” Indra shot her an apologetic look, Lexa kissed her temple, and Abby let out a soft laugh. Gustus poked his head in from the door and mouthed ‘'is it safe?’ at Indra, pointing at Clarke. “You can come in, Gustus. I'm not going to hurt you. But if you call me fat again”
“How did you know I was standing here?” Gustus cut her off, not wanting to hear what she was going to say.
“I can smell you. Next time, ditch the cologne. It's making me nauseous. ADEN! Get the presents out of the car” Aden drug his feet as he walked out of the living room, side eyeing his sister.
“It’s okay, Aden. We got them, Clarke” Lincoln said, walking in with a handful of presents with Octavia trailing behind him.
“Is dinner ready? I'm starving”
“Sorry. Everything was just put in the oven. It should be done in about two hours” Indra replied, setting the timer in front of Clarke.
“Lexa”She faced her girlfriend, giving her the most pitiful pout she could muster up. “I know the doctor said I shouldn't overeat but I feel a little lightheaded. I need a little snack to tide me over” Lexa had monitored her calorie intake after their doctor had warned them of the possible side effects. Clarke couldn't convince her that she was being excessive but she did manage to get her way a time or two.
“Clarke, you know what the doctor said and you already had a big lunch” Lexa tried but when Clarke took Lexa's face in her hands and pecked her on the lips she knew she was about to lose.
“I love you”
“Just some almonds maybe some of the chex mix”Lexa caved, pulling out the packages from her bag.
“Ugh. I just want a donut”Clarke whined, still taking the food anyway.
“Come on. Let's open presents before she starts crying to get what she wants” Octavia said as she pushed Lexa away from Clarke.
“Did anyone buy me anything and not the baby?”Clarke asked, looking around at the baby stuff surrounding her.
“When the baby's born you'll be glad you have this stuff” Abby told her, gesturing to all the things around them.
“What is this?”Lexa asked, holding up the gift from her and Jake.
“A traveling crib”
“I wish we had one when Clarke was a baby. She slept everywhere. One day she tried climbing up the stairs, got tired halfway up, and fell asleep”Jake laughed as Clarke's face heated up in embarrassment.
“That's not funny,dad” Lexa smiled and kissed her cheek. Lexa went to put her hand on Clarke's stomach but Clarke slapped it away. Once Clarke saw the sad look on her girlfriend's face she put her hand back,rolling her eyes.
“I have another present for you”
“For me or for the baby?”
“Well, the baby but I can’t give to the baby yet so technically I can only give them to you” Jake gave Gustus a smug grin before pulling out three custom made Patriots jerseys with Griffin on the back. “These are the real deal. It costed me seventy bucks each, tax not included”
“Jokes on you. Lexa and I bought six of those last week”Gustus laughed, giving his daughter a pat on the back.
“Those better be fake because I know you didn’t spend over two hundred dollars on jerseys for a baby that's going to grow out of it in like three months”Abby warned Jake, taking the clothing from his hands.
“The shipping was free”Jake defended, smiling at his wife, hoping she would succumb to his charm. “ And we can’t have our grandchild in traitor clothing” He leaned over and whispered in Clarke’s ear “Good thing I didn’t tell her about the season tickets”
“You’re just mad we beat you a few weeks back” Gustus’s comment started an argument that eventually pulled everyone in the room into the mix. Lexa took the opportunity to pull Clarke out of the room.
“I have a gift for you, and it’s for you not the baby” Lexa pulled out a ring box from her back pocket and Clarke’s eyes widen as she froze. “It’s not an engagement ring” Clarke relaxed and let out a breath of relief. “It’s a promise ring. I know you know I love you but this is a promise that someday I will marry you and when I do, I’ll make you the happiest you ever been every day of our lives together” Lexa took Clarke’s right hand and slid it on her index finger.
“I love you” Clarke said before pulling Lexa in for a kiss. Lexa wrapped her arms about Clarke, mumbling it back.
“Awww. You two are so adorable” Octavia interrupted, leaning against the doorframe with the rest of their family expect Jake and Gustus.
“How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough. I was coming to give your gift to Lexa. She forgot to open it” Octavia responded, revealing the wrapped box from behind her back and handing it to the older brunette.
“It’s not as meaningful as your gift but I think you’ll love it” Clarke noted as Lexa tore the wrapping paper from the box. “I saw you eyeing them when we went Christmas shopping and went back for them when we separated”
“Wait, you two have a baby on the way and you decided it was a good idea to spend two hundred dollars on some shoes”
“They’re not just shoes. They’re Lebron Soldier 10s” Lexa stated as if it was obvious, taking them out of the box to try them on.
“Hey,Clarke! Tell Gustus that Tom Brady is a better quarterback than Russell Wilson” Jake shouted.
“I never said he wasn’t good but at least Russell is not a cheater”Gustus countered.
“That was never actually proved!”
“This going to be cold” Emori, Clarke’s ultrasound technician, informed her, squeezing out the gel on her stomach and spreading it around. “Do you guys want to know the sex?”
“Yes!”Lexa responded for the both of them. “Sorry, I got excited”
“It’s okay”Clarke said, looking at Emori as she toyed with the machine. The sound of a heartbeat filled the room, interrupting the silence. “That heartbeat is fast, isn’t it?” Emori scrutinized the picture before moving the wand around Clarke’s stomach. “Is something wrong?”
“No” Emori said with a smile before turning the screen towards them. “The reason the heartbeat seems so fast is because there are two heartbeats. You can’t really see the other one because she’s hiding behind her brother”
“She?”Lexa whispered, mesmerized by the picture in front of her.
“Yep. It’s safe to say you’re having one of each. She’s a tad bit smaller than her brother but it’s barely noticeable. She’s closer to your cervix so lay down more to give her more room to grow. You guys wanted a 4d ultrasound, right?” The pair nodded and Emori moved to set up the other machine.
“Guess it’s a good thing our dads bought all those jerseys, huh?” Lexa joked, sitting on the edge of Clarke bed.
“Is this not terrifying to you?”
“Absolutely, but as long as I got you I think we could handle it” Clarke nodded and Lexa kissed her forehead, pulling her into a side hug.
“Alright, I have to put this on your stomach” Emori said, finishing preparing the machine. She hummed, fidgeting with the device. “Okay that is definitely a boy” She turned the screen to the couple.” Emori looked back at the screen and laughed. “I think your girl will be fine with the way she’s moving in there. She’s having a good time too. I’m surprised you don’t feel that?” She asked Clarke, who was tearing up at the site.
“Is that bad?”
“No, you usually don’t feel movement until about twenty weeks. I just thought you might feel a small flutter or something. No worries. This all I’m supposed to do so I’m going to print your pictures. The doctor should be in soon”
“We can do this, right?”Clarke asked Lexa as soon as she left the room.
“God, I hope so”
“What happened?” Clarke had called Lexa in a panic, saying the Jake was taken to the hospital. She rushed back to the loft, keeping Clarke on the phone, trying to calm her down.
“I don’t know. My mom just said he was admitted in around three today”
“I’m coming up the loft then we can go see what happened” Clarke crashed into Lexa as soon as she walked through the door. “It’s going to be okay” Lexa sped to the hospital as fast as she could. Clarke and her ran to the receptionist to ask where he was and if he was okay.
“See for yourself” She pointed to the across the hall and the pair saw Jake eating jello with one hand. Clarke stormed into the room, snatched the pillow from out under his head, and hit him with it.
“What did I do?!” He exclaimed, staring at his daughter and Lexa with a startled look on his face.
“You scared the shit out of me. I’m pregnant. I’m not supposed to be under any kind of stress. What the hell happened to you?” Gustus walked into to the room and tried to walk back out after seeing the expression on Clarke’s face. “Stop right there” Clarke halted his movements without even turning around to look at him. “What did you have to do with this?”
“I would like to start off by saying this is not my fault. A few friends of mine decided to play a game of football and I asked Jake to join. I may or may not have sacked Jake and he broke his arm on the fall” Gustus explained, slowly backing up out of the room. “By the way, Lexa, we are going golfing with the Queen's Friday. See you later, Jake. Hope you feel better. Did I mention how amazing you look today,Clarke?” He glanced at his watchless wrist before turning to leave. “Would you look at the time? I have to be going. Bye” Lexa chuckled and shook her head at her father before speaking.
“Don’t worry. He’ll be in the dog house when my mom finds out. He’s not suppose to be playing football after he nearly shattered his knee the last time”
“ I can’t believe I lost the bet. Who knew Griffin was so fertile?” Octavia whined, carrying one of the baby swings into the nursery.
“I can't believe you guys picked me up from the airport and forced me to help you set up your nursery”Wells said, bringing the other swing in behind her.
“You won $250. You can't complain” Octavia retorted, looking around the room. “Why aren't you doing anything, Clarke?” The blonde was sitting in the corner, observing her friends and family decorate the nursery while eating Twizzlers.
“Can't carrying precious cargo”Clarke pointed to her stomach, grinning when Octavia scoffed. “And I am helping. Lexa suggested I should just oversee you guys work”
“You're helping us set up or I'll tell Lexa you're eating Twizzlers. How did you sneak those past her anyway?”
“I hid them under my shirt”
“Clarke, where are the outlet covers?” Lexa asked, walking into the room. “What are you eating?”
“I'm not. I'm holding them for Octavia” Lexa gave her a knowing look. “Ugh. I've only had like two” Clarke admitted, handing Lexa the bag. “I'm going to starve at this rate. What's the point of being pregnant if you can't eat what you want?”
“Usually it's for people to have healthy babies but what do I know”Octavia murmured, setting up the swing.
“After we finish setting up, we can order pizza. Any kind you want but you can't have too many” Clarke sighed at Lexa's suggestion but nodded anyway. “Cheer up. We only have to set up the cribs and put everything in the dressers”
“How did we get done so fast?”
“Wells”Clarke smiled proudly at her friend. “He’s a great organizer. He used to be the assistant manager at the coffee shop we used to work at. He was great. Even got me to work”
“You have to be amazing. I can’t get Clarke to change a lightbulb at our apartment”Octavia told Wells.
“You two are the only ones who think that,seeing that no one will hire me” Well huffed, turning back to the swing.
“What if I give you a test run? I need someone I trust to manage the place with the twins coming and all”Lexa offered, throwing away Clarke’s Twizzlers and ignoring the look of disbelief on her girlfriend’s face.
“Really?”
“Sure. The wage might change if we are more popular than I expect but it’s not that high but not too low either. You in?”
“Yeah!”
“Good, I’m tired of interviewing people, and if you can handle Clarke, everything else should be a breeze”Lexa teased, hugging her girlfriend from behind. Clarke elbowed her in the ribs, causing Lexa to kiss her cheek to apologize.
“Those stair are tiring me out”Jake exclaimed, walking through the door. “Then you guys are forcing me to do all this work”
“You haven’t done anything” Gustus argued, bringing both cribs in.
“That’s where you are wrong, I was observing because I can’t work with one arm. Thanks to someone”Jake sighed, dramatically, lifting his arm in the sling.
“Your mom wants to know why you haven’t brought the outlet covers down yet” Gustus told Lexa, pulling the materials for the crib out of the box.
“They’re in the draw in the kitchen. The one closest to the stove” Clarke said. Lexa untangled herself from the blonde and made her way into the kitchen. “Where did you put the mattresses and sheets?”Clarke called after her.
“They’re still in my car. I’ll get them”Lexa yelled back.
“Chop, chop” Clarke clapped her hands, earning the attention of the room. “I was promised pizza after you guys finish so hurry up. Thank you” She finished off with a sweet voice, gaining an eyeroll from Octavia. They completed the nursery an hour later after they got tired of hearing Clarke complaining about her hunger.
Lexa lined up her shot and took a swing, landing the ball a few inches inside the green. She took her time walking down after she pulled out her putter. Gustus came up beside her and whispered in her ear.
“Get this shot and we win. No pressure. Just remember Nia and Roan have beat us two years in a row and I want to crush their spirits. Again, no pressure” Lexa glared at her father from over her shoulder before lining her shot.
“Rumor has it you got someone pregnant. I think I saw her on your Instagram. She’s a pretty little blonde thing. I’d love to meet her” Roan began “I can show her what it feels like to be with a real man instead of half of one” Lexa kept her focus on the game and successfully shot her ball in the hole, effectively winning the game.
“Maybe if you focused more on the task at hand instead of stalking my girlfriend on Instagram, you’d actually succeed at something” Lexa told him as she walked past to pack up her clubs. “And keep my girlfriend out of your mouth, or else I’ll make you half a man” She slung her clubs over her shoulder and nodded at Nia. “Nia. Hope I never have to see you again. Same goes for Roan. You ready, dad?”
“Yep but pay up first, Nia. It’s always better to spend someone else’s money. I think I’ll start with yours. Cash only” Gustus stopped in front of her and held out his hand. Nia glared at him before reaching into her pocket. “Today please”
“I only have four hundred on me”
“It’s okay, you can mail the rest to me” He took the money from her hand and turned to leave. “Pleasure doing business with you” He and Lexa walked back to their cart and drove back towards the entrance. “Don’t let what he said get to you”
“It’s already forgotten. Clarke loves me for me and that’s all I ever wanted. No one is going to take that joy from me”
