That's Why I Love You

Chapter 42

Lexa

When I woke, Clarke was gone. The sheets still smelled like her, and the pillow still had the indentation of her head. I groaned and got out of bed in search for her. I wasn't a morning person, but for Clarke I'd make an exception.

I rounded the corner outside to see Clarke. With Bellamy. Clarke seemed uncomfortable, to my satisfaction. The whole conversation appeared to be tense. I moved closer to hear what they were saying. I felt (guiltily) controlling to feel like I needed to keep an eye on Clarke, but it wasn't her I didn't trust. It was Bellamy.

"Sorry I wasn't here to welcome you home," Bellamy said. Arkadia wasn't home. Polis was. "I was on patrol."

My love for Clarke was pushed aside as I analyzed Bellamy's words. What was the patrol for? We were at peace now. There shouldn't be a need for patrols. I dismissed the thought. Skaikru would always feel threatened by us, and they had reason to. I could understand that they needed to take precautions. I was sure my people were wary of Skaikru, too. However, I wouldn't be so understanding if there happened to be a confrontation on their behalf on one of these patrols.

Clarke nodded to Bellamy's answer and crossed her arms over her chest. I felt a smile touching my lips. Crossing one's arms was a tell-all sign that that individual wasn't emotionally open. "How are you?" She asked him, starting polite small talk to break the tension.

He smiled. He thought Clarke actually cared. "I'm good. How about you?"

"I'm really good. I love Polis." Clarke said. My smile broke out at her words, unable to be contained.

"And Lexa?" He asked her. I don't think he actually cared. It was just the polite thing to do, and I guessed he wanted to talk to Clarke more. I waited with bated breath to hear her response.

"She's really good, too. We're just one big family in Polis." Clarke said. As she rubbed our relationship and the fact that all his friends were in Polis without him, I found another reason why I loved this girl.

"That's nice." Bellamy was obviously perturbed by the statement.

"We brought the whole family back, too." Clarke said. A laugh was threatening to escape my lips.

"The whole family?" Bellamy asked.

Clarke nodded. "The Nightbloods. They're basically our children."

Bellamy nodded and swallowed. My heart swelled with uncontrollable pride for the feisty blonde. "Our?"

"Lexa and I."

Bellamy laughed. "You just love to say "Lexa and I", don't you?"

Clarke smiled. "Yep."

I took the moment of silence to walk out. I tried to make it seem like I hadn't been there for the past five minutes as I walked over to the two, although I was sure Clarke knew I was there. She always seemed to know where I was, emotionally and physically.

Clarke beamed when she saw me. She wrapped her arm around my waist and pulled me as close as she could to her.

"Hey, babe." She said. Babe? As in a child? I made a note to ask Raven about that later.

"Hello." I said. I looked to Bellamy. "Bellamy." I nodded.

"Lexa."

"Commander." I corrected. His eyes widened and he swallowed. I looked over to Clarke, and she was holding back her giggles.

"Well, we have to go check on our children now." Clarke said, grabbing my hand and leading me away. We didn't walk back into the Ark, and I was confused because Clarke said we were going to check on the Nightbloods, although I was sure they weren't awake.