Her Step Brother

Cleaning Up

Clarke stood from the couch.

"I don't have plan," she admitted. "Like we both already said, we don't know. Bellamy and I had our issues, but ninety percent of them were just brought up and it ended up being a huge fight that is threatening to tear this family apart." She took a deep breath. "We understand we were wrong for sleeping together in this house. Just like if I had been sneaking around with another boy. But, at the end of the day, our relationship is not wrong. With him being two hours away in college and me at school and work, we are already stressed and strained. So, I can't give you a solid answer. We don't have a solid answer." She grabbed her mother's hand. "I didn't mean to lie this way. I didn't mean to strain things with you and Marcus. But, from now on, what happens between Bellamy and I is just that. Bellamy and I. The two of you aren't going to be involved in the inner workings, okay?"

Her mother was still mad. "I don't need to know the inner workings, I know enough. I'm not ready to accept this "

"That's fine," Clarke shrugged. "I don't expect it. But," she dropped her mother's hand. "Dad is still in town. Finn and Maya are still in town. So, I'm going to go see them."

"I just came down for the surprise party," Bellamy sighed. "I'll head out."

Marcus stood, half hugging Bellamy. "Come back down whenever you get a free weekend."

Clarke and Bellamy walked up the stairs in silence. Clarke put a little make up on and changed her outfit. Bellamy waited for her, walking her down the stairs with his hand on her back.

Outside of the house, she took a really deep breath. "There's a lot we need to talk about."

He kissed her forehead. "Yes, there is. First of all, I know I obviously have jealousy issues."

Clarke raised a brow.

"I know I fucked up, but you still love me. Right?"

"I do."

"Then, I'll spend all of my time trying to make it up to you," he promised. "Will you call me after you see your dad? And uh, I'll need to apologize to him."

She laughed a little. "Yeah. Yeah, I'll run damage control and then we'll talk. Okay?"

He kissed her cheek once more before heading to his car. Clarke waited for him to leave, then called her dad and told him where to meet her.

Her mind was racing, though. She had just dealt with her mother acting like a crazy person after she herself had acted like a crazy person.

Then again, she had never seen her mother throw a dish at someone.

Nervously, she got out of her car. Her father immidiately wrapped her in a hug. The safe feeling almost made her cry.

"You get things sorted?"

She nodded against his chest.

"You and your mom?"

"Kind of."

"Did he apologize?"

"He did."

"Well. Then, let's go inside and you can see your friends one more time before we have to get on the road."

Finn was tense the entire time they ate and bowled. Maya gave Clarke looks, but she never said anything. She just pretended that everything was okay. Clarke would have to text her more often and thank her.

Her father had the most calming nature of any other human on earth. He could stop wars with a look, she was sure.

When it was time to go, Finn and Maya hugged her tightly and got in the car. Her dad rubbed her arms and looked into her eyes.

"Am I going to be getting any ranting phone calls from your mother? Is she going to pack you up and let me have you again?"

She chuckled. "Probably not. But, uh, she is really mad at me."

He nodded. "Well, secretly dating her husband's son is probably not her favorite thing you've ever done. And uh, the fight you two had was definitely not her favorite thing."

She blushed and rubbed her neck. She wanted to say it but the words wouldn't come out.

"Come on, Kiddo. I may be old but I'm not blind. Just, just keep your head on, okay? The dust will settle."

She hugged him one last time. "Thanks, Dad. Text me when you make it back home."

"I will. Love you, Kiddo."

"I love you, too."

She waved to them as they drove away. There was a lot she needed to do.

Clean the house.
Talk and vent to Raven.
Talk to Bellamy.
Eventually, talk to Maya and Finn.

But, the rest could wait, she decided. The drive back home was quiet and left her to think. Now that their secret was out, she was free to date Bellamy. The thought should excite her, but maybe her mother's anger was diminishing all happy thoughts.

Her mother's car was gone when she got home. Surely she went to work and dove into work to relieve her stress.

Carefully, Clarke swept up the broken glass. She wrapped in a cardboard box before putting it down in the trash. She used wet napkins to get up any other pieces and then a lint roller just in case.

She washed the wall, getting the dried sweet tea off it and the floor. Next, she scraped all of the wasted food into the trash can and rinsed the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

"I thought you might be Abby."

She jumped a little. "No," she sighed. "I just wanted to clean up the party I ruined."

"You didn't ruin it. My son, his jealousy played a large part in it if I'm honest. Had he not picked that fight with you, the party may have gone smoother."

"I'm really sorry we lied."

"No," he sighed. "No, don't apologize to me. I think as parents we should have figured it out, but even if we had, there isn't much we can do. I can't and won't ban you two. I won't declare that you're forbidden to be together." He nodded towards the table, so they both sat down. "I want to be honest."