Music Is Life (It's Why Our Heart Beats)

Fade In/Fade Out: Nothing more

Just the other day I looked at my father

It was the first time I saw he'd grown old

Canyons through his skin and the rivers that made them

Carved the stories I was told

--

Aden only has remnants of his other mother, Lexa. He can remember the softness of her hair, the kindness in her emerald gaze, the warmth of her body. That's as far as it goes. His mother, Clarke, loves to share stories of her beloved. The stories have been coming faster and closer together as of late.

Today is the first time he really noticed her age. He'd noticed the slow whitening of her hair and the deep lines carved into her face. She was nearing eighty, a feat not many have survived, but Clarke has always been youthful. It's not like her appearance had changed over night, he just never let the thought cross his mind. His mother was a warrior, she'd live forever, a naive way of thinking, especially for someone with grandchildren of his own.

Today Aden really looked at his mother, realizing just how jaded she was becoming. Stories of Lexa growing in tandem a new one appearing nearly everyday. Clarke looked especially tired today, her eyelids drooping and head nodding.But Aden remained, ever vigilant, not daring to waste a second of their precious time together.

He'd let her nap after an especially difficult story. He'd been distracted when he felt the soft hands of his mother's over his own. He smiles, leaning forward to place a kiss to the top of her hand. She squeezes his hand, prompting him to gaze into her weary eyes.

"Son, I have watched you grow into a man your mother would have loved. I don't have much time left on this earth," Clarke says.

Aden's smile falters, a pang of hurt, heavy in his chest. He tried to swallow the lump in his throat.

"Don't say that mom," He says, cursing himself for the quiver in his voice.

Clarke squeezes his hand again, gently...

--

He said

"Son, I have watched you fade in

You will watch me fade out

I have watched you fade in

You will watch me fade out

When the grip leaves my hand

I know you won't let me down

--

When Clarke found she was pregnant, she was filled with overwhelming excitement. She bounced up and down with her mother until she made herself sick. Even through the vomiting she was content.

Dinner that evening was a quiet affair. The air was palpable, Clarke knew this wouldn't be the best time. Lexa was stressed from the growing tensions from the other clans. Sandegakru experienced their usual drought, finding it hard to grow food. Azgeda was ever defiant, refusing to trade with the other clans.

Later that night, they lie breathless and naked. Lexa closes her eyes, her fatigue of the day finally setting in. As her breathing starts to even out, Clarke rolls onto her side, throwing an arm around Lexa's waist. Lexa presses a kiss to Clarke's temple, a smile creeping across her face.

"Lexa?" Clarke asks.

"Hmm?" Lexa mumbles, sinking deeper into sleep.

"It worked."

Lexa chuckles, keeping her eyes closed, Clarke cryptic as ever. "What worked, Niron?"

"I'm pregnant." Clarke says, tilting her head to get a good look at Lexa's face.