What He Left Behind

Chapter 16

"We had sex, princess. Of course I remember, that memory has kept me going for the past five years. It's the best memory I have of this planet."

"I got pregnant, Bell," I whisper, barely audible, as I raise my eyes to meet his.

"Oh, Clarke. Did you—?"

"I had the baby. Actually, babies. We have twins, Bell, and they're the most amazing little kids."

"Twins... we have twins?" I know he's not really asking the question, he's only trying to come to terms with the news. I understand the feeling, it took me plenty of time to adjust.

"A boy, Augustus Lincoln, and a girl, Aurora Abigail. They were born on December 1, 2150, perfectly healthy. They look just like you."

I can see the realization cross his face when it dawns on him what their names were inspired by, and I feel like I did right by him. Even after all these years, I still seek his approval just as much as I did during our time together on the ground.

"And Madi?"

"She's 11 now, I found her two months after Praimfaya when she was five. She's a Nightblood, just like me. She's an amazing big sister, she helped me deliver the twins. She reminds me a lot of you and the way you take care of Octavia, actually. The twins are crazy about her, and they know all about you, Bell. I drew portraits of you and all the others, so they know your faces and I've been telling them stories about all of you for their whole lives. They've been looking forward to meeting you."

"Can I? Meet them, I mean. I'd like to meet them," the eagerness in his voice fills me with joy.

"Of course, Bell, they're your babies. I just didn't want to spring them on you right away in case you felt like you needed time to process or something."

"I've already lost almost five years with them, princess, I don't want to miss another second."

He stands, still holding me in his arms, and kisses me on the forehead. I return the gesture with a kiss on his lips and I turn away to lead him toward the river, only to be stopped by him grabbing my hand.

"Princess?"

"What's wrong?"

"There's something I need to tell you."

"Oh... did you move on? It's okay if you did, it's been over five years. After all, we weren't technically together before Praimfaya, so you didn't need to wait for me or anything. What we did meant a lot to me, so I just thought—" I know I'm rambling, but I can't stop myself. Thankfully, Bellamy does it for me by kissing me sweetly.

"I haven't been with anyone since you. How could I move on when I still had hope you were alive? I've been dreaming of this moment for five and a half years."

"You dreamed of me?

"Every damned day."

"Wait, how did you know about the radio calls?"

"Madi told me. I'm so sorry I didn't hear you. I guess you didn't hear me either, because I called you every day too."

"Oh, Bellamy," I kiss him gently, overwhelmed by his revelation.

"I love you, Clarke. I always have. My biggest regret is that I didn't tell you I loved you soon enough."

I can't help but kiss him again, and we get a bit carried away. Bellamy Blake just told me that he loves me. It's almost too good to be true. I pull back, taking another look at him through tear filled eyes.

"I love you too, Bellamy Blake. Now what do you say we go see our babies?"

"I think that's a great idea. Where are they?"