The Ones On The Ground (sequel to The One Who's Fallen)

Chapter 88

Clarke's POV

Lexa and I let Madi and Destiny stay up a little while after we finish dinner. We leave them in the living area playing with toys while we wash the dishes in the tiny kitchen. Lexa washes them and then passes them to me to be dried and set aside to be given to a guard to be returned to the kitchen. Later though, since we're all tired from such a hectic day. Even my nap earlier didn't stave off the exhaustion weighing down my bones.

Once we finish, Lexa and I curl up on the couch together. We watch Madi and Destiny play together until I see that Lexa's eyes are drooping too.

"Alright kids, it's time for bed." I say gently, squeezing Lexa's thigh to make sure she's awake. She jolts adorably, her eyes going wide and her cheeks going pink.

Destiny and Madi don't protest, much to my surprise, and start cleaning up the little toys that they have spread out all over the floor. They put them on the nearest table, no doubt so they can continue playing tomorrow.

Lexa and I walk with them to their room. We exchange a soft look when Madi goes with Destiny into the small bathroom attached to the room, helping her with her nightly routine. Destiny's face lights up with happiness when she sees that we have her blue toothbrush all ready for her.

Lexa and I stay out of the bathroom, both because it's too small to fit the four of us comfortably and because we want to see how all of this works out. Madi helps Destiny without her having to ask, pulling out a stool from below the counter so that she can reach the sink. It's adorable, and great to see how well they're working together. Lexa squeezes my hand and I smile warmly at her.

After they finish up, the girls emerge from the bathroom and Destiny starts giggling. When I follow her gaze, I shake my head fondly when I see that Lupita is on Destiny's bed, cuddling with Pookie, while Dalul is curled up on Madi's bed. Dalul's eyes pop open and when she sees us, her tongue lolls out and her tail begins to wag.

Madi and Destiny climb up onto their beds, Destiny having some trouble since it's so much higher up than her head is. But she's stubborn (which at this point, I'm resigned to the fact that it's a family trait), and manages to haul herself up.

Lexa and I go to Madi first, pulling the covers up for her. Which is more difficult than usual, since she has a puppy lying on her blanket. Dalul just looks at us, yipping quietly but happily and rolling with how the covers are pulled up. She settles against Madi's side and lets out a big puppy yawn, resting her head on Madi's stomach and closing her eyes. Madi reaches down and gently scratches her behind the ears. She huffs, her little leg kicking out as she resettles.

Lexa and I each press a kiss to Madi's forehead, murmuring our "I love you"s to her. Madi mumbles it back, her eyes already closing.

Lexa and I quietly make our way over to Destiny, who has Lupita curled up against her over the covers and is cuddling with Pookie underneath them. We pull the sheets up so they cover her more and Destiny smiles sleepily up at us. She taps her forehead and we comply with her silent request, each of us kissing her forehead.

"I love you," I whisper to her.

"Luh oo too," she says back.

She repeats it when Lexa says "I love you" as well, in her cute pronunciation. We turn off the lights and Lexa quietly says, "Goodnight."

The girls mumble it back and we slip out of the room together.

Lexa pulls me to her and I kiss her softly, our smiles making our teeth clack together but neither of us mind. Our girls, our daughters, love us! My heart hasn't felt this light in my chest in a long time, not since my dad died. I can't wait to find out how much lighter I'll feel once Lexa and I finally get married.

We pull back and rest our foreheads together, looking into each other's eyes.

"Our family seems to grow everyday, ai hodnes (my love). I could not tell you the last time I was this happy," Lexa says.

"Me neither," I admit softly.

Lexa and I fall back together again, pressing our lips against each other. Lexa hums, moving her head so we can kiss at a different angle. My hands fall to her waist and I hold her against me gently. Lexa's hands gently cup my face and she pulls back slightly.

"We should go to bed," Lexa murmurs.

I hum in agreement. As much as I would love to make love to her tonight, I don't think either of us have the energy for that. I sigh and reach up, taking her hand in mine.

We head to our bedroom together, helping each other strip out of our clothes and then getting under the covers. I rest my head on Lexa's chest, curled up against her. Her arm wraps around me, holding me close. I let my arm go around her waist, gently resting on her stomach. This is one of our favorite sleeping positions.

Lexa kisses my forehead. "Goodnight, hodnes (love)."

"Goodnight babe."

***
Raven's POV

Lucas likes having structure to his life, kind of like me, so Anya, Luna, and I make sure to get him back to his room before his usual bedtime. He thanks us and starts on his nighttime routine.

"It's still early for you guys. What are you going to do?" Lucas asks.

"I was thinking that we would work on that adoption form. Is that alright with you?" I ask to make certain.

"Yes. I will see you guys tomorrow?"

"What time would you like us to come?" Anya asks.

"If you come at eight, I will be just getting my breakfast."

"We will come at eight then," Luna says.

Next chapter, time jump! And there'll be more things from Raven's POV, I promise! And we're getting close to the Clexa wedding! Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!