The Happily Ever After

 

Lexa sat back in the lawn chair and tilted her head towards the sky. The sun heated her skin, and the sound of children giggling warmed her soul. She kept her eyes closed as she just let everything surround her.

 

“Penny for your thoughts, tiger.”

 

Clarke eased into the chair next to her and handed her a glass of iced tea. “I was just thinking about life, I suppose.”

 

“What about it?”

 

“How beautiful it is.”

 

Clarke smirked at her, and all her little laugh lines scrunched adorably. “Are you getting all sappy in your old age, Woods?”

 

“Maybe,” Lexa teased. “I was just thinking about our life. All these tiny almost insignificant decisions led us to exactly where we are today, and that’s beautiful.”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“Everything. What would have happened if I didn’t take the job with US Soccer all those years ago? What if I didn’t propose when I did? Would we still be where we are today? All those decisions, each one, led us here, to sipping on iced tea while the grandkiddos run wild in the backyard. It’s just beautiful.”

 

“It’s fate,” Clarke nodded. “We’ve always been fated to be with each other. I believe that with all my heart. No matter what we chose, we’d end up together eventually.”

 

Lexa reached out her free hand and grasped Clarke’s. And though her hand was wrinkled, and her hair was no longer blonde, but streaked with gray, Lexa was enamored with her beauty. “I love you.”

 

Clarke was off her chair in a single graceful flourish, settling herself lightly in Lexa’s lap. She placed both their glasses on the table and held Lexa gently. “I love you too.”

 

Lexa tilted her chin up to meet Clarke in a tender kiss. They didn’t care that their grandchildren scoffed in playful disgust. They didn’t care that their two daughters and their partners watched on with sly smirks. Clarke and Lexa had been in love with each other for over fifty years, and that was beautiful.