Four Years Later

A solitary figure stood at the top of the ridge. Sharp eyes scanned the landscape before them, hands tightening their grip on the reins of their mount. It took a few more minutes of her time, but when Anya finally found what she was looking for, she could not stifle the wide grin that instantaneously took shape across her features.

"What's got you all smiling?" Octavia asked from next to her. The younger agent fidgeted from the saddle of the mare she was riding like she had an itch, not quite getting the hang of sitting on the back of this enormous animal. She had fallen five times during their eight-hour journey across country. It had been an arduous adventure; involving renting a 4x4 off-roader from a shifty man and his family, rock climbing though rough and rocky terrain, and finally finding their current steeds to get to this location, and damn was it a sight for sore eyes. The landscape was all rolling hot white sand, nothing else for miles except the vast ocean and tropical vegetation. And a simple, understated white-walled house located at the edge of the sandbar stood solitary and nestled between two large palm trees.

"Over there." She indicated with the pointing of her sharp chin. Octavia turned her gaze to where Anya had nodded, and her reaction mimicked the older woman immediately, gripping the reins tighter around her hands.

"Well what are we waiting for then?" Octavia nudged her horse encouragingly, who shot forward at her urging. After Anya laughed heartily at watching Octavia almost stumble from her long-suffering mount's back, she followed her down the sandbar, her horse snorting as she galloped down after his companion.

The two women made their way down the beach, their horses' manes flying wildly as they enjoyed the galloped along the sand, the sea breeze whipping powerfully up to meet them. They raced towards the hut, both eager to reach the figure reclining upon a lounge chair.

Octavia spurred her mount faster, releasing a wild whoop as her horse's hooves kicked up a sand storm in his speed. "Lexa!" She shouted.

Lexa looked up from her seat out on the balcony of the hut. Her wavy brown hair blew in the salty breeze, her skin – peeking out from the tank top and shorts she wore – tanned from many months spent out in the sun. She had thought she had heard hoof beats, and her brilliant green eyes shone with recognition. Lexa abandoned her half-read book, long legs carrying her to the sandy shore, meeting them halfway.

Octavia leapt off her horse, colliding with Lexa, her arms wide. Lexa laughed loudly as she caught the younger girl, the two landing on the sand.

Anya hopped off her own horse, making her way over to them. Lexa stood quickly, giving Octavia a hand up. Octavia grinned, taking the offered help before she encircled Lexa's shoulders, squeezing happily before allowing Anya near them.

"Well met." Anya said, a wide grin on her face. Lexa returned the sentiment with a warm embrace, her arms around her former mentor's waist.

"I've missed your face." Lexa smiled as she withdrew slightly to examine Anya's features. The older woman had aged slightly, the wrinkles at the edge of her eyes and on her forehead a bit more pronounced. Her hair was darker than before, likely from the lack of sunlight in the dimly-lit office in New York.

"I've missed you." Anya replied honestly, a single happy tear falling as she took in the sight of her best friend, the woman she had long considered her little sister. Lexa shook her head as she saw the solitary tear, reaching up with her thumb to wipe it away gently from her soft cheek.

"No tears, not on this day my friend." Lexa scolded as she embraced Anya once more. When they pulled apart, Octavia appeared at their side, the horses' reins in her hands.

"Where should I tie these big guys?" She asked. Lexa smirked and took them from Octavia, striding back to the hut. She made a beckoning motion with her free hand as she walked over to a solitary post next to the entryway of the balcony.

"So how have you been?" Anya asked as she followed Lexa. Octavia made herself at home instantly, plopping herself down on the previously occupied lounge chair.

As Lexa walked, Anya caught sight of the scars on the brunette's shoulder blade and on the back of her thigh, and couldn't help wincing at the imagined pain. Lexa tied the horses with practiced ease before turning to face her friend.

"Getting better." Lexa crossed her arms, avoiding Anya's gaze. "Honestly, I'm still trying to get used to…all this." She motioned to the hut, the immediate vicinity with her hands. Lexa sighed breathily, eyes inspecting her sandals, before she looked up.

"It's hard to get over stuff like that." Anya commented sympathetically. Lexa huffed. She didn't like the pity she was receiving. Not when she was like this.

"H – " Suddenly, both women heard the steady hum of a sand-mobile, then the cutting of the ignition.

"Lexa, we're home!" At the sound of those words, Lexa instantly turned away from Anya to greet the owner of that voice. Lexa smiled as she walked up to the newcomers, bending down to a crouch to greet one in particular.

"Mommy!" The brunette smiled tenderly as her three-year old daughter walked up to her on unsteady legs, collapsing into the strong arms of her doting mother. Lexa lifted her up in her arms, greeting her with a gentle kiss on the forehead before her eyes sought out the other love of her life.

"Hey Anya!" Clarke greeted the woman brightly as she walked over to them. The woman wore a bright yellow tank top with white shorts, her blonde hair tied up in a ponytail and her blue eyes sparkling as she walked into Lexa's waiting out-stretched arm, receiving a chaste kiss on her lips.

Anya stood there gaping, and Lexa wished she could take a picture of her friend's stunned expression. "Surprise?" Lexa said, a lilt in her voice. Anya seemed to recover from the shock, and she reached over to swat Lexa on the shoulder.

"You son of a bitch!" She squeaked, her eyes never leaving the inquisitive little human in Lexa's arms.

"Language, please." Clarke scolded her gently, though she untangled herself from Lexa's hold to pull Anya into a hug. Anya held her tightly, squeezing her shoulders as they withdrew. The blonde was practically glowing with health, her blue eyes a brilliant sapphire. There was no sign of the pale, small figure that had lain critically injured in a New Mexico hospital four years ago.

"You look great Clarke." Anya praised the other woman, whose cheeks colored slightly at the compliment. The blonde's skin was well-tanned, her figure fuller and stronger. It looked like she had gained a few pounds of muscle too, and she looked positively content and happy.

"Well anyone can look better than how I must have been like since last you saw me." She mumbled modestly, and Lexa noticed her discomfort. The brunette linked her fingers through Clarke's, taking her hand gently.

"We've all changed since then." Lexa said, though her eyes were only for Clarke. It did not take much for Lexa to remember the fear, the anxiety of the years past. It had been a wild dream, to imagine that they would make it to this point, but they had, and Lexa only had the big guy upstairs to thank.

"Clarke, is that you?" Octavia called as she rounded the other side of the hut to them. Her eyes widened once she saw the toddler in Lexa's arms. "Oh my God you guys!" She shrieked excitedly before rushing up to them. The fire-cracker of an agent seemed to turn into putty once she saw the child, her hands eagerly reaching out to her. "What's your name sweetie?" She asked gently.

The toddler met her gaze, her intelligent blue eyes, so much like her mother, scrutinizing this new stranger. There wasn't even shyness in her gaze, only a haughty curiosity that screamed Lexa. Lexa, for her part, beamed proudly.

"What's your name?" The toddler retorted, and Anya couldn't stifle the chuckle that slipped through her lips. Lexa grinned too, but Clarke shot her a stern glare, and she only gave her an endearing wink in return. It was definitely Lexa's attitude.

"Honey, these are friends of ours, Octavia and Anya." Clarke informed her daughter. "Remember to be polite to our guests." She shot Lexa a glare as if it was her fault, who shrugged helplessly, meeting Anya's eyes with a proud smile before intervening as well.

"Want to introduce yourself, my big girl?" She cooed, and her daughter gave her a toothy grin. Lexa returned the smile, nodding encouragingly to her.

"I'm Costia." The girl finally said. Octavia grinned. At Octavia's shoulder, Anya raised her eyebrow, catching the significance of this girl's name. She met Lexa's gaze, and nodded approvingly. Lexa swore she saw Anya's eyes glaze with tears again, this marking the second time she'd seen her friend show such emotions.

It didn't take much coaxing for Costia to accept Octavia's offered hand, and the two went off exploring the beach together, kicking up sand as they walked side-by-side.

Clarke rested her head against Lexa's shoulder, an arm draped around the brunette's waist. Anya looked at the couple, and she couldn't be happier for them.

"I'm really happy that you found each other." Anya commented. The two women murmured their thanks, with Clarke grasping Anya's hand. Lexa clasped her hand on her former mentor's shoulder, and then they were left to their own devices as she made her way down to follow Octavia and Costia.

"I'm happy too." Clarke remarked after a heartbeat, and Lexa returned the sentiment by dropping a kiss on Clarke's forehead.

"I know." Lexa said, grinning ear-to-ear. "I'd be a fool not to appreciate your fine ass as much as I do." Clarke laughed gently, a hand running up and down Lexa's back.

"Very eloquent of you." Clarke snorted. "I seem to remember you being much more romantic when we first met." Lexa hid her smile in Clarke's blonde tresses as she burrowed her nose into her hair reverently. They stood there together for a while longer before Lexa captured Clarke's lips in a gentle kiss. Their lips reacquainted themselves, and Lexa wanted to deepen it, but the blonde pulled away with a smile. Before Lexa could protest, Clarke dragged her down to the others with a mischievous smirk and a wink.

"Why Tahiti?"

"Clarke suggested it, and it is nice and quiet here." The brunette grinned before taking a gulp of her beer.

"You seem very happy." Anya remarked as she examined Lexa's face. The two were sitting on the steps of the balcony, watching as Clarke and Octavia aided Costia in her construction of a sand castle.

For the last half hour, Lexa's attention had been focused only on her family. Clarke's golden locks blew casually in the wind, creating a halo around her as she laughed, played with their daughter. She was angelic, beautiful, and divine. Costia's happy giggles reached Lexa's ears, and she felt like her heart would burst with the love and affection she was feeling at this moment.

Lexa cradled the cold beer in her hands as her gaze followed her girls playing in the sand. "Honestly, I'd be happy anywhere as long as my girls are with me." Lexa confessed, before adding "They're my home." She nodded towards them, and Anya smiled.

"Who would have guessed in a million years, that you'd be a doting, committed parent." Anya commented, nudging Lexa with her elbow teasingly. "Or that you'd even fall in love again." She added, and Lexa nodded.

"That's why we named her after Costia." Lexa admitted. "To honor her, and to forget the pain of the past, to build a future with our own hands." She pointed with her chin, and Anya knew what she was inferring from that one nod.

"It's very brave of you." Anya remarked. "It's brave of you both." She leaned against the railing of the steps, stretching out her legs as she took in the rays of the mid-day sun. "So no regrets, about leaving?"

Lexa raised an eyebrow at her, as if surprised she would even ask such a question. "You know I don't." She stretched her arms up into the air. Anya and Lexa sat in silence before the latter suddenly broke the calm between them. "Before he died, Kane said a few things, and I've been thinking about them."

"What did he say?" Anya asked curiously. Lexa looked out toward the water before she responded.

"He said the main reason he betrayed all of us, was because he felt like he could no longer control his own life. He bled for the agency, and got no more than a slap on the back for it." Lexa rubbed the back of her head as she spoke. "And he's right."

"Remember he's a psycho, right?" Anya reminded Lexa quietly, who waved off her concern.

"I know. But I also know that he was right. I need to take control of my own life. Not in the way that he did, but by quitting. And look at this." She motioned with her head. "Walking away is the best decision I've made my entire life. That, and loving Clarke."

Anya smiled, a hand coming up to rub Lexa's shoulder. "I can see that. You've been positively buzzing with happiness the minute I laid eyes on you." She said teasingly. "And that little girl of yours, she's got you wrapped around her finger, just like Clarke does."

Lexa grinned at Anya's words. "Yeah she's my princess." Anya pretended to gag, and Lexa punched her lightly on the shoulder. The older woman teetered off of her perch, but she recovered her balance quickly, shooting Lexa a playful glare.

"But seriously," Anya started as she shuffled back to her seat. "You look happier than I've ever seen you before. And gosh, your eyes are literally heart-shaped when they're looking at Clarke or Costia." She glared at her teasingly. "What happened to that stone-cold, tough agent I trained all those years ago? It's like you've turned into mush."

"Well," Lexa took a sip of her beer. "Meeting and marrying the love of your life will do that to you." She smiled as Clarke and Costia ganged up on Octavia, flinging the contents of the sand bucket in her direction. The shrieks of laughter made Lexa's heart swell.

She finished her drink, then stood. "You need a refill?" She asked Anya. The other woman grinned and held up her similarly empty bottle. Lexa took it and made her way up the steps and into the house.

She had just retrieved two beers from the fridge when she felt arms encircling around her waist. Clarke's chin rested on her shoulder, and Lexa closed her eyes, content. She basked in the tranquility of this moment, drowning in the love Clarke had for her.

"Where's my girl?" She asked after a second. Clarke's arms tightened around her, and Lexa took one of the blonde's hands to thread their fingers together.

"Playing with her aunties on the balcony." Clarke answered gently. Lexa chuckled.

"Anya will be thrilled at that title, she still considers herself to be young." Clarke grinned, and she buried her face in Lexa's neck, enjoying the feel of her cheek pressed against the brunette's skin.

"I love you." Clarke whispered into her ear softly, and Lexa turned in the blonde's arms. She soaked in the sight before her. Her hands reached under Clarke's tank top, feeling the familiar line on her relatively unmarred skin. The nightmare of that day was nothing more than a memory, with a scar on Clarke's abdomen the only remnants of that showdown. Lexa ran her hands down her skin, as if ensuring that she was real, that she was actually awake.

"I love you too." Lexa whispered tenderly, her hands reaching to cup Clarke's rear gently, pulling her close so they were flush against each other. Clarke's lips ghosted across Lexa's cheek reassuringly, reminding her that she was alive and well, here and with her in their house on the beach in Tahiti.

Lexa captured Clarke's lips, nipping her bottom lip playfully as they kissed. They parted after a few heartbeats, their foreheads pressed against each other, breathing in the air around them as one. Then Clarke gently pulled away, taking the beer bottles in her hands, beckoning with one finger for Lexa to follow her as she strolled out to the balcony.

She heard her daughter's giggles, accompanied by Anya's booming laugh and Octavia's cackles, and Lexa's face broke into a smile. Lexa wanted to memorize, to capture, this moment in her mind forever. She had everything right here, in this place. What had started as a stupid cover job had led to her finding the love of her life, and for that Lexa would forever be grateful. Now, with her wife in her arms and her daughter outside, playing and laughing, Lexa sighed happily. With a grin, Lexa walked out to join them.