The Bet

Janet looked over at the clock. It was 2 a.m. Eissa had been in bed since 7:30 and she had dinner alone for the second week in a row. She got out of bed and paced back and forth finally grabbing her phone to call Clarke.

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"I miss you too baby." Clarke said with her ear plugged. Even though she was outside, the music and the crowd roared loudly. "I have to mingle after the show. It's her rule babe, but I will be home as soon as I can, I promise. I gotta go babe. Love you."

"I love you too." She hung up and sat on the edge of the bed. "Stupid fucking rule if you ask me." Janet pulled her knees into her chest. She glanced over at the baby monitor and smiled.

Eissa was turning one soon. She couldn't believe a year had almost past since she gave birth to the love her life. Her thoughts went back Clarke and she glanced over at the lonely pillow next to her. Janet grabbed it taking in the sweet scent of Clarke's dreads. She inhaled deeply and hugged the pillow tight. She loved Clarke so much. The thought of marriage came into her mind again.

She had avoided the subject for weeks now. Even Gil had brought it up a few times.

"Dunk, don't take this as I'm judging you now..." He said.

"That just means you're about to judge me Gil."

"Well bitch I just don't understand." He said throwing his hands in the air. "You married DeBarge, who I'm still convinced bats for my team honey."

"Gil! I was 18, a baby and still learning."

"I get it, but you still married a gay guy, aaaaannnnd..." He said rolling his eyes.

"Please don't say his name."

"Okay then he who shall remain nameless... You saw the signs and you ignored them."

"I'm feeling pretty judged right now."

"Bitch I haven't even gotten to that part yet." It was Janet's turn to roll her eyes. Gil continued. "I can't really get mad at Wissam because he gave us Eissa so I'm gonna leave it at that." He said popping his tongue. "But still... signs honey. You were unhappy through all of those times and then we have Clarke."

"Gil I know. You don't think I know how great she is, but you know what, so was James at first. Reńe too and Wissam." She said looking at him seriously. "Count them Gil," She held three fingers up, "3 failed marriages. If I'm going to do this again, I want to be more than just a little sure that it's right for me and right for Eissa. I love her Gil, I do, but I am just still not there yet."

"Okay, Okay but if you mess this up for us it's your ass." He said snapping his neck her way.

"Us... us is too many people. What would I be Messing up for you?"

"I wanna be the flower girl, duh bitch." They burst into laughter.

Janet was pulled out of her memory as Clarke walked into the bedroom. She didn't hear the door open. Janet glanced over at Clarke and smiled.

She got out of bed and pulled her into an embrace. "I missed you so much." Janet smiled smelling her hair.

"I miss you too." Clarke met her gaze and smiled. "I'm sorry for missing dinner again. good news though."

"What's that?"

"The show for tomorrow is cancelled. So I was hoping that if the weather is nice, we could spend the day at the beach, just me, you and Eissa." Clarke suggested. Janet smiled and kissed her softly. She moaned as they fell into to the kiss.

Clarke started to get undress. Janet crawled back into bed and just watched her. She shook her head as a chill went down her spine. Damn she is so sexy. She thought to herself. Clarke's phone buzzed. She looked at smiled and giggle to herself.

"What's so funny?"

"Just an inside joke between Alicia and I. You would've had to have been there." She said crawling into bed.

"She keeps you out late a lot." Janet said glancing over at Clarke.

"I know, she has this rule that the crew mingle together and with the fans afterwords. I actually managed to get out of their early. The night was not over for everyone else."

"How was the show?"

"It's okay. I mean it's not like being on tour with you. That gave me a rush I never expected to feel. This is more intimate. More acoustic. I'm enjoying myself though."

"And Alicia? How is she?"

Clarke smiled. "She is pretty dope actually. She's super nice and always making sure people are having a good time." Janet nodded her head.

"I will have to come see the show."

"I would love that." Clarke smiled. "Come here."

Janet scooted in closer to her and rested her head on Clarke's shoulder. They were quiet for a moment. Janet traced Clarke's fingers with her own. She thought about her talk with Gil.

"Baby?" She finally said. Clarke didn't answer. Janet lifted her head to see that she already fallen asleep. She rested her head back down to Clarke's chest and let herself drift off.

The next day Janet was super excited to go to the beach. She stood by the door, Eissa in her arms and waited for Clarke to gather the everything they needed.

They followed the path from the back of their house directly down to the beach. It was perfect day to be there. It was more a private part of the beach so there were only others from the neighborhood, including Wade and Noah. Janet waved an smiled as they made their way towards the water. Janet sat Eissa down on the towel with a few of his toys as her and Clarke took in the view.

"Wow!" Clarke said. I can't believe this is our back yard." She laughed. "It's insane." She smiled, looking back at Eissa as he concentrated on making his blocks fit together.

Janet looked down at him and smiled. "We should take him into the water." She said. Clarke scooped him up, putting him onto her shoulders. "Let's go wave surfing little guy." They walked down to the shore were Wade and Noah stood playing in the water.

Noah greeted Janet with a kiss. Wade and Clarke laughed as he played peek a boo with Eissa making him laugh hysterically.

"Will Gil be joining us today?" Noah asked. Clarke snapped her head his way. She was a little confused remembering the dinner party.

"I'm I could definitely call him and see." Janet said picking up her phone. She glanced at Clarke briefly. Clarke shrugged.

"Hey babe, we are out here at the beach behind the house. You should join us. Noah was asking about you."

"I'm there boo, give me like 15."

"Gil..."

"Dunk..."

"Are you messing around with Noah?" Janet asked walking away from the group.

"Dunk... of course not." He was quiet for a second. "I'm messing around with both of them."

"Gil!"

"What girl, I can't help they want some of this Hawaiian sweet roll honey. I'm gonna get ready. I will see you when I get there."

As Janet walked back towards them Noah lost his shit.

"You betta slay they ass Janet!" He yelled her way. She laughed as she approached them.

"You are so crazy." She said looking down at Clarke resting in the sand. She picked up her camera and pointed it towards Clarke.

"Babe what are you doing?" Clarke asked.

"You just look so sexy." She said smiling innocently snapping a couple of pictures.

Clarke glanced over to see Gil walk their way. She nodded in his direction. "Here he comes Babe." Clarke said putting Eissa in her lap, sharing orange slices with him.

"The Queen has arrived bitches!" Gil yelled out. Noah and Wade both looked at him and smiled.