The 7 Year Hitch

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Smallville, Superman, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, DC comics, the characters used in this fic, the music used, etc, etc and so on. Please don't sue a die-hard Superman fan! This story is strictly for fun.

Author: SmallRozfan aka Beth

Rating: PG-13 (Mild language and possible mild sexual tension/innuendo)

Summary: During the Finale, the line that caught my attention was Clark's and inspired this fic. "I've been ready for 7 years." What the heck?! Ok, we understand what happened with the first wedding fiasco, but what happened the 7 years in between? Why are they sneaking around now? Hmmm. *Ding, ding, ding!* A fic idea was born. LOL

So this fic will be divided into 8 "weddings", not 8 chapters because some weddings might take more than one chapter. Basically, I want to show them trying to get married and by the end of it…I hope we'll all be ready to see them finally tie the knot. I plan on parts of it being funny and sweet, frustrating and sad and overall fun. One more small thing…I thrive on feedback! Love it or hate it, let me know what you think. What's your favorite parts? Do I need to watch my editing? Am I true to the characters? I only improve when I know what to work on. Thank you in advance for reading and reviewing.

Oh, and I don't really see Lois' platinum or white gold engagement ring looking so great with those plain yellow gold wedding bands, so we'll be addressing that too. LOL What can I say? It's my OCD kicking in.

A big thank you goes out to my beta, Kerthwinner aka Emily! Just when I think I've edited it to perfection, she swoops in and saves the day! lol

~CK/LL~

WEDDING 1: DARKSEID (Dec. 2010 – May 2011)

(A/N: Yes, I know we know what happened to the wedding itself and why it was interrupted. I just wanted to get into the spirit of this fic and fill in some gaps in the wedding plan scenes. Some scenes from "Icarus" through the Finale so it will be pretty familiar. However, the second wedding will be completely mine! lol)

Part 1

Clark gave a brief glance forlornly back at the restaurant with his specially laid table and the roses, and sighed softly. Only Lois Lane would be able to totally blow his plans so far off course. She was late, she shot down his dinner plan, had brought up the sore subject of the VRA that was constantly on their minds, and had turned his night completely on end.

But there was a little box burning a hole in his pocket and he was determined to ask her tonight. In the last few minutes, Clark was strongly reminded of why he loved her so much. Lois could frustrate him, dazzle him, debate with him, side with him, and keep him on his toes. He couldn't ask for a better partner, in work or in life.

Suddenly, he was hit with an idea. "Yeah, we should probably, uh, just go home," he said. Then he stopped. "But wait a second…" She stopped and turned to face him, her look questioning. "I think I hear a situation that needs saving," he told her with a brief glance over her shoulder. "I'll be right back."

Then he was gone with another whoosh, leaving a somewhat perplexed Lois standing on the sidewalk. But the sound of the payphone ringing on the corner caught her attention and she turned around. Smiling, she realized who it must be and rushed over to answer it. Lifting the receiver she asked, "Did you save the day?"

"I don't know yet," his voice came across the line. "Look up."

As Lois did so, it started to rain rose petals and she absently replaced the receiver on the hook before sliding out of the phone booth to enjoy the beautiful sight. She turned in a slow circle, watching the petals drift softly to the ground around her, giving a soft laugh of delight and catching a handful to bring to her nose, drinking in the sweet scent. Suddenly, she felt the urge to turn around. When she did so, she saw Clark standing on the opposite corner just watching her. She smiled at him with love as he walked towards her.

"You don't make it easy to ask a simple question, but that's what makes you…you," he told her, his tone a little nervous.

Lois felt her own heart rate double as she looked into his eyes and he added, "The woman I want to spend my life with…the woman that I love." He dropped to one knee, opening a small box in front of her to reveal a beautiful ring. "Lois Lane, will you marry me?"

She felt like her heart would burst with love and happiness. "Yes," she replied without hesitation.

He slid the ring onto her finger, his hands strong and steady, and rose to stand in front of her, holding her hands in his for a moment before gathering her into his arms. They kissed like they were the only two people in the world and Lois knew she had never been so happy. Her hands moved behind his head, playing with his hair as he pulled her tight against him, his right arm around her back, holding her to him and the other cradling the back of her head. And Clark got his wish…all thoughts of the VRA, heroes and the Daily Planet were far, far away.

~CK/LL~

The Next Day at the Daily Planet…

Lois Lane was getting frustrated. She had called everyone she knew this morning to tell the good news, from her future mother-in-law, to her ex-boyfriend who was now a true friend, and no one was picking up the phone! So what if it was before 8 am on a work day? It wasn't that early in Washington, and Oliver always answered his phone, at least one of them.

When she couldn't even get a reaction out of the security guard, she felt a brief moment of isolation and disappointment. The one person she really wanted to share the news with was Chloe, and no one had any idea how to get in touch with her. Knowing that Chloe wasn't on vacation as she originally thought, Lois occasionally received a note letting her know her cousin was ok, but it just wasn't the same. She couldn't return the note or card and she couldn't talk to her. Lois missed Chloe. That was all there was to it.

The moment of slight sadness only lasted that long, a moment, before she was unable to help the feeling of happiness take over because she was marrying the man of her dreams. She looked down at the ring again and smiled. What a sap she was turning into.

As she moved over to her desk, the mail boy came by and handed her a stack of mail. A large envelope caught her attention and she dropped all the rest of the mail on her desk, pulling out another red thick envelope with her name written in vaguely familiar handwriting on it.

The message told her exactly who it was from, even if it hadn't been signed. The handwriting and the snappy wording had Chloe's name all over it.

They say you never know what fate has in store for us, but I say you can see some happy endings coming from a mile away.

Her mind took her back to just before Chloe had disappeared. She hadn't left for Africa yet and wasn't really sure of her decision to do so. She was trying to ask in a roundabout way about how her cousin and Oliver made their relationship successful with the whole Green Arrow thing and work. She hadn't known everything that Chloe knew at the time and so didn't spell it out exactly, but she was desperate to know how to make a relationship work with a superhero, especially since hers hadn't worked with Oliver…but that wasn't the only failed relationship on her mind.

"Chloe, what really happened between Clark and Lana?" she forced herself to ask. She didn't want to pry but she needed to know. She knew she was onto something when her cousin froze in her tracks. "She couldn't make the sacrifices he needed, could she?" she asked, her eyes glazing over with tears.

But Chloe's reaction surprised her. The blonde turned around and with eyes glassy with tears of her own, she smiled. "Let's just say Lana wasn't the one fated to be in Clark's life."

Lois had wanted to believe her cousin so much back then but didn't really. Now, her smile was nostalgic and she desperately wanted to see and hear her cousin in person again. As she finished the card's message, she was surprised at the timing.

For the big day, here's something borrowed. I'm there in spirit.

Love,

Chloe

How had she known? "I don't know how you do it, Chlo. It's like you can see the future," she said to herself.

She tilted the envelope so that the other contents would spill into her palm and found that Chloe had sent her a necklace. Holding it up, she looked at the two small medallions on the chain and smiled as she realized they were coins from foreign places that she had sent Chloe when she had been traveling with the General. It was nice to see that her cousin had worn them close to her heart when Lois couldn't be around. Slipping the necklace around her own neck, she felt like she was carrying a piece of Chloe with her and felt a little less alone.

~CK/LL~

Later that night…

Lois was tired and frustrated. She hadn't been able to reach anyone all day, not even Martha, and even when Tess Mercer had found out about her engagement to Clark at the Planet, she hadn't shown a hint of happiness for her reporter. Lois knew they were trying to keep up the pretext of enemies who had declared a truce but couldn't Tess have given her a brief smile? A nod? A pat on the shoulder? A wink? Any indication that she was happy for them, especially after Lois had had to put up with that annoying Cat Grant?

To make matters worse, she hadn't seen or spoken to Clark all day, he being busy trying to do his superhero duties without the VRA tracking down his movements. She couldn't even share her happiness at being engaged with her fiancé. She brushed all those feelings aside as she entered the elevator to take up to the floor where Watchtower was housed. Lois had done the whole alone thing, and she knew this wasn't the same thing. Her friends and Clark loved her and she was going to be happy about getting married, despite the grim circumstances surrounding her band of heroes.

As she stepped to the doors that concealed Watchtower, she was happily surprised by Clark coming from the direction of the other elevators. His surprise was also apparent.

"Lois, retina scan?" he asked.

"Yeah, 9. You know, she should be better at crossing her t's not her wires," Lois said, wondering why Tess would have them both show up at the same time for something that would take only a few minutes, and so late in the evening.

As they walked into the room and the lights came up, everyone yelled surprise and Lois beamed. Now this was the reaction she had been wanting all day. As she stood talking with Courtney and Tess, she realized that these were true friends and they understood just how much this wedding and marriage would mean to her. She happily showed off her ring and tried not to gush as she recounted how Clark had proposed. Every so often, her eyes would meet Clark's across the room and they would smile the secret smile of lovers, happy to be in love and knowing their future paths would be shared.

Clark stood talking with Oliver, enjoying the glow of happiness and being surrounded by friends. As he waited to ask Oliver to be his best man, he knew he was making the right choice. Oliver was a true friend and he wanted him there, standing beside him. Oliver it seemed, however, would need a little persuasion to even be at the wedding.

"Clark, come on, now the whole world thinks I'm a terrorist. It's not exactly something you want on your Fortune 500 bio…or at your wedding so…"

Clark knew that Oliver had been through a lot since coming out as the Green Arrow to the whole world. He wasn't about to let the VRA or even Oliver's insecurities ruin what was supposed to be the happiest day of his life. "Well, that's too bad cause I was just about to invite you to be my best man." At the look of surprise on Oliver's face, he added, "You're the guy who stands next to me on the worst days of my life, and I want you there for the best one too."

Oliver felt his emotions overwhelm him and he felt so proud to be considered Clark's friend. There was no question of not going now. Reaching forward, he shook Clark's hand vigorously. "Oh, hey, you kidding? Absolutely, thank you!" He knew that he had never had a friend like Clark, one who really knew him, didn't care about his money and would stand by him.

It was Carter's advice, however, that would stick with Clark in the months ahead as they planned, or rather Lois planned, the big event.

"All I can say is, when it comes to planning the wedding, just nod…a lot," Carter told him with a slap to the back. Clark laughed but he would learn just how valuable those words of wisdom would be.

~CK/LL~

A few hours later…

Lois sighed contentedly, securely wrapped in Clark's arms as they sat on the globe of the Daily Planet building waiting for the sun to come up. It had been a wonderful night, one she was sure she would remember for the rest of her life.

"You warm enough?" Clark murmured into ear, his arms tightening around her ever so slightly.

"Mmm," she hummed lazily, basking in the glow of their love. "When I'm in your arms, always." They were silent for a minute or two, the sky gradually letting go of the blackness and going to navy blue, only the brightest stars still being seen.

"Clark, I'm sorry your mom wasn't there tonight. I couldn't even get her on the phone today to tell her the news," Lois said softly, not wanting to break the silence but feeling the need to comfort him.

She was sitting with her back to his chest, her head tucked into his shoulder, and his arms around her waist. At her words, she pulled back just a bit to be able to look up into his eyes. Clark smiled down at her and moved one hand to thread through her hair and cup her face. Giving her a brief kiss, he pulled back and shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Lois, I didn't even get a chance to tell you that she called me earlier. I guess in all the excitement of the party, I forgot," he told her.

Sitting up a little, Lois couldn't help but be a little hurt. "What? When did you talk to her? Why didn't she call me back? What did she say?"

Chuckling a little, Clark caught her lips with his again. "Lois, honey, calm down. She said she tried your cell phone but it either wasn't on or you were in a place that didn't get service because it went straight to voicemail. That's why she called me. She was over the moon, as she knew she would be…when I told her I was planning on asking you." His heart fluttered at the look of pure happiness and joy on Lois' face.

"Really? She's ok with having me as a daughter-in-law?" she asked, only half joking.

Running his fingers through her hair, Clark's eyes shown with love as he answered her. "You know Mom adores you. She's ecstatic that you'll legally be a part of the family. She said she's known you would be for a while now and this will just make it official. Mom said to tell you she would try to call you in a couple of days, after she's met with a group in Washington about the VRA. She's so busy fighting for me there, and I had no idea. While I appreciate it, I hope she'll be all right."

Clark looked worried and Lois smiled and kissed his cheek and then his lips to reassure him. "She'll be fine. Martha Kent is stronger than she lets on. Honestly, she might be safer there in Washington than it is here in Metropolis." Clark nodded in agreement and she turned back to watch the sky lighten yet more. "But she did say she would be here for the wedding, right?"

Clark's chest vibrated as he chuckled again. "Yeah, she said nothing would be able to keep her away from seeing her only son get married." Lois sighed softly and snuggled back down against him. He waited a beat before offering her the comfort she had tried to offer him. "Lo, I'm sorry Chloe isn't here to share this with you. I know you must be worried about her."

Lois felt her eyes involuntarily fill with tears and she sniffed slightly. "Yeah, I miss her and I wish she was here, but…" she pulled the necklace from around her neck and showed it to Clark. "She sent me this and a note. Clark, she said it was for the big day…like she's been watching us or knew we were going to get engaged. I just don't understand."

Taking the necklace from her, Clark studied the pendants hanging from the chain. After a moment, he replaced the necklace over her head and placed a kiss on the back of her neck. "Did it say why she was giving you the necklace?" he asked.

"Just that it could be my 'something borrowed'," she told him with a shake of her head. As another thought struck her, she sat straight up and whipped her head to face him. "Clark! Do you think that means that she'll come for the wedding? I mean something is only borrowed if you give it back. Maybe she's planning on coming back soon!"

Clark hesitated in answering her. He didn't want to crush her hopes, but he thought it unlikely that Chloe would be able to come for the wedding, or at least she wouldn't know yet. "I don't know, Lois. I'd like to think she would make it." As she realized he didn't believe Chloe would, her face fell and he rushed to add, "But you're right. It's only borrowed if you can give it back so it must mean that she does plan on coming back…eventually."

Lois decided to focus on that, and nodding once, she turned back to the sky that was starting to fill with pinks, oranges, and golds as the sun struggled to peek over the horizon. Chloe or no Chloe, she was going to enjoy this moment of peace in the arms of the man that she loved. Glad she had taken a nap the afternoon before, she felt abuzz with energy from the anticipation of her life to come beside her husband the hero.

~CK/LL~

(Around the time of "Beacon")

Unspecified cold morning, February, 2011 – Kent Farm kitchen a few days after the VRA repeal

"Yes, I know it's a relatively short amount of time to try to plan a wedding, but it was the only day the church was available between the time we started looking and the end of the year, Lucy. Besides, as long as you're organized and know what you want, it's not impossible to do in 5 months," Lois said into her cell phone as she danced around the kitchen trying to time breakfast just right so that the bacon was done at the same time as the eggs and toast. She really hadn't improved much in the kitchen, but with Martha still incapacitated from being shot several days ago, Lois really wanted to show that she could at least make a decent breakfast.

There were footsteps on the stairs and Clark appeared, carrying a couple of suitcases and Martha following behind him. "I wish you could stay a little longer, Mom. It's been great having you here," he told her as he set the bags down by the back door.

Martha gave him a knowing smile, full of love. "Oh yeah, I'm sure having your mother in the house with your fiancée didn't put a cramp in your style at all," she said with teasing sarcasm. She adjusted her jacket, being careful of her still-sore shoulder, and sat at the island at Lois' waving her hand for the older woman to do so. Clark's answer was a grin and a brief squeeze to her good shoulder as he passed her.

Clark caught the blackened bread just as it popped up out of the toaster and dropped it onto the plate on the counter. Lois dodged him as he spun to put it on the island and she brought the bacon over, which was a little crispier than most people liked. Using his bare hand, Clark grabbed the skillet with the eggs, frowned briefly, shrugged and began to spoon eggs onto the plates. When Lois went to pour the coffee and her back was turned to them, Clark used a little extra burst of speed to throw out the burnt toast, grabbed some more bread and, using his heat vision, toasted several pieces to perfection and reheated the eggs.

Martha had watched the whole performance and was mesmerized. It was obvious this wasn't the first time they had done this dance. Catching his mother's eyes as he dropped onto his stool at the same time that Lois hung up the phone and dropped onto her own stool, Clark grinned and wiggled his eyebrows at Martha. She winked back and cleared her throat in an effort to keep from laughing.

"Well, that was Lucy, finally returning my calls. It's only been what, 3 months since I saw her and 2 and a half months since we talked last? And here I thought we were going to try to be better sisters," Lois told them as everyone started digging into the food. She picked up a piece of charcoal that was supposed to be bacon, glared at it for a moment and then popped it into her mouth. "She's not sure if she'll be able to make it for the wedding."

"What? How could she possibly know she won't make her only sister's wedding that's still 3 months away?" Clark asked incredulously, trying to swallow his eggs.

"Because she's Lucy!" Lois declared as if that was all the explanation needed. Then she sighed and took a sip of her coffee. She played with the necklace around her neck that Martha had given her, a newly acquired nervous gesture. She alternated between wearing that necklace and the one Chloe had given her. "Truth is, she says she wants to be there but…oh forget it, basically, she doesn't want to commit to being at a specific place at a specific time. So if she makes it, she makes it. I'm just glad Chloe's back and will be able to be my maid of honor."

"What about your father, Lois? Have you been able to get in touch with him?" Martha asked, nibbling on her toast.

Lois paused in her movements only momentarily, but both Kents had caught it and shared a look of concern. "Nope. I just keep getting the run-around and everyone swears they're giving him my messages, but the truth is…I'm a little worried. I haven't heard from him since the whole VRA-vigilante-terrorist thing got really hot." She swallowed and flashed a smile at each of the other two people at the table. "I just wish I could talk to him for a minute. It couldn't have been easy for him when he decided to take another look at the VRA. He had been supporting it before, but ever since he visited us at Thanksgiving…"

She trailed off and looked a little lost. Clark reached over and squeezed her hand, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'm sure he's fine, honey. He's probably just busy. I'm sure he'll call as soon as he can."

Lois seemed to brighten a little and it made Martha's heart lighter to see how good they were for each other. "You're right, Smallville. I'm sure he's just out on some special op or something." She took another sip of coffee before adding, "Just watch the 'honey' business at the Planet."

"Yes, dear," Clark said with a grin and went back to trying to choke down his breakfast. Lois sighed but otherwise ignored him.

Martha cleared her throat and asked, "Did you still want to wear my dress for the wedding, Lois? You know it would be more than fine with me."

"Actually, Lucy just reminded me that dad had my mom's dress saved for one of us. I think it's in storage somewhere and if he'll ever call me, I was thinking of asking for it." Lois smiled at the older woman. "I hope you don't mind that it's my first choice if it's available."

"Of course! I completely understand," Martha told her but she couldn't help but be a little disappointed. She had been so flattered when Lois had asked to wear her dress during that last Valentine's Day debacle. She pushed her disappointment aside at the idea that Lois would be able to wear something to feel like she had her mother there with her on her special day.

Lois crammed a forkful of eggs into her mouth, started to chew, froze, made a face and swallowed hard. Picking up her orange juice glass, she drained it. "Smallville?" she said sweetly.

Suspicious at her tone, Clark only raised an eyebrow. "For the future, I prefer my eggs cold and fluffy instead of hot and rubbery. So you don't have to reheat mine," she told him, causing him to sputter. Lois smiled, knowing that he thought he had been sneaky. She pounded him on the back and added, "But it was sweet of you to try."

For the next several minutes, everyone pushed their food around their plate. Finally, Lois huffed and pushed her plate away. "Maybe we can just pick up some egg and cheese muffins on the way into work." Martha and Clark just laughed and Lois quickly joined in.

~CK/LL~