Urgent!
DJ Dubois
February 2008
Notes: Smallville belongs to DC and the CW. Any original characters are mine.
Chapter 1 [Luthor Mansion—Monday before Easter]
After an especially harsh winter, spring arrived right just in the nick of time for Kansas residents. They were glad to see the buds on the trees and birds flying overhead, calling to each other while on the trek north. Planters (including Martha Kent of course) planned their flower beds and the next crop of blooms.
In his study, Lex engrossed himself in such a creative enterprise. As it turned out, the following Sunday represented a conjoining of different occasions in one. Besides being Easter Sunday, March 23rd was his second wedding anniversary.
It was also the day when the baby she carried was due to make his or her appearance.
He sighed, feeling his own fears and moods. Chloe had encouraged him at every step, letting him know he was better than the Big Bad Lionel in terms of personal character and fortitude. He knew she'd be the perfect partner.
Still he recalled how his father had treated him. What if I'm like him? He turned to his mother's portrait.
Much like a British beefeater, Lillian's image kept a sharp eye over the space and her son's activity. On several occasions, people swore the portrait was staring at them or a glimmer shone in her eyes.
On this day, however, he saw none of this. He only wanted to feel his mother's reassuring presence. She'd tell you not to overwhelm Chloe but to find something from the heart. He steepled his fingers while browsing through the latest in a string of online shopping sites. What to get. What to get.
The casualty list of potential gifts included chocolates, a year's supply of coffee and standard floral arrangements. None of those things would satisfy Smallville's Most Inquiring Mind and he knew it.
One thing he knew…whatever he did get, Martha's tulips would frame the arrangement. Just the previous week, she'd grown a few blooms in the house, knowing how much Chloe would like them.
In addition to the special gift, he had a coffee urn ready for the following Sunday as well. While she'd drain the town's coffee reserves dry with it, he wanted to have a jab at her. Besides if it kept her happy in the long run, he didn't care.
He powered down his computer and paced across the room, wracking his brain for other options. Why is it that I can deal with multimillionaires with no effort but Chloe does this to me? He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
As he did, a beam of sunlight poured through, reflecting off the brass rail underneath the window. It appeared almost like gold with the reflected light.
That's it! Lex jumped on the phone and waited for an answer. Maybe Samson's will have something! Several times in the past, he and his family had turned to Granville's best jewelry store for inspiring pieces. Perhaps the elderly master craftsman could strike pay dirt again.
"Samson's Jewelers. Clive Samson speaking," Samson greeted.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Samson, this is Lex Luthor. How are you?" Lex replied, managing to compose himself.
"Lex, it's great to hear from you. Thank you for the donation to the town's art fund! We're going to be able to do that summer music series now," Samson informed him.
The billionaire nodded, feeling a burst of pride for a minute. Granville's project was something that both he and Chloe had identified and worked on as a team. "I'll let my wife know. You realize that she's going to want to do a spread for the Ledger, right?"
"As if I'd be brazen enough to try and deny her that? I'd rather jump into a pit full of rattlesnakes," Samson assured him.
Lex chuckled. "That would be about the size of it." He went silent for a second, letting his mind shift back to the main issue at hand. "Speaking of jumping into the pit, I have a situation."
"Oh?" The jeweler asked. "This wouldn't have anything to do with a certain wedding anniversary, would it?"
"Only you would remember that," Lex declared.
"I'm a businessman, Lex. Certainly remembering the important dates in my best clients' lives is a priority. Wouldn't you say?"
"Touché," Lex conceded. "Between that and the baby, I was hoping you could work the Samson magic again."
"As a matter of fact, I may just have something to interest you," Samson informed him. "There are two pieces: a necklace and a bracelet. Either one will fit the bill, I think. I'd be happy to hold them for you."
"I'll be right over. Thanks," Lex concluded before hanging up. He walked out of the study and grabbed his overcoat. As he descended the staircase, Rollins walked over. "Shall I keep dinner waiting, Master Luthor?"
"I should be back in time." He glanced at his watch. "Hopefully I won't keep Chloe waiting too long."
"I'll make sure to have her favorite coffee going. You're on an important mission, Sir. I'd be honored to assist in any way possible," the butler concurred.
While he knew the other man didn't eavesdrop on his conversations, Lex never ceased to be amazed by Rollins' instinctive understanding of these situations and his reactions to them. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Rollins. Thanks." With that, he headed out toward the garage and drove off toward Granville.
Miss Chloe knows you love her, Master. Trust in that. Your mother always did. The manservant headed down the hall toward his other tasks, feeling good about the mood at large.