Balances (Super Lana 42)
August 2009
Notes: Smallville belongs to DC and the CW. All other characters are mine and fictitious. Please send comments to .
Chapter 1 [Downtown Smallville—a month after "Inoculations"]
The sunshine and warm winds blew through the Midwestern town and its environs. The grasses rustled. The trees swayed their leafy canopies. People bustled about and talked to each other about things.
In the midst of this parade of sorts, Lana wheeled Ryan in his baby stroller down Main Street. She'd always kept herself busy in between shifts at the Talon, chores around the farm, practice drills with Jor-El, Heloise and the rest of the Legion and family time with her guys. On that particular afternoon, however, Lana heeded Martha's instructions and took some time to bond with her favorite Little Man.
"How do you like Smallville, Ryan?" she asked gently while looking down at her son.
He looked around in surprise at all of the strange faces and activity around himself. Sometimes he would drift off but he wanted to hear his mother's telepathic rhythms. No offense meant to his Grandma or Grandpa Kent but he was Mommy's Boy.
And don't you forget it.
She checked her diaper bag once again to make sure it was full of supplies. Of course, it was but she didn't want to take any chances. She still remembered how she and Clark had left him abandoned with a soggy diaper during their red kryptonite rampage. That'll never happen again! I'll make sure of it. Then she wheeled him through the front door of the Talon.
Around them, the familiar bustle of the Talon flowed around themselves. The regulars occupied their usual tables and leaned up against the counter while waiting for their caffeinated doses of nirvana. Occasional new or unfamiliar faces peppered the seasoned crowd as they familiarized themselves with the pink Egyptian motifs.
Ryan gurgled and let out a slight whimper.
["Shh! It's okay. These are all of Momma's friends,"] she reassured him while looking around. She decided to head for Angie's to offer him a respite from the activity. "April?"
April Dubois smiled as she finished an order. "Hi, Lana! Just a second!" She wrapped a bouquet for an elderly woman and thanked her for her patronage. Then she turned to the duo. "I guess we're taking a certain someone on his maiden voyage through town?"
"You betcha," Lana agreed proudly. "Want to say hi to Mrs. Dubois, Ryan?"
He stared at the florist but relaxed. He remembered her vibrations from the day of his delivery.
"Hi there! I'm April. You're so cute!" April soothed. "Your parents are so proud of you! Want to meet my babies?" She walked off and returned with a baby carrier holding Colin and Peggy. "These are my babies. You all can be friends."
As they were set down next to the carriage, the twins' eyes snapped open from their nap.
Peggy reached out toward Ryan.
Somehow, the tiny Kryptonian understood for he raised a pudgy finger in her direction.
"Did you see that?" Lana gasped. She had felt the telepathic contact.
"Peggy reaches for things occasionally. Strange, she did that the day you delivered him too," April recalled.
"They definitely made contact!" Lana declared. Wow! Jor-El will want to know about this.
"I'm sure Dave will be excited too. Wish I had those abilities," April lamented.
"They have their ups and downs as I'm sure he'll tell you," Lana assured her.
"Hey, Lana! What's going on?" Chloe asked while sticking her head into the flower shop. "Are you here with the little guy? What's going on out at the farm?"
"Nothing. Mom thought it'd be good for us to get some Momma-Son time. I decided to let my Little Man here see where I work and hang out," Lana explained. "Besides I figured April could help if there were any sudden emergencies." She motioned to her bag. "I brought plenty of supplies. Can I join you?"
"Sure can! Lex and I have our usual corner booth. See you in a few!" the reporter concluded before heading back over to join her husband.
"Tough to be out of the picture for a while," April presumed with a grin as she picked up the carrier. "Why don't you join them?"
"I'll do that. Thanks, April, for the support." With that, she headed over to the corner booth where Lex and Chloe waited for her. Standing right next to it, Alicia gabbed with the couple about things. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Mrs. Dubois and I had some things to talk about." She slid into the empty seat across from them. "Can I get a decaf latte please?"
"Coming right up. Good to see you here when you're not working," Alicia agreed. "And to get a view of the little guy! Hi, Ryan! Mom talks a lot about you!" She waved a finger at the baby and smiled before heading back toward the coffee bar.
"Baby's first tour of the town?" Lex queried; the Smirk clearly on his face.
"Mom thought it would be good for both of us. Besides Clark and I have been going all out trying to make up for that mess last month," Lana explained. She gazed upon her son sadly. "Some times I think we'll never make up for that day."
"Cut yourself some slack," Chloe assured her. "You're doing that just by what you're doing now."
"My father you aren't, Lana. You and Clark were sick," Lex added. "You've dealt with that. All we can do is move forward. Just be the best parent you can be. My mother certainly put up with a lot and did so." He motioned upstairs. "Just ask Professor Dubois on that one."
"They were really close," Lana recalled.
"She and his grandmother helped to save him. Be good parents and provide a stable environment to Ryan. He'll be okay," Lex continued. "Meantime we'll all be here to help too."
I can hope we can! Lana mused to herself while checking her companion's diaper again. Maybe the burden wouldn't be so bad after all.