New Year's Surprise (Follow Up to "Matching Wits")

DJ Dubois

January 2009

Notes: Smallville belongs to DC and the CW. All other characters are mine and fictitious. Please send comments to .

This story takes place about three months after "Matching Wits".

Chapter 1 [December 29th—Luthor Mansion]

Freezing rain fell on that somber afternoon four days after Christmas. The roads remained empty due to hazardous condition. Ice hung crystalline from the tree branches and congealed on the roads. A frigid wind gusted through Smallville and western Kansas.

Maggie stared into this bleak landscape. With her adopted parents gone for the day at least, she felt lonely. Granted, Rollins and the house staff kept an eye on her. The situation wasn't like the orphanage in Metropolis where she'd been until recently. Still she missed Lex and Chloe.

Her parents were occupied with their affairs. Lex was away at meetings for three days. While intending to only be a few hours, the weather had forced Chloe to stay at the

Ledger.

I wish Mommy were here. Just be safe, Mommy. Maggie sighed. Her blue eyes filling with tears. She looked around her room which sparkled in the light as she had just finished cleaning it. While Chloe had offered to back off on the requirement about chores, she insisted on doing them. It was because she wanted to pull her share. It was because she loved her familia, parents and staff. She walked out of the bedroom, passing the vacuum cleaner and heading down the stairs.

The living room greeted her with the Christmas motif still present. A fire blazed away in the massive fireplace. In the corner, the grand balsam pine still had its lights and garlands. From her perch atop it, a white porcelain angel stood guard over the area.

As she surveyed the glittering scene, a smile spread across her face and her mind flashed back….

****

[Christmas Morning]

Maggie stirred from a surprisingly deep slumber. She'd been way too excited the day before with all of the preparations around the mansion. She'd helped the baking staff make cookies. She helped her mother wrap her father's presents. She even gave her wing an additional dusting off.

As per one of her presents, Lex and Chloe had read Christmas stories to her, letting Maggie soak in the loving environment they wanted for her. Their narrative allowed her to relax and drift off to the land of sugar plum fairies and gingerbread houses.

Besides she had to allow Santa a chance to come too…..

She threw her robe on and rushed down the stairs to find her new parents waiting for her beside the tree and a massive pile of presents. "Good morning, Mommy! Daddy!"

"There's my girl!" Lex cheered while hugging her tightly against himself. "Merry Christmas!"

"Good morning!" Chloe exclaimed warmly while kissing her on top of the head.

While she couldn't wait to rip into the packages, she had the best present she could want right there. She lingered there with her parents before they all took a gift apiece at a time. They savored the experience.

Besides Chloe's new necklace matched the glitter in her eyes and smile.

Lex's new watch represented a handsome gift. His blue eyes sparkled gratefully at his girls for it.

And they all enjoyed Maggie's finely constructed sugarbread mansion, taking a picture before starting into it.

That had been Heaven…..

****

[Present]

Maggie blinked and was back in the gloom again. She took a deep breath. "Mommy will be back soon."

"Excuse me, Miss Maggie?" Rollins interjected carefully while walking over with a cell phone in his hand.

"Hi, Mr. Rollins." She smiled at him. "What's up?"

He returned the greeting. While she'd behaved like a royal brat during the initial weekend, he had marveled at how much she'd grown into the Second Lady of the House behind Chloe. Unlike other children of privilege, she had developed respect for him and helped out wherever possible. "Your mother would like to speak with you. Also, thank you for doing the vacuuming upstairs."

"Anything to help you all. Thanks!" Maggie expressed while taking the cell phone. "Can I get some tea please? Maybe you might have some too?"

"Thank you. I'll have it right up, Miss Maggie," he agreed while heading back out.

She considered the phone and smiled. Then she pressed the "talk" button. "Hi, Mommy. You okay?"

Chloe chuckled. "Yes, Sweetie. I'm safe. Thank you so much for asking. I wanted to make sure you were too."

"Yeah. I'm keeping busy. Mr. Rollins is making me some tea. I'm looking at the tree again!" Maggie explained. "And 'memberin' our special day."

Chloe's eyes watered at her daughter's revelation. Maybe sometimes she felt split by obligations. But not at that moment. The adopted girl's love made that clear. In addition, the diamond on her right ring finger said the same thing. "I do too, Sweetie. I'll be home as soon as I can. The weatherman says another hour. Okay? Can you hang in there for me?"

"Sure. Just be safe, Mommy. I love you," Maggie told her.

"I love you too, Maggie. Maybe you can invite Mr. Rollins to share tea with you?" Chloe suggested.

"Course! I wouldn't enjoy without company. See ya soon." With that, Maggie hung up and waited for the butler to return with their tea.

Maybe the parents weren't around but she could handle things just the same….