Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait. My muse has been pretty silent lately and I didn't want to force something because if I try to force my writing it comes out like crap. I've given you all a good story so far (I hope!) and I wanted to continue giving you a good story by letting the characters continue to tell their story.

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10.) Family Secrets

1 month later (Human time pregnancy=7 mos. / Krypton time pregnancy= 5 mos.)

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Lois said as she heard the doorbell ring.

These days Lois felt like a gigantic whale shark even though she had only grown a couple of inches in a month. Though those couple of inches made a difference, Lois hated how much the pregnancy had slowed her down. She had come to the conclusion that the babies were more Kryptonian than human. Even while being slowed down her metabolism had gone off the roof. She was eating twice as much as Clark did. Human pregnancies said that the whole "eating for two" was a myth but that certainly wasn't the case for Lois. She didn't want to think about how her insides worked but her eating habits made it difficult to not wonder about such things and how her twins got the nutrients they needed.

The doorbell rang again. Lois wanted to scream. Couldn't people be patient anymore?

She finally reached the door and opened it.

"Daddy," she said with surprise and trying to cover her stomach with her arms.

She hated when he showed up unannounced. Why couldn't he just call and save her from the shock especially now of all time.

"Lois, how do you think I felt having to hear through the grape vine that my daughter was expecting and that you moved from the Kent Farm to Metropolis?"

Lois moved to the side allowing her father to come in. She closed the door behind him. The two of them moved to the living room where Lois sat on the sofa couch and the General sat on one of the single couches.

"I'm sorry daddy. I didn't know how to tell you."

"Nothing to be sorry for Lo, you're a married woman. Though I wish you could have waited several years, I'm not that old to be considered grandpa material just yet. Where is that son-in-law of mine anyways?"

Lois looked out the window in the living room to the evening sky.

"He's at work," she said which wasn't technically a lie. Superman's job was just as important, if not more so, than Clark Kent's job at the Daily Planet.

The front door opened and in walked Clark. "Lois," he called out. He was about to take off his glasses when he heard a familiar rough voice.

"I thought you said he was at work."

Clark walked into the living room. Lois and the general both stood up, Lois having a more difficult time so Clark came and helped her.

"He was at work," said Lois, "Did you finish up early hun," she asked.

"The world can sleep tonight, not enough leads to chase." Clark stuck out his hand, "Good to see you sir."

Sam shook Clark's hand. "So I take it you're responsible for my daughter's condition."

"Dad," Lois said not believing her father would ask such a thing.

"I'm just making sure. What I still can't figure out is why the two of you never told me. How far along are you?"

"Seven months," Lois said looking down.

"And in those seven months you couldn't tell your own father that you were pregnant, I find that hard to believe."

"I was just embarrassed," Lois said trying her best to come up with a lie.

"Now I find that even more difficult to believe," said the General. "You've never been embarrassed of anything."

"Well I am your first born and having your first grandchildren so yeah it can be a little embarrassing."

"It's a natural thing Lois, no need to feel embarrassed over. Wait, did you say 'grandchildren'."

"She did sir," said Clark. "We're having twins."

The general took a seat, a little too overwhelmed.

"Let me get you some water," Clark said and he headed toward the kitchen. It didn't take long and he handed the glass to the general. "Here you go general."

"Thank you son," he said nodding. Lois and Clark took a seat across from him. "So, twins hu. Didn't see that one coming."

"Believe me dad," replied Lois, "Neither did we."

"So do you know if they're boys or girls?"

"Boys. Girls," Lois and Clark both said in unison. They looked at each other and smirked. Lois looked at her father, "We don't know. I want them to be boys but Clark is hoping for twin girls."

"So you're both looking forward to the mystery, that's always one of the best joys in life. Your mother would be thrilled Lois. We always hoped for grandchildren but considering that…"

"I'm me," Lois said knowing what her father was going to say. "You never thought I'd have kids, it's okay. I didn't either."

"What changed your mind," the general asked and then looked at Clark, "Though I think I very well know the answer."

Lois looked up at Clark, smiled, and placed a hand on his knee which he squeezed with his hand.

"Clark."

"And what about you Kent, you ever planned on having kids?"

Clark shifted a little in his seat. "Sure," he said knowing it to be the truth but keeping the bigger lies behind him.

"You don't sound too sure son."

That was one of the things Clark admired about General Sam Lane- he could spot when someone was being untruthful and yet that quality made him feel uncomfortable considering how he wasn't in on the family secret.

"I just never thought it was a possibility for me," he said opening another truth. "Being adopted I just thought that's what I would end up doing since it worked so well for my parents."

The general nodded, "I see."

Lois knew the tone in her father's voice, it was one of disappointment.

"Daddy, any child would be lucky to have Clark as a father, adopted or not."

"I believe you Lo but it doesn't bother you Clark that you never got to know your real parents? Did you even find them?"

"Daddy!"

"I'm sorry Lois. It's none of my business. I would just like to get to know my son-in-law a little better is that too much for your dad to ask?"

Lois didn't know what to say.

"No sir," said Clark. "It's not. I understand that you want what's best for your daughter and your grandchildren but there's nothing to worry about."

"I know Clark dad, I wouldn't have married him if I didn't and I wouldn't be having his kids if I wasn't one hundred percent sure. I had the chance to terminate the pregnancy but I didn't because I know how important having a child is to Clark and how important it's become to me."

"I'm sorry, to the both of you. It's not my place to tell you how you run your lives. Being a father, you would go to the end of the world and back just to make sure your kids are okay. And like you said Lo, you are my first born so I'm gonna fight for you tenfold. I think it's just time that I come to trust that you know what you want. I just have one question: Are my grandbabies healthy?"

Lois and Clark smiled.

"They're perfectly healthy," said Lois placing a hand on her stomach. "Dad, would you like to feel them?"

"They're moving?"

"They've been pretty active all afternoon."

Lois took her father's hand and placed it on her belly. It only took less than a second for Sam to feel the movement beneath and he smiled.

"Strong little girls aren't they?"

"Not you too."

"That's the way the world works Lo: fathers want daughters, mothers want sons." Sam felt more kicks. "Definitely got some soccer players in there."

"No," Lois said, "I can see them being track stars or football players like their father."

Clark smiled honored as always that his wife wanted their children to be just like him.

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"I think we should tell him," Lois said as the two of them lay in bed that night.

"He'll be gone in a couple of days. Soon we won't have to worry about lying to him."

"It's not the lying, well not entirely. Clark what happens when he wants to babysit and they develop your powers or what if he shows up unexpectedly like he did today only you're not in your suit and glasses? And then there's the fact that he thinks I'm seven months pregnant when I'm only five. What happens if he decides to come when the babies are born only to find that I'm still pregnant?"

Clark placed his hands under his head. He knew Lois had some valid points but he didn't know what to tell her.

"Lois he can't know. I know you would like your dad to know the truth but it wouldn't be safe for him, even more so that he's in the military."

"He can keep a secret Clark."

"That's not what I'm worried about. I'm just trying to protect him."

"And I love you for that sweetie, I do but we have to see the reality and that is that he's gonna want to babysit and our kids are going to have your abilities. Maybe having him in on the secret would be a good thing, let this become a family secret."

"I'll think about it okay, I just don't want to get your hopes up." Clark's hearing went off. "I'm sorry Lois, I have to…"

"I know, it's okay go."

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Over the next couple of days Clark internally agonized over Sam Lane. He had been staying in their guest bedroom and was due to leave the day after tomorrow. Clark floated high above the planet. He could hear the heartbeats of children playing in the streets, he could hear the cries of people, could hear their pain. He had always been different, always longed for a place to belong and though he had found one it still never made it any less easy when it came to hiding the truth. Same Lane was a respectable man. Sure he had had his moments at making Clark uncomfortable but that's what some in-laws did. Still Sam loved his daughter, both of them, and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do so why couldn't Clark make the same commitment to Lois?

He knew why. If Sam Lane found out the truth it would only further put his family in danger. Clark did not want to be the cause of another man's sacrifice. In part Clark had forgiven himself for his father's death but still there were small moments, such as tonight, where he couldn't help but feel guilty and blame himself all over again. If anything happened to Sam Lane could Lois forgive him but what was worse: having to tell Sam the truth to make Lois happy or not telling him and feeling terrible that he let Lois down somehow? No decision felt like the right one and considering how soon Sam would be gone, he had to make a choice.

Clark hovered in the sky for another minute and then bolted like a bullet down to Metropolis. He heard a woman's scream and Clark saw that some gangsters were after her. As he flew he turned on his back and used his heat vision to melt their guns and melt their rubber shoes into the asphalt. He then scoped the woman in his arms and flew her to the nearest police station where he dropped her off.

"Thanks Superman," she said waving.

After a few more saves for the evening he made his way home. In the time that Sam Lane had been at their house Lois made sure to keep the doors to their bedroom porch unlocked so that it would be easy for Superman to land and change into Clark Kent. Lois had gone to bed early as was starting to become her usual habits. He placed a kiss on her forehead and then walked over to the dresser to get his glasses, looked at himself in the mirror, and then put them on before heading downstairs.

Clark found Sam making a pot of coffee and turned to see Clark.

"Clark," said the general. "Didn't hear you come in."

"I've become a pro at sneaking in quietly so I don't disturb Lois."

"I remember those moments. Anytime I woke Ellen when she was pregnant… let's just say it was never good to get on her bad side." Clark smiled but that quickly turned to a small frown. "You look like you've got the weight on your shoulders Clark. What's on your mind son?"

Clark sighed and took a deep breath. "You told me once that you were grateful that the Blur saved Lois' life and that you kind of liked her having her own private guardian angel. Do you still feel that way?"

"I do but what does the Blur have anything?"

"I know you've had your suspicions about me."

"Clark…"

"It's okay I know you had your reasons. Lois is right, this secret isn't mine and it isn't ours, it's a family secret. For years I've done everything I could to protect the people I love but I'm not God and I can't control everything that happens even though I try. I always blamed myself for my dad's death. I thought that knowing the truth about me was what killed him, and that it was too much for him to handle but I know he wouldn't have it any other way because just as I tried to protect him, he was always trying to protect me."

"What are you trying to tell me Clark?"

"Your daughter loves you and I would do anything for her and I have to trust that she's right about this."

Clark started to loosen his tie and unbuttoned his shirt revealing his Superman suit. He then took off his glasses. He then straightened his composure.

"I'm Superman," he said to his father-in-law.

The general did not know what to say. Of all the secrets he believed his son-in-law had he didn't truly think he was a superhero. There was a moment a while back when he had visited Lois and Clark for Thanksgiving when Lois had been saved by the Blur when her apartment went up in flames but he let that idea pass. Most fathers always hoped their daughter would marry prince charming or a superhero but that was just a fairytale. Even with the vigilante's that were saving the cities, Sam Lane never imagined his daughter to be in league with them much less married to one.

"I don't know what to say," Sam said wiping his forehead.

Clark buttoned up his shirt but kept his glasses off. "I'm sure you can understand why we didn't say anything. I was just trying to protect you and Lois was respecting me."

"Well you can trust me not to say anything Clark. I thank you for telling me but why are you telling me now?"

"Lois' pregnancy changes things. Human wise she's seven months along but Kryptonian wise she's only five."

"Kryptonian?"

"I'll fill you in some other time. My point is, the twins will most likely have my abilities and I know you're going to be around as much as your job allows. Lois and I don't want you to have any surprises should they start lifting heavy objects by the time they're four or super speeding by the time they're six."

"Is that when you started developing your powers?"

"I was four when I started lifting the kitchen table. I understand this is probably a lot to handle."

"I'm fine Clark, really. This certainly does change things but it is pretty great that my daughter has her own personal superhero."

"So you're okay with this?"

"It'll take me a while to handle but you have nothing to worry about from me Clark, I promise."

At that moment the general smiled at Clark and he smiled back. Maybe Lois was right, telling the general would turn out to be a good thing after all.