Crazy girl writer: No problem, and thanks for bringing your concerns to my attention. I tend to forget that just because I know what's going on and what's happening, it doesn't mean you guys do too. I was more than glad to put that in there for you. And I'm glad you're still intrigued by the story.
Jeremy Shane: Thanks!
The fallen sky: Oh, wow! Thank you! I wasn't so sure about it. I thought the readers would think Chloe's becoming too much of a pessimist; but I honestly believe this is how she would feel with Clark gone, and the baby causing her so much physical pain all the time, and just…I don't know. I thought she'd be cranky. Thank you so much. I don't know what made me do this from Chloe's point of view, but I'm glad you think it's working out alright.
Shonnia22: Lol. I don't like the shrink either. She's too nosey.
Dizzy78: Wow! I keep forgetting some of you guys have been following this story since "When Clark Comes Back". That's a long time; and you still like everything? Thank you.
Madlenita: Yeah, I'm sorry about that; but Chloe's a very sad woman without Clark around.
DS: Is it odd that I want the same thing, but I refuse to let myself do it. God, I'm weird. Even my own fics don't go the way I want them to. I just let the characters take over and tell me what to do. Yeah, I'm definitely weird.
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"Why didn't you just tell me you had an interview at The Planet?"
I'm too shocked to answer Lois.
I didn't go on an interview.
"I mean, we could've just postponed the shopping trip rather than you sneaking off to metropolis without me," she continues.
She's either ignoring the fact that I'm completely shocked, or she thinks I'm actually interested in what she's saying.
"You're trying to get back into the saddle; live again. I think this could definitely be good for you; you know, financially; and it'll help take your mind off…things," she smiles proudly at me.
I close my eyes and tune her out. You'd think that would stop her from talking.
I obviously don't know my own cousin then.
I let out a heavy sigh before interrupting her.
"Lois."
She doesn't hear me.
I let her go on for a few more seconds with the intention of speaking once she takes a breath; but she doesn't. She's just rambling on about god knows what, but from what little I do catch onto, it's got nothing to do with the original topic.
The Daily Planet.
"I'm not going to work at The Daily Planet," I blurt out.
Her jaw drops, and I don't think she's breathing.
'That's right Sullivan. If you can't get her to stop talking for a few seconds, just send her into cardiac arrest.'
"Wh-hat?" she finally manages to stammer. "Why? But you"-
"I didn't go on an interview," I answer truthfully….and stupidly.
She scoffs out a grin, probably thinking I'm pulling her leg.
"They just called you on your personal cell Chloe," she says as if that proves she's right.
I don't give her an answer; and in return she frowns at me. Apparently, she's expecting me to say 'just kidding' and tell her all about it.
I suppose three months ago I would have done it. Three months ago, I would've felt guilty about the look my cousin is giving me and just agreed to do whatever she wanted to get her approval; but I'm not that person anymore. I'm not going to cave on this.
"Oliver said he found you in front of The Planet the day you…that day," she tries again.
I just stare at her.
Her frown deepens at my lack of response; and for a second I think she's gonna take me seriously, but then she smiles and I have to take a mental deep breath.
She walks up to me and sits down beside me. There's barely room for her on the bed, so it's more of a 'perch' really.
"Chloe I know you're scared," she reaches over and takes my hand in hers in what I can only interpret as an 'I understand what you're going through' gesture.
I snatch it away from her and instantly regret it. She's looking over at my other hand, still joined with Lana's; and then she blinks rapidly before continuing.
"But you can't back down from this. You'll go crazy just sitting around the house all day waiting for Clark to come home," she finishes.
She's hurt. Really hurt. I can see it in her eyes; and hear it in her voice.
I feel like crap.
"Okay," I relent. "I'll do it."
I hate her too.
She's always making me do things I don't want to do. But then she gives me her brightest smile and I instantly don't hate her anymore. It was worth it. I've always liked her smile; especially when I'm the one who put it on her face.
She leans forward and lays her head on my chest; embracing me into one of the most awkward hugs we've ever shared. I wrap my left hand around her and pat her on the back.
"Uh Chloe, you think maybe you can let go of Lana's hand for a second so this can be a 'me and you' moment; and not a 'me, you, and your girlfriend' moment; because frankly, I'd rather that stayed between just the two of you."
I smile, roll my eyes at her, and lift my hand up for her to see.
I'm not holding Lana's hand at all, she's holding onto mine. I let go the moment Lois's feelings got hurt.
She frowns at our hands, then at Lana before trying to pull them apart. Lois is pretty strong, so I imagine she's pretty frustrated when she's unsuccessful.
"Well that's…weird. Are you sure she's still alive?" Lois asks; and before I can stop her, she pokes Lana in the arm.
"Lois!" I hiss.
Lana wrinkles her brows a bit, but stays asleep.
Lois moves to poke her again, but I slap at her hand.
"Stop it," I scold her as if she's a small child.
My cousin reluctantly returns her gaze back to me. "You know," she steals one more glance at our hands "You two really freak me out."
There's a soft knock on the door and one of my doctors come in; my favorite one actually. He's pretty young; probably a few years older than me, but I've been reassured by Oliver that he's one of the best, and that he knows what he's doing.
I inhale slowly; praying he'll say I can go home without actually putting much faith into it.
"Mrs. Kent, you're free to go."
"What!" Lois and I yell together. I can't believe what I just heard. Apparently, neither can Lois.
"What do you mean she can go home? You guys didn't even fix her!"
"Ms. Lane, there is nothing to fix. Mrs. Kent's vitals are good, her baby is fine, and all tests came back with a positive result. In short, your cousin is in perfect health."
"But what about the lethal headaches, and the sleepwalking, and…and the nightmares?" she finishes lamely.
The doctor smiles at Lois. "Headaches are actually normal occurrences in a pregnancy. I will admit Mrs. Kent's are more extreme than most, but…" he shrugs his shoulder. "And as far as the nightmares and sleeping walking, I'll attribute that to the trauma she's endured before and after losing her husband; which is not my area of expertise. You might want to consider seeing a psychiatrist."
"She's already seeing a psychiatrist," Lois answers irritably.
"Of course she is," he replies absently while jotting down a small note, ripping it from its pad, and handing it to me.
I smile when I see what's written on it.
"What's that?" She asks and snatches the paper from me before I can answer.
"Her prescription," the doctor answers seriously.
"It says 'at least eight hours of sleep a day,'" Lois growls.
"Yes, and make sure she gets that every night; or she'll end up here again," he says before leaving. Quickly.
I like him. He's got a good sense of humor, and common sense.
I get up out of the bed; sort of. Lana's death grip on my hand stops me from getting too far.
"Lana," I groan while tugging my hand. Of course there's no answer. I'm finally able to go home and I can't.
I climb onto Lana's side of the bed and shake her a bit. "Lana!"
She opens her eyes slowly. "What?" She mumbles sleepily.
I frown when she takes her precious time sitting up and stretching and yawning. I yank at my hand a little. I don't care if she wants to stay here; but she should at least have the decency to let me go.
She looks up at me, finally, and narrows her eyes.
"You need sleep," she observes.
I roll my eyes. Duh.
"Do you want me to come home with you?"
I suck in a deep breath and wait for it.
"You know Lana, I get that the two of you are lonely; but Chloe's taken. And so are you," Lois adds as an afterthought.
Honestly, how could she have not thought Lois would respond to that?
"No, I think I'll be fine. Alone," I answer Lana while tugging my hand once again.
She gives me a suite yourself shrug and lets go. Immediately, I feel …cranky. I grab her hand, just to make sure of something. Gradually, I begin to feel better. I'm still tired, but I'm not cranky. I let go; instantly becoming cranky again.
'Shit.'
I ignore the look Lois is giving us and glare at Lana. I can tell she wants to smile; but this isn't funny to me at all. My babies don't like to be separated from each other. Which means I don't like being separated from Lana? And if we're separated for too long, we what, suffer some heavy duty withdrawal symptoms?
This is going to be a long four months.
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A/N: Next post will be Monday, July 19th.