Clark and Lois had just ordered lunch. "Do you think we made a mistake by telling them? " he asked.
"Well, your mom was fine about it. It seems like your dad was a totally different story."
"Mom will talk him around. She has that amazing ability that all women have – getting the man around to their way of thinking." He kissed the end of her nose.
"So are you saying I have coerced you recently?" She asked with a mischievous look.
He smiled back. "I must say there was plenty of coercion going on earlier at the apartment."
"I knew you would say that."
Martha noticed Clark and Lois cuddling in a booth in the corner of the restaurant. He had his arm draped around her shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world. He was looking at Lois with a look she had never seen her son give anyone before….complete and utter devotion.
"My god, have you seen the way he looks at her? " Martha exclaimed as she put her arm out to stop Jonathan's approach. "There has been a seismic shift in their relationship, Jonathan. "
"But, they left Smallville three days ago as almost friends, now they are besotted with each other. How does that happen?"
"I don't know how, but it has. He never looked at Lana like that. This is the real deal, Jonathan and I think we should go with it. It had to happen at some point and I knew deep down that Lois would be the one. No-one can get under his skin like she can and no-one can kick his butt like she does. Lois risked her life to save us and would do the same again without question." Martha explained proudly.
"I know you're right, Martha, but it is still hard to accept our boy is growing up so fast and turning into a man. I have spent so long worrying about how he would cope in the adult world, but do you realise how stupid that sounds when he saves people's lives on a daily basis. I know it's time that we let him make his own decisions and mistakes. "
"You know what… I think you need to tell Clark what you have just told me. He needs a father-son talk because at the moment, he thinks you are disappointed with him about his decision to tell Lois about his true heritage. Why don't you see if he wants to go for a drink? I will see if Lois fancies a look around the shops this afternoon."
"I think that could be a good idea, then I can put the next stage of our charade into action." Jonathan explained.
Clark saw his parents coming around the corner into the restaurant and instinctively moved away from Lois so they would not realise what was happening.
"My parents are here." He pointed out.
Martha smiled. "Hi guys. Can we join you?"
Clark looked nervously at his father because as much as he hated to admit it, he always wanted his approval. "Of course. We have just ordered salads, do you want something?"
"No, we will just have a coffee. They feed you too much on these plane journeys. " His dad commented trying to lighten the atmosphere.
His father took a seat. "Clark, I was wondering if you would like to go for a drink this afternoon. Let's get some beers in, since you are legal and able to enjoy alcohol now."
"While the boys are doing that, would you like to go shopping, Lois." Martha asked. "You can show me around this beautiful town."
"Yes, I would love that. " Lois replied sincerely.
The waitress brought their food and drinks over.
"So, how did you manage to leave the farm?" Lois asked.
"To be honest, it was better to leave anyway." Martha explained. "Jonathan was getting stressed so we just left the project manager from the insurance company to get on with it. Hopefully the farmhouse will be rebuilt by the time we get back. Anyway apart from our odd trip interstate, this is the first time we have been to Europe together. It seems very romantic here." She added, digging for a confession.
"Romantic! We haven't noticed as we have been so busy trying to deal with the unfolding situation. Maybe I could bring Lana here sometime." Clark knew before he had finished his sentence that he had overdone it with his protestations. He noticed Lois tense up at the very mention of her name.
"Something tells me, you won't be going out with Lana anytime soon, if ever." Jonathan announced to his puzzled son.
"What do you mean?" Clark asked curious where that comment had come from.
"Chloe told us you had had another fight before you flew here. I just thought that would be the end of it, since you never do anything other than fight." Martha explained.
"You're right, mom. I think I can finally accepted that she is not the one for me." Clark said whilst coyly shooting glances at Lois.
"For now, all you need to worry about is continuing your charade with Lois and pretending that we think you have eloped." Jonathan added.
"Eloped?!" Lois replied. "Where did that one come from?"
"I did not get a chance to explain." Clark explained the situation.
Martha finished her coffee. "Lois, are you ready to hit the town?"
"Yes, definitely." She got up and leant over and kissed Clark on the lips, glad that they now had this fabricated engagement story to protect their real feelings for one another. She knew she could not go long hiding their secret but until she had a chance to discuss the matter with Clark, she would keep up the pretence.
Clark and Jonathan were left looking at one another. "Ok, son. I want to talk about what happened before."
He became all defensive. "It was just a kiss. You want us to pretend to be in love, so that is what we are doing."
Jonathan smiled at his son. "Well, I was talking about my attitude to your secret reveal but you are obviously thinking about something else."
"No, I meant the same thing as you. I am just hoping Lana does not hear I have been kissing another woman or that could be the final nail in the coffin of our relationship." Clark tried to get his father off the scent.
His father smiled "You are sure about wanting your powers back?"
"I do have a few reservations. I am worried about how it will affect my ability to live a normal life… I mean I am giving up the chance to have a normal human relationship, get married and hopefully have children at some point. But on the other side of the coin, I miss being able to sort out men like Max Schneider in a matter of minutes. This situation has me worried. They have already shown their willingness to hurt people when they kidnapped Lois."
His father smiled. "I know what you mean, Clark. But we will sort this with or without your powers. Once this is over, I think the General needs to hear a few home truths about his daughter. She does not want to listen to anyone else. "
"I think you may be right, dad."
"Clark, anyway I need to say something to you. I am so proud that you came to help Lois without a moment's thought. I never say this enough… but I love you, son." Jonathan hugged him.
"Thanks, dad. That means so much coming from you. All I have ever wanted to do was to make you proud. I love you too." Clark was emotional.
Suddenly Clark clocked Lucy walking up the street with Gretchen. "Isn't this girl ever in school?" He groaned. "Dad, go with me on this one."
Clark stood up, his face red with anger, almost knocking the chair over in the process. "I don't care whether you believe me. I am going to be with her whether you agree or not."
Jonathan glared at him. "No, son! You are going to be on that flight tomorrow even if I have to drag you on to it myself. "
"Make me…" Clark shouted as he walked off.