I hope you all can forgive me for the lateness of this chapter. Things have gotten really busy. I have exams coming up and several papers that still need to be written. I also had a little bit of writers block. Hopefully I'm over that last thing, but there might be a wait again between this and the next chapter so that I can take care of that school work. Once again, please forgive me. I hope you all like this chapter. Make sure you review, who knows, it might get me to write the next chapter sooner.
Disclaimer: I really don't own the Dukes or Smallville. If I did I would be one happy camper having the Duke Boys andJonathan being mine. But they aren't so don't sue me.
A couple months went by and Jonathan and Martha became inseparable. They spent nearly every waking moment with each other. They were study buddies, best friends, and boyfriend and girlfriend. Both of them were completely and totally in love with the other and both were contemplating marriage. Actually contemplating is not the right word, both were expecting marriage. Martha was only waiting for Jonathan to propose to her.
Martha had met Hyrum and Katie Kent, and Jonathan met Jim and Anne Clark. Martha got along great with the Kent's, and Jonathan got along well with Anne Clark. Jim Clark was the exception. Jonathan and Jim didn't get along very well. Since that was a difficult relationship, that made Jonathan nervous about asking for Martha's hand in marriage. Finally Jonathan got up the gall to go to Mr. Clark and ask.
The wait was over. Jonathan sat in the living room of the Clark house jiggling his foot as he waited nervously for Jim Clark to come downstairs and meet him. The lawyer finally came down and sat in a chair right in front of Jonathan and they began to talk. Jonathan asked Jim if he could marry his daughter. Jim who had never really liked Jonathan before began to drill him with questions. Mr. Clark asked him if he really did love his daughter and what he planned on doing with his life. Jim also asked him about how he would provide for Martha and himself. When Jonathan explained about inheriting his father's farm and tilling the land, Jim looked upset and slightly angry.
"So you expect that I'll let my little girl marry you, who will never amount to anything. I will not let my daughter throw her life away by marrying some hick farmer that couldn't possibly support her."
Jonathan who was trying to be polite throughout the entire strained conversation, at that comment snapped. His inherited hotheadedness came through and he punched Mr. Clark without thinking. Jim was shocked into silence. A minute later Jonathan realized that he had struck out of anger and tried to apologize. Jim wouldn't listen. He just got angry and kicked Jonathan out of the house.
Jonathan stood outside for a few minutes fuming. Jonathan thought how dare he? Jim Clark did not understand that the entire foundation of the U.S. of A. was built and still structured on the backs of farmers. Jonathan was an important part of the economy that kept everybody functioning. Jonathan remembered that someone important to him once said to him that it "doesn't matter what you have on the outside in worldly possessions, the only important thing is your love for each other. Everything else will work out one way or another." Jim Clark did not understand that. It also frustrated Jonathan that he couldn't remember who it was that gave him that sage advice. It was knowledge that he'd keep in his mind as long as he lived, and he wished he could thank again whoever it was that gave him it.
When he calmed down, Jonathan got into his truck and drove back to campus and Martha's dorm. He decided he didn't need Mr. Clark's blessing. Besides, Jim wasn't even Martha's real father. Jonathan decided that they were going to get married anyways. He knew that they were going to be married before that danged car wreck. Jonathan and Martha had talked a lot about what happened the day they were found, and they deduced that they were in the same accident together. It was a little strange at first but then it just made the couple realize that they really were meant to be together since they had found each other again.
So now, about proposing. Jonathan had a great idea and he had it planned out perfectly. The little mishap with Mr. Clark didn't change anything. Jonathan went to Martha's dorm, but before knocking he touched his pocket and made sure that the little square box was there. It was. He also had a blindfold ready for Martha. He knocked on the door and Martha answered. Before she could say anything, Jonathan pounced on her and wrapped the blindfold around her eyes.
"Jonathan! What are you doing? What's this all about?"
"Shhh sweetheart you'll see. Just be patient."
Martha giggled but complied. She let Jonathan blindfold her and lead her out to his truck and drive her somewhere. Martha could feel the turns, she tried to count them in order to figure out where they were going. Jonathan knew she would do that so he purposely drove in circles for a little bit to get her disoriented. Finally he chuckled and drove her to their destination. It was a place just out of Metropolis. It was rural country despite living on the doorstep of a huge city. Jonathan stopped his pick up and then pulled Martha out of the truck's window. The passenger door had busted the week before, so that was the only way of getting in or out of the passenger side.
Martha giggled as Jonathan continued to hold her and carry her away. She still couldn't see anything but she felt safe knowing that Jonathan had her in his arms. Jonathan placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head and then set her down.
"Now sweetheart are you ready for your surprise?"
"I guess so."
"We're nearly there. Hold onto my hand, I'll lead you the rest of the way."
Martha hung onto Jonathan, a few yards away she took a step up. Martha could here what sounded sort of like a flame, and she could feel heat.
"Jonathan where are we? Can I take this blindfold off?"
"Just one more minute Martha."
Jonathan nodded to the third person that was there in the basket they had just stepped into. The third person, a pilot pulled on the string which made the flame turn on. Seconds later the basket lifted into the air.
Martha at the feeling of lift clung onto Jonathan. She faced Jonathan though she was still blindfolded. "Now?"
"Now." He replied. Jonathan came behind Martha and undid her blindfold. Martha gasped when she saw what she was in and where she was. They were in fully filled hot air balloon that was now hovering a couple hundred feet in the air. It was a bright blue and red colored balloon with a yellowish tinted basket. She still clung to Jonathan but Martha looked out and saw the beautiful city of Metropolis. The buildings twinkled in the sunlight, the skyscrapers reaching for the clouds. It was a breathtaking sight.
"Jonathan, it's beautiful"
Jonathan smiled looking at Martha and said "Yes it is."
Jonathan and Martha looked and pointed out familiar landmarks and buildings. Eventually, Jonathan gently moved away from Martha's grasp so he could do what he was planning to do up there in the hot air balloon. Martha was fine. She was occupied looking out at the city as they continued to ascend into the sky above it. Jonathan pulled out a bouquet of red tulips that were hidden behind the pilot, and a plate of chocolate covered strawberries. He came behind Martha and kissed her on her neck to get her attention since his arms were full. He then brought the bouquet of tulips around so that she could see them. Martha took them, turned to him and smiled.
"Tulips! You got me tulips. Oh and look chocolate strawberries. They're my favorite. You didn't have to get me these Jonathan."
"I wanted to Martha. I love you so very very much."
Martha smiled and then stood up on her tip toes and placed a kiss on Jonathan's cheek. "I love you too"
While kissing Jonathan, Martha's hand reached over and took a strawberry. She placed it in Jonathan's mouth suddenly and then took the plate from his hands and smiled mischievously. Martha proceeded to stuff several more chocolate covered strawberries into Jonathan's mouth. Jonathan was surprised but laughed as soon as he swallowed the huge mouthful. Martha grinned, and Jonathan delicately picked up a strawberry. He then placed that strawberry into Martha's awaiting mouth. This game of Martha stuffing Jonathan's face and Jonathan being nice and delicately feeding Martha went on until all the strawberries were gone.
When the strawberries were finished, Jonathan took both Martha's hands into his own and looked into her eyes.
"Martha, would you do me the honor of this dance?"
"I would, but there isn't any music."
"I can fix that."
Jonathan moved his foot and with his toes pressed the play button on the tape player that was sitting on the floor of the basket. Jonathan had picked out this very special song called "The Time of My Life" by this guy named John Schneider. He thought the song fit the occasion.
The music began to play and Jonathan began to lead Martha in a dance as the hot air balloon continued to ascend high into the sky. Jonathan sang along to the music, and surprisingly blended perfectly with the artist. Martha smiled and rested her head on Jonathan's chest as they danced
If you were my lady I've waited all of my life And you'd have the time of my life Though I'd have my moments I've waited all of my life
I'd make you my wife
I'd live just to give you the time of my life
Till all of the tears of the past come undone
They'd fall away faster than rain from the sun
For someone to make all my love songs come true
The summer and fall of my life
Were wasted unless I can sing them for you
The prime of my life
And the seasons to come
You'd be the rhyme of my life
And the reason for singing my songs
You'd still make my days
You'd follow my mind when it wandered away
You'd find it inside of a dream coming true
And you'd open my eyes to the feeling of you
For someone as sweet as the new morning dew
The summer and fall of my life
Were leading to spring and the sweet taste of you
Jonathan gently placed a couple fingers under Martha's chin and lifted them so that Martha was gazing into his eyes. He smiled and then kissed her. Tears filled Jonathan's twinkly eyes as he sang past the lump in his throat the last part of the song.
Please share the times of my life
If you'll have the time of my life
The prime of my life
And the seasons to come
You'll be the rhyme of my life
And the reason for singing my song
The prime of my life
And all the seasons to come
And you'll be the rhyme of my life
And the reason for singing my song
If you'll sing along
As the song stopped, Jonathan continued to hold Martha's hands. He brought each of her hands up to his lips and left a gentle kiss on each one. He gazed into her eyes and smiled.
"Martha, you are my light and my life. I love you with all of my being. You complete me sweetheart. I don't know who or where I'd be if I hadn't met you. You are the love of my life. I couldn't go on if I never asked you this one little question."
Jonathan reached into his pocket and pulled out the little black box waiting there. He flipped it open and went down onto one knee. The sunlight hit the diamond that was set upon the band which made it twinkle like a star in the sky.
"Martha Clark, will you marry me?"
Martha stood still gazing into the eyes of Jonathan Kent. She knew that this day was coming. She had silently been hoping that this day would come every day since she had met Jonathan. Looking into those baby blues, there was only one answer that could come from the auburn haired beauty.
"Yes Jonathan! A million times yes! I will marry you!"
Martha flung herself forward and gave the blonde a big bear hug mixed with kisses. Jonathan obliged with the kisses. After several, they then shared a very tender kiss. When they pulled out of it, Jonathan plucked the ring from the box and deftly slid the ring onto her finger. Martha giggled and gave her now fiancé another kiss. Jonathan grinned his boyish grin and took her from behind. He held Martha in his arms in a comforting embrace, and they looked out together to the horizon with Metropolis far below them.
"I love you Martha Clark"
"I love you Jonathan Kent"
In Hazzard County life without Bo and Mindy Sue started to become more normal. The Duke family still prayed for them at every meal and still missed them terribly, but they began to get on with life. Luke was still a little upset and sad at not having his younger cousin around, but he began to adjust. Months had gone by since Luke had gone up to see if he could find Bo and had no luck.
There was some happy news for the Duke family though. At the end of last month, deputy Enos Strait got over his fear and proposed to Daisy, and she accepted. The most eligible (and pretty) girl in Hazzard was now taken, soon to be hitched, much to the chagrin of the other young men in the county.
The Duke family was all excited for this new development. They prepared to have a proper Duke wedding. At that time, they started afresh to look for Bo so he could see that joyous day. Uncle Jesse called Metropolis University once again asking if a Bo Duke and Mindy Sue Taylor were there. Jesse and the rest of the Dukes were saddened when the response was no and that there was still no word on the whereabouts of the couple.
Daisy and Enos decided that they would wait a couple months, if they didn't hear from Bo, then they'd go ahead and get married without him being there.
Several months passed and there was still no news on Bo. So, that time for weddings came, and there was a wondrous celebration of Daisy and Enos's marriage. Jesse Duke was overjoyed that one of his three charges had finally settled down. There was now a chance for the Duke line to keep going. One of Jesse's fears was that Luke, Daisy, and Bo would never settle down and be able to grant him "grandchildren." He now had that chance and he was excited.
Luke was very happy for his lady cousin and for Enos. He and Bo had often got on Enos' case for being the oldest virgin in Hazzard County. Luke smiled to himself and chuckled when he thought that that would be no longer, and that it would be Daisy to educate him in those fine arts.
Luke sighed as he watched the car that carried his cousin and now cousin in law drove away from the ceremony. He really wished that Bo could have been with them, but alas not.
"Oh Bo, where are you cousin?"