My Best Friend's Wedding
Chapter 11: Ringing in the New Year
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Replies: Ok, so Yahoo hates me. I get all my reviews sent to my Yahoo e-mail account and it just refuses to work with me. I figured that sending private messages to everyone might be too long (either that or I'm too lazy) so I'm just going to reply to everyone here until I fix whatever's going on. I just wanted everyone to know that I didn't forget to reply to anyone – I just couldn't. Thank you! You guys are the best!
Morningdew-1 – Thank you very much and yup, that is all that matters! I hope I didn't keep you waiting long!
Hot-chocolate329 – I'm glad that you were glad, lol. I know, poor Lois. She always has such trouble finding just a normal guy to date. I hope I was quick enough!
winchestergirl93 – Thank you!
imhooked – They all go through a lot of trouble to kill poor Lois. I'm glad you and enjoyed it and thanks for waiting so patiently. No evil cliffhanger last time, but I don't know if what I wrote qualifies as an evil cliffhanger.
LoisNClark4Ever – I breathed a sigh of relief reading you review. Thanks for understanding. Lois is nobody if she's not getting into trouble, ha ha. Aw, thank you so much! I'm going to try update ASAP.
lane11, Clois 16, and Jeremy Shane – Thank you so much guys! And here you go…
Luiz4200 – Thank you! I like referring back to old episodes sometimes.
clarkfan325 – Thanks! Well I guess you'll just have to wait and see. =)
katlynne – I always laugh when I read your reviews. They're like full of cuteness or something, but I love them, lol. Like I've mentioned in some of the other reviews, Lois always, and I mean always, gets into trouble…but I love her regardless. Someone's not liking Lana very much, ha ha. The wait is over.
Questioning by the police is never fun and Lois knew that better than anyone. The police had gotten down to the docks relatively quickly, arrested Benjamin, and then started asking Lois questions. She answered a few as best as she could before Clark stepped in and told them that she would go down to the station to make a statement the next day when she felt better. Lois thanked Clark ten times over but he just shrugged it off. She had told him she'd take a taxi back to the Talon but Clark wouldn't hear of it.
"Don't be ridiculous," he said. "I'll drive you home."
Lois thanked him profusely but Clark just shrugged his shoulders and told her it was nothing, again. Still the ever protective gentleman, Clark kept one hand on Lois' hand as they drove to the Talon and even escorted her upstairs.
"Lois!" Chloe cried.
She jumped off the couch as Lois walked through the door and threw her arms around her cousin's neck.
"Easy Chloe," Lois said, hugging her back. "I'm fine; don't worry."
"Are you sure?' Chloe asked, letting go of Lois only to grasp her by the shoulders. "Are you hungry? Thirsty? Tired? Anything I can get you?"
"Well…" Lois started.
"That settles it," Chloe interrupted. "You lie on the couch and I'm going to make you a cup of hot chocolate."
Lois didn't argue as she settled on the couch. No sooner had she sat down that Lucy and Jimmy came running out of one of the bedrooms.
"Lois!" they both cried as they jumped on Lois forcing her to fall back onto the couch.
"Alright, I get it, I get it," Lois said as she struggled to sit up. "You guys are happy to see me, but people have got to stop tackling me."
Lucy laughed. "Be grateful sis, you've got people out there that care about you."
"Yeah," Lois said, looking up at Clark, "I do."
Clark gave her a small smile in return and took a seat directly across from her. Not too long afterwards, Chloe came from the kitchen with a cup of hot chocolate and took a seat next to Clark. Lois related the whole story of what happened between her and Benjamin to everyone else.
"Out of any guy that could have asked me out, I had to get the one who was a psycho murderer," Lois groaned. "My taste in men is impeccable," she added, the last word dripping with sarcasm.
"It could've been worse, Lois," Jimmy said, trying to lighten the mood.
Lois turned in Jimmy's direction. "How Jimmy? How could it possibly have been worse?"
"Well, uh, you know, it could've, um, like…" Jimmy stuttered, trying to find any possible alternative.
"Uh huh," Lois said taking a sip of her drink. "That's what I thought."
"Did you talk to the police?" Lucy asked.
"Clark called them," Lois explained. "They asked me a few questions but I wasn't really in the mood. Clark was nice enough to step in and tell them that I would go down to the station tomorrow and give them a statement."
"Looks like Clark's the real hero today," Lucy said.
Clark waved his hand. "Really, it was nothing."
"Nothing?" Lois exclaimed. "Smallville, you saved my life! And this wasn't the first time either!"
Again, Clark waved his hand and before any uncomfortable silence could settle in, Chloe changed the subject.
"I've got an idea New Year's Eve is in two days. To celebrate Lois' safety and to ring in the New Year – why don't we have a New Year's party? We could host it here in our apartment."
"That actually sounds like a good idea," Jimmy said. "It could get our minds off of all this drama."
"Sounds like fun!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Count me in," Lois said.
"Me too," Clark said.
"Who said you were invited?" Lois asked with a smile.
"Cute," Clark said sarcastically.
"Then it's settled," Chloe said. "Jimmy can maybe invite a few people from work, we'll get Oliver to come, and Clark you can ask Lana.
"I'm sure she'll be fine with it. Speaking of Lana, I should get going," Clark, said reluctantly getting up. "She's probably wondering where I am."
"I'll walk you out," Lois said, walking with Clark to the front door.
Once they were out of earshot, Lois turned to Clark and said, "I can't thank you enough for everything did today. You're my hero."
And with that, she embraced and Clark didn't do anything to get out of the hug as Lois held onto him for about ten seconds. Clark left the apartment with a smile on his face.
Clark quietly entered the house so Lana wouldn't wake up as he assumed by that time she had gone to bed. Tiptoeing up the stairs and quietly opened the door, Clark entered their bedroom to face a very awake Lana, leafing through a bridal magazine. Her head turned up in his direction.
"Hey," she whispered with a small smile on her face.
"Hey," Clark replied, closing the door behind him. "You didn't have to wait up for me."
"I didn't want to miss you when you got home. So is Lois alright?" Lana asked as Clark super changed out of his clothes.
"Yeah. She's a little shaken up, but she's alright," Clark replied. "Speaking of Lois, she, Chloe, and Jimmy are going to host a small New Year's party at the Talon and they wanted to know if we wanted to come."
"I'd love to go," Lana said. "It sounds fun. We can watch the ball drop as the clock strikes midnight – and kiss as we ring in the New Year."
"Sounds like a plan," Clark said.
"You know, I think we should practice," Lana suggested, shifting closer to Clark. "After all, you know, practice makes perfect."
Clark smiled and kissed Lana. "Was that good enough?"
Lana smiled in return. "That'll do… for now."
Clark raised an eyebrow as Lana laughed, kissed him again, and wished him good night as she turned over to go to sleep. Clark shook his head in confusion as he turned off the light in their room and then he himself went to sleep.
Lois made her statement at the police station the next day and even saw Benjamin just to get one last look at the ass who tried to kill her. Lois smirked as she left the station. Now the ass was going to jail for life on two counts of first degree murder and attempted murder, and it was all going to be on the front page of the Daily Planet. She e-mailed her story to Randall who published it the next day.
That day was also New Year's Eve and the Lanes and Olsons were doing some very last minute party planning. Lois and Lucy were decorating the apartment while Chloe and Jimmy went out to by the food and refreshments.
"I'm so excited," Lucy said as she blew up a few balloons. "I've never been to a New Year's party before."
Lois laughed. "Do you remember what The General used to do to keep us in on New Year's Eve?"
"He'd try to lock us in our rooms so we wouldn't go out kissing any boys," Lucy recollected with a laugh of her own. "Too bad he didn't know that didn't work on us."
"And he never will," Lois said, smiling as she finished hanging up the streamers.
"Speaking of New Year's kisses," Lucy said as she finished blowing up the last balloon, "have you got anyone special who you want to kiss on New Year's Eve?"
"Yeah…you," Lois said poking her sister in the stomach as she went to throw the packages the streamers had come in in the garbage.
"Lo', I'm serious. Someone you know maybe like…"
"…like Clark?" Lois finished.
"You said it, not me," Lucy said, holding her hands up.
Lois rolled her eyes. She knew Lucy meant well but when was her sister gonna learn that she shouldn't be playing Matchmaker?
"You know, sometimes it's dark, you can't see well, it's crowded, you mean to kiss someone else, and boom, fireworks and then happily ever after," Lucy said, leaning against the kitchen counter.
"Lucy," Lois said, turning to face her. "Need I remind you that Clark's coming here tonight with his fiancée?"
"So?" Lucy asked, shrugging her shoulders.
"Well, did it occur to you that he'll maybe want to kiss her as the clock strikes midnight?"
'He may be obliged to kiss her," Lucy began, "but by the end of the night, he'll want to kiss you."
Lois sighed. "Lucy…"
"Look, just trust me alright?" Lucy said as she threw away any remaining garbage. "Now, come with me," she said and took Lois' hand.
"What's going on?" Lois asked as Lucy led her to her bedroom.
"You'll see," Lucy said with a smile as she closed the bedroom door behind them.
A couple of hours later, the apartment was starting to fill with guests. It was mainly a couple of co-workers from the Planet, Oliver, Clark, Lana, Martha, and Perry.
"Do I look ok?" Lois asked for the thousandth time.
"You look gorgeous," Lucy answered for the thousandth time. "Don't worry; Clark won't be able to take his eyes off of you."
"I'm not concerned with looking good for Clark's benefit," Lois answered, smoothing out the front of her dress.
"Sure you're not," Lucy answered with a smirk and started to walk away.
"Hey, Luce," Lois called out as Lucy turned around.
"There's someone I want you to meet," Lois said.
Taking Lucy's hand, Lois guided her around a couple of people until they stopped in front of an African-American man.
"Hey, Ron," Lois greeted. "I'd like to introduce you to my sister, Lucy. Lucy, this is Ron Troupe. Ron's our new political editorialist."
"Hm," Lucy said. "Sounds interesting."
"Yeah, not really," Ron replied.
Lucy laughed. "Then why'd you take the job?"
Ron pretended to think for a minute. "You know what? I have no idea."
Lucy laughed again and Lois formed a knowing smile on her face. Hopefully her sister could enjoy herself and get off her back about Clark.
"I'll just leave you two alone," Lois said.
Not too long afterwards the doorbell rang and after looking for Chloe and Jimmy to see if they would answer, Lois just decided to get it herself. She came face to face with Clark and Lana on Clark's arm with Martha and Perry right behind them. Clark eyes traveled down from Lois' peep toe heels to her short shimmery silver dress right up to her loose bun. Lucy was right; Clark couldn't take his eyes off of her. That's not to say that Lana didn't look beautiful either, which she did in a red cocktail dress with her hair loosely curled. Lois actually thought Lana was the one that looked gorgeous.
"Hey guys, come on in," Lois said, ushering them into the apartment.
"Thank you for inviting us sweetie," Martha said, kissing Lois on the cheek.
"Oh, don't even mention it," Lois said, closing the door behind them.
"Hey kid," Perry greeted Lois. "Just saw your article. A job well done might I add?"
Lois' face lit up. "Wow, thanks Perry!"
"I see Chloe over there," Martha said motioning to a far end of the apartment. "I'm going to go say hello to her."
"I'll join you," Perry volunteered as he and Martha left the group leaving Clark, Lana, and Lois standing by the front door.
"Wow, the apartment looks great, Lois," Lana commented. "Who did the decorating?"
"That would be yours truly and my sister," Lois said.
"Well, it looks fantastic," Lana said.
"Thanks."
"It really does," Clark said as he looked all around the room and then locked eyes with Lois.
Lois blushed for a few seconds and there was awkward silence amongst the three of them before Lana indiscreetly cleared her throat. This also reminded Lois of her hosting duties.
"Can I get you guys something to drink?"
"Yeah, some water would be great." Lana replied.
"Water?" Lois asked, shocked. "I mean, duh, we have it, but, don't you want something else? It's New Year's Eve. Have a little fun. Clark?"
"I'm not much of a drinker but wine would be fine," Clark said.
"Clark!" Lana cried. "I thought we said we were going to cut back on the alcohol."
"Lana, we rarely drink and besides, it's New Year's Eve."
Lana sighed. "I'll have what he's having."
"Great!" Lois exclaimed. "I'll be right back."
Lois entered the kitchen to pour two glasses of wine when she heard a whistle. Whipping her head around, she saw Oliver standing behind her.
"Looking good Legs," Oliver said.
Lois smiled. "Thanks Ollie. You don't look too bad yourself."
Oliver tugged at his necktie. "One of the benefits of being a billionaire – I have great taste in clothes.
"I paid you one compliment; don't push your luck," Lois said pouring the wine into two glasses.
Oliver laughed. "Are those for us?" he asked motioning to the glasses.
"No, those are for Clark and Lana."
"Oh, okay. And how is the happy couple?"
"They're doing alright I guess," Lois said.
Oliver didn't want to press on about anything that would make Lois uncomfortable. He instead walked up to her and gave her a hug. "It's gonna be okay. I have an idea. You're single, I'm single, neither of us are here without a date, and we're pretty good friends. You…maybe…wanna be partners for when the clock strikes twelve?"
"Do you mean that you don't have a blonde bimbo of the week here with you tonight?" Lois asked in pretend shock.
"Ha ha, very funny," Oliver replied, clearly not amused.
"I'd love for us to kiss at midnight to ring in the New Year," Lois said with a smile. "But, right now, I gotta go deliver these drinks."
"Okay. See you later," Oliver said.
Lois gave him a small smile and returned to Clark and Lana and handed them their drinks. Taking her own glass from a table nearby, she clinked glasses with the couple and they all took a sip.
"Y'know, Lois," Lana said, "I was wondering if we could get back to planning the wedding after New Year's."
"Yeah, absolutely," Lois said. "It's just been a busy holiday week."
"Oh, I understand," Lana said. "With what happened to you, I didn't want to spring too much on you at once. It's just that eight months before the wedding, the photographer, entertainment, and caterer should be booked and I want to get started as soon as possible."
Lois nodded. "Either tomorrow or the day after we'll get started."
"Thanks," Lana said with a smile. "I'm going to say hi to Chloe and Jimmy. I haven't actually talked to either of them since we've got here. Clark, you wanna come?"
"Yeah, I'll be there in a minute," Clark said.
Lana nodded her head and let her hand brush Clark's arm as she walked over in Chloe's direction. Clark and Lois watched her leave before turning back to each other.
"Are you going to come with us to these interviews with the photographer and what not?" Lois asked Clark.
"I'm just as much a part of this wedding as Lana, right?" Clark responded.
Lois nodded again. "I just hope you don't feel uncomfortable with me being there."
Clark shook his head. "Why would I feel uncomfortable? You did a great job planning Chloe and Jimmy's wedding and I'm sure you'll do a great job planning…ours."
Lois widened her eyes. "Ours?"
"Mine and Lana's," Clark quickly said.
"Right," Lois said, nodding again. "Yours and Lana's."
An uncomfortable silence encompassed them again and they were quiet for a minute or two until Oliver approached them.
"Hey," he greeted the two. Then turning to Lois, he added, "Hey partner."
"Hey," Lois replied back.
"It's getting close to midnight," Oliver said. "The ball's gonna drop soon. We should probably get a spot close to the TV." Taking Lois' hand and turning to Clark he said, "I hope you don't mind if I steal this lovely lady from you."
"Please, go ahead," Clark said, waving his hand. "I should probably go find Lana. We'll talk later."
"Yeah," Lois replied. "We will."
Lois let Oliver lead her to the TV. Turning back, Lois saw Clark watching her walk away before heading off to find Lana Lois quickly turned her head back and sighed. Lucy was wrong. Clark wasn't going to kiss her at midnight.
"It's almost time guys!" Chloe cried out as everyone gathered around the television as Dick Clark turned the countdown over to Ryan Seacrest in Times Square with one minute left on the clock. Lois looked around the room to see everyone pairing up, this including Lucy and Ron. Lois smiled. Turned out Lucy wasn't the only Lane girl who could play Matchmaker.
With thirty seconds left on the clock, the people in Times Square started counting down joined by the people in the living room. Lois took a deep breath and turned her head to see Lana counting down just as excitedly as everyone else with Clark counting down softly.
"Ready?" Oliver asked.
Lois turned her head back to Oliver and smiled. "Of course I am."
"Here we go," the announcer on TV yelled, "ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one…Happy New Year!"
As the announcer on TV yelled it, everyone in the living room yelled it too and turned to their partner to kiss them.
"Happy New Year," Oliver said to Lois as he leaned down to kiss.
Lois left her hands on his chest as they lingered for about five seconds before pulling away. "Happy New Year," Lois replied in return.
"I'm gonna go find Chloe and Jimmy to wish them a Happy New Year too," Oliver explained. "I'll be right back."
"Okay," Lois replied. "I'll be there in a midnight."
Lois took another deep breath. It was a New Year – 2011: a time to make a brand new start and break away from everything that was keeping her down. A time to –
Lois' thoughts were interrupted as someone tapped her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Clark smiling down at her.
"Happy New Year," he said and kissed her briefly on the lips.
Lois was absolutely shocked and Clark lingered there for a little before pulling away.
"Happy New Year," she breathed almost inaudibly as Clark walked away.
Lois had a confused look on her face as she shook her head and walked over to Chloe and Jimmy. Her heart began to start pounding.
Well that plan of breaking free was just shot to hell, she thought to herself and went over to hug her cousin and wish her a happy new year, all the while thinking of Clark.
A/N: Happy Valentine's Day (or Singles' Appreciation Day if you don't have a significant other)! So, as some of you guessed, the whole Benjamin part was a mix of the Graham and Sebastian episodes (5x20 – Fade, and 8x07 – Instinct, respectively). Oh, and Ron Troupe is a character from the comics and the actual political editorialist of the Daily Planet. I added him because, in the comics, Lucy actually does have a relationship with him. I'm glad you guys liked the last chapter so much, especially the ending. I hope you liked this chapter and I'll try to update as soon as I can. If you'd like, reviews are always welcome! Thanks and I hope you stick around for Chapter 12. I'm going to try to make two quick update so I can get in a January chapter and a Valentine's Day chapter before February's over. There is no guarantee though, so if doesn't work out, don't shoot me! =)
~Mary