Disclaimer: DC Comics/Warner Brothers owns. No profit is being made from this story. This is strictly for my own amusement.
A/N: I hope you like this chapter. They've been through so much. I thought a happy ending was called for, don't you think? These last two chapters were a true joy to write. *sigh* Thanks to my betas for being there for me with all my questions and concerns. I love you guys! *hugs* Please R&R. Thanks, everyone!
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Chapter 11 – Promises
Previously:
"I wanted to show you this spot, Lois. This is where my parents found me all those years ago, took me home, and accepted me as a part of their family. This is also the spot where my spaceship landed after my second journey from Krypton. I think it's appropriate that I do this here." He got down on one knee.
Lois gasped as tears sprang into her eyes. "Clark?"
"Lois, from the moment I saw you, I knew deep inside that you were the only woman in the world for me. I think about you and Jason all the time, every minute of my life. I can't think of a time when you aren't on my mind. I want to be with you always, take care of you and Jason, and love you forever and ever. You're the love of my life, Lois Lane." He pulled the ring from his pocket, opened the box and showed it to her. "Will you marry me?"
##
Lois was in shock. She stared at Clark's face, then the ring, then back at Clark again. Then she started to cry.
Clark stood up and took her into his arms, confused by her response. "I take it that's a yes."
"Yes, yes, yes! Yes, Clark, I'll marry you." She smiled at him in spite of her tears.
He put the ring on her finger, took her face between his hands and wiped her tears away. "I love you, Lois."
"Oh, Clark, I love you so much."
Then he kissed her and the stars shone even brighter if that were possible.
##
Three months later.
The past few months had been a whirlwind for all of them. Jason definitely had a period of adjustment. Clark thought it best he not move into the house until after the wedding. Lois had agreed, but he could see how disappointed she was. He explained that the next few months before the wedding would fly by and they would all be together as a family very soon.
"What are you thinking, Lois?" Clark thought he rather liked that expression on her face. He and his soon-to-be bride were flying to the Fortress for a much needed break three days before the wedding. Jason was spending the night with his Mom.
Lois cuddled closer to Clark and smiled at him. For someone who isn't mushy and sentimental, I sure am saying 'I love you' a lot lately. "Humm, wouldn't you like to know?" She said teasing him.
"Yes, I would. I always want to know what's on that brilliant mind of yours."
"Flattery will get you somewhere, but not now." She pulled at his cape, trying to stay warm.
Clark just shook his head at her and pulled her closer.
"Clark, why are we going back to the Fortress? I thought it was still destroyed. Has something happened? Lois asked.
"Well, I wanted it to be a surprise, but you'll see for yourself in a few minutes. The Coast Guard called the Planet a few days ago trying to locate Superman, so I took the call. When they took Luthor off the island, they found his briefcases full of evidence, including the video, along with my crystals that he had stolen. They brought everything to me, knowing I could reach Superman."
"Oh, Clark, that's wonderful news. I'm so happy for you. You didn't watch the video, did you?" She hated to think of him watching that horrible video.
"No, and I didn't destroy it either. It's a reminder of how cruel and evil Luthor is and I'll never turn my back on him again. Let's not talk about him ever again, alright?"
"You don't have to ask me twice."
"Good, here we are." Instead of landing at the top of the structure, they entered through a special chamber that was set up with security precautions. "Kal-El of Krypton wishes to enter." Clark then waved his hand over a reading device that had the ability recognize his fingerprint and then they were allowed to enter.
Lois was impressed. Voice and fingerprint recognition meant no more vandals, that's for sure. She looked around completely in awe at what she was seeing. "Wow, I'm impressed. When did you have time to do all of this?"
"Well, Jor-el was very helpful. If I didn't know any better, I'd suspect he felt bad about Luthor fooling him the way that he did. It didn't take very long to set up the security, only a matter of a few hours. What do you think? Do you like it?"
"Clark, it's as beautiful as ever, even more so than I remember." She went to him then and gave him a warm hug.
Clark held her close, taking a deep breath trying to control his emotions. "You have no idea how much it means to me having you here to see it all again the way it should be."
"I have some idea." She looked into his eyes, stood on tiptoe and kissed him. After a few moments, they were both breathing heavily, but she managed to say "I love you, Clark."
"I love you, too, Lois." He gave her quick kiss. "Come on, I want you to see everything." He took her by the hand leading the way. After showing her a more elaborate control chamber, and several smaller bedrooms, even one set up for Jason, he saved the best for last.
Lois walked into 'their' room and couldn't help the tears that sprang into her eyes. "Oh, Clark, it's beautiful." The memories were overwhelming her. She took several deep breaths. There were red rose pebbles all over the bed, champagne, soft music playing, and everything looked so warm and inviting. She turned to him then. "I should be shaking my finger at you, but all I want to do is strip that suit off and have my way with you." She smiled through her tears.
Clark came to her then and took her into his arms. "Well, what's stopping you?"
"Clark Kent, are you trying to seduce me?" She could see he was in the mood.
"Of course not," he chuckled.
Lois touched his chest. She sobered. "Clark, we decided to wait, remember?"
He sighed. "I know, but Lois..." He let go of her and went over to the bed, and pulled the sheets back with a flair. "Don't you want to lay it in just for little while? We don't have to … you know?"
Lois couldn't believe him. "Clark, we only have three days left. We've made it this far. We can do this. We promised each other."
"Alright, Lois, I'll .... I'll take you home." He didn't know why he was acting this way. He mentally kicked himself. I guess I just got carried away being here in this place and the memories had more of an affect on me than I thought they would. They've waited months, and another three days wouldn't make a difference.
She went to him then and touched his arm. "Clark, please don't be upset. Everything is lovely here, but our honeymoon night will be a night we'll always remember because we waited. We want everything to be perfect and it will be." She hugged him. "I love you so much. Please don't be mad."
Clark hugged her tighter and kissed her hair. "Of course, I'm not mad." He touched her chin, raising her face to look at him. "It was my idea in the first place." He smiled at her and stroked her cheek. He took her face between his hands, leaned down and kissed her. She kissed him back. He pulled her tighter against him. He pulled back after a moment and laid his forehead against hers. "Umm, you drive me crazy, you know that, but we'll have that perfect wedding night. Just don't plan on getting any sleep." He wiggled his eyebrows at her and smiled.
She threw her arms around his neck, holding him close. "Promise?"
"Oh, yeah, bet on it!"
##
The wedding was not an elaborate affair. A small church in Smallville was the setting for Lois and Clark's wedding. Jason was the ring bearer, looking like a small replica of his Dad. Lucy was the matron of honor, while Jimmy was the best man. Lucy's twin daughters were the flower girls. They invited Richard to be there for Jason's sake, he hadn't arrived yet, it looked like he was running late. Richard would be taking care of Jason while they were away on their honeymoon.
Clark stood at the front of the church waiting for Lois to come down the aisle. So many emotions were running through him right then. Disbelief, joy, happiness, yes, true happiness. Lois and I have come so far. She really is marrying me today. His face has been in a perpetual smile for months now. He turned and smiled at his son. Jason smiled back, giving his Dad the thumbs up, and Clark did the same.
Clark looked up and saw Richard hurrying inside the back of the church. He nodded to Clark as he took a seat. He also saw Lana enter the church, but instead of taking a seat on the groom's side, she took a seat next to Richard. Are they together? I knew she had moved to Gotham a few weeks ago, but I'm wondering if they are a couple. He shook his head and smiled. Lois was right; they did look fantastic together. I can't think of two people more deserving of happiness, other than Lois and myself.
Then the wedding march music started. He stood up a little straighter, and then Lois appeared with her father. Clark smiled when he saw her. She was a vision in a cream colored strapless gown. Her hair was piled up on her head with wisps of hair floating on her throat and on the sides of her face. She appeared to Clark as if she were floating towards him just like an angel.
But after glancing at General Lane, Clark straightened his tie and stood even straighter if that were possible. General Lane was a man of much integrity, and meeting him was a true test of Clark's courage. Lois thought it best he be brought into the 'secret circle' and he couldn't have agreed more. General Lane would be a tremendous ally when dealing with the government and he wanted his advice and input in that regard.
Then he only had eyes for Lois. He stared at his bride feeling like the luckiest man in the world. Lois stared at her groom. He was so handsome. His smile warmed her heart, and put her at ease. She smiled back. Clark and I have come so far. Her heart was pounding so hard, as she gripped her Dad's arm trying to get control of her emotions. She took several deep breaths. General Lane sensed her nervousness and smiled at her. Lois smiled and mouthed 'thank you, Daddy.'
As Lois and her Dad approached the Alter, the Minister spoke. "Who brings this woman to marry this man?"
"I do," General Lane said. He then shook Clark's hand and kissed Lois on the cheek. Lois and Clark then turned and faced the Minister.
"We are gathered here today to witness the union of Lois Joanne Lane and Clark Jerome Kent. If anyone can show just cause why they should not be joined together in holy matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace." He paused for effect. "Lois and Clark have chosen to speak their own vows. Lois…"
She turned to face Clark. She took hold of his hands. "Clark, I found a poem that describes perfectly how I feel about our future together. Clark …"
I promise to give you the best of myself
and to ask of you no more than you can give.
I promise to respect you as your own person
and to realize that your interests, desires and needs
are no less important than my own.
I promise to share with you my time and my attention
and to bring joy, strength and imagination to our relationship.
I promise to keep myself open to you, to let you see through
the window of my world into my innermost fears
and feelings, secrets and dreams.
I promise to grow along with you, to be willing to face changes
in order to keep our relationship alive and exciting.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad, with all I have to give
and all I feel inside, in the only way I know how … completely and forever.(1)
*
I, Lois, take you Clark, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, from this day forward until death do us part.
"Clark …?" The Minister asked.
"I too have chosen a poem. Lois …"
When I met you, I had no idea how much my life
was about to [ ] change[ ]...but then, how could I have known?
A love like ours happens once in a lifetime.
You were a miracle to me, the one who was everything
I had ever dreamed of, the one I thought existed only in my imagination.
And when you came into my life, I realized that what I
had always thought was happiness couldn't compare to the joy
loving you brought me.
You are a part of everything I think and do and feel,
and with you by my side, I believe that anything is possible.
(this day) gives me a chance to thank you for the miracle of you...
you are, and always will be, the love of my life.(2)
*
I, Clark, take you Lois, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.
They both smiled at each other then, both trying to hold back their tears.
"Now, we will have the exchanging of the rings." The Minister looked at Jason. Jason came forward with the rings, and then went to sit next to his Grandma and Grandpa Ben. The Minister blessed the rings.
"With this ring, I thee wed," Clark said, as he put the ring on Lois' finger.
"With this ring, I thee wed," Lois said, as she put the ring on Clark's finger.
"Let us pray." After speaking the prayer, the Minister said, "What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Insofar as Lois and Clark have spoken their vows each to the other, and have exchanged rings, by the power vested in me by this church and this state, I now pronounce them husband and wife. Clark, you may kiss your bride."
Before Clark took Lois in his arms, he whispered "I love you." And Lois whispered to her husband "I love you." He took her into his arms and kissed her. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him back loving the feel of her husband, as they both didn't seem to want to stop.
Then all the guests whooped and erupted in applause. Lois and Clark smiled at each other, and holding hands, turned and walked down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Clark Kent.
********
Notes:
(1) Poem "I Promise" by Dorothy Colgan.
(2) Poem "My Love" by Linda Lee Elrod.
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A/N: We have one more chapter to go. Well, Clark needs to keep his promises, now doesn't he!? I hope you enjoyed this. Let me know what you think. Thanks for reading. Reviews are like little bursts of sunshine!!