On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…
"Lois, wake up. Lois?"
Lois heard Clark's voice calling her through the darkness that covered her, and she wondered if maybe she had only dreamed that she and Clark were a couple now, but as she opened her eyes, she remembered where she was at and where they were going. She was on the Kent's couch, and she had fallen asleep watching a Christmas movie marathon. The party had ended hours ago. Now it was time for the Christmas Eve service.
As she stood to her feet, she groggily wondered where the coffee could be and what the heck had possessed her to agree to this. She hadn't been sleeping well lately and now that she was rid of enough emotional baggage to sleep, she couldn't. Clark came with her coat and helped her into it, as she still wasn't functioning yet, and slipped a cup of coffee in her hand. Then she was being pushed outside toward the truck by Clark with Martha and Kara following, and they were all too awake for her taste.
The sanctuary was lit up with all kind of lights. Everyone got a candle when they came through the door. When the sanctuary was filled, they started singing Christmas songs. Lois was starting to wake up more because they were forced to stand, but when they were allowed to sit, she leaned against Clark's shoulder and kept dozing. Clark would smile and nudge her awake, but at last, she was awake enough to start paying attention to the sermon. The preacher was telling the story of Christmas. When he finished, she sighed.
"You know it's a beautiful story, whether it's true or not," she whispered to Clark. "A world without hope that was supposed to perish because of their immorality and foolishness. Yet, God loved them still."
"He loves all people, no matter what world they're from because He is the creator of all things."
"Sure if there are other worlds. So He came down in human flesh to pay for our sins, entering the world as a baby. It's the most amazing love story in history."
"But you don't believe it?" he asked.
"I've always been very open to what I can't disprove, but at the same time I need the evidence. I'm not saying there's not life on other planets, but I want to see the alien before I make up my mind completely. By the same token, I'm not saying there is no God, but where's the proof?"
"Everywhere," he said, "if you're willing to look." Kara lit his candle and he turned to light Lois'. "You don't always need the physical evidence, although there's plenty of that, you just have to have faith. The spiritual side is more real than this fading world. The heart is wiser than the brain."
Lois turned to pass the light to the elderly lady beside her, and in that moment, it began to click. Christmas suddenly wasn't just another holiday. She understood it more than she ever had before. The emptiness began to disappear and a complete, filling happiness took its place.
Everything was right now in every way imaginable. The sanctuary was even brighter and warmer from all the tiny flames. Lois was glad Clark had talked her into coming.
She remembered getting in the truck and writing a quick article, her final one, but she didn't remember falling asleep. She must have though because the next thing she knew Clark was laying her in his bed.
"My article-"
"I've already sent it to Perry. Since it's technically Christmas, I got you your last present for the 12 days of Christmas."
She smiled sleepily. "What is it?"
"It's a DVD of the Little Drummer Boy. I know it's kind of corny, but it was my favorite Christmas cartoon when I was little."
"Don't lie, Smallville. It still is."
He continued, "It's not exactly 12 drummers, but it's close enough. I bet he plays at least 12 rum pum pum pums. It's such a sweet story. He has nothing to give the baby Jesus but his talent, which is playing the drum."
"I know the story," she said, fighting to stay awake. "So what do the 12 drummers stand for?"
"The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into the grave. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting."
"There is no way you know all that off the top of your head," she said with her eyelids shut.
"You're right. I had to memorize that one."
"I'm always right, and you might as well learn that in the beginning of this relationship."
He laughed softly and kissed her forehead. She had finally drifted off to sleep. He went downstairs to sleep on the couch.
sss
Clark had to wake Lois up to tell her it was time to open presents. Chloe and Jimmy had come over to open presents too.
Martha gave Lois an envelope. "This was a gift I couldn't wrap."
It was a Christmas card and a note. Lois couldn't believe it. "Really?" she asked Martha.
"Really," Martha replied. Everyone wanted to know what it was.
"Lex Luthor doesn't own the Daily Planet anymore," Lois said.
"Lois said it was what she wanted for Christmas. I know a man who was looking to sell his news station and get a paper instead. Lex was willing to trade. Of course, it means he has a TV station now."
Lois smiled. "It's perfect and just what I wanted. As long as he's not my boss anymore, I can do my stories. I have a feeling he's not going to be owning anything for much longer."
"From your mouth to God's ears," Jimmy mumbled. "Thank you, Kara," he said, holding up a gift card.
"I figured you could do your own stinking shopping and that way you're sure to get what you want," Kara said.
He stood up and kissed her cheek. "That's really thoughtful. I appreciate it."
Lois smiled. Everyone knew now what they were getting from Kara. Gift cards did solve stress and guarantee the person would like it. She quickly opened the present Clark got and gasped in delight. She held it up. It was a charm bracelet that sparkled in the early morning light. It had all 12 gifts from the song, dangling as little gold ornaments. "I love it."
Clark held up the present she had gotten him, it was a dark pair of glasses and a journalism for dummies book. "Thanks," he said, looking a little confused.
"I know it seems dumb at first, but you won't believe how much time I spent obsessing over what to get you. I didn't buy it until yesterday actually. It was the book I read when I got a job as a journalist. We didn't-finish-college people need to read something on the subject."
"That's wonderful, but what are the glasses for? I can read the book without them."
"They're not real prescription lenses. For some reason, I can't picture you working in the Daily Planet without them and you'll look…"
He gave an extra wide smile. "I'll look what?"
"Distinguished," she said, but it was clear she had been aiming more for something along the lines of handsome.
"Thank you, Lois. They're really great," he said, putting on the glasses.
They finished opening up their presents. Then everyone pitched in on cleaning up the wrapping paper. Lois pulled Clark under the doorway and whispered, "Merry Christmas, Clark Kent."
"Merry Christmas, Lois Lane."
"Uh-oh," said Kara. "What did I tell you two about getting under the mistletoe? Now you're going to have to kiss each other in front of everybody."
Everyone stopped picking up paper to watch.
"Let's give the people what they want," Clark said with a smile.
They kissed and there were cheers and whistling and laughter from their audience.
