CHAPTER 101
June 28, 2010 (Continued)
"Come on, tell me," Lois whining a little.
"I will not," still smiling at her. The secret of the Kent family charm has been passed down from generation to generation. I will not be the first to reveal it," he quips. When Lois sticks her tongue out at him, he can't help but laugh. "Don't you know how cute you are when...?"
"When what?" her eyes narrowing.
He's about to answer when the door to the delivery room bursts open. Both Clark and Lois look up to see who it is. "I am so sorry I'm late," immediately coming over to them. "How are you feeling, Lois?"
"I just had three babies. How do you think I'm feeling?" her eyes narrowing again.
"The babies are beautiful," Clark interjects. "The nurses are cleaning them up right now," he says with a smile.
"I just saw them. They are beautiful," agreeing with him, then turning to Lois. "Would you mind terribly if I had a word with your husband?"
"Go ahead," waving her hand at him. "I'm not going anywhere," lying her head back down on the pillow with a sigh.
"We'll be right back," Clark whispers as he kisses her cheek, then follows him until they reach an empty office.
"In here," opening the door and stepping inside. Clark follows him in and closes the door behind him; sitting down on one of the chairs in front of the desk. "I want to apologize for being late," handing Clark a cigar. "I know you don't smoke, but it's tradition," winking at him.
"Thanks," slipping the cigar into his pocket.
He sits down on the chair; his elbows on the desk with his fingers linked. "I didn't want to talk to you in the delivery room, but I wanted to reassure you that I have been on top of things in regards to Lois' pregnancy. Reports, blood samples, DNA testing, everything. I just wish I could have been more hands-on, but I didn't expect to be out of the country for the last six months."
"We understand," Clark replies with a smile. "The doctor from Dr. Swann's foundation was great."
"Good," he replies. "I wouldn't allow anybody who didn't know your secret to take blood or do any kind of tests." He goes on to say, "I studied all the test results thoroughly and found both Lois and the babies to be perfectly healthy."
Clark smiles at him, then glances down at his watch. "I better get back to Lois," standing up. I'm sure the babies are clean by now," looking over at him.
"Go," waving his hand like Lois did a few minutes before.
Clark opens the door and pauses in the doorway. "Thanks again, Emil," smiling again.
"You're welcome, Clark."
A minute later...
Clark steps into the delivery room to see Lois sitting up. "They're bringing them now," smiling up at him as he walks over to her.
"I'm glad I didn't miss it," picking her hand up and softly kissing it.
"Here is your first son," the nurse interjects; laying him in Lois' outstretched arms. Lois stares at the little baby in her arm; speechless at first. She tentatively strokes his cheek and he coos a little.
"Happy Birthday, Joseph," she whispers; softly kissing his cheek.
"Here's your daughter," another nurse coming over to Clark.
He puts the phone down and holds her in his arms; making sure to support her head properly. "She looks just like you, Lois," his voice choked up as he glides his finger from her forehead down to her chin. "Lois?" he asks; unable to keep his eyes off his daughter.
"Yes?" looking up at him.
"I know we agreed on Mary Ellen, but how would you feel about Maria Elena instead?" finally looking over at her.
"I love it," smiling back at him.
"I'm glad," returning his attention to the baby in his arms.
"We have one more for you," another nurse bringing over the second boy. "Who would like to take him?"
"I will," says Clark; handing Lois the baby in his arms. She has a baby cradled in each arm as the nurse hands him the third baby. "Now he looks just like me..." he starts to say. Then the baby suddenly starts to cry. "...but he sounds just like you," rocking the baby back and forth in an attempt to calm him down. He finally manages to do so after a few minutes. "You know, we haven't come up with a name for him yet," still rocking him.
"I was thinking about that," she answers. She looks up at Clark. "What do you think of the name Steven?"
He looks over at Lois. "I love it," looking back down at the baby in his arms. "Steven it is. Now what about middle names for the boys?"
"I was thinking about that too," a coy smile on her face. "What if we used our fathers' names as their middle names?"
He stares at her in surprise. "Really?" his eyebrows rose.
She nods yes. "Really," smiling back at him."
"That means so much to me," his eyes glistening a little. "How about Joseph Samuel and Steven Jonathan?"
"Sound fine to me," she replies.
The nurse comes over to Lois. "We're going to bring you back to your room. We have the bassinets already set up for the babies."
"Okay," Lois replies.
"Can you take a picture of us first?" Clark asks one of the nurses.
"Of course," taking the phone from Clark. He sits down on the edge of the bed and puts one of his arms around Lois' shoulder. "Say cheese."
"Cheese!" they both reply as the nurse takes several pictures, then hands the phone back to Clark. He puts it into his pocket and hands the baby over to her. "I'm going to tell everybody the good news," then I have just one more thing to do."
"I know," Lois replies.
He softly kisses her lips, then leaves the room and heads on over to the waiting room...
Waiting room
"What is taking so long?" Martha pacing back and forth. "They should have been born by now," clasping her hands tightly.
"I'm sure everything is fine," Lois' father replies; getting up from his chair and walking over to her.
"I thought the father was the one to pace back and forth like that?" Kara remarks.
"That's usually how it works," Jimmy remarks while playing cards with Perry. "Gin!" spreading out his cards on the table.
"Judas Priest, you won again?" throwing his cards down and glaring at Jimmy.
"Pay up," Jimmy replies with a grin on his face.
"FINE," frowning at him as he removes a twenty dollar bill from his wallet and hands it to him.
"So are they here yet?" Chloe and Lucy both ask at the same time; having come back from the ladies room.
"Not yet," Martha retorts.
"I see," Chloe says calmly.
Martha comes over to her. "I'm sorry I snapped," laying her hand on Chloe's shoulder.
"It's okay," she replies. "It's perfectly understandable." She looks around to see a couple people missing. "Where are Oliver and Dinah?" she asks.
"They had some emergency business," Kara replies. "They'll be back as soon as they can.
Before Chloe could ask any more questions, Clark comes into the room. Martha rushes over to him. "Well?" biting her lip anxiously.
"Two boys and a girl," a huge smile on his face as everybody rushes over to him in a massive hug fest...
A few minutes later...
Clark makes his way through the cemetery and doesn't stop until he reaches his father's grave. He kneels down and pulls out his cell phone; bringing up the photo of him and Lois with the babies.
Well, Dad, you're a grandfather. Lois just gave birth to two boys and a girl. I wish you could see them - but then again, you probably have already; a wistful smile on his face.
They are so beautiful. Now I know it's not possible, but I could swear that Steven Jonathan has your nose. Yes, you heard right. We used your name as his middle name and Lois' fathers name as the middle name for Joseph. As for your granddaughter, we named her Maria Elena. It's a pretty name, isn't it? his eyes welling up again.
I still can't believe I'm a father. Me. I never thought it would ever happen. Remember the time when I expressed doubts about ever having children of my own? Mom said that the two of you couldn't have your own children, but yet you were still blessed with a son. I just hope I can be as great a father as you were.
He stands up and kisses the top of the headstone.
I love you, Dad.
CHAPTER 102
July 1st (three days after the birth)
"We're home," Clark says as he parks the new SUV that Oliver gave them.
"Thank goodness," Lois remarks as she unbuckles her seatbelt and opens the door. "I was going stir crazy lying in that hospital bed for three days," stepping out of the vehicle.
"And don't get me started with that hospital food," scrunching her face up into a pout.
Clark chuckles as he slides the back door open. "Home sweet home," smiling at the three babies strapped in their car seats.
Lois pops the trunk open and removes the triple stroller, then comes over to Clark. Together they place the babies in the stroller. "I'll get the rest of their things," he tells Lois.
"Alright," pushing the stroller towards the house.
Clark empties the trunk, then super-speeds everything into the house. He opens the door and holds it open for Lois while she pushes the stroller up the ramp and through the doorway into the house.
"I have to admit building the ramp was a good idea," she says just as Joseph begins to cry.
"I'll quiet him down," Clark says; immediately picking him up. He hums softly as he rocks him back and forth until he quiets down.
He looks up to see Lois staring at him. "Something wrong?" he mouths.
"You never cease to amaze me," she mouths back.
He only smiles at her as he carries Joseph into the room next to their bedroom that they designated as the nursery. He places him in one of the three cribs and softly kisses the top of his head, then returns downstairs to find Lois sitting in his father's old recliner fast asleep. He walks over to her and softly kisses her cheek, then proceeds to bring Steven and Maria upstairs to their cribs.
He's about to leave the nursery when Maria starts to cry. He walks over to the crib and makes sure that she doesn't need changing, then super-speeds downstairs and removes a bottle from the refrigerator. He speeds back upstairs and quickly warms it up with his heat vision, then picks up his daughter and sits down in the glider rocker that was a present from Lois' sister.
"Is that better?" giving her the bottle. Once she's finished, he sits her up on his thigh and rubs her back in circles until she burps. "That's a good girl," settling her back in his arms.
I still can't believe I'm a father, his fingers softly caressing her cheek.
She opens her eyes and looks up at him. She has my eyes all right, unable to keep his eyes off her. Then she starts to cry again. She's just like her mother, chuckling a little to himself.
"Okay, missy, what's it gonna take to get you to go back to sleep, huh?"
"I think that singing her a song would help," Martha says as she walks into the nursery and comes over to stand by him.
"I think you're right. It worked for Lois when she was in labor," he quietly replies. He looks up at her. "I remember you singing me to sleep when I was little," smiling at her.
"I remember," a wistful expression. "I thought those were the best days of my life," her finger reaching out to touch her granddaughters face. "But now watching you and Lois building a life together..." her voice breaking a little as she pulls out a handkerchief to dab her eyes.
He starts to get up, but she gently pushes him back down. "You don't have to get up," smiling down at her son. "You enjoy these days with your children because they only happen once. Do you promise?" leaning over to kiss his forehead.
"I promise," he says solemnly.
"Good," straightening up. "I think I'm going to go in the spare bedroom and take a nap like Lois," winking at him before leaving the room.
As soon as she's gone, he looks down at his daughter. "Looks like you've finally quieted do-" but doesn't get to complete the sentence because she's started crying again.
He glances over at the other two cribs and sees that the boys were still sleeping. Must be heavy sleepers, he thinks to himself. "Okay," shifting Maria in his arms. "How about that song?" smiling at her as he begins to sing...
Goodnight, my angel
Time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say
He's still rocking back and forth as he continues to sing...
I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Wherever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away
He watches her as her eyes slowly close. He smiles again and carefully stands up, then walks over to her crib and places her in it.
Goodnight, my angel, kissing the top of her head then tiptoeing out of the room and quietly closing the door behind him. He makes his way downstairs to the living room and finds Lois still sleeping. She needs her sleep, yawning himself. Maybe I need some too. He lays down on the couch is fast asleep within minutes.
CHAPTER 103
One month later...
Lois is at home trying to get Joseph to stop crying and go to sleep. "Come on honey, Mommy needs to do the laundry before Daddy comes home," rocking him back and forth. He finally stops crying and she places him back in his crib. She starts to tip toe out of the nursery, but then Steven begins to cry; causing Joseph to start crying again.
"Please stop crying," holding Steven in one arm and Joseph in the other arm and trying to quiet them down. Then Maria starts crying as well.
"Mommy's gonna cry too if you all don't stop crying," looking down at her sons. The boys finally quiet down and she places them back in their cribs and picks up Maria. It takes Lois a few minutes for Maria to quiet down, then she places her back in her crib.
She steps outside the nursery and is half-way down the stairs when the crying starts up again. Then she hears the puppy start to bark at a sound coming from outside.
She sits down where she was standing and buries her head in her hands.
She's still sitting there when Kara walks into the house a minute later. She hears the babies crying and calls out, "Lois, I'm sorry I'm late. I got held up saving a plane from crashing in Spain and-" finally spotting her sitting on the stairs. "Lois?" She doesn't answer her. "Lois, are you okay?" climbing the stairs and sitting down next to her.
Lois lifts her head up and finally looks over at her. Kara is shocked to see her tear-streaked face and puffy eyes. "You've been crying," pulling her into her arms. "What's wrong?" holding her tightly.
All she could do is babble incoherently; her voice choking up between sobs.
Kara is still holding her when Clark rushes through the door. He immediately climbs the staircase. "What's wrong?" he asks as he pulls Lois into his arms and looks over at Kara.
"I'm not sure," she says as Lois continues to cry. "I just came back from Spain and-"
"I know. I heard," gently rocking Lois back and forth.
"How did you know something was wrong?" looking curiously at him.
"I was at the Talon getting some coffee before I came home and I heard her crying," he replies.
They both look up as the babies continue to cry. "I'll take care of the babies," Kara standing up.
"Thanks," he says gratefully as she gets up and goes into the nursery. He turns his attention back to his wife to find she's fallen asleep. He stands up; lifting her up and carrying her upstairs into their bedroom. He places her down gently on the bed, then gives her a soft kiss on the cheek.
In the meantime, Kara finally managed to get Steven and Maria to sleep. She picks up Joseph, then walks over to the glider rocker and sits down. She's still rocking him back and forth when Clark enters the room.
"Can we talk?" mouthing to her.
She nods yes; getting up and placing a now quiet Joseph in his crib. They go downstairs and she starts to sit down at the kitchen table.
"Outside," he whispers.
She nods in agreement and follows him outside; the two of them sitting on the porch swing. "So you have no idea what happened?" he asks as he hands her one of the coffees he had picked up.
"No idea at all," shaking her head while taking a sip. "She was crying when I came in."
He leans back against the back of the swing. "I know it's been an adjustment having three babies, but I had no idea it had gotten this bad," he says with a sigh.
"I'm surprised you haven't snapped," she remarks.
"Me too," taking a sip of his coffee, then setting it down on the side table. "I think that Lois and I need to get away for a couple days and just sleep."
"That's a good idea," also putting down her coffee. "When would you leave?"
"I'm thinking first thing tomorrow morning, but I have to talk to Mr. White first," he replies just as his cell phone rings. He pulls it out and presses a button.
"Hello?" he answers as he stands up. "Right now?" a frown on his face. "Alright. I'll be right there," returning it to his pocket. "Mr. White needs to see me," he tells her. "Can you keep an eye on things for a few minutes?"
"Sure thing," smiling back at him.
"You're the best," giving her a brief hug, then super-speeding away.
Daily Planet
Clark knocks on the door to Mr. White's office. "Come on in, Clark."
He opens the door and steps inside. "You wanted to see me, Mr. White?" closing the door behind him.
"Now stop that," he remarks as Clark walks over and sits down in a chair situated in front of the desk. "When we're in private, it's Perry."
"Okay. Perry," he says with a smile.
"I apologize for calling you back to work, but I just received some news and I wanted you to hear it from me instead of the gossip mill that I know exists in this place," getting up from his chair and walking around to the front of the desk to sit down on the edge of it.
"I don't like the sound of that," a worried look appearing on Clark's face. "What is it?"
"As you know, Tess Mercer resigned as CEO and has disappeared."
"I know," Clark replies.
"What you don't know is that there's a new CEO taking over her position. His name is Franklin Stern."
"Really?" looking curiously at him.
"That's right," he replies. "He just became the CEO an hour ago and has already made some changes in some of the Daily Planet's policies."
"Such as?" Clark asks.
"For one thing, education."
"Education? What about it?"
"He's decided that every reporter needs to have at least a Bachelors degree in Journalism or else they can find employment elsewhere."
Clark's eyes widen in disbelief. "But Lois and I don't have degrees?"
"I know that - but Lois is going back to school for one, isn't she?" raising one eyebrow.
He nods his head. "She's going part-time."
"That's a good thing," Perry replies. "As long as she continues with it, her job is safe. You're the one I'm worried about."
Clark stands up and walks over to the window; his hands resting on his hips. "I can't afford to lose this job, Perry," turning back around to face him.
"I know, Clark," walking over to him. "I also know you have a lot on your plate and I don't want you to lose your job either. You and Lois are my best reporters," resting his hand on one of Clarks shoulders.
Clark takes off his glasses and rubs the bridge of his nose. "If I go back to school, will that save my job?"
Perry smiles at him, then walks over to his desk; pulling out a manila envelope and handing it to Clark.
"What's this?" opening it.
"It's everything you're going to need in order to go back to school," he replies.
Clark pulls out the catalog and begins to thumb through it. "You know," looking up after a minute, "I always figured on going back to school when things calmed down a little, but it never seemed to happen," slipping the catalog back into the envelope. "I just don't know how I'm going to manage it along with all my other responsibilities," looking up at Perry.
"I know, Clark. If you look in there further you'll find information about taking classes online," he replies. Clark is about to reply when Perry's phone rings. "It's probably your mother," a smile appearing on his face. "She usually calls me around this time."
"Will you tell her I'll call her later and send her my love?" walking over to the door and opening it.
"Will do," winking at Clark. "Now get a move on, Kent," he barks for the benefit of one of the interns walking past the office.
"Yes, sir," he replies; closing the door behind him. He leans back against the door with a sigh and wonders how he was going to break the news to his wife.
CHAPTER 104
Clark comes back to the farm just in time to hear a loud crash coming from inside the house. Now what? rushing inside. He stares in shock at what remains of the dining room table. What the hell?
Kara rushes downstairs. "I just got the babies to sleep again," she hisses, then stops short at the sight of the demolished table. She stares over at Clark. "What did you do?" her hands on her hips.
He stares back at her with astonishment. "You think I did this?"
"Who else could have done it?" she counters. "It certainly wasn't Lois because she's still sleeping and I know it wasn't me."
They start to argue about it when they hear the sound of splintering wood coming from outside. "This day is just getting better and better," mumbling under his breath as he goes back outside with Kara on his heels. They both stare at the partially demolished picket fence, then their eyes go right to the guilty party who's sitting in front of the fence looking up at the two of them.
"I don't believe it," she utters. "How on earth-?" her words trailing off.
"This is Smallville," a frown on his face as he goes over to the fence. "Bad dog," stooping down in front of him and wagging his finger in front of Krypto's face. He responds by licking Clark's face. "Don't think you're going to get away with this," picking him up and bringing him to the barn. He finds a chain and hooks it onto Krypto's collar, then attaches the chain to one of the posts in the barn.
"So what did you do with him?" Kara asks as Clark closes the barn doors behind him.
"I chained him up for now, but who knows if that'll hold him."
"How on earth could he do all that damage?" she asks next.
"I have one possible theory," he replies as he walks towards his truck.
"Where are you going?" running up to him as he climbs into the cab and fastens his seatbelt.
"I'm going to Ben Hubbard's," he replies; starting up the engine. "I won't be long," turning the truck around and pulling out of the driveway.
She watches until she sees the truck disappear, then goes back into the house.
The Hubbard Farm
Ben was just coming out of the house when he sees Clark's truck pull into the driveway. "Hi, Clark," waving to him as Clark hops out of the truck.
"Hi, Ben," waving back as he walks over to him.
"What can I do for you, Clark? He asks. "Need some more parts for the tractor?" a twinkling in his eyes.
"Not today," he replies. "I need to talk to you about Gracie's puppies."
"The puppies? looking curiously at him. "What about them?"
"I was just wondering if any of the other puppies have been showing unusual behavior lately," he asks.
He stares at him for a moment. "It's funny you should ask that," he says at last.
"What do you mean?"
"Come with me and I'll show you," walking towards his own barn with Clark right behind him. He opens the barn doors and points to the partially completed staircase that leads up to the loft. Clark stares at it, then back at Ben. "One of the puppies did a number on the old one."
"When did that happen?" Clark asks at last.
"Just this morning as a matter of fact," he replies. "I've never seen a puppy with that much strength before. I have no idea where it came from," looking back at Clark. "I take it from all the questions that your puppy did the same thing?"
"Yep," nodding his head. "First the kitchen table, then part of the picket fence that surrounds the house."
"Do you have any idea how it could have happened?" Ben asks Clark.
"I do, actually," he says. "I think that Gracie is meteor-infected and she passed it along to the puppies."
"Are you sure it's not Shelby?" he queries.
"Pretty sure," Clark promptly replies. "Although-" thinking back to the time he found Shelby. "He was injected with meteor rock at the time Lois found him. He was just as strong as Krypto is right now, but the effects of the meteor rock wore off and he's acted normal ever since."
"Maybe the meteor rock infected his DNA?"
"Maybe," Clark says thoughtfully. Then he says, "What about Gracie? Has she ever exhibited similar symptoms?"
"No," shaking his head. "Never."
"Maybe it was Shelby after all," heaving a sigh.
"Looks like it," agreeing with him.
"I'm sorry about the damage," Clark tells him. "I'll fix the staircase for you."
"There's no need to apologize," smiling back at Clark. "My son is taking care of it."
"You're sure?"
"Positive," he replies.
"Alright," walking out of the barn and back towards his truck.
"Would you like to stay for a cup of coffee?" Ben asks as Clark gets back into the truck.
"Thanks, but maybe next time," smiling back at him.
"Don't be a stranger, okay?" Ben waving at Clark as he pulls out of the driveway.
"I won't," waving back as he takes off down the road.
Back to the farm...
Clark walks into the house and tosses his keys onto the kitchen table. He starts to climb the stairs when Kara comes out of the nursery. "Perfect timing," she says as he comes up to her.
"Is everything okay?" he asks her. "Is Lois still sleeping?"
"She was the last time I checked," she replies. "I just changed the babies and gave them a bottle. Now that was a challenge," blowing a strand of hair off her face.
"I find that super-speed really comes in handy when changing their diapers," chuckling a little.
She laughs at that comment. "Since you're back, I think I'll head on out for some patrolling," giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
"We really do appreciate all your help," briefly taking her hands in his as he gives her a peck back.
"We're family. That's what families do," smiling up at him, then super-speeding away.
He opens the door to the nursery and pokes his head inside to look at the babies. I wish I could sleep like that, he thinks to himself, then walks into the master bedroom and softly closes the door behind him. He slips off his shoes, then carefully climbs onto the bed and lies down next to his wife; his arm casually wrapped around her waist.
She stirs as the bed creaks a little; turning around to face him. She snuggles closer to him and he pulls her even closer until she's flush against his chest. Her eyes open half-way and looks up to see a concerned look on his face. "Hey, you," she whispers sleepily.
"Ditto," softly kissing her forehead. "Are you feeling any better?"
She opens her eyes all the way. "Better," she replies. "I guess I just needed some sleep."
"I was really worried when I came home and found you crying hysterically," looking down at her. "I've never seen you like that. It scared me."
"I scared myself," she admits. "I felt like I was losing control and I just couldn't handle it one more second. I hate feeling that way."
"I know," his hand gently rubbing her arm.
They lay there in silence for a few minutes. "Clark?"
"Yes?"
She looks up at him. "I'm going stir-crazy being at home with the babies all day. I really need to get back to work."
"I know," he replies. "Maybe you could work from home for a while?"
"Maybe," resting her head down on his chest. "I'll call Mr. White in the morning," closing her eyes again.
Should I tell her now or wait until later? he wonders as he gazes down at his wife.
She opens her eyes again and looks curiously at him. "What's on your mind?"
He looks back at her with surprise. "How did-"
"I could feel your eyes on me, plus I happen to know you very well," lightly punching him on the shoulder. "Spill," sitting up.
"Okay," taking a deep breath first, then telling Lois everything that Perry told him.
She doesn't say a word until he's finished, then says, "Is he out of his f*cking mind?" abruptly jumping up out of bed with a furious look in her eyes.
"It's not Mr. White's fault," also jumping out of bed and trying to calm her down. "He had no choice in the matter."
"I know it's not his fault," rolling her eyes as she sits back down on the edge of the bed. He sits down next to her with his arm around her shoulders. "It's just that we're already spread thin as it is," resting her head on his shoulder. Then she says, "Do you have any idea how long it's been since we've made love?"
"Since before the babies were born," he admits.
"That's right," looking up at him. "I miss being with you," biting her lower lip.
"I miss you too," softly kissing her lips.
"We need to have some 'alone' time," she replies after they pull apart.
"I agree," smiling back at her. "In fact, I was going to ask Mr. White about us taking a couple days off but I forgot to bring it up," a sheepish look on his face.
She's about to answer when she hears some barking coming from the barn. "That sounds like Krypto," getting up from the bed. "I'll check up on him," looking down at Clark.
"About Krypto," he starts to say.
"What about him?" looking curiously at him.
"You will not believe it."
CHAPTER 105
One month later (September)
"I hate you!" glaring at him.
"No you don't," ducking to avoid the pillow she throws at him. He opens the bedroom door and closes it behind him. "We'll talk when you've calmed down. Okay?"
He stand there and waits for her to answer. "Okay?" he says again. When she doesn't, he opens the door and promptly gets hit in the face by the pillow.
"Okay," a smirk on her face as she slams the door shut in his face.
"You are so infuriating sometimes!" yelling at her through the closed door.
"What's going on up there?"
Clark turns at the sound of Kara's voice and walks over to the staircase. "Just a little tiff," he calls down to her.
"You call that a little tiff?" she remarks as he finally comes downstairs.
He walks into the kitchen to find her sitting at the kitchen table enjoying a cup of coffee. He doesn't answer her; instead opening the refrigerator and grabbing a beer.
She watches as he pops the cap off and takes a slug. "Okay, Kal-El," putting down her cup. "What's going on?"
He slams the bottle down on the table so hard that it shatters into a million pieces. "You want to know what's going on? I'll tell you," leaning forward in his chair. "Lois is pissed off because I disagreed with her about putting the babies in the Planet's daycare center."
Kara stares at him with surprise. "That's what the tiff was all about?"
"Yeah," he says with a sigh. "We don't know if or when the babies might start to exhibit any powers, so I told Lois I didn't think it would be a good idea."
"I think you're right about that," agreeing with him.
"Don't let her hear that," lowering his voice. "I'm trying to come up with an alternative, but haven't come up with anything."
Kara moves her chair a little closer. "I have an idea, but I'm not sure whether or not you'll agree with it."
"I'm fresh out of ideas," he replies. "Tell me."
"Well-" hesitating a moment. "What about blue kryptonite?"
"Blue kryptonite?" arching his brows. "You want me to use blue kryptonite on my children?"
"Why not?" she asks him. "You made up that dog collar for Krypto and it worked like a dream," she replies. "Why not the kids?"
"For one thing, Krypto is a dog," a frown on his face.
"Well then, we're fresh out of options," sitting back in her chair. "Eventually the children will be going to school. What are you going to do then? Home school them? Keep them secluded from the outside world?"
"Of course not," he scoffs; sighing a little.
"I know," taking his hand in hers.
"I don't want them to grow up like that," he goes on to say. "I love my parents and they meant well, but when I was growing up, they were always afraid I might reveal my powers in front of the other kids. I never even had a birthday party," a wistful look on his face.
"I don't want that for my children," sighing once more. "I don't want them to ever feel as alone as I did."
She continues to hold his hand when they hear a knock at the door. Clark gets up and opens the door. "Hi, Emil," shaking his hand.
"Hi, Clark. Hi, Kara," he says as he comes inside carrying his medical bag.
"I'm assuming you're here to check on the babies?" she asks him.
"That's right," he replies. "They are awake aren't they?" turning to Clark.
"They should be," he says. "Just go on up." He starts to go towards the stairs when Clark takes hold of his arm. "I should warn you that Lois is...well..."
"Moody?" quirking his eyebrow.
"To say the least," rubbing his forehead. "One minute she's sweet as my mother's apple pie, the next she's throwing a pillow at me and telling me that she hates me."
"That's perfectly understandable," Emil tells him. "Has she also been suffering from any type of depression?"
"Yeah," nodding his head. "It was really bad a month ago. I came home and found her crying on the staircase."
"I see," a thoughtful look on his face.
"We were supposed to take a couple days off a month ago, but the new CEO temporarily put the kibosh on vacations for the next few months," a frown on his face.
He goes on to tell Emil about the conversation he just had with Kara about the blue kryptonite. "What do you think?" he asks him when he's finished.
"It could work," Emil replies. "I'll need to run some more tests." After a moment, he asks, "Are they exhibiting any powers at all?"
"Not that we've noticed," Clark answers.
"Alright," he says. "Let me go check on them now," making his way upstairs.
Clark comes back to the kitchen table and sits down just as there's another knock on the door. "Doesn't anybody call first?" a frown on his face as he gets up once more.
"Hey, C.K." Jimmy grins at him as he comes inside. "Sorry for just dropping by, but I was hoping to see the babies. Are they up?"
"Dr. Hamilton is giving them a check-up right now," he replies; closing the door behind him.
"Great," sitting down at the kitchen table. "Hi, Kara," smiling at her.
"Hi, Jimmy," blushing a little. "Would you like some coffee?" she asks.
"Sure," he replies.
"Help yourself," Clark tells him as he sits down once more. He looks towards the door again.
Jimmy looks curiously at him. "Expecting somebody?" he asks.
Clark turns his head back. "No," he says. "It just seems as if every time I finally sit down, somebody is knocking on the door," rolling his eyes.
Jimmy can't help but laugh at that comment. "That's funny," still grinning.
"It's a regular riot," rolling his eyes again.
"Smallville! Come up here!"
They all look up at the sound of urgency in Lois' voice. "I hope everything is okay," jumping up from his seat and rushing upstairs. He runs into the nursery. "Is something wrong?" immediately going up to Lois and taking her hands in his.
"Look," pointing to the babies.
He turns to look at them; his eyes widening with shock. "I don't believe it!"
Kara and Jimmy come in right after Clark. Jimmy starts to say, "Is everything-" but stops mid-sentence. "I don't believe it!" his jaw dropping.
"Looks like they take after their father after all," Kara says; unable to stop herself from smiling.
Lois turns to Clark. "What the hell are we going to do with three floating babies?"
TO BE CONTINUED...