CHAPTER 21

The next morning at the Kent Farm…

Clark opens the door to Greg's room and walks over to the bed where his son was still sleeping. "Wake up, sleepyhead," he says as he pulls the top sheet off Greg.

"Just a few more minutes," he grumbles as he rolls over and buries his head in the pillow.

"We have a big day today so get a move on," Clark replies as he pulls up the window shade to allow the room to fill with sunlight.

Greg reluctantly sits up and rubs the sleep out of his eyes. "What time is it anyway?" he asks as he stifles a yawn.

"It's almost eight," his father remarks while standing in front of the bed.

"Great," Greg mumbles under his breath. "I better take my shower before breakfast," he says as he gets out of bed. "What are we having anyway?" he asks while pausing in the doorway.

"We're having a vegetable frittata," Clark replies. "It's almost ready, so hurry up and take that shower."

"Alright," Greg says as he walks out of the room.

Clark chuckles to himself as he goes down to the kitchen when he hears the timer go off. "Breakfast everybody," he calls out as he opens the oven door and pulls out the skillet. He uses a spatula to loosen the frittata from the pan, then slides it onto a platter. He was just sprinkling some chopped tomatoes on top of it when he hears what sounds like a herd of cattle stampeding down the stairs.

"How many times do I have to tell you boys not to run in the house?" a slight frown on his face as Greg and Peter pull out their chairs and sit down. "Where's Bobby?" Clark asks as he places a trivet in the middle of the table and sets the platter down on it.

"Here I am," says Bobby as he comes into the kitchen and climbs onto his chair.

Clark cuts out a piece for each boy, then cuts out a piece for himself. The boys grab their forks and start to dig in when they hear a soft cough coming from their father. They look up to see Clark quirking one of his brows.

"Oh yeah," Greg says as he folds his hands and begins to say grace.

The same time at the Lane apartment…

"Oatmeal again?" Marcia scowls as her mother places a bowl in front of each of them.

"Sorry, sweetie, but I ran out of eggs yesterday and haven't had a chance to buy groceries," she replies as she sits down and pours herself a cup of coffee.

"You really need to learn how to be a better cook," Janet remarks as she drizzles some honey on her oatmeal. "Why can't you cook like Aunt Chloe and Uncle Jimmy?" she adds as she picks up her spoon. "She even makes her own bread."

"I am getting better," Lois remarks with a slight roll of her eyes as she takes a sip of her coffee. "Which reminds me," setting her coffee mug down on the table and turning to Marcia. "Why did you volunteer me to make the cupcakes anyway?" she asks with a curious expression on her face. Marcia doesn't answer and instead takes a spoonful of oatmeal into her mouth. "You didn't answer me young lady," she replies sternly. "Why did you volunteer me?" she asks again.

"It was Janet's idea," Cindy pipes up. "Mmm. This is good," a grin on her face as she turns her attention back to eating her oatmeal.

Janet glares at her younger sister. "You are such a tattletale," she hisses back at her sister.

"No I'm not," Cindy replies all innocently.

"You are so a tattletale," Janet declares as she reaches out to pull on one of Cindy's pigtails.

"Janet."

Janet pulls her hand back when she hears her mother's stern voice. "Don't you even think of touching one head on your sisters head," Lois tells her daughter. "Is that understood?"

"Yes, Mom," she replies with a sigh as she sits back down.

"Now I really should punish the both of you," fixing her gaze on her two oldest daughters. "I think-" she starts to say but is interrupted by the ringing of her cell phone. "Hi, Aunt Moira," she answers as she gets up from her chair. "I see," walking back and forth in the kitchen. "Sure I can," a smile spreading across her face. "I hope you feel better soon. Okay. Bye," hanging up.

"Is Auntie Moira okay?" Cindy asks with a worried look on her face.

"She'll be okay, but she won't be able to take your sisters to Metropolis today," she replies.

"Which means…" asks Marcia and Janet with the same sense of dread.

"You will both be helping out at the fundraiser after all," suppressing a smile as she slips her phone into her pocket. "Now finish up your oatmeal and get dressed. We have to be at the school in about an hour," Lois says as she places her mug in the sink. "Chop, chop," she says while clapping her hands and laughing as she walks down the hallway to her bedroom; leaving her two older daughters pouting at the kitchen table.

An hour later…

Clark enters the parking lot of the school and pulls into a parking space. Greg hops out of the passenger side and opens the door to the back seat so Peter and Bobby can get out. "Let's go," Clark says as he takes his youngest son's hand and leads them towards the field behind the school where the fundraiser was taking place.

"Uncle Jimmy," Bobby squeals with delight as he runs up to him and throws his arms around his waist.

"How's my boy?" Jimmy asks as he lifts him up and gives him a hug back.

"Great!" a big grin on his face.

"Hey, Jimbo," Clark says as he walks up with Greg and Peter. "Where's Chloe?" he asks.

"The kids both have colds so she's taking care of them," he answers. "I'll be helping out here for a few hours, then we'll switch." They start to walk when Jimmy says, "I'll see you later," he says as he walks towards one of the tents that were being set up.

"Hi, Smallville."

Clark turns around when he hears her voice. "Hi, Lois," he says with a big smile as she comes up to him and gives him a soft peck on the cheek while holding onto the hand of her youngest. "Hi, Cindy," he says as he stoops down in front of her.

"Hi," she says and steps behind her mother while poking her head around Lois' leg.

"She's a little shy sometimes," Lois tells him. "Hello," she says to Greg and Peter.

"Hello, Ms. Lane," they both reply at the same time before Greg turns to his father. "We're supposed to help out with the games for the kids over there," pointing to one of the tents.

"Alright," his father replies. "Keep your cell phone on in case I need you for anything," giving Greg a discreet wink.

"Okay," Peter relies and the two of them walk away.

"Okay girls," Lois says as she turns to Marcia and Janet. "You're helping with the bake sale over there," pointing to a different tent. "Do you have your cell phone on?" she asks Marcia.

"Of course I do," rolling her eyes slightly.

"Alright," Lois replies. "Go on," she says as Marcia and Janet walk away muttering under their breaths.

Clark chuckles inwardly at what the girls were saying. "Didn't you tell me that your Aunt Moira was supposed to take them on a shopping trip to Metropolis?" he asks as they watch the girls greet one of the teachers.

"She was, but she has a bad cold," she tells him.

"Jimmy told me that their kids have colds too," he replies.

"Chloe called me last night," she says. "She also said that Jimmy will go home after a few hours and take care of the kids so she could come here and have a little fun," a smile on her face as she says it. "He really is a great guy," she adds.

"I agree with you one-hundred percent," flashing her the smile that always makes her go weak at the knees. "So where are you supposed to be helping out?" he asks.

"I'm what you call a floater," she answers. "Wherever they need me. What about you?"

"They're having me move things around, fix things, that kind of stuff," he says. "I guess you could say I'm the handyman."

Handyman? I know what I would like him to fix, Lois thinks to herself as she can't help her eyes lingering on the way his arm muscles were flexing. "So if I had something that needed fixing, you would be the man I would call?" a lilt in her voice as she rests her free hand on his chest.

"Yes," he simply replies as he lowers his lips close to her ear. "Do you have something that needs fixing, Ms. Lane?" his soft breath tickling her neck.

"Maybe," her voice soft and sultry.

The mood is broken when Lois feels a tug on her jacket. She looks down to see Cindy looking up at her. "Is it getting warm out here or is it just me?" Lois says nervously as she slips off her jacket; revealing the aqua blue tank top she had on underneath. "We should probably go," her eyes still on Clark.

"I guess so," he reluctantly replies. "How about we meet for lunch?"

"Sounds good to me," she replies with a smile.

"Hot dogs on me," he says while returning the smile.

"I love hot dogs," still smiling at him, then turns and walks away with Cindy. As the distance slowly widens between them, she takes a quick glance behind her and notices him still looking at her. I thought so, smiling to herself as she deliberately wiggles her backside and winks back at him.

Clark's eyes widen with surprise at first, then grins right back at her. I'll get you for that, Ms. Lane.

"Daddy?"

Clark looks down at his son. "What is it?" he asks as he picks him up and holds him in his arms.

"Is she going to be my new mommy?" he asks Clark.

Clark's jaw drops at the simple question, but he quickly recovers his composure. He sits down on the grass and pulls him onto his lap. "Would you like her to be your new mommy?" Clark asks him.

"I don't know," shrugging his shoulders. "Will she take the place of my real mommy?" he asks with a worried expression on his face.

"Of course not," looking his son right in the eye. "Your mommy will always be your mommy. Okay?"

"Okay," he says in reply, then he adds, "Can I tell you something, Daddy?"

"You can tell me anything," Clark tells him. "What is it?"

"I think that nice lady likes you," Bobby tells him.

"I think you're right," Clark says with a smile. "Do you want to know something else?"

"Yeah," Bobby nods his head eagerly.

Clark lowers his head and whispers in his ear.

"I think I like her too."

A few hours later…

"So where are your girls?" Clark asks Lois as they both sit down at one of the picnic tables.

"Marcia and Janet are still helping out at the bake sale," she replies as she squeezes some mustard on her hotdog. "Cindy is at the arts and crafts tent with Ms. Hatcher," she adds. "What about your boys?"

"Greg and Peter are still helping out at the kid's tent and Bobby is also doing arts and crafts," he replies as he puts some sweet relish on his own hotdog. "So, Lois, there's something I've been curious about," he says in a casual way.

"What is it?" she asks while taking a bite out of her hotdog.

"Well," pausing a moment. "You keep saying that you're not that great in the kitchen – so I was wondering how you've been able to feed your girls nutritious meals."

She lays down her hotdog with a sigh. "It's not easy," she finally admits. "It was easier when they were babies because I could breast-feed them, then I graduated to the baby food you buy in a jar."

"But what about when they started getting a little older?" he asks next.

"My late husband was a pretty good cook," she answers. "Whenever he wasn't deployed overseas, he would do all the cooking. When he wasn't here, I would take the girls to the cafeteria on base for supper. Oddly enough, I can manage a simple breakfast. As for lunch, I would make sandwiches and such. Since they're all in school now, I don't have to worry about lunch." She takes a sip of her soda. "I guess you don't have that problem because you're a good cook," putting down her soda and taking a bite of her hotdog.

"I learned from the best," he says with a smile. "Don't worry," he says as he takes her hand and holds it in his own. "You'll be a good cook in no time," raising her hand to his lips. "You'll just have to trust me," gazing into her eyes.

"I do," unable to keep her eyes off him.

About ten minutes later…

"Now that was a de-licious hotdog," Lois declares as she licks the spicy brown mustard off her fingertips. "How was your hotdog?" she asks Clark as she wipes her hands with a paper napkin.

I'd love to tell her what I really thought about how she ate that hotdog.

"Clark?" looking at him curiously. "Are you okay?"

He shakes himself out of his reverie. "Huh? Did you say something?"

"I asked you how your hotdog was," she replies.

"Good," he replies absently as he gathers up the remnants of their lunch.

"Hi Clark, Lois."

They both look up to see Cat Grant walking up to them. "Hi, Cat," Clark replies as he gives her a brief hug.

"What are you doing here?" Lois asks her curiously.

"Clark asked me if I was interested in helping out, so here I am," she says with a big smile.

Lois gives Clark a wondering glance. "I think I'll check on what the boys are doing," clearing his throat. "I'll be right back – okay?" quirking his brow at Lois, then turns to Cat. "I have something for you in my truck. After I check on the boys, I'll go get it."

"Take your time," they both reply at the same time.

They both watch Clark as he walks away. "You know, Lois, you're really lucky to have somebody as wonderful as Clark," Cat says with a sigh. "Don't ever let anybody get between the two of you."

"I don't plan on it," Lois replies with a smile.

"I just didn't want you thinking that I was after Clark in a romantic sense," Cat said as she turned to Lois. "When we first met at the Gazette, we did go out on a couple dates – but then we realized we were better off as friends. Clark has been there for me when I needed somebody - and I really need his support now more than anything," her voice quivering slightly.

Lois notices the change in her voice. "Is everything alright?" she asks with concern.

Cat purses her lips and frowns at her. "No, I'm not alright," she snaps back as she pulls out a tissue from her purse. "Do you have any idea how exhausting it is at times to be all happy and perky?" dabbing her eyes with the tissue. She looks up at Lois. "I didn't mean to snap at you, Lois," blowing her nose.

"It's okay," Lois says softly. "Nobody expects you to be happy or perky all the time." She hesitates for a moment before opening her mouth again. "Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure," Cat replies as she tosses the used tissue in the nearby trashcan.

"Are you pregnant?"

Cat looks up at her. "Yes," she answers as she pulls out another tissue. "How did you know?"

"Well," Lois hesitates at first. "The other day I saw you pouring yourself a cup of decaf coffee – and I know you never drink decaf. Yesterday I saw the box of soda crackers sticking out of your purse and I just put two and two together." Cat looks up with a worried expression, but Lois quickly reaches over and rests her hand on Cat's hand. "Don't worry, I won't tell anybody until you're ready," lightly patting her hand. "If you need any advice or anything, just let me know. I've been pregnant before as you know."

Cat smiles back at her. "I'll definitely take you up on that."

"So I guess that Clark knows?" Lois asks next.

"Yes," Cat replies. "He's known since his first day at the Planet."

"Well that certainly explains why he was holding your hand at lunch that day," Lois remarks thoughtfully.

"He was just being-"

"Clark," Lois finishing Cat's sentence.

"That's right," she replies with a smile.

"So how's your boyfriend taking it?" Lois asks her next.

"He broke up with me," Cat says with a sigh. "He thought I was a gold digger only out for his money," her eyes flashing. "He though I deliberately got pregnant in the hopes that he'd marry me."

"Un-believable," Lois declares while shaking her head.

"That's not all of it," Cat replies.

"There's more?" Lois asks.

"After we broke up, he sent me a diamond necklace by courier. Can you freakin' believe that?" sounding angry.

"What an a$$," Lois declares while rolling her eyes. "I would have returned it but not before I gave him a piece of my mind. What did you end up doing?"

"I put it in my safe deposit box after I had it appraised because I'll need it for my child's college fund," Cat replies with a smirk.

Lois is surprised at first, but then smiles and says, "Good for you, Cat. Good for you."

"I also decided to go back to my natural hair color," Cat continues on as she runs her fingers through her shoulder-length hair. "I think blonde is a more flattering color for my skin tone than black."

"I agree," " Lois replies.

"Agree with what?" asks Clark as he sits down on the bench next to Cat and sets a bag down in front of her.

"Nothing," they both say coyly. "So where are you headed next?" asks Lois while Cat opens the bag and peers inside.

"You'll never believe it," rolling his eyes.

"He has to sit in the dunk tank," says Chloe as she walks over to where they were sitting. "Just like he did back in high school," she chuckles as she sits down next to Lois.

"You were in the dunk tank in high school?" Lois looks at him with amusement.

"He sure was," Chloe interrupts Clark before he could get a word in edgewise. "Picture it. Smallville. Senior year. Pep rally," she gestures with her hands. "All the girls tried to dunk him because they wanted to see Clark Kent in a wet t-shirt," she laughs.

"I wouldn't mind seeing that, but then again I've seen-" Lois' eyes widening as the words come out of her mouth.

"Just exactly what have you seen, Lois?" Cat asks her curiously.

"Yes, Lois, please tell us," Chloe pipes in.

"That's not necessary," Clark interrupts. "I have to go," he says and abruptly gets up. "See you later," flashing Lois a little wink, then walks away but not before giving her a taste of her own medicine by shaking his backside slightly.

"Did you see that?" Chloe murmurs with amazement as they all watch him walk away. "I've never seen him flirt so brazenly before. Must be your bad influence, Lois," she adds with a smirk. She gets up and looks down at the two of them. "I'm off to see Clark Kent in that wet t-shirt. Do either one of you care to join me?"

"Like I've never seen that before," Lois remarks dryly as the three of them head on over to the dunk tank. "So who wants to be the first to dunk Smallville?" asks Lois as they make their way through the crowd of mostly women.

"I think you should have the honor," says Chloe.

"I agree," Cat pipes in as she gestures to the man in charge. "She wants to try," she tells him.

"Great," he says as he picks up the football and walks over to Lois. "You look like you have a strong arm. Give it a try," handing it towards her.

Clark watches Lois as she fiddles with the ball. "Good luck," his eyes twinkling.

"I don't need luck," she retorts and throws the ball towards the bull's-eye, only to have it miss by a couple inches. "Damn," she mutters under her breath. "I want to try again. I'm sorry, what's your name?" she asks.

"Jason," he replies as he tosses the ball over to her.

"Okay, Jason," catching the ball.

Chloe happens to look up at Clark as the ball flies through the air towards the bull's-eye. She frowns slightly when she sees him purse his lips and the ball once again misses it by a couple inches. No wonder she missed, Chloe thinks to herself but then is startled when she feels a pair of arms snake around her waist and pull her backwards.

"Hi, bright eyes," a soft voice whispers in her ear.

She cranes her head. "Jimmy? What are you doing here?" turning around in his arms. "Aren't you supposed to be watching the kids?"

He grins back at her. "Your father graciously volunteered to babysit so that we could have some 'Chimmy' time," softly kissing her lips. "So what's going on?" he asks after their lips pull apart.

"Lois is trying to dunk Clark, but I think Clark is cheating," she replies in a breathless voice as Jason picks up the football.

"What makes you think he's cheating?" Jimmy whispers back. "How would he do it anyway?" he starts to ask her, but then he has a sudden realization. "I think I know how he did it," answering his own question. "What about you? Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"You know I am," she replies as Jason tosses the ball again to Lois.

"Okay, keep your eye on the target," Jason tells her.

"Come on, Lois. Didn't the guys on the base teach you anything?" Clark remarks with a smug expression on his face as he folds his arms across his chest.

"Wouldn't you like to know," she says with a snort as he gestures to the bull's eye. "Doesn't matter because you're going down," she replies with a smirk.

"You'd like that wouldn't you?" his eyes dancing with mischief.

She drops the ball at his remark. I can't believe he just said that. I have to dunk him at least once – if only to wipe that smug look off his face.

Chloe whispers into her husband's ear. "Watch this," looking up at Clark again. "Hey, Clark," she calls out to him.

He turns his head in her direction. "What?" he asks.

She's about to answer when Lois once again throws the ball. It spirals through the air and hits the target smack dab in the center; causing the seat beneath Clark to collapse and plunging him into the cold water. The crowd erupts in cheers as Clark resurfaces. That was a dirty trick, he mouths to Chloe. She just shrugs her shoulders and laughs along with her husband and everybody else.

Lois saunters over to the tank and tousles Clark wet hair. "Didn't I tell you that you'd go down?" she laughs as she turns around and starts to walk away; her ponytail swishing back and forth. All of a sudden she feels hands gripping her waist and her feet leaving the ground. "What the hell?" her eyes widening with shock as she hits the water.

She resurfaces and glares back at him. "If I was going down, then I was going to take you down with me," Clark tells her as he wraps his arms firmly around her waist and presses her up against the inner wall of the tank.

"I'm going to get you back if it's the last-"

The words die in her throat when his lips crash against hers. She's startled at first, but then her eyes flutter shut. Her arms come around his waist as the kiss deepens. They continue kissing while being completely oblivious to all the catcalls and the cheering.

"Didn't I tell you it would be mind-blowing?" Clark whispers between kisses.

"Oh, yeah," she whispers back as her hands caress his back while his hands cup her backside.

Meanwhile, Chloe tells Jimmy, "It certainly took them long enough."

"Didn't I tell you they had chemistry?" he replies with the widest smile on his face as they clap and cheer along with the rest of the crowd…

TO BE CONTINUED...