Title: The Good Son
Chapter 21 – Cars & Kisses

The rest of their Friday for both Ed and Clark is spent relaxing and enjoying their day off. Ed and Sophie did some shopping and a few errands while Clark just stayed home and rested until they all went out for a pizza lunch together. The three of them settled in to watch a movie together in the late afternoon and then it was time for dinner.

After dinner and the dishes were done, Ed slowly climbs the stairs, feeling tired but happy and less stressed and anxious in days. He reaches Clark's bedroom door and gently knocks on it before entering. "Hey…"

"Hey dad," Clark looks up from his reading and then puts the book down as he watches his father enter his bedroom and slump down onto his bed. "What's up?"

"Nothin'…just comin' to see how you are," Ed shrugs as he looks at his son in wonder.

"Shoulder hurts but um…well I heard you and mom talking earlier about the party, can I still go?"

"She's concerned about you being around people and hurting it further."

"I'm not gonna be wrestling," Clark groans with an eye roll.

"I know and that's what I told her."

"And?"

"And you can still go."

"Awesome!" Clark replies with a smile. "You still giving us a ride there?"

"If you want me to," Ed shrugs as he offers his son a small frown.

"Dad what?"

"I'm your father, can't I worry?"

"It's just a party and this time I won't have anything to worry about."

"Okay then…" Ed utters with a small sigh as he prepares to leave.

"Dad?" Clark asks in haste, pulling Ed back down to the bed.

"Yeah."

"Well I guess there is one thing to worry about."

"And that would be?" Ed arches his brows in wonder.

"Well I'm going with Amber right…"

"And?" Ed dares to ask his mind wondering if it was time for the talk with his son.

"Ah yeah…never mind," Clark's lips offer a small nervous chuckle, his face going a deeper shade of red.

"Sex right? You wanna talk about sex?"

"No," Clark huffs in return, making Ed smile as he closes the door for some privacy.

"I don't mind and won't get mad, I promise. So what's up?"

"Well…"

XXXXXXXX

"And you both slept through the night?" Wordy asks the next day after he had picked Ed up mid-morning and were heading to the car show as arranged.

"Yeah but not solidly, I think that'll take a few more days…maybe a few weeks for Clark," he sighs as he looks out the window of Wordy's car. "He doesn't want to say too much because he knows it'll make Sophie upset but I told him he can talk to me in private about anything. He still has nightmares and I can't blame him, but he'll be okay."

"Good to hear and you? You sleep okay last night?"

"Had the sex talk with Clark…how do you think I slept?" Ed groans and Wordy laughs.

"Ah so instead of seeing yourself or him shot this time you saw…"

"Him showing up at my doorstep with a mail order bride and triplets," Ed sighs, making Wordy laugh harder. "You have girls."

"So much easier, Shelly takes care of all that. Yes my friend I don't envy you that."

"Maybe he'll grow out of it," Ed chuckles.

"Liking girls? Or liking sex? He's got too much of you in him to drop either," Wordy gently elbows Ed making look at him with a pursed expression. "I'm just sayin'."

"Well at least he's not talkin' marriage…it was just a…yeah never mind."

"Oh come on Edward Tucker Lane, don't be shy," Wordy teases.

"Yeah forget it," Ed replies as he looks back out the window. "I'm just glad he's in good spirits about tonight."

"And will you be sitting in front of the TV relaxing or nervously pacing the front hall until you get the call to go and pick him up?"

"Sophie said she'd file for divorce if I didn't watch some lame movie with her tonight," Ed counters with a frown as Wordy parks the car outside the large convention hall. "With Jeremy gone it's just…real life stuff to worry about."

"And that also can be scary."

"Yeah means he's growing up," Ed looks over at Wordy with a small smile. "But to be honest it's better than him sitting at home and dwelling on it you know?"

"I know."

They both head into the large convention center, talking about the cars, laughing and cementing their strong friendship; the tension of the past few days all but subsiding.

"So Clark ever talk about getting a car?"

"Some days I swear he's gonna become a bus driver to spite me," Ed groans, prompting Wordy to pat him on the back and smile. "I told him I'd help with his first car but it hasta be under five grand."

"Seriously? No wonder he wants to stay with the bus."

"It's his first car," Ed insists as they near the compact car section. "'sides I have my car and Sophie has the van; he doesn't want the van and there is no way he's takin' mine."

"The back seats fold down," Wordy ponders.

"Exactly," Ed retorts. "How about a smart car?" Ed suggests and Wordy laughs as he shakes his head. "What? There are no back seats in this at all."

"Yeah, that'll stop them," Wordy winks and he frowns. "How about a motorcycle?"

"Hey now you're talkin'."

"I meant for him, not you," Wordy teases in return. "Hey remember that time, first year…"

"Rookies and we took old man Saunders bike out," Ed completes his best friend's sentence. "My first two paychecks went to pay for that damn thing after we crashed it."

"You got off easy, I had to help him repair the damn thing," Wordy groans as Ed laughs. "After that I hated the site of anything with two wheels."

"Yeah…Clark's not getting a bike."

"How about a Ford Fiesta?" Wordy smiles as Ed looks at him and just groans.

"Stupid little compact cars," Ed smirks as they head for the concept car area.

"Now this is…"

"Yeah pretty hot," Ed adds at the same time as they look at the new 2012 Chevy Corvette.

"He's definitely not getting one of those," both of them say at once and then laugh. The next few hours were spent in total relaxation mode for both, knowing that once the weekend was over, it was back to the real world for both of them. But as it was finally time for them to part ways at Wordy's place, Ed's anxiety was all but gone.

"You look less anxious," Wordy comments as they linger in the car outside his quiet suburban home.

"I am…thanks."

"You're welcome," Wordy replies firmly, garnering a warm smile from his best friend. "And you know I'm gonna want all the gossip about the party on Monday."

"Right like there'll be any."

"Hey you had the sex talk right?" Wordy playfully jabs his best friend's side.

"If that happens the only car Clark will be riding in is Herse," Ed deadpans. "But I trust him," he adds on a more serious note with a small smile slowly tugging at the corners of his lips. "Thankfully he's also got some Sophie in him and yeah…he'll be fine."

"See you Monday," Wordy smiles as he gets out of the car and heads into his home, offering Ed one last wave before he disappears inside to see his own loving family.

By the time Ed gets home, he's convinced himself that Clark will be just fine at the party and that now with Jeremy gone it will be just real life stuff to contend with and while he knows that can be tough on it's own, it's better to have some a talk on rather uncomfortable subject for him than to watch his beloved son's life nearly come to an end.

"Where is he?" Ed asks Sophie as he enters their home.

"Upstairs wondering which shirt to wear," she smiles. "He's tried on about five already."

"Like she'll even notice."

"He wants to make a good impression. Don't you remember what that's like?"

"I didn't care which shirt I wore," Ed brazenly boasts.

"Roy told me you changed twice the night of our first date."

"Damn bastard," Ed smirks as he gives his wife a kiss on the cheek and then goes in search of his son. "You descent?"

"Yeah come on in," Clark calls to his father.

"So I hear I hafta book a fashion consultant," Ed teases.

"Mom wasn't supposed to say anything," Clark groans as he finishes doing up the buttons on his dark navy dress shirt that had short sleeves and a small white pin-stripe to it.

"You look fine."

"Thanks dad," Clark groans as Ed merely shrugs.

"What can I say, mom buys my dress stuff."

"Yeah I know."

"Funny," Ed smirks as he leans against Clark's doorframe. "Nervous?"

"A little. I was always so worried before about Jeremy it gave me something to focus on…tonight…well tonight I guess I just gotta focus on the party."

"Scary right?"

"Yeah."

"I'll be downstairs when you're ready."

"Hey dad."

"Yeah?"

"Can I um…borrow some cologne?"

Ed looks at Clark and smiles before he disappears into the hallway and then shortly returns with his bottle of cologne. "I guess we know what to shop for next, right buddy?"

"Why can't I just borrow yours?"

"Because," Ed quickly plucks the bottle back before Clark can douse himself, "this is mine. Go easy on that stuff. Come on Casanova let's go."

Clark grabs his jacket and heads out into the hallway, talking to his mom before Ed reappears and they head for the garage; the plan to pick up Amber and then head Lucy's place for the party. And since some old habits die hard, Ed did check Lucy Davidson's family to see if there was anything to worry about and thankfully there was nothing.

"I feel like a chauffer," Ed mildly complains as he brings his Ford Flex to a stop outside Amber's house, Clark waiting in the backseat. "You two better behave."

"You can see us in the rear view mirror," Clark replies in sarcasm.

"So?" Ed counters and Clark just rolls his eyes. He watches Amber appear and can't help but smile; Ed watching his son's face light up and feeling his own mood instantly lift. After all the fright that Clark had experienced the past few weeks to see him genuinely happy was a joy he couldn't express.

"Hey Clark…Mr. Lane."

"Amber," Ed replies as he pulls away, turning on the radio slightly so that it wouldn't appear he was eavesdropping.

"Waiting long?" Clark asks somewhat nervously.

"Nope, just finishing up a few things. Did you get the email from…" her voice trails off as they near Lucy's house, Ed's mind taking delight in Clark's light laughter and teasing comments. He would still worry about Clark's behaviour especially after their very grown up discussion, but also knows that he put his own father through the same mental stress when he was Clark's age, if not worse, and it was all a part of growing up, testing boundaries and making those adult decisions. He can't make them for Clark, so can only hope he's done his best to give him the tools to make wise choices for himself and let him earn his independance.

"Okay so have fun…and call when you need a ride."

"Thanks dad," Clark smiles at his father before he and Amber turn and head toward the busy house. Ed lingers outside for a few seconds before pulling away and heading for home.

"Hey you guys made it!" Lucy exclaims as she greets both of them with big smiles. "Okay so stay away from Stan he…"

"I did not spill that," a loud voice is heard as another classmate approaches them.

"He spilt Grape soda on the carpet by the stereo."

"Loser," Amber looks at Stanley and frowns.

"Whatever, I tripped," he groans as he leaves.

"He's so paying for that. How's the shoulder Clark?"

"Uh fine," Clark shrugs, not wanting to draw any attention to himself after the whole incident with Jeremy and his father. The three of them mingle a bit longer before they head into the kitchen to see what there was to eat, then taking a plate and heading for the stairs to sit down and enjoy their bit sized meal.

"You really great tonight," Clark comments softly, his heart rate starting to increase.

"Thanks. And are you…wearing cologne?"

"Yeah a little," Clark replies with a small smile. "Is it okay?"

"I really like it."

"Great."

"That's bad?"

"It's my dads," Clark admits sheepishly.

"Don't wear it again," Amber teases.

"Why not?"

"Because it'll be creepy if I smell it on your dad and then like it also," she frowns. "Yeah like…ewww. Sorry no offense to your dad but…well he's old," she continues nervously and Clark chuckles. "What?"

"It's okay I get it. It would be weird."

"Okay good," Amber replies as she nudges her shoulder with his. "You still nervous?"

"About being here? Well so far I don't feel like I have a target on my back so that's good right?"

"Yeah."

"And no ones making a big deal about my shoulder. I mean Lucy asked but that's not surprising right?"

"Not at all," Amber agrees as she snatches a lone mushroom cap off Clark's plate. "What? You weren't going to eat that."

"How'd you know?"

"You don't like mushrooms. I pay attention, remember?"

"Okay," Clark offers a small smile in his weak defense. "Was it good?"

"Okay now you want one right?"

"At least one, it was stuffed with cheese," Clark replies in defense.

"Okay I'll get you one later. But first you hafta dance with me."

"I do why? But…Amber…" Clark tries to protest as Amber takes him by the hand and pulls him toward the semi-crowded dance floor. "I can't dance."

"Move your feet and put your arms…here," she directs. "See easy right?" She whispers as he moves in closer.

"Yeah…sure…what?" Clark stammers nervously, making her giggle. "Everyone's watching?"

"Course they are…we're one hot couple," she teases. "They are not, so stop stressing already."

They continue to dance for about another hour, some fast and some slow before it was time to take a break and get some fresh air.

"Are you cold?" Clark asks as they stand on one corner of the balcony outside, a few other people at the other end getting some fresh air as well.

"Nope…not yet. You?"

"No," Clark replies as he moves in a bit closer. Amber looks up at him and he smiles before looking away and then back at her before he moves in a bit closer, his mind yelling at him to make the first move and cement their first kiss. Their lips touch for a few seconds before pressing together a bit longer and then they both pull back.

"No," Clark mumbles, making her laugh as he just shakes his head. "Wow," he smiles.

"Yeah it was pretty great, scrambled my brain for a few seconds also," she whispers as she nestles into his embrace. "The first of many," she utters so that only he can hear.

XXXXXXXX

"So Sophie filing for divorce yet?"

"No…I promised her I'd watch her lame movie…damn it was sappy," Ed groans as he talks to Wordy on the phone as he heads to pick up Clark and Amber just before 11PM that night.

"And you are still in one piece mentally right?"

"I will be if I don't get all the details."

"I'm sure they did nothing besides…I don't know kiss."

"He's too young for that," Ed insists as Wordy laughs on the other end. "You're not helping."

"Oh sorry was I supposed to? What was that line I fed you a few days ago? Your kid plays the Cello how much trouble could he get into?"

"A lot," Ed retorts as he pulls up to Lucy's house. "I'm here."

"Well if I don't see you Monday I'll check the psycho ward."

"Or the morgue," Ed smirks. "Here they come…what? Holding hands? Damn," Ed lightly curses and Wordy laughs. "Yeah just wait until you see some strange boy holding one of your girl's hands."

"They are not dating until they are twenty-five at the least," Wordy insist and Ed snickers. "Okay details on Monday."

"Wordy I'm not gonna pry."

"Liar…you so are. And you better share or else."

"Or else what?" Ed laughs. "Yeah good night."

Ed watches Clark and Amber climb into the backseat and offers them both a warm smile. "Have fun?" He asks casually.

"Yeah we had a great time," Amber smiles at Ed before she looks at Clark who nods and then looks at his dad.

"Aside from the dancing."

"Oh don't let him…" Amber's voice trails off as they head for Amber's place the two of them still holding hands in the back. Ed reminds himself not to press Clark for details, wanting to give his son space and respect; but inside he was dying for details. Damn Wordy, I hate when you're right Ed's mind groans as he tries to keep himself occupied as he watches Clark walk Amber to the door and then give her a kiss goodnight.

"Contestable Lane get a hold of yourself," he frowns at his reflection in the rear view mirror as Clark returns and hops in the front seat. They pull away in silence but it's only a few seconds before Ed's curiosity gets the best of him.

"So Clark…"

A/N: Okay so this was supposed to be the last chapter but I just got so into writing all the fun banter that I ran out of room haha (well not really) but didn't want to rush the ending or make this super long so a happy ending is up next. I hope you all liked this fluffier chapter and please do review before you go and thanks so much!