Chapter 25: All In The Family

Gotham City, Wayne Manor

In silence, Clark walked with Diana across the grounds of the Wayne Manor. He nodded and smiled at people when they stopped to make small talk with Diana. Each time Diana introduced Clark as a novelist and friend. It was no secret at Wayne Industries that Clark was writing a biography on Thomas Wayne, but the curious glances told Clark that Wayne employees speculated that their CEO and the biographer were more than business associates. For Diana's part, she was neither openly affectionate toward him; thereby, confirming their suspicions nor was she cold and distant and business-like either.

Clark couldn't help but smile at that. Diana was too strategically brilliant for her own good. She had to know rumors were spreading about the two of them, yet she invited him anyway. But her actions and interactions neither confirmed nor denied that they were dating. For all her staff knew, Clark was an invited guest just like any other Wayne employee. Or maybe she invited him to show him Thomas Wayne's home and to discuss the philanthropist with his wife, Martha, which, in truth, Diana had already arranged a meeting between her mother-in-law and Clark. It wasn't today, but no one would know that.

So Clark simply smiled and shook the hands of those who'd approached, following Diana's lead as she played hostess, greeting everyone and inquiring after their family. To his amazement, Diana knew quite a deal about her employees' personal lives. Who'd just gotten married. Who was divorced or widowed. Whose son or daughter had recently graduated from pre-school, high school, or college. She also knew their research projects and the status of each. The list was endless, Diana clearly an active CEO not just some figurehead who paid the bills and signed the checks.

And none of it was rehearsed or forced. She genuinely cared about those who worked for her. Besides that, she was quite knowledgeable about every aspect of Wayne Industries. Clark had known Diana was wise beyond her years, but he never imagined she was capable of all she'd achieved. And she's only thirty-three. Impressive.

But what was more impressive, what touched Clark deeply, was that Diana had believed him not her trusted Head of Security. For an hour, Clark had brooded, fearing the ramifications of the incident with Talia Head, fearing that Steve Trevor would use it to poison Diana's mind against him. Because she trusts me?

Clark wasn't quite sure. Diana distrusted Talia. For good reason. But does that mean she trusts me? What if the same thing happened with another woman, a woman Diana had no reason to distrust? Would her reaction have been the same? Clark didn't know. He liked to think that it would have, but he just couldn't be sure. Maybe he should leave it alone. Maybe he should be happy with the outcome and stop looking for the thorns in the rose bush. Clearly, Diana was taking that approach. Why else would she invite him to her home?

"Have you changed your mind, Clark?"

"What? Ah, no."

"It's just you look so serious all of a sudden. If you would rather do something else . . . go somewhere less crowded, we can do that." Diana glanced around at all the people making good use of her home and grounds. "It can be a bit overwhelming. I'm used to it, but I suppose you're not. I should have thought of that before inviting you here."

"No, no. It's fine. I'm glad to be here. I'm glad you invited me. Lois and C.J. are with her mother and sister, Lucy, for the weekend." Clark paused, wondering how much of his divorce to get into with Diana. He wanted to tell her all. But is it too soon? Is today the day for heavy lifting?

"We're here."

Clark stopped beside Diana. How long had he been walking and not paying attention?

Diana moved forward, entering a huge cabana full of people. People I know.

"Lead feet, Clark? Get your butt in here and out of the muggy July heat."

He knew that voice. Ollie.

Clark moved, feeling every ounce the man with lead feet, weighed down by what he saw the closer he got to the spacious white and gold cabana.

What he saw were happy, smiling faces. And they were all staring at him, their smiles for him.

He stilled at the cool entrance, the cabana's air-conditioning going full throttle. But that's not what froze him, nope, that would be his grinning mother - Martha Kent - sitting beside Martha Wayne and Hippolyta. They made for an unexpected and shocking sight, sitting together at a table with the comfort and ease of old friends.

"Well, don't just stand there, son, with your mouth open. Come in and show Martha and Hippolyta that you weren't raised in a barn. You have better manners than to gape at three old women."

"Speak for yourself, Martha. I'm in my prime," Hippolyta said, with an expression and tone that were both haughty and playful. "But do stop staring at us like that, Clark. It's not at all polite. It makes a woman question whether something has fallen or is hanging or has come loose."

"All of which is quite possible once a woman turns fifty. But seeing as if I have four years before that will happen, I have no personal experience in the matter."

"Now look at what you've done, Martha," Hippolyta said, waving a finger at Mrs. Wayne. "You've gone and shocked the poor boy with your lies."

"Yes, I think my son is definitely in a state of shock." Clark's mother stood and came to him. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she hugged him. "This is where you hug me back, Clark."

Clark realized, that indeed, he hadn't moved an inch.

"Oh, yes." He returned the hug, pleased to see his mother but so very confused. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "You never told me you were friends with Hippolyta and Mrs. Wayne. I want to know everything you've been keeping from me, Ma. No more secrets."

She released him then patted his cheek, her smile a guilty one. "Yes, of course. We'll talk as soon as you bring Diana for a visit."

Clark glanced up. Diana was on the other side of the cabana, sitting at a table with Donna, Dinah, Mera, Kara, and Mari. They were all listening to something Donna was saying, then, in unison, they all turned their gazes to Victor Stone. The young man, who was sitting at a nearby table with the women's husbands, glowered at Donna.

She laughed.

He frowned.

She laughed even more, her eyes bright and blue with flirtation and mischief.

Without a word, Victor, a brilliant young man built like a football player, slid his chair back and stood. With economical movements, he parted the male-female sea of onlookers, faced a still snorting Donna and bent to her level. Nose to nose, the giggling Donna stopped, gulping down her laughter, her eyes wide with attraction and just a bit of uncertainty and fear.

"You like to play games, Donna. You like to needle a man, put him on the defensive with your mocking smiles and smart tongue." Kneeling in front of her, in a position that reminded Clark too much of the one he'd taken when he'd proposed to Diana, Victor lifted Donna's chin, and with all the confident charm that came with youth said, "If you want me, Donna Prince, just say it." He leaned in closer, their lips nearly touching. "Right now. Right here. In front of everyone. Just say the words and I'm yours."

A collective gasp echoed around the room. Clark's mother, never one for dramas, unabashedly wept during romantic movies or what Jonathan Kent called "chick flicks." She loved happily-ever-afters. Unfortunately, Clark had yet to give her his own happily-ever-after. But he was working on it. Maybe he should take a page out of young Victor Stone's book, put his lady on the spot and demand she come straight with him.

But that wasn't the way with Diana. She was being straight with him. Diana didn't play games, not the type of games Donna had obviously been playing with Victor. Nor would she take kindly to being embarrassed the way Victor was deliberately doing to Donna now, the way she'd just done to him.

No, where Donna hadn't quite reached her sister's level of maturity, unsure of how to approach a man she clearly liked, Diana's approach was decidedly more compelling, more subtle for its emotional depth and symbolism.

"Isn't that sweet?" his mother crooned, clasping her hands together and bringing them to her chest, eyes on the now kissing Donna and Victor.

Well, the man had his own style, and from the rapturous, devoted way Donna was looking at him, Victor Stone was the man of the hour . . . and her heart.

Clark's own eyes wandered to Diana who, to his surprise, was looking at him.

She smiled and waved then went back to her conversation with her friends.

Clark followed his mother to the table she shared with Hippolyta and Mrs. Wayne. He spoke then sat, and for the next half hour they talked, not about Thomas Wayne and the book or about any other safe topic. The women, whom he should've known, wanted to talk about him and Diana.

And, hell, it was actually a nice discussion, weird at first but ultimately enjoyable. Even Mrs. Wayne, who'd insisted he call her "Martha", supported him dating Diana. That had been a shocker, but she was serious, her love and concern for her daughter-in-law plain to see.

Then there was Hippolyta, a woman who'd never struck Clark as anything other than cold and heartless. When he'd visited her several months ago, he'd begun to see a different side of her, a softer, warmer side that he'd managed to miss. But that side was even more evident today. She laughed and joked and even made fun of herself. She was in her element, his mother apparently one of her dear friends.

And his mother. God, Clark hadn't seen her this radiant in years. Martha Kent practically glowed. She smiled, talked, and was undeniably happy. Clark now recalled other times he'd seen her like this. Times when he'd visited and she had her hair professionally done and nails shining with a pretty paint design. And she shone like the most exquisite of jewels.

He observed her now. Fingernails polished. Hair perfectly coiffed. He looked at Hippolyta and Mrs. Wayne. The same. They were all true classical beauties, their grace timeless. And they are friends. Because of Diana. She did this. She brought them together. And now they want her to be happy. They think I'm the one who can make her happy. Will wonders never cease?

Clark thought the same. In fact, he was confident they could make each other happy.

When he glanced around to find Diana, he found Arthur instead. Gesturing for him to join his table, Clark excused himself from the ladies and made his way to Arthur, Ollie, Victor, and John.

"Now that you're finished with the Moms, maybe you'd like to join the fellas."

Clark would like to take Arthur up on his offer, but he also wanted to spend time with Diana. Since entering the cabana, they hadn't spent one minute in each other's company.

"Where's Diana?" he asked, scanning the cabana but seeing her nowhere.

"With the wives and Donna and Kara," Ollie said, pulling out the seat beside him. "Sit, Clark, they won't be back for a while."

Clark sat. Ollie was to his right, Arthur to his left, John and Victor across from him.

"You still play poker?" Clark watched as Ollie shuffled a deck of cards.

"A little. I haven't played in a while, but I think I still remember the rules."

"Don't try to con a con, Kent. Ollie won't fall for it." Clark nodded to the blond Arthur, his hair as pale yellow as his wife's was as fire red. "And don't let him talk you into playing for money. He may not need it but he'll empty your pockets all the same."

"Good to know."

"You have a big mouth Arthur. I'm just trying to see what our boy Clark brings to the table."

"I play a bit."

"Ah, now we're getting somewhere. You see, Clark," Ollie said, handing the cards to John so he could cut, "John is a master of bluffs. I can't read his Marine face for shit. While Arthur thinks he can bluff but I've figured out all his tells. Then there is young Stone over there. He's nearly as good as John, but right now he's still thinking about Donna and his little display of machismo."

John slapped Victor on his back. "For menfolk everywhere, you represented well, sent the women off in a flurry of squeals and chatter."

"Donna drives me crazy."

"That's their nature, Vic. How many times do I have to tell you that? Women do that shit on purpose. They know it gets us all riled up until we turn all caveman on them. Tell the kid, Arthur."

"Keep me out of this, Ollie. Mera's not like that."

John and Ollie laughed. "Sure she is. She's just more subtle than Donna," John said.

"Yeah, well, no one would ever accuse Donna of being subtle. She's a spitfire. Best you remember that, Vic," Ollie said with a wink. "You might not be able to handle her when she finally gets you in the bedroom."

Victor Stone looked equal parts furious and embarrassed. Poor kid.

"Are we going to play cards or what, Ollie, because, from what I've heard, Dinah makes you call her Sifu Black Canary in the bedroom, right before she ties you to the bed and pulls out her leather whip."

Okay, maybe not such a poor kid, Victor Stone had teeth. And he's not afraid to use them.

All eyes turned to Ollie. The man simply shrugged and began to deal the cards. "A man does what he can to keep the flame burning. There's no shame in letting the little woman play dominatrix."

"I'll be damned if I let Mari tie me to the bed."

"Or use a whip on me." Arthur shuddered. "That's not happening."

"Pussies. Don't knock it until you try it."

Clark laughed.

"Don't laugh, Smallville," Ollie said. "The only reason you're getting a pass today is because things are too new between you and Diana. In six months, we'll be ripping into you as well. Don't think we won't. Diana hasn't been with anyone in three long years. You might not survive when you finally get her into your bed."

Clark was silent. Not about the sex part but the knowledge that everyone at the table assumed he and Diana were a fait accompli. They weren't, but it was humbly gratifying to know the men he'd once thought of as friends still viewed him as one of them.

It was touching, and the oddest date ever. He'd spent time with everyone except Diana. Then it hit him, like lightning skidding from the sky and crashing into him with shocking realization.

When they'd dated all those years ago, they began their courtship in secret. They told no one, not even their parents. It had been Clark's idea, and while she didn't agree, Diana had gone along. That was our first mistake. No relationship should start in the dark. And it had ended in the dark, the darkness that came from lies of omissions, lack of communication, and far too much pride.

A smile touched Clark's lips. By bringing him here today, Diana was attempting to right that long ago wrong. She's telling me and everyone else that this time around secrets will not be tolerated. She wants me to know her family and friends are her world and if we are to continue I must accept them.

But it was more than that. They must also accept my family and me. That's why Ma and Kara are here. Despite the Wayne employees overflowing the grounds, this cabana only contained those whom Diana cared the most about, those who held her heart.

This day, this date that Clark now understood to be more about family and the future than romance, paled in comparison to any simple kiss he'd hoped Diana would grant him. The taste of her unspoken trust, silent hope was so damn sweet.

And when night fell and the fireworks blazed red, yellow, blue, and white in the sky, Clark held Diana in his arms.

Her eyes were cast upward to the light show dancing across the sky, while his eyes were firmly on Diana's face and her lovely smile that sparkled with contentment and joy.

No barriers.

No walls.

Holding Diana from behind, Clark hugged her, feeling whole and hopeful. Today had been a monumental step in their voyage to find common ground, and it had come with none of the heavy lifting he'd expected. "Thank you," he whispered in her ear. I love you, he said to himself. I never stopped.

Turning in his arms, Diana held him tight, face against his shoulder, dark hair spilling down her back.

He wanted to roar, the temptation to crush her to him a near overwhelming thing. She had never initiated any of their hugs. She'd accepted them, with reticence at first, but with growing ease later. Now she's hugging me.

It took all of Clark's self-control to not take it further, to not lift her onto her toes and take her mouth with greedy need, to not push her beyond her comfort zone. She said she wasn't ready. I must respect that.

Diana let him go, a nervous smile playing about her very kissable lips. "Thank you for coming."

"I wouldn't have missed it."

They stood in silence, a little awkward but nothing more.

"Do you have plans for next Friday night?"

"Are you asking me out again, Mr. Kent?"

"Of course."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Dinner and dancing."

"I like to dance. Haven't done it in years."

"Then dinner and dancing it is then."

"Date three."

"Yup . . . and counting."

TO BE CONTINUED