Chapter 35

While Diana was away for the week Lara continued to watch Helena, not that she didn't mind, but she was growing increasingly tired and irritated at everything. Not to mention Jor and Kal were being very cautious and secretive around her. She continued to ask them what the problem was, but they simply denied it.

Lara sat in the living room with Helena on her lap looking at a tablet. "And what is that?" Lara pointed to the picture on the screen.

Helena looked at it very intensely which made Lara crack up sometimes, "Dog?"

"Very good," Lara smiled and scrolled down to the next image. Jor came around to the other side of his wife and put his arm around her.

"Kal and I will be leaving to go off world for a while. I just wanted to tell you," he kissed her temple. Lara narrowed her eyes.

"Why are you both leaving? Where are you going? How long will you be gone?" Helena walked over Lara's legs coming to Jor and he smiled grabbing her and placing her on his lap.

"I can't tell you, and it won't be for long. Possibly a few days, maybe…two weeks at the most."

Lara's eyebrows rose, "Two weeks?! Jor!" she stood and placed her hands on her wide hips. "You can't just leave! I…Diana is gone and I will be alone with Helena! What if I fall asleep or something or she escapes from me or…"

Jor put Helena down on the sofa and he stood worriedly looking at his wife. She had a tired crazed look in her eyes, "Lara," he held onto her shoulders. "Calm down, what's the matter? You're great with Helena and she seems to mind you very well. Diana will be back in a few days. Are you sure nothing is bothering you?"

Lara focused her eyes on Jor and she sighed, "I'm alright I just…"

Jor gripped tighter, "You what, Lara? Tell me."

"I…" she looked over at Helena who was hanging upside down on the sofa. "Rao! Helena!" she grabbed her and rested her on her hip. "You're so rambunctious," she pinched the toddler's cheek causing her to giggle. "You're so silly, you know that?" Lara nudged her with her nose and Helena smiled and grabbed Lara's nose.

Jor smiled at the two standing before him. He touched her shoulder, "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I promise," she reassured his concerned look. He didn't look too satisfied with the answer but turned to leave anyway.

"Well if you say so, I'll go check on our ship and we should leave in a few minutes."

Lara walked to her bedroom and put Helena in her crib. She'd rather have her close to her than far away so she moved the crib into her room from Diana and Kal's room.

Standing up slowly she held her head. She had a strong headache and felt really ill. Kal knocked and she turned to see her son standing at the entrance.

"Mother, we're about to leave. Hello there Helena," he smiled coming over to her. She was standing in her crib looking every bit as happy as he had seen her a few hours ago. "Father said for me to check on you before we leave. Are you okay?"

Lara rolled her eyes, "Kal, please. I am alright, just get going. All will be fine," she smiled hugging her son.

"If you need anything just ask Diana when she comes back or just notify us."

"Kal," she arched her eyebrow. "I can handle it."

Kal sighed and smiled placing his hands on his mother's shoulders. "You're worrying me."

"Oh nothing to be worried about Kal-El," she cupped his cheeks. She stood on her toes to kiss his forehead. "Now get going before I kick you out," she smiled. He nodded and left but not before he kissed his daughter goodbye.

"Be good for grandma please Helena. Don't break anything else," he pleaded and left his parent's room.

Hours later Lara finally got Helena down for a much needed nap. She went to the bathroom in her room and stared at her pale reflection. Not attractive, she thought. Her headache had not gone away and it seemed to become worse as the days went on. Drinking more water than necessary wasn't the best idea because she immediately went to the bathroom to throw it up.

Even now she tried to wretch but nothing came out and she coughed heavily. Sitting on her bed she tried to calm her nerves just lying down. She looked over to see Helena still sleeping, thank Rao. She got up and started to change her clothes to go to sleep and she looked at herself in one of the many mirrors on their walls. Scanning her body with her enhanced vision she saw gasped and stopped looking. Daring herself to look again she saw a small baby resting in the pit of her womb.

Placing her hands on her abdomen she smiled faintly.

Landing on Daxam, Jor and Kal were escorted by one of the guards from their council. They walked around and noticed it looked a lot similar to Krypton. Same rocky foundation and a red son orbiting around the planet.

Kal saw others staring at them and he whispered to his father, "Why do they keep staring at us?"

"They must fear us, knowing who we are," Jor-El whispered back. Kal remained blank and kept walking behind the guard.

Reaching a large building they were escorted into the council room where the Daxamite council waited for their arrival. It took two days to get to the planet and Jor had asked they'd stay as long as needed in order to get this situation fixed.

The guards closed the doors and the two Els stood before seven council members. Half of what Krypton had in their council. They were eyed with curious eyes but none said anything so far.

"Jor-El and Kal-El of Krypton, welcome to Daxam," Laurel-Yat greeted them with a cold smile.

"Thank you," Jor spoke for him and Kal.

"State the reason for your presence," Lar-Grer said gathering his notes as everyone else did.

Jor stood with his hands behind his back, "Our council has been debating with you all about the scientists, Nara and Lor-Van. They were punished and sent here to serve time for their crimes. They have served their time. I wish to take them back to Krypton so my wife, Queen Lara, may see her parents. She has no idea we have come here."

Fey-Ror arched a brow, "You say she has no idea of your presence here but your council does? How…interesting. Regarding their punishment, yes it has been long over. Over five years ago they completed their three hundred plus repetitions of solitary confinement. They have done such great work on Daxam. Many Kryptonians are banned here every year, I am sure your council is aware of this. Although they are not severe criminals, they are kept here until the time is right. Usually we do not send back Daxamites to Krypton for various reasons. Most do not want to leave."

"Do Nara and Lor even know that we are here, have you spoken to them?"

"That debate is with the council only your highness," Fey said pursing her lips.

"Can you bring them in?"

"We thought you'd might ask that, let them in," Fey ordered the guards.

The doors opened slowly and Nara and Lor stood quite confused. Coming into the large council room they spotted Jor-El and a tall looking young man. They gaped and stood still not knowing what to say.

"Jor-El?" Lor-Van asked just to make sure it was really him.

Jor smiled, "Yes it is me. This is Kal, your grandson, remember?"

Nara smiled, "Of course," she came closer to Kal and cupped his face. Her hair was a shade lighter and had a silver streak running through it. Her eyes as emerald as the day she left. She examined her grandson's features and bright blue eyes. "You look just like…your mother." Smiling she circled him, "And your father's build, but your mother's eyes."

Kal wasn't sure what to do. He hadn't really met his grandparents and it was an odd thing seeing them for the first time so to speak. He didn't know whether to thank her or just simply stay quiet and smile. He chose the latter.

Rem-Mor cleared his throat loudly and all paid attention to him. "Well now that you all had your family reunion let us talk politics here. Lor-Van and wife of Lor, you have been banished from Krypton for the crime you committed twenty four years ago. The council of Krypton has been debating with us for over a year to decide if you could come back to Krypton."

Nara and Lor looked at one another, "Come back to Krypton? To stay there?"

"If you wish. We cannot simply take citizens out of Daxam if they were banished here from Krypton. We disagree with the Kryptonian council on this matter, but Jor-El believed we should tell you and make the decision and go from there."

Jor and Kal waited on the two to answer. It took a long five minutes for them to come up with an answer.

"If we leave, what will happen to our science guild here on Daxam? Can we return here? Not that we wouldn't want to go back to Krypton. Krypton is our home and forever will be." Lor spoke up.

"If you wish to leave we can grant you special planetary travel. You will be able to come and go from Daxam to Krypton, but with certain restrictions. You may only visit four times a year, but they will be lengthy visits. Two to three months or shorter if you wish." Rem completed his speech and all the rest was on Nara and Lor.

Nara turned to Jor with a yearning look, "Lara? Is she…."

"She's alive and well. She is at our home watching our granddaughter," Jor said proudly.

"Granddaughter?" Nara smiled at Kal who also seemed very proud.

"What is your decision Van's?" Laurel asked.

Nara and Lor exchanged glances. This was all too much for them. They thought they would never see the Els again and here they were. Kal-El was grown and he was married and had a child. So much they have missed all for a simple mistake they committed all those years ago. It all seemed too surreal and unimportant now.

"We will go back to Krypton and respect your restrictions." Lor answered with a smile.

Jor and Kal had beaming smiles and then straightened up at the Daxam council.

"Alright, we will need to notify the Kryptonian council of your decision. Once that is final you all may leave for Krypton within three days after the session is closed." Rem said and all the members stood readying to leave the room.

Jor, Kal and the two Van's left the building and they were exposed to the outside receiving many stares.

"Follow us," Nara gestured and they walked towards a hover craft they came in. Climbing in they left to go back to their residence.

Jor and Kal looked at the building and it reminded them of their home on Krypton, but of course not as tall.

As soon as they walked in it wasn't much different than the El house back on Krypton. Actually, everything looked too similar; it was like they never left Krypton.

"Please sit," Nara closed the windows so no peering eyes could see inside their home.

Jor and Kal sat on a sofa together while Lor and Nara sat opposite them. They had grand smiles on their faces.

"So, you got married, Kal-El?" Nara asked offering them flutes of water.

"Yes I did, thank you," grabbing the glass taking a sip of it, leaning back on the couch.

"What pretty Kryptonian woman did you marry? I am sure she is very beautiful as most Kryptonian women are," Nara was very intrigued and had so many questions to ask.

Kal coughed, "Well um, she's not Kryptonian. She's Ammosian."

Lor raised an eyebrow sipping his water. "Ammosian you say?"

Jor, "Yes, she's an Amazon Princess. Daughter of Queen Hippolyta."

"Oh I know who Queen Hippolyta is; I just never thought you'd marry one of those ethnic women." Lor set his glass down a bit annoyed that his family was marrying into another alien race.

Kal folded his hands in his lap, "Well to be fair, she is very beautiful and a wonderful person. She has changed so much living on Krypton."

"Oh she lives with you all," Nara nodded her head still unsure.

"Of course with our daughter, Helena. She is a year old now," Kal smiled thinking of his daughter.

Lor smiled at that. He had wondered what the Els were doing now and thinking of his grandson having a child of his own was mindboggling to him.

"What else has occurred on Krypton?" Nara asked pouring more water.

Jor and Kal looked at one another. Where do they begin?

Diana arrived in Kryptonopolis days later and saw nobody was home except Lara and Helena.

"Where is everybody?" she asked taking off her cloak and sitting down next to Lara.

"Jor and Kal went on an off world mission. They should be back…in a few days or weeks, they didn't really specify. How was your visit to Themyscira?" she smiled as she watched Helena play with the tablet in her hands looking at all the pictures.

Diana sighed and was offered a glass of juice from one of the servants. She thanked her and sipped on it as it was rather tart. "It was exhausting. I had to meet with our Senate and discuss the plans for leaving Krypton. They were lengthy meetings needless to say. I should be leaving Krypton to travel to our neighbor planets such as Ischa and Jehas first. My mother and Senate agreed that we should test the waters with familiar planets."

Lara nodded, "Sounds like a good plan. I look forward to the outcome," she saw Helena was pressing too hard on the tablet and she cracked the screen. "Helena, dear, that is the second tablet you have broken in the last six months!" she snatched it away from her and put it on the table in front of the sofa.

Diana laughed, "I am sorry. She is just too adorable it is hard to get angry with her," she stroked Helena's head. Helena turned and lunged at her mother. Diana took her in her arms and kissed her cheek. "Hello! I know I haven't seen you in a whole week. I've missed you. I hope she didn't break anything else. I'll have to put her in a bubble if she keeps this up," she joked.

Lara stood and shook her head, "No, she hasn't. She behaved very well this time."

Diana was glad she didn't destroy anything else. It was so hard to keep objects around her because she usually broke them."Kal called while I was on Themyscira. He told me to ask how you were feeling."

Lara narrowed her eyebrows, "Kal!" she groaned. "Diana I am just fine. Do not pay any attention to what my son says no matter the context. Just…ah," she sighed sitting back down.

"What is going on?" Diana asked as Helena was playing with a lock of Diana's hair.

"I…nothing, I'm going to bed," Lara stood abruptly and left.

Diana eyed Lara as she turned the corner and walked down the hall. "Mommy!"

"Not now, sweetheart," Diana kissed Helena's hand.

Three days later the council on Krypton agreed with the Daxamite's decision on letting the Van's visist Krypton. Although the Kryptonian council had other restrictions as well such as not leaving the El home without one of the Els present with them. Lor and Nara agreed to all the terms.

It took them two days to get back and finally arriving in the evening the computer sounded Jor and Kal-El's names. Diana was in the bedroom studying petitions her mother had given her. She left Helena with Lara for the time being.

"Who's that?" Lara excitedly asked Helena and the toddler covered her mouth with her tiny hands. "Is that daddy and your grandfather?" she smiled picking her up and heading to the entrance to see her husband and son. What she didn't expect were two guests following them. Jor had an eager smile as did Kal.

The two guests came out from behind the two tall El men and smiled at Lara.

Lara's mouth gaped and Helena reached for Kal. He gladly took her from his mother's hold. If she didn't remember Helena was in her arms she would have dropped her from the shock.

"Mother?" Lara came closer cautiously. "Father?"

Nara and Lor smiled, "Lara," her father touched her cheek with the back of his hand. Lara stared into his blue eyes and they didn't look like they aged at all compared to his face. He hugged her tightly and she didn't respond at first then closed her eyes hugging her father back.

Nara came up to greet her daughter. "You look every bit as beautiful as I remember," she kissed her forehead. They stood at the same height and Lara's eyes swelled with tears.

Nara and Lor looked at Jor then back at Lara. "Are you crying?" her mother asked cupping her daughter's cheek. Lara turned away immediately.

"No," she turned to her husband. "How did you find them?"

Jor put his arm around his wife. "I spoke with the council. It was Kal's idea."

Lara turned and saw Kal holding Helena with a smirk on his face. She slowly walked up to her son and he stood still not knowing what she was going to do. She embraced him tightly with a smile on her face. He smiled patting her back gently with Helena sandwiched in between them.

"Thank you, Kal," she brushed his cheek with her fingertips.

"It wasn't really my idea. It was Diana's idea; I just spoke with father about it."

Lara fumbled with her words, "D-Diana?" he nodded his head.

Diana came out from the hall in a frustrated manner. "I just don't understand my mother sometimes. She can be so complicated…oh," she paused as she saw who was in the room.

She approached everybody and Nara and Lor's eyes widened at the sight of Diana. She was wearing a white skirt and a halter top that exposed her midsection and her arms were covered in blue tribal markings. Her hair was down in long waves and her El circlet placed on her head.

Lara unexpectedly hugged Diana and her eyes widened at the embrace. "Oh," she returned the hug.

"Thank you, Diana."

Diana looked to Kal for an explanation and he tried not to laugh at his wife's puzzled face. "I'll explain later." She nodded unsure of what just happened.

Nara and Lor came up to Kal who was still holding Helena. Nara smiled at the little girl in his arms. Helena hid her face in her father's chest.

"Don't be shy, Helena," he smiled and she turned to face Nara's wide smile and bright green eyes.

"Hello, Helena. She has auburn hair and green eyes," smiling she loved seeing traits from her side of the family since everyone seemed to have black hair and blue eyes in this family.

Lor couldn't take his off of the Amazon standing so close to him. He stepped away from her and Diana noticed but didn't say anything.

Minutes later everyone sat down. At first it was awkward and it was especially awkward for Diana as Lara's parents kept staring straight at her.

"So, Diana, you're from Ammos?" Nara asked.

Diana nodded, "Yes, but I live here with the Els because of Helena and other reasons."

"We have heard so much about you. I am sorry about your home," she smiled sympathetically.

"It's alright. It is being rebuilt so my mother and sisters are quite happy about that," returning a sincere smile.

As all the others were engaged in conversation and Lara's parents fawning over Helena, Lara pulled Jor aside.

"I have something to tell you." She whispered and took his hand and they left the room unnoticed.

Finally reaching their bedroom she slid the door closed and he looked a bit nervous. She smiled and put her arms around his neck.

"I'm pregnant."

Jor's eyes widened and his lips parted. He was quiet for a long while.

"Jor?" Lara called out his name. "Jor?" she smiled and then by the third time she called she was getting annoyed. She snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Jor!"

"Oh…sorry," he shook his head and looked down at her sparkling blue eyes. "Pregnant? Like…you're having a baby?"

Lara laughed, "What other pregnant is there?"

"I…uh," Jor was speechless and he couldn't really look at his wife right now.

"Are you alright?" she asked and he sat down on the bed as she stood in front of him.

"Yes, I just…wasn't expecting that," he smiled up at her holding her hands. She returned the smile. He placed his hand on her still flat stomach and grinned up at her. "This ought to be interesting."

Lara rolled her eyes. "Jor…"

He laughed, "I'm sorry." He pulled her body closer to him and she eyed him carefully. He placed his ear next to her abdomen listening to the extra heartbeat within her body.

"So, when do you want to tell your parents about this? It will surely kill them," he didn't move and she arched an eyebrow.

"Not today, just…not today,"

AN: I probably only have one chapter left and then I'll write an epilogue for this story. Ah so sad! But I can't write this forever sadly.