Chapter 37 [Two Years Later]

Time passed within Smallville. The seasons rotated by two more times bringing heat and cold in their turns. Bountiful crops fostered hope in the residents. LexCorp (formerly LuthorCorp) shifted its focus from its predecessor's self-gain to one of patron-neighbor. Artistic projects followed the Talon's example embracing a mix of progressivism and traditionalism under their creative umbras. School projects came and went.

Speaking of the Talon, its development spurred on the downtown renaissance. From meager café, the site grew into a true mini-mall of sorts. The original café still served up its wonders and would do so for many years yet. However a four screen movie theater shared space not to mention a bookstore, flower shop and a hair salon. Truly what Lana saw in its walls sprouted into reality.

If only she and Clark would be there to see it…..

[Kent Farm—an hour after high school graduation]

Lana stood in the former guest room (now her bedroom) considering herself in the mirror. She knew she looked splendid in the red graduation robes. She fussed over the stray hair here and there under the mortar board and shook her head.

The humidity outside had wrecked havoc on her styled hair.

Can't a girl even look good?

Lana, it is all right. You look splendid as did Kal-El. Such things are past. Now it is time, Jor-El advised sagely.

She considered the baubles on her right hand. Encircling her wrist, the bejeweled Cowache bracelet sparkled in the sunshine in tandem with the wedding ring from the previous day's ceremony. I'm really a part of this!

Of course you are. I joined you two, did I not? I do have faith in you, Jor-El admonished albeit in a caring fashion.

Hopefully the rest of the learning sessions won't be as hard as the others, she hoped.

One must pass through the fire to be refined. Now the others are waiting. It is time. I await Kal-El and you at the Fortress, Jor-El concluded before going silent.

It's time. Lana considered herself again. She was no longer the high school student, the permanent barista-manager, or even the Time cover girl. She was a woman and a Kryptonian partner/consort….

…She was Lana Lang-Kent of the House of El…a mouthful to say the least….

…the mother of the new Kryptonian race….

I can do this. Clark's with me. We love each other! She recalled their fairy tale wedding at the Luthor Estate. She could almost feel the early summer breeze billowing through her hair again. Purcell's Fairie Queene caressed her ears. Her friends' supportive feelings boosted her up….

…as did the image of her Plaid Prince in his tuxedoed best standing in front of her…

We're really married! She exhaled deeply allowing a second for her mind to savor that thought before peeling off the robes and hanging them in the closet for preservation's sake. At some point, she knew she'd want them again. For now though, it was time for the next stage of training.

A knock cut into her reverie.

Clark stuck his head in. "Hey. Are you okay?"

"Sure, Clark. Just considering what we just finished and what's to come." She grinned at him. "Sorry I'm holding up the whole production."

"You're fine," he assured her. "Without you, I'm not here either. I'm not whole or happy. Without you, I don't have my best friend, partner and the perfect mother for our culture."

She rolled her eyes. "Talk about no pressure." She grinned at him. "Let's just get trained and have our family before the rest takes care of itself. All right?" She kissed him on the cheek. "My beloved Star Prince…thank you."

"No, Lana, thank you for being there," he expressed while taking her hands in his own. "Thank you." He led her down the stairs to where his parents and their friends awaited them. He saw Lex and Chloe sitting off to the side and talking with Pete, Miranda and Samantha. Byron, Sandra, Alicia and Sasha Woodman did the same close by. "Hi! Well guess this is it."

Everyone stopped their conversations to consider the departing couple. Their eyes betrayed a range of emotions therein to say the least.

"Why's everyone so quiet? It's not like they're leaving forever, right?" Pete reassured them all. He squeezed Samantha's hand before getting up. "You two don't forget to write or whatever they do on Krypton. All right? We're watching." He grabbed onto Clark and then Lana in respective bear hugs before returning to his fiancee's side.

"We'll keep an eye on the Talon for you, Boss," Miranda vowed while embracing her longtime friend and then the latter's spouse. "Visit as often as you can."

"We will, Miri," Lana concurred as she returned the embrace with one of her own.

"While day goeth long/And miss you we shall/To Earth and Krypton you belong/Our hearts with scenes Memoria doth fill." Byron recited before shaking Clark's hand and embracing Lana.

"Thanks, Byron. Take care of Sandra, okay. I'm going to miss your reciting," Clark expressed with a warm smile.

"He nails it on the head as usual, Clark," Lex indicated as it was his turn. "Remember to venture forth into your new endeavor boldly and with purpose. You've done what you can here. Come back when you can but we know you'll do us all proud. Take care of each other. Meantime I'll keep an eye on things back here."

"We'll miss you. You just kick ass up there. Okay?" Chloe insisted as she hugged Clark and Lana in turn.

"We'll do our best. We're trusting you to keep an eye on things while we're gone," Clark declared.

"And we can't think of a better group to do so," Lana chimed in while returning that embrace. "We will be back, Chloe." She turned to face her newly-formalized in-laws. "Mom, Dad, thank you for the last two years."

"Our pleasure, Lana," Jonathan assured while embracing her. "We're all family. It's the least we can do."

"You two just take care. Have Jor-El let us know how you're doing if that's possible." Martha fought back the tears. While she knew the time would come, she hadn't wanted it to do so as quickly as it had. She quivered and sighed deeply.

"It's okay, Mom. Lana and I will be back. At least we knocked off some time over the summers, right? We'll be around. You just keep things going here," Clark noted while kissing Martha on the cheek. "Thanks for being you."

"Likewise, Clark. We're so proud of you…of you both. Just be safe," Martha wished.

"And be happy," Jonathan wished as he hugged the couple desperately not wanting to let go yet knowing that he would have to do so. For almost a full minute, he did so.

"Jonathan…" Martha reminded him.

"Yes. I know," The farmer released the newlyweds. "As Lex said, go out there and make your mark. You know what to do. Make us proud."

"We will, Dad," Clark vowed. He glanced at Lana before holding his hand out. "Ready?"

She took it firmly in her own. "Ready, my Love."

Together they strode outside into the bright sunshine. For a full minute, they surveyed their former sanctuary contemplating how it had kept them safe. They gazed up at the Loft. They looked toward the Back Forty and then toward town….

…Past pleasures…perhaps future bases….but for now, they needed to be on the back burner….

They peered back at the assembled well-wishers who waved affectionately to them. They felt blessed and lucky to have such supporters.

Then in tandem, they squatted down, allowing Sol's energy to fuel their strength and abilities. When the transfer had reached its peak, they shot off into the robin's egg sea of blue above on their next journey. An adventure worth telling to say the least at some point.

"There they go. Wonder how they'll do?" Samantha wondered.

"You'll see, Sam. They'll ace those tests and be what they're meant to be," Pete affirmed.

"Couldn't have said it better myself, Pete," Lex concurred while giving Chloe a shoulder hug.

"We have to have faith, Pete. They're embracing the whole of their destiny. It's something that we have to accept. Come on. I have some coffee in the house," Martha mused aloud. Perhaps she seemed out of character but she wanted to cover up her own internal discord over her precious child's departure into the adult world.

Jonathan looked up to the sky. Just take care of them, Jor-El. We're counting on you! Best of luck, Clark and Lana. Remember us please! He said a silent prayer to himself before joining the others in the house.

And so the transition began…from childhood to adulthood…

Momentous times to come indeed….