Conversations on a Balcony

112

Cat had her iPhone out again but, this time, Kara wasn't the subject of the photograph. This time, it was the kids.

"Do we really have to do this, Mom?" Carter asked with an eyeroll and a pout to rival one of Abby's… or Kara's actually.

"Hush," Cat admonished. "You can't begrudge me wanting a picture of all my children together. You and Jordan are leaving tomorrow, and I don't know when I might get another chance."

Carter just sighed. "Ok, Mom. If you REALLY need a hot tub picture, we'll take a hot tub picture."

The man tightened his arms around his little sister as he helped her to support baby Liv, who was nestled in her arms. Cat was still amazed at her son's new physique and how handsome he looked.

Behind her, Kara and Jordan exchanged an indulgent look. "Carter's going to be a great Dad someday," the Kryptonian said quietly. "He's really great with kids."

"Yeah, definitely," the tall man replied. He nudged Kara then with his elbow. "Are you and Cat planning to have any more kids when Liv is older?"

"Honestly, I'd have a houseful," the blonde replied with a shrug. "But… Cat's in a different mindset than I am. I think two might be it for us."

"Because of her age?" Jordan asked tentatively. "No offense."

"It's a legit question," Kara replied. "And it's true that Cat is quite a bit older than I am." She watched as her wife framed the photo perfectly to catch the evening sunlight shining down on the balcony, and then snapped it.

"I'm not that old!" the older blonde called back over her shoulder then, making Kara chuckle.

"Her ears are certainly still working."

"HA HA," Cat replied sarcastically. "Ok… one more photo, my Darlings." She snapped it and then grinned at her wife. "You got off lightly."

"What? With kids or with hot tub photos?" the Kryptonian teased.

Cat thought about that for a second. "Both. Couldn't have asked for better kids or better photos."

Carter hauled himself and the two little kids out of the tub, smiling as his /ieiu/ took Liv and cooed softly at her. The baby grinned, looking just like Cat. "Did you hear anything from Adam?" he asked, looking to his mother as he wrapped a towel around his waist.

"No," the older woman replied with a shrug. "I don't know. Am I doing the right thing… am I pushing too much? Should I just stop texting? I'm not sure what to do."

"There comes a point," Carter said gently. "When you have to ask yourself if he's worth the effort. I'm sorry but… he got married, Mom, and didn't even tell you. You have a baby granddaughter that you've never seen. That doesn't really make me think that he's going to come around any time soon."

Cat nodded, tears welling in her eyes. Kara moved to her to one-arm-hug her, sandwiching Liv between them. "It's hard to hear, Cat, I know, but Carter's not wrong, Honey."

"No, I know," the older woman sniffled as she looked down at her baby daughter. "Maybe it's just time to let him go."

Abby was sitting quietly on the couch, taking in the situation with her sharp mind. "Mommy," she finally said. "Adam is a big boy and has to do what he wants to do. You told /ieiu/ that part of being a mommy is to let kids find their own way. Isn't it the same with grownup kids?"

Cat blinked and then moved away from Kara to crouch in front of her eldest daughter. "When did you get so smart?" she asked gently as she caressed her child's face.

"I'm five now," the little girl answered solemnly. "And starting school tomorrow. I'm a big girl."

Kara gazed at Abby, then looked down at Liv, whose greenish-blue eyes were gazing back at her with adoration. She suddenly felt like her beating heart had been ripped out of her chest and left to willingly worship at the feet of her children. She took a deep breath and smiled. "Speaking of school, time to get your stuff ready for tomorrow, Abigail. Mom, why don't you take Liv and hang out with the boys, while I help Abby shower and get ready for bed?"

"Sure, I'll come in and read you a bedtime story when you're done, Baby Girl," Cat replied as she accepted the youngest Danvers-Grant into her arms. "Have fun."

And she smiled as Kara and her mini-me headed, hand-in-hand, for the big girl bedroom and bathroom.