Beautiful

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Note: Since last chapter Beautiful appeared in Crisis, this chapter is sort of the aftermath for Kayla and others. You don't need to read Crisis to understand this (if you haven't already) but I strongly suggest reading it. We put a lot of work into it.

The Burning Ceremony

Kayla Kent lay in her bed, but she wasn't sleeping peacefully. Her mind was going over the events of Crisis – more specifically when she had been in Purgatory. She had met with her mother there. "I cannot move on until Kara is alive again and the two of you together say the prayer." Her mother's words were repeating in her head. Kara had died during Crisis, but she'd been brought back along with the rest of the multiverse.

She finally jumped up with a start, taking in deep breaths.

Kara! She thought in her head; Krypto on his bed next to her and looked up at this. KARA! She yelled in her head when she got no answer; it wasn't logical, she could feel her sister, she knew she was there but something in her needed to hear Kara. After a lifetime together, always with each other, the only moments in her life without Kara there were some of the worst. How empty she felt without that other side of the mental bond. It wasn't long, but during Crisis she hadn't adjusted to not having her sister in her head, and now that she was back, the bond was back as it should be.

Huh… what…? Kara finally thought back. Kayla had finally dragged her out of sleep, it seemed. Kayla, I know you're having some Crisis PTSD or something, but I'm here.

Kara, Kayla thought. I… I'm sorry… but did you hear my dream?

No, I was too busy having my own, Kara thought back.

I need to tell you something. Well, you, Uncle Jor, Aunt Lara, Clark, and Gal, Kayla thought to Kara; it had been almost a week since the Paragons, along with Spectre, had brought the multiverse back, but in post-Crisis drama she had forgotten the one promise she had made during the cataclysmic event. A promise she had made to someone who deserved it more than anyone else. Now her subconscious was reminding her with vengeance.

Okay, fine, Kara sleepily thought back and Kayla could feel her drop off again, but Kayla knew she wouldn't get back to sleep. She looked besides her where her wife Caitlin was sleeping soundly.

Slowly sneaking out of the bed so to not bother her wife, Kayla moved out of the room, grabbing a script on the way out. When she brought the world back she had agreed to voicing Hermione Granger in Harry Potter, to make Marley happy. She had a feeling she would do anything to make the people she loved happy at the moment – at least she could still do other projects while voicing Hermione from home.

As she sat with the script, Krypto had jumped up and joined her in the living room.

"You didn't have to get up," Kayla said to the dog, but he just laid on her sleepily. "Maybe I can get the Harry Potter people to have you be the model for, and do the barks for, Sirius Black's dog form in the third book…?" She mused to the dog. Since accepting the part, she had read through all the books using her Kryptonian speed, so she knew what she was reading for. Krypto gave a lazy yawn to that as Kayla read over the first episode's script for the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone.

-Beautiful-

The next morning Kayla waited patiently in her living room. She had sent a text to Clark asking him to come with his parents and young brother. She could feel Kara approaching, too. She was so worried she had barely eaten; something that didn't go unnoticed by Caitlin.

"Here, drink some tea," Caitlin said, having made a cup for Kayla, knowing how much Kayla loved her tea. Kayla nodded as she took the cup. "You have any filming for Wicked to do today?" Kayla shook her head as she sipped the tea. "Filming almost done for that?" Kayla nodded again. "Have you decided what else you're going to do besides Harry Potter?" Kayla shrugged. "Can you say words…?"

"I have time to weight my option over my top picks," Kayla said a little bluntly. "But I'm not really concerned about my job right now. I can go a bit without a project if needed."

"What has gotten into you?" Caitlin asked. "Crisis still?"

"I can't tell you before I tell them," Kayla said and Caitlin was surprised by that, but had to refocus as Marley and Ruby came in, asking what they were doing that day.

It was moments later Kara came into the house through the back and Clark, Jor, Lara and Gal appeared a few moments later.

"Finally," Daphne mumbled from her spot; she too was curious what had gotten Kayla so riled up.

"Kaylar," Jor-El smiled. Her aunt and uncle still tended to use her Kryptonian name at times – especially since it was so close to her human name.

"So, what's going on?" Kara asked, sensing Kayla unease in the bond.

"There's something…. well, I should have told you all this the minute Crisis was over, but I got sidetracked," Kayla stated, and that set everyone on alert; Kayla, being a Paragon, was the only one who knew everything about Crisis. She had been able to bring back their memories of the event by saying certain words, but everyone else didn't know much about what happened during that time – all they really knew was the entire multiverse had been destroyed but Kayla, as the Paragon of Humanity, was able to help bring it back along with six other Paragons. "To get to the World Forge to reset the multiverse, we had to go into the Speed Force, and the only way into the Speed Force was through a hidden world that's too complicated to explain but the only way there was by going into Purgatory."

"So, to summaries that long and confusing sentence, you went into Purgatory?" Clark mused.

"Yes, and in Purgatory each Paragon met up with… well, people who had died before Crisis who had ended up in Purgatory," Kayla said. "Like Kingdom Come Clark met with his Lois and the Karry duo met up with their Leonard Snart, believe it or not, and SuperEarth Kara met with some guy called Echo…"

"Kayla, maybe get to the point?" Kara said, seeing Kayla was stalling.

"Okay, well, I… saw… I had a conversation with…" Kayla paused as she looked at Kara. "Mom."

"No," Kara said right away; when Jor and Lara had come to earth, they had theorized Alura could have gotten off Argo some other way. That hope had been there until this moment. "It could have been another Alura…. If Purgatory is all over…" Kara tried.

Kara, Kayla thought and opened her mind up to her sister fully to show Kara the correct memory; everything from the moment she had entered Purgatory to the moment New Justice Oliver, who was the Spectre, a being in charge of Purgatory, confirmed Alura Zor-El was from their world.

Kara looked startled for a moment but then tears appeared in her eyes and Kayla brought her sister into the hug. Tears came into Kayla's own eyes at this, Kayla finally accepting the wave of emotions from this realization, and the two cried for the mother they thought they lost so long ago and then hoped could be alive. Jor took Lara into his arms, the two also sad as Clark didn't know what to feel, apart from clenching his younger brother's shoulders.

Caitlin felt awful herself but decided to let Kayla have a moment with her sister before she went to comfort her wife. Krypto gave a small whine as he rubbed against the two sisters; Daphne remained silent, not wanting to interrupt the moment.

"Mom, did Kayla's mom just die?" Marley only signed it, so her voice didn't interrupt.

"Sort of," Caitlin signed back, not really knowing what else to say.

After a moment Kara, and Kayla separated. "Mom is stuck in Purgatory until we honor her," Kayla explained now. "We need to perform the ceremony."

"We don't have her body but there are variations for this possibility," Jor thought aloud.

"I think the burning ceremony would be nice," Lara said.

"Yes," Jor said with a nod. "We'll put Alura's name and house symbol on a sort of blanket or banner. Kara and Kayla, as matriarchs of the House of El, you will perform the prayer and last rights over that. We'll then burn it as we wish her spirit into Rao's light."

"Matriarchs?" Daphne whispered to her own sister, but Caitlin shush her.

"The Fortress can make that up," Clark said. "We can perform it there. Closest thing to Kryptonian land."

"Every member of the House of El should be there," Lara added. "Including your kids." Clark nodded. "And Lois and Caitlin too. Everyone needs to wear our symbol. Cora should be there, too, but she's hard to get ahold of with her working for the Lantern Corps these days."

"…Cora?" Kayla paused at this.

"Clark's sister, obviously. You and Kara were sent with both of them to Earth," Jor stated, frowning at Kayla's confusion. "Her human name is Claire." Kayla blinked confused.

"Ah, that's a change from Crisis," Kara mused now, knowing both memories of pre- and post-Crisis thanks to her bond with Kayla. She still felt awful over her mother, but somewhat bemused at her sister's confusion. Kara hadn't thought to give her sister memories of Cora.

"Crisis gave Clark a sister…" Kayla mused at this but shook it off when Ruby spoke up.

"What about us?" Ruby had raised her hand.

"Kayla never preform the Rite of Familiarity on you," Jor said to the girl now.

"The what?" Caitlin asked, frowning.

"A Kryptonian ritual," Kayla said, not looking at her wife as she said it. "It a way to bring children, not biologically yours, into your house. I never performed it on Ruby and Marley. It means while you are a member of the House of El through marriage, they are not," Caitlin bit her lip at this, stopping from saying anything about that.

"You'll spend the day with me. We'll go to the movies," Daphne said quickly, knowing she now had to cancel plans she previously had her with friends from school, but she had to do it. Ruby pouted and Marley looked sad as Daphne asked them to go check on movies they wanted to see.

"No one not in the House of El can be there," Lara confirmed. "That means Barry cannot come," she told Kara, who gave a nod at that, wondering how she was going to tell her boyfriend while she took her own son to the ceremony.

"What about Sam?" Kara was the one who asked it, ignoring Kayla's groaned. "She is biologically mom's daughter."

"We keep in contact with her," Jor said, referencing Samantha Arias. "We'll reach out to her and see if she wants to attend. You should all get ready to do this as soon as possible once we get the Fortress ready." Kara and Kayla nodded as those Kryptonians bid each other goodbye, to see each other soon.

-Beautiful-

"What do you mean I can't come?" Barry asked. Kara was dressing Topar in an outfit with the House of El symbol on it – thankfully since Superman and Supergirl were so popular, it was easy to get even nicer children's outfits with the El symbol embedded in. Cora had never been a hero until she was recruited by the Lanterns.

"Only members of the House of El can be there," Kara explained again as she ran her fingers through her son's hair; Topar didn't quite get what was going on, but got they were going to a Kryptonian ceremony. Kara had been teaching him the Kryptonian language and traditions for years, after all.

"So, your boyfriend does not count?" Barry protested.

"No," Kara said turning to him. "My boyfriend doesn't. You're not a member of the House of El."

"But Caitlin is," Barry pointed out. Kara had told him who was going to be there.

"You know she is," Kara sighed back. "The two got married. Caitlin was welcomed into the House of El as Kaylar Zor-El's wife in a Kryptonian ceremony."

Kara had walked into her and Barry's room, going into a closest. A while ago Kayla, had had a few dresses mocked up that were the exact model as one their mother had loved. She had a few different colors made, but Kara took out a light blue dress – the same color her mother use to wear.

Kara started changing into the dress as Barry came in.

"That's the thing. Marriage huh?" Barry asked. "That's why I can't be there for my girlfriend as she mourns her mother?"

"By Kryptonian tradition, yes," Kara said.

"Maybe I don't like that tradition," Barry pouted. "I agreed to go at your pace, let you decide when we get married, but I didn't think not being married would stop me from truly being there for you when you need it. Can't there just be an exception this once?"

"No," Kara said firmly.

"Is Kryptonian tradition that important to you?" Barry asked, getting annoyed now.

"If it was, I wouldn't be living here," Kara countered back. "On Krypton, living with your other before marriage was not allowed. Marriage was something even more important to Kryptonians than humans. There was no such thing as a divorce on Krypton. I have become more human, but this isn't about me. Can't you understand that?"

"No," Barry said. "This is about you saying goodbye to your mom. Getting peace."

"No, see it's about my mom getting peace. My mom is stuck in Purgatory until we do this ceremony. And I will not let anything stop it, so if your being there would break tradition and keep her stuck forever, then I am sorry your feelings are hurt Barry, but you can't be there," Kara said firmly.

Barry didn't know how to answer that as Kara finished putting on her dress and quickly put on some makeup. Without another word, she went downstairs to see Rae had taken Topar to the TV. Probably to distract him from the argument that was happening upstairs. Kara mouthed a 'thank you' to the teenager adopted as Barry's little sister on this world.

"Sweetie, it's time to go," Kara said to Topar, who hopped up and into his mother arms. The two were gone in a matter of moments.

Barry had walked down the stairs in time to watch them leave.

"I messed up there, didn't I?" Barry asked Rae.

"I don't know," Rae said with a shrug.

"You're not great at comforting, are you?" Barry bemoaned to the girl who shrugged. Barry sighed. His Rae was still sort of finding herself since she had lost all her memories, which kind of consisted of her just kind of going with the motions. It didn't make her a great person to talk to, so Barry took out his phone. There was only one person he knew who could give him fatherly advice.

-Beautiful-

Kara arrived at the Fortress to find Kayla already outside with Uncle Jor and Caitlin. Krypto was besides Kayla and Roxy, Krypto's mate, had followed Kara anyway.

"Caitlin you should go inside before you freeze," Kara said; Caitlin was only wearing a dress, clearly newly bought, that had the House of El symbol on it. Kayla was in the exact same dress as Kara and the two smiled at that. "Topar, go with Aunt Caitlin."

"Hi," Topar said with a smile and Caitlin took the young boy's hand and walked into the Fortress, the door was open letting everyone walk in easily.

"Uncle Jor was just telling me sight differences to this ceremony than the traditional one over the body," Kayla spoke.

"We also decided it wouldn't be improper to do the ceremony in English," Jor said. "This way everyone can understand. Now listen carefully as I go over the ceremony."

…

Caitlin walked into the Fortress and took a look around; she had been here before, but it was always beautiful to admire. Clark and Lois were there with their kids, Jason, and Ella. Samantha Arias stood nearby, talking to Lara and Gal. The one difference in the place that hadn't been here last time was the large banner, the only way Caitlin could describe it, hanging up above what looked like an alter that had not been there before. On the banner was the symbol of the House of El and the name 'Alura Zor-El', but Caitlin's eyes went to the smaller, unknown symbol, also located on the banner.

Upon seeing them, Topar ran off to play with his cousins.

"Caitlin!" Lara said with a smile, calling Caitlin over to where she, Sam, and Gal were.

"Lara," Caitlin smiled. "Gal." Caitlin winked at the boy who waved. "Sam," she nodded to Sam.

"You're Kayla's wife," Sam said with a frown, "and your talking to me?" It was well known that Kayla didn't like Sam; long before it was discovered they were long-lost sisters, Sam had made Kayla's life hell on the set of a show, Magical Creatures, leaving a deep scar on Kayla's mind, and a resentment to the woman, regardless of their blood connection.

"I'm not getting in the middle of Kayla's fight with one of her sisters," Caitlin said, and Sam gave a frown. "Lara, what's the other symbol on the banner?" Caitlin pointed at it as she spoke. It was in a similar shape to the El symbol, but the pattern of it was different.

"Oh, that's the symbol for the House of Ze," Lara said.

"Why is it there?" Caitlin asked, confused. She had never heard of the House of Ze before.

"Alura was born Alura In-Ze; she didn't become an El until she married Zor," Lara explained, and Caitlin paused; she had never considered Alura must have a different house as well. Kayla and Kara only ever talked about the House of El. It made sense though.

"So, Kara and Kayla are also Ze's?" Caitlin asked.

"That is hard to answer. If Krypton was still here, I would give you a firm no. It was Alura's sister, Astra's job, to continue the House of Ze," Lara explained. "But Kara, Kaylar, and Sam here are the only ones with Ze blood left, along with Topar of course. In our traditions either Kara or Kaylar would have to take over the House of Ze, even though it's a lower rank, but neither of them have wanted to take it up – and it's been complicated that both have fought under the El name." Caitlin knew what Lara meant by that last sentence; both Kara and Kayla had been Supergirl wearing the symbol of the House of El into battle. From things Kayla had said, Caitlin seemed to think it was important for them to wear their house symbol as a warrior.

"Why Kara or Kayla?" Sam asked.

"They might be physically younger than you, but they were born first," Lara continued explained. "Normally the oldest would take the House of El and the second would take House of Ze, but since they are twins… well we lost track of which one was the oldest about five minutes after they were born. They weren't named until they were both in Alura's arms and then we could keep track of who was who."

"You were married into the House of El," Caitlin voiced before Sam could say anything more. "What was your house?"

"The House of Van," Lara said with a small smile. "Before marriage my name was Lara Lor-Van, but Gal will be taking up for the House of Van when he is older. Cora would have but since she's a lantern it goes to Gal."

Before anyone could say anything else, Jor walked into the Fortress with Krypto and Roxy.

"Okay," Jor spoke. "All blood Els should line up on this side," Jor pointed towards the right. "While non-blood Els should be on the opposite side," Lois kissed Clark's cheek and told her kids to stay with their father before heading over to where Lara and Caitlin were standing. Gal had run over to stand next to his brother. "Sam, you're a blood El." Jor added, seeing Sam move to Lara and Caitlin's side.

"Oh yeah," Sam said, moving over to stand besides the kids.

"Krypto, Roxy, you two sit by the doors. You're the guards," Jor told the dogs, who gave a bark and sat on either side of the large door.

"Kal," Jor said, and Clark blinked at the use of his Kryptonian name; his biological parents had gotten use to calling him Clark, but he guessed in this Kryptonian ceremony he was being called his Kryptonian name once more. "I want you behind the alter. When Kara and Kayla come in and stand before the alter, you will take Alura's replacement down and place it on the alter," he referred to the banner as 'Alura's replacement'. "After Kara and Kaylar are finished with the prayers, you will take one of the candles on either side and burn the replacement."

"Why me?" Clark asked, confused.

"Because, I have come to the realization on this planet I should not be the Patriarch of the House of El. You are the Patriarch, the head of the house. I give this position to you whole heartily, my son. To continue our legacy," Jor said.

Jor went to stand beside his grandchildren, Topar, Jason and Ella as Clark took his place behind the alter.

"Kara, Kaylar, enter," Jor called once everyone was standing still and ready for the two to enter.

Kara and Kayla walked in besides each other, still wearing the exact same dress, in the exact same color, and similar makeup and hairstyle; it was impossible to tell them apart. Even Caitlin had to blink as she watched them walking in. The only thing giving them away was Kayla was still wearing the necklace that contained her Supergirl outfit.

The two stood before the alter and then nodded to Clark. Clark easily took the banner down and placed it before them on the alter. "Alura Zor-El," Kara and Kayla said together, "our mother, has left this plane. She served the House of El well, her love and comfort shall be missed. A place left empty in the House." The two paused for a moment, to collect themselves. "We pray to Rao to take our mother in his warmth. Bring your daughter home, so she shall be reunited with her husband Zor-El, her sister Astra Ha-Pri, and all the Els and Zes that went before her."

Kara and Kayla gave a signal to Clark who nodded and took a candle. Slowly he touched the flame to the banner, and it started to burn. "We do not have her body to return to you," Kara and Kayla continued again, together. "So, in her memory and honor we burn this to release her spirit to you. As the smoke rises to you let her spirit walk the journey towards your warm welcome. Your daughter returns to your embrace, and we pray with us all gathered here in her honor to walk the same journey, so she'll be there waiting to welcome us as those who went before her wait to welcome her." Kara and Kayla had tears running down their eyes as they finished.

There was silence for a moment as the banner completely went up in flames; Clark making sure no fire went anywhere else as the banner was incinerated. Once it was completely gone, Kara and Kayal mumbled one word in Kryptonese and Clark repeated it, followed by Jor and Lara. The kids soon said it and Caitlin, Lois, and Sam mumbled it as well, even though they didn't know what it was. It felt almost like they were saying 'amen', however.

As the smoke disappeared, the group stood in silence.

"How do we know it worked?" Kara finally asked Kayla.

"I don…" but Kayla never finished her sentence.

"It worked," a man had appeared in the room who hadn't been there before. He wore dark green robes with the hood up. Clark went to move forward, but Kayla was quick and stopped him.

"Clark, don't," Kayla said. "Oliver…?"

"Yes," Oliver said, lowering his hood to reveal his face.

"Oliver Queen?" Sam asked, making a face.

"Not ours," Kara said. "Long story."

"Alura Zor-El of this Earth has been released from Purgatory," Oliver told Kayla. "I felt you should know your efforts worked, my Paragon of Humanity." Sam gave out a snort but then shut up as no one seemed surprised. She mouthed 'Paragon of Humanity?' in confusion, having not been let in on Crisis.

"Thank you," Kayla said giving him a sad smile.

"It's my honor to relieve you of worry," Oliver said with a nod. "You know, even though Crisis is over, there is still a deep connection between the Paragons and me. I care for you all." Oliver gave a smile before raising his hood again and then he was gone.

The group was still, almost not knowing what to do after this, but then movement started. Kara went to grab Topar and Kayla backed away to Caitlin.

"I can take you home. We could do something with Ruby and Marley in the afternoon," Kayla muttered. Caitlin gave a nod to this but didn't say anything and Kayla sighed. "Okay, what's wrong?" Kayla asked. There had been something up with Caitlin all day and she didn't know what.

"Not now," Caitlin mumbled.

"No, now," Kayla said, not wanting to have Caitlin upset with her for a reason Kayla didn't know for any longer. "Let's get this over with now."

"Fine," Caitlin said, frowning at Kayla. "You know how hurt Ruby and Marley were that they couldn't be here with you? That you didn't bring them into your House? They know how important all this Kryptonian house stuff is to you, and you didn't let them in."

"Wait, you're upset I didn't do the Rite of Familiarity?" Kayla asked. She hadn't expected that at all.

"Yes! Ruby and Marley are ours, but now this brings up if you actually consider them your daughters," Caitlin stated.

"I am doing Harry Potter for Marley," Kayla pointed out. "But I honestly didn't think you would care. Besides, it's a little hypocritical of you to accuse me of not thinking of them as my daughters."

"What? How?" Caitlin asked, folding her arms, aware that everyone but Kara was watching them.

"You never actually asked me if I wanted to adopt them," Kayla countered, and Caitlin opened her mouth but then stopped. She hadn't. "They are not legally my daughters in the human world. Why would I think you would want them to be my daughters in the Kryptonian world?"

By this point, Kara had taken Topar and made a hasty exist and Roxy barked and went to follow.

"Kara needs me," Kayla knew that right away, Kara was not alright either. "You were right before; we should talk about this at home. Uncle Jor, Clark, can one of you make sure Caitlin gets home safely?" Kayla pushed her necklace, and she was in her Supergirl outfit. She got Krypto in his outfit by pushing his collar, similar to her necklace, and the two left.

Caitlin stood in shock, still not sure what to say to Kayla about that.

"Come on," Jor said giving her a weak smile. "I'll take you home."

"Wait a second," Sam said, stopping Jor from leaving. "I was wondering… well, Lara was talking before and… the House of Ze. If it needs to be continued, maybe I could…? I don't feel right wearing this symbol, being an El."

"The House of Ze has its own rich traditions and history, but if you're serious we can teach you them," Jor said.

"I want to know more about my Kryptonian heritage," Sam said, determined.

"Then we shall do a ceremony officially bringing you into the House of Ze, but later," Jor gave her a hug at this, before going to take Caitlin home.

-Beautiful-

Kara was sitting on the porch of the one place she always went when she didn't know where else to go: Lana Lang's house in Smallville. Topar was inside happy to be with his grandma, Lana having been the one to raise Kara and Kayla on this earth, after all.

"I knew you'd be here," Kara smiled at the voice. Kayla had landed on the porch and had quickly returned her Supergirl outfit into the necklace before anyone saw. Krypto's outfit was also returned, and Kara heard him running off, probably to find Topar and Roxy inside.

"Sorry. I just didn't want to hear you and Caitlin fight," Kara said.

"I don't like hearing me and Caitlin fight. Come on, let's get inside before Lana's neighbors realize her adopted famous daughter is here," Kayla soothed, and Kara got up to follow her sister inside, but then noticed Kayla was holding a wine bottle.

"We can't get…" Kara stopped when she noticed the writing on the bottle. "Is that wine from the Langor System?"

"Mom's favorite," Kayla said of the alien wine. "And this will have a slight effect on us."

"Where did you get it?" Kara asked as Kayla took out Lana's wine glasses and poured both of them a glass.

"There's an alien bar in National. I went in as Supergirl, asked them if they had it. Turns out they get shipments every once in a while – and had an entire case. I bought the entire thing," Kayla chuckled. "I took this one here and asked them to send the rest to the Luthors."

"Better remember to tell Lex and Lana not to drink it," Kara mused. "Half a glass of this would have a human flat on their back in seconds. Drink too much and they would die of extreme alcohol poisoning."

"I sent them a text," Kayla said. "The important part is for them to protect it from Mik. We wouldn't have any left if he got hold of it." Kara gave a small laugh as she took the glass Kayla gave her.

Taking a sip, she smiled at the taste. "Remember when we were young?" Kara asked as Kayla took her own glass. "And after mom and dad sent us to bed they would take out a bottle and have a glass as they talked about their days."

"We would sometimes sneak out of bed and spy on them," Kayla remembered. "And the conversations were always boring."

"And one day they caught us, but instead of getting us in trouble they had us join them," Kara said. "Mom even gave us a tiny sip of the wine."

"First alcohol we ever drank," Kayla said with a nod. "Mom and dad started asking us about our days."

"You know, I am jealous," Kara said as they continued to drink. "You got to talk to her again. You got to say goodbye and hug her."

"If I could have taken you I would have," Kayla said.

"I know," Kara nodded as the two continued to reminisce about their parents; the two feeling it take effect a bit.

"It's unfair," Kara stated, a little bit drunk now. "That Clark's parents should live but ours didn't."

"A lot about it is unfair," Kayla agreed. "But we have family in them –"

"And me," it was Lana walking into the kitchen. "I gave Topar a McDonalds Happy Meal and sat him in front of the TV with the dogs." Kara and Kayla had not even realized she had gone out to get the McDonalds. "Now, tell me why you two are fighting with your significant others."

"What?" Kara asked. She had told Lana about their mother when she arrived but not about Barry.

"Topar has ears. He told me about you and Barry's fight earlier and you and Caitlin arguing in the Fortress. So, talk my girls," Lana said.

"Barry thought it unfair I couldn't take him to the ceremony," Kara stated. "We're not married, it wouldn't have been right."

"Yeah, that wouldn't have been right," Kayla muttered, "much as I like Barry, you two aren't married. It's against Krypton tradition."

"Right!" Kara nodded, a little drunk now. "Barry wants to get married but I… I don't know," Kara slurred as Lana raised an eyebrow but looked to Kayla.

"What?" Kayla frowned under Lana's state. "Oh right. Caitlin. She thinks it unfair I never welcomed Ruby and Marley into the House of El, even though she never asked me to adopt them," Kayla added.

"She didn't even think about letting Kayla adopt them!" Kara added to this, knowing that well due to her bond with her sister.

"Hm, well Kayla, I think your problem is you and Caitlin never talked about this," Lana reasoned, and Kayla gave a nod. "And Kara, you were not wrong, but neither was Barry; he has been agreeing to not marry you until you're ready even though the boy clearly wants to get down on one knee. So, what's holding you back?"

"I don't know," Kara said, truthfully. "Every time I think about asking him, a pit forms in my stomach and I think about Mon, and I just can't."

"Guilt, because Mon would be happy, your happy," Lana said.

"It's not guilt. It's more like…." Kara stopped.

"Fear," Kayla said, knowing her sister well. "Mon died not long after the two of you married. I think you're afraid to marry again because you don't want it to happen again."

"Maybe," Kara said with a nod.

"Then you need to talk to Barry," Lana said. "He'll understand." Kara gave a nod. "And now I am taking a glass," Lana reached for the bottle but both Kayla and Kara put their hands over it.

"We love you too much to have you die on alien alcohol," Kayla pointed out, and Lana raised an eyebrow again before going to get a bottle out of her own fridge to join the girls with her own wine.

-Beautiful-

It was dinnertime by the time Kayla and Krypto landed in the yard; Kayla practically tripping over as she landed, but Krypto kept her up. She opened the back door and found everyone in the kitchen eating.

"Oh food, good," Kayla said, swaggering onto a seat.

"Are you drunk?" Daphne asked.

"A little," Kayla said. "Me and Kara split a bottle of our mom's favorite wine. Alien wine affects us a bit. It will wear off soon. Do I get a plate?" Krypto had gone right to his bowl to eat.

"Here," Caitlin said, giving Kayla food. "I called Laurel when I got home."

"If you're looking for divorce lawyers, Sara and Laurel were my friends first," Kayla said, half-joking. "Does Laurel even do divorces? I guess so, since she's a custody lawyer…"

"Kayla I am not looking for a divorce," Caitlin sighed. Kayla's joke had gotten Ruby to look up, worried. "I asked her to draw up the adoption papers."

"I didn't want to guilt you into it," Kayla frowned.

"No, you were right. If I want you to be their mother too, I need to make you their mother in every sense of the word – including legally. And if anything were to happen to me, I don't want you to have to jump through legal loopholes to keep Ruby and Marley with you," Caitlin said. "Especially with Hunter's family rich and able to take them, even if he's gone." Caitlin frowned at that. Hunter's family had never been interested in her children before but now with their only son dead who knew. Especially if something were to happen to Caitlin.

"Urgh, Hunter," Daphne muttered, rolling her eyes, but glad the man was dead now.

"Caitlin… I want them to be my daughters," Kayla said, ignoring the reference to the twin's father. Ruby gave a smile at that. She was translating to Marley who was too busy eating to read their lips. "I'll ask Uncle Jor and Clark about doing the Rite of Familiarity to make them members of the House of El."

"Yay!" Ruby said, jumping up and hugging Kayla and Kayla smiled to that.

-Beautiful-

Kara walked into her home to see Barry and Rae sitting there on the couch.

"Where's Topar?" Barry asked, muting the TV.

"I left him with Lana," Kara said.

"Lana was there?" Barry asked, trying not to sound hurt.

"No, me and Kayla went to her house afterward," Kara said. "I didn't trust myself flying Topar home though."

"Didn't…?" Barry paused, seeing the way Kara looked. "Are you drunk?" Kara nodded. "I thought you were like us. Couldn't get drunk."

"Kayla got some alien wine," Kara said. "That works well."

"I'll have to try it," Barry mumbled.

"And we also need to talk," Kara said. "Alone." She looked at Rae at this, but Rae didn't look up. Barry nudged her to get her attention. "Rae, I know you don't really have anywhere to go but think you could…?"

"Oh…. Um… sure I'll go see Mik and Imra," Rae said and then sped off.

"Look, I'm sorry," Barry said, holding out his arm and letting Kara sit next to him, bringing her close to him. "I was just thinking so hard of wanting to be there for you I didn't think me being there could affect helping your mom move on. I get you had to go by tradition for her. I know how much she means to you." Barry put his hand on the necklace Kara wore, knowing it was once Alura's.

"And I am sorry," Kara said. "I know if you weren't so much of a gentleman and true to your word you would have proposed by now. You're ready to be married, but every time I think about it there's just this fear. Mon died and… I accused Kayla of having Crisis PTSD but maybe I have a version of PTSD too, from losing Mon. Every time I think about marrying you, this pit comes up in my stomach and I just can't. And it hurts because I love you so much."

There were tears in Kara's eyes again and Barry wiped them away with his finger.

"Hey, I love you," Barry said. "And if you can't marry me yet I will wait. Even if I have to wait forever."

"You mean it?" Kara asked.

"Yes, I will always be here," Barry said and Kara leaned over and kissed him on the lips. The kiss deepening until Barry pulled away. "How drunk are you?"

"Not drunk enough you should feel like you're taking advantage," Kara chuckled.

"Okay then," Barry said with a smirk and kissed her again. Then he took her in his arms and ran up to their bedroom.

Post Chapter Note 1: Well, I hope you liked this first chapter inside the Millma Verse after Crisis. Quite heavy this one, but it will get lighter as we go along.

Post Chapter Note 2: yes Cora/Claire seems to be our go to add for crisis. We want every world to have just a little rewrite so adding a character who was not here previously is a good way.

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