Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Smallville
Spoiler Alert: series finale
Title: After The End
Perry looked at his top reporter in her office. "What are you still doing here Lane?"
Lois stopped, her red pen mid-air. When Clark left to save people from the bombings, she hadn't thought anything of staying to help the newspaper. She finally looked at the clock. "Working Chief. Someone should follow up on the Lex Luthor angle. How is that guy still alive anyway? I have the best sources, I thought I could…
Perry walked into the office, and took the red pen from her hand and pocketed it. The gossip over the how the wedding of his top two reporters spread throughout the office no matter how much Perry didn't want to hear it. He cornered the intern who told him they'd rescheduled for 6pm at the courthouse. "I've learned the hard way that marriage and family are the two most important things in life. Go. I'm making that an order."
She reached out as if to take it from his shirt pocket, and he moved a step further back. "I'll sweeten the deal with a week's vacation for your honeymoon. If I see you, or Kent before 8 days from now you'll both be covering the events' circuit for a month, got it?"
Lois eyed him, trying to think of an argument against him. "Yes Chief," Lois gathered her laptop and purse. Perry walked her all the way to the front door, and hailed a cab. "Congratulations Lane," he said as he shut the door.
She and Clark had separated the weekend before, and only saw each other at work, their days marked by stolen kisses, and rooftop rendezvous. It was as far as she could push the whole "don't see each other before the wedding" tradition. She'd been staying in their apartment by herself, while he'd been on the farm.
Chloe, and Lana stood on either side of the front entrance of their building. "I met up with her outside the courthouse as she was about to go in," Lois pulled the keys from her pocked and unlocked the door. A glance at the kitchen clock showed almost 7pm. She'd be late for her own wedding. "I figured we'd need witnesses considering the circumstances, so I brought her along. I also re-booked the JP. For an extra fee, he's willing to come here at 8pm and do the service."
Chloe moved onto her bedroom, leaving Lois frozen in the living room, watching Lana's eyes dance from item to item. For a few moments all Lois could see was Clark's first love, and all the pain she caused. Her anger at the other woman for leaving him almost boiled over. And then Lana spoke:
"I thought the only way to be with him, was to be like him," the revelation hit her within days of leaving Metropolis, and she regretted getting the suit. "And here you are… You've made a home with him. You've accepted him unconditionally, and that's all he ever wanted. You challenge him when he needs it, and ground him."
And just like that, the anger dissolved. Lana Lang would never be her best friend, but she understood where the woman was coming from. "Thank you for saying that." She felt closure.
Lois heard the zipper on a garment bag. "I'd better go and see what this is about." Lois planned on wearing the dress she wore to the engagement party; it was going to be a quick change, and off to the courthouse.
"Ollie wanted to get you something, since he couldn't be here." Chloe took the hanger out of the bag. Lois gasped at the dress; her style to a T. A sleeveless muted scarlet number, with a sweetheart neckline, and a silver wrap to go across the shoulders. The colour choice wasn't lost on her.
A smile lit up Lois' whole face "I'm getting married in an hour," it was the first time she allowed herself to be happy about the whole situation.
"You are," Chloe agreed. She let Lois take a few minutes alone to shower, and joined Lana in the living room. Her friend seated herself in a kitchen chair.
"You two had a moment," she prompted.
"She's good for him. She won't take any of his nonsense," Lana replied. Making peace with Lois hadn't been on her list of reasons to return for their wedding, but it was a nice bonus.
The shower stopped, and Chloe squeezed Lana's hand on her way to the bedroom. "I'll see you in a few minutes. Answer the door for the other guests," she instructed. She'd texted Martha to get her to invite Perry, and colleagues from the newsroom.
"Hair partially down, over my shoulders." Lois suggested.
Chloe took out a gift-wrapped box from her purse and set it before Lois. "Clark passed it to me as I left the farm. I don't even know what's in it,"
Lois tore the paper from the box and opened it to reveal a pair of diamond studded silver hair barrettes. "He thinks of everything," she remarked. She heard the apartment door open to a cheerful "Mrs. Kent," greeting.
Chloe zipped the dress up, and arranged her hair. "Something new," the dress, and hair accessories.
Martha appeared at the bedroom door: "Something old, and borrowed," she unclipped the antique bracelet.
"And something blue," Oliver filled the doorway brandishing another box. "The world-saving settled down a little. It's Flash's shift anyway with Stargirl," Martha took the box from him. Chloe tightened his bowtie.
"I wonder what the groom would say if he knew you dressed his bride," Lois teased, admiring the shimmering blue shawl.
"He's okay with it. It was his idea in the first place. It was mostly a Clark/ Chloe production on the dress, I just gave her my credit card. He wanted to give you a wedding was more you two. Where it didn't matter too much about what he did," Oliver replied careful to keep his voice down.
Lois managed a smile. "You raised a good one Martha," she said. The door opened again,
"Perry White,"
"Lana Lang,"
"I'd better run a little interference for Lana," Martha said leaving the trio.
"I should help…" Chloe nodded her agreement. "It's probably not such a good idea to leave the returned-to the living Lex Luthor's ex-wife alone in a room full of reporters," Chloe brought the silver heels from Lois' closet, and she stood up.
Lois picked up on all the body language, and exchanged looks. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you two were married…"
Chloe blushed, and couldn't keep the small smile from her face. "You are. When? The ill-fated bachelor/bachelorette weekend? "
Chloe threw up her hands. There was no point hiding anything from Lois when she realized on to something. "Yes. But don't make a big deal out of it. It's your wedding tonight. We'll talk about mine tomorrow. It's 7:45, we should get going."
"Get… I thought the wedding was in the living room,"
"We arranged a rooftop ceremony with your landlord," Chloe replied. It was a detail she didn't know until Oliver forwarded her the text from Clark.
"I'm getting married tonight," Chloe helped draped the shawl across the shoulders, and they left the room.
"You look beautiful Lane," Perry told her. He'd gotten Martha's text after he sent her home, and decided to celebrate happiness of his two favourite staff reporters.
"Thanks Chief. Glad you could join us Jimmy, I know you haven't been with us long." Lois greeted the cub reporter. He glowed under the attention.
"The groom has taken his place, we should be going," Chloe announced taking some duties as organizer. She paired Lois with Perry, and Lana with Jimmy, then brought up the rear. She caught up with them as they entered the elevator.
"I couldn't have done this without you," Clark grasped his best friend's forearm.
"It's the least I could do, since I ruined the last one. It's better than what you two had planned." Oliver smiled. "You nervous?" he asked.
"No." Nothing ever felt so right as it did with Lois Lane. She knew him, she challenged him, and she loved him. There was nothing more that he could ask for in a wife.
The music changed. "Time to get married," he said as he stood up from his chair. Oliver watched as his wife walked her cousin down the aisle, and placed her hand in Clark's.
"You're stunning," Clark whispered as their guests took their seats.
Lois straightened his tie, and looked into his eyes. "You're perfect," she replied.
"I welcome you all here to this rooftop to celebrate the marriage of Lois Lane, and Clark Kent. If anyone here objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace." Judge Maris announced. He waited for a few moments before continuing.
"The couple have chosen to recite their own vows. Clark you can go first.
"Lois… From irritation to friendship to love, our relationship has gone through its phases. You challenge me, and make me laugh. You love me, no matter what craziness takes over our lives. Wherever we are, whatever we do, you are my home. I love you. He ended by slipping the ring on her finger.
Chloe handed her cousin a tissue to dab at her eyes. "Of course… nothing written but here I go anyway. I'm glad we both moved past the teasing phase. Thank you for giving me the chance to know you, and love you. You are my home no matter what life throws at us. She slipped a wedding band on his finger.
"I now pronounce you husband, and wife. You may now kiss the bride. Clark took her head between both of his hands and they kissed; a passion for more. They faced their guests, hands clasped together rings showing in the dusk.
"They're married," Lois whispered.
He nodded acknowledgement, and stepped close to Lois. "Follow my lead," he replied letting go of her hand. He cornered the judge. "We'll sign the registry downstairs. My best man, and maid of honour will join us as witnesses.
"Excuse me Mr. White. Duty calls," Judge Maris said to Perry. Clark joined his wife, and took her hand. He winked at his mother. "The bride and groom will be right back. Enjoy yourselves with hors d'ouerves, and a glass of wine."
Chloe and Oliver followed the couple into the elevator, and down to their apartment. The judge brought out the registry, and they signed. Clark leaned in close as if to kiss her and whispered; "now."
"Your Honor, would you do us a final favour for the night?"
Judge Maris was puzzled, he'd finished the couple he'd been paid to. "What is it?"
"Mary our friends," Lois supplied.
"I think I already have. It was a dare from a friend, I dressed up as Elvis, and married t hem on a weekend, barely a year ago."
Lois put the bouquet into her cousin's hand, who blushed. "We were…"
"We enjoyed the party a little too much, and we don't remember" Oliver explained.
"I see."
"I'll pay extra," Oliver replied. He didn't realize how much he wanted to be able to remember his marriage to Chloe.
"No, in the spirit of the day. I'll do a short ceremony." He led them towards the window, the stars beginning to flicker into existence.
"I take there are no objections."
"None." Clark replied.
"I'd like to recite my own vows," Oliver added. He took Chloe's hand, looking into her eyes. Sometimes I don't know what I did to deserve you. I push people away when I need them the most. But you… you keep coming back. You keep calling me on all my bull… he checked himself. And that's what I need. I can't imagine my life without you in it. I love you Chloe Sullivan Queen, and I look forward to spending the rest of my days with you."
"Oliver… you have become my safe space. I can say anything to you, and you'll answer with the truth. You keep me grounded in the moment; in touch with my feelings, and the world in a way I haven't been a very long time. Vigilante, superhero, billionaire playboy, and every version in between; I will love you no matter what,"
"By the authority granted me by the City of Metropolis, I now pronounce you again, husband and wife. You may now…" Oliver took his wife and dipped her to kiss.
"He knows what to do," Judge Maris remarked. Oliver helped his wife to stand, and led her over to the registry. Lois and Clark's signatures were already in the column labelled witnesses. Oliver, and Chloe signed beside.
Clark, Oliver and Chloe walked the judge to the front door, while Lois took the champagne flutes from the cupboard, and poured glasses.
"Think of it as a thank you for everything you've done for Lois and I," Clark took his place next to his wife, protective hand on her back.
"Any time. You're family." Chloe answered. Her hand rested on Oliver's. He raised his glass. "To love."
"To love," Clark, and Lois repeated. They clinked glasses.
The rest of the wedding reception passed in a blur of happiness. Martha, and Perry were the final guests to leave.
"Congratulations again, you two. Remember, I don't want to see you two for the next week." He kissed the top of Martha's head. I'll meet you downstairs," Perry told her.
Sensing a mother-son moment coming, Lois kissed her husband, and took Perry's arm. "I'll walk you down." Clark didn't take his eyes off her until the door closed behind them. He turned back towards the night sky as he listened to her retreating footsteps.
Martha joined him leaning against the high ledge looking on the city. She took his hand running her fingers over the silver wedding band. "She gave me the option of not having one, but I insisted. I like the idea of belonging, making a family out of two people. I'll have to put it on a chain, but not yet." It was one of the many things that marked him as more than normal.
"Your father would have been so proud of the man you've become. The way you've managed to blend your two natures."
"It isn't easy. More often than not, I feel like I'm getting it wrong. But coming home to Lois, makes it worth it."
"That's the main thing. Loving each other will get you through."
"I realize that's what you and dad had. No matter what problems you faced, or issues I caused, you loved each other through it.
"Yes, we did, even underneath the arguments." She felt Jonathan with her no matter where she went. He encouraged her to live her life.
"You should join your wife downstairs," Martha suggested. Clark took off his jacket and draped it across his mother's shoulders.
"If I see you before a week from now, it'll be three months on the events circuit," Perry amended the earlier threat as the doors opened. Martha took the jacket off, and handed it back to Clark.
"Let's go honey. You said you were taking the night off," she reminded him picking up his arm.
"See you two later," Perry said allowing himself to be led out. They stood inside the doors to their building and waved Martha and Perry off.
Lois and Clark stepped into the elevator. He took her face in both hands and kissed, until the elevator chimes indicated their floor. He took her hand and swept her up in his arms to giggles rumbling against his chest. She pushed the door open and he stepped through, laying her down in their bedroom.
She smiled as he loosened his tie, and draped his jacket across the chair in their room. "We did it,"
He looked at her, a smile blossoming on his face. "We did it Mrs. Kent."
"You mean Mrs. Lane Kent. I have to hyphenate for work purposes."
"Lane-Kent" He chuckled.
"I think you have a future as a wedding planner, if this whole superhero saving people racket doesn't turn out. Tonight, was perfect, I don't know how you did it. I usually can smell a surprise a mile away, but not this time. You got me good tonight Kent. And you got Oliver and Chloe too. I didn't realize until we were getting ready. You must have known before now."
"I knew there was a mystery around a piece of a marriage license with Chloe's name on it. Oliver's behavior towards her filled in the rest. Even when he found himself taken over by Darkseid, his first thought was of her," Clark replied.
Lois stood from the bed and walked over to him, turning her back. He unzipped her dress allowing his hand to linger on her back. "It was kind of fun to surprise her like that; she deserved it after everything that's happened with Jimmy, and Uncle Gabe." She took his shirt out of his pants.
"I'm sorry I couldn't give you the honeymoon we planned," Clark started kissing her in earnest. Oliver had given them his island villa as their original wedding gift. They thought Chloe and Oliver should have this time.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Wherever we are, that's my home. I could be happy staying in this room for the entire week as long as you're here."
"I was hoping you would say that. He pushed her onto the mattress and finished unbuttoning his top.
The moonlight came in their bedroom window as they lay in each other's arms. Lois reached up and brushed a curl back off his forehead. "I love you Mr. Kent." Lois whispered.
"I love you Mrs. Kent," he replied
"It's Lane-Kent," Lois corrected.
He smiled against her lips knowing he meant to get it wrong many more times. "Lane-Kent."