Chapter 6 - Silent Bliss

A week had passed since Clark and Lois had returned to Clark's childhood home in Smallville, KS. They had enjoyed relaxing in the anonymity that they can only get in Clark's small town. Clark looked back on his childhood in this house, and he remembered so many evenings like this. Sitting in front of the fire, working on projects and reading books and the newspaper.

Clark was enjoying a similar pleasure tonight. After months of them being separated by glass, he enjoyed just being able to hold her. He was laying on the couch, with Lois in his arms. He smiled, as he put his palm over Lois's stomach, which was just starting to grow, and smiled as he felt the beginnings of his daughter's movements. He felt as well as heard Lois's giggle, "She's bouncing around in there. She's so excited to have her daddy back."

Clark smiled, "Not as excited as I am. To have you, both of you here, and safe, in my arms. Do we have to go back to work tomorrow?"

Lois laughed, "Yes, well, you only need to return to Clark Kent's job. You may continue to take time off from Superman's job. Have you had a chance to test any of your powers since we've been here?"

"Not really, I've been afraid to. And I don't know if I'm afraid that they are not there, or afraid that they are there. If my powers are gone, then I wouldn't have to be split between being Clark Kent and Superman. But at the same time, every time I see something horrible on the news that I could stop with my powers…"

Lois squeezed Clark's hand, "You feel split between wanted to belong to me, and belonging to the world. But you don't have to be. When you are ready to return to being Superman, know that you will have my support, your mother's support, and Perry's support."

Clark looked up shocked, "Perry… Perry White… he knows?"

Lois laughed, "Yes. I went to him for help on coming up with an explanation for how you could come back from the dead without blowing your secret identity, and it turned out that he knew your true identity from the beginning. He said that he saw us kissing after we stopped the world engine from destroying the planet, and he recognized you when you interviewed for the stringer position."

"And he never said anything?"

"No, he never did. Maybe that was his way of thanking you for saving us all, allowing you to keep your anonymity." Lois said, "No matter what the reason is, we owe him everything."

The next morning Lois and Clark left Clark's childhood home. Martha gave them both big hugs, "Are you sure that you are ready to go back?" Martha said, "It's only been a week."

Clark nodded, "Yes, it's time, and we will need to save our time off for when the baby comes."

Martha nodded, "Fine, but I am coming to visit you soon."

Clark smiled, "You are more than welcome any time." With one last hug and kiss, Lois and Clark climbed into their rental car, and drove back to Metropolis. They had decided to make the two day road trip back to the city, as Clark was nervous about being around too many people until he had to, not to mention, wasn't sure how to explain his sudden return to life after such a public funeral.

"Most people of Smallville have guessed already." Clark said, as he tried to get his mind straight on what they were going to do. "And a few people at the planet might guess. I think that we need to come up with an outright lie to explain my return."

"Clark Kent, is going to use a lie!" Lois said smiling.

"As much as I put out a goodness vibe as both Clark Kent and Superman, there are certain things that I have to do to protect not myself, but our family. If it is revealed that the hero Superman has a wife and a daughter, all of the people that I have put away over the years would come out of the woodwork to go after you to get to me."

"Wife?" Lois said, "We are engaged."

Clark smiled, "Speaking of that, what would your dream wedding be?"

"Something small. Just you, me, and our close friends and family."

"In Smallville or Metropolis?"

"Either would be fine, as long as it was a low key location. Would you want to get married in Smallville?"

Clark took her hand, and brought it to his mouth, kissing the back of her hand, "I would marry you anywhere. I would elope in front of elvis if that was what you wanted. If you wanted to go to town hall, I would be there beside you."

Lois smiled, "Well, next we need to tell my parents, and they might insist on a big splashy wedding. I will need you to stand firm beside me and not cave."

The next day, they pulled into Lois's mother's driveway. She lived in a small town halfway between Smallville and Metropolis. Lois was so nervous walking up the driveway. She had avoided seeing her mother as much as she could, and her mother didn't even know that she was pregnant. Lois's mother opened the door, and surprised Lois with a huge smile, "Lois! What a great surprise! And who is this?" Lois's mother asked looking at Clark.

"Hi Mom, this is Clark, my Fiance. I'm getting married."

"Wow, that's wonderful! Come in, come in!" Ella Lane said, and brought them into the living room. 10 minutes later they were sipping lemonade, and looking at a scrapbook of wedding ideas that Lois's mother said that she had been keeping since Lois was in high school. "Well, when are you thinking of having the wedding?"

Lois frowned, "We're not sure, soon. And mom, you can put away that giant book. I want something small and simple."

Her mother nodded, "Can I at least buy you a dress?"

"I would love that. Although, before we go dress shopping, you should know something. I'm halfway through my second trimester." Lois was wearing a large sweater that was actually Clark's so it went to her mid thigh and hid her belly. She pulled the sweater up, and showed her mother the 21 week belly.

Ella smiled and squeezed her daughter's hand. "We will find you a beautiful dress. Or we can wait to have your wedding after the baby is born."

Lois looked at Clark, "We have been through so much, I just want to be his wife."

TBC...