I am so sorry for the delay in an update, work has been insanely busy. Hopefully the update makes up for it.
The couple stayed with Eliza for about a week before Lena gently advised Kara that they could not stay there forever and soon or later they needed to return home; for both their sake and Charlie's. Kara knew her wife was right and both women had work that needed to be tended to, and they had promised Alex some time at the DEO to address any follow up regarding Morgan's death as well as Kara's suddenly aggressive protection of Lena.
"I still don't see how this is an issue. I have been protective of you since before we even were dating. What is so different now?" Kara was behind the wheel of the car as they drove home, leaving Lena in the backseat to keep an eye on Charlie who was in her car seat and Elsa who was resting in the furthest back seat.
"What is different is that you growled at your sister Kara, and you don't know why. That's a new development and I would bet any of my degrees it is regarding the baby, so we need to figure it out. Plus, Cat cannot always be there to keep you from murder members of the free press." Lena could see Kara pouting in the rearview mirror and smiled.
"Stop pouting, you know I am right. Besides if we figure it out then we can use it to our advantage instead of you feeling at the mercy of your powers. I know you hated it growing up and after years of having them under control, I cannot imagine you want to go back to the way things were."
Lena was met with a deep sigh, "you're right."
"I usually am. But seriously Kara, this is just so we have all the info on our side, ok? I believe I have made it clear to you that I like it when you protect me." Lena could see Kara's posture change into her sitting up straighter, most likely with her chest puffed out as a result of the praise coming from Lena. Thankfully, the ride home was uneventful and after getting Elsa settled in the penthouse, Kara gathered up Charlie's things and the couple headed to the DEO, hopeful to get answers and put all this behind them.
Once inside the building, Kara set Charlie up with Winn in Alex's office, allowing herself, Lena and Alex to go to the room that houses Alura's AI. Once inside, Alex and Lena stood off to the side, allowing Kara some space: even though Kara always claimed to be fine after taking to her mother's AI, both her sister and her wife could tell that she was usually anything but fine.
Once the AI came online Kara stepped closer.
"Hello Kara."
"Mother."
"What can I help you with?"
"Can you tell me anything about Kyrptonian pregnancies and any hostility in the non-pregnancy partner?"
The computer system paused, Lena assumed to scan the data system from which it had been created.
"Children born through the more archaic methods popular on earth were rare on Kyrpton by the time you were born, Kal being the last child known to be conceived and born in the manner more common among humans. There is some baseline information regarding the pregnancy itself, but not much beyond that."
Kara looked over her shoulder to Lena who shrugged her shoulders gently. Some information was more than what they had now.
Kara nodded, "whatever you can tell us would be helpful."
"You are with child?" Kara shook her head and gestured behind her toward where Lena and Alex still stood. "Not me, my wife." Kara held out her hand, encouraging Lena to join her. Once she was standing next to Kara, Lena remembered how strange this experience was: even though she told herself that the AI only knew what it was taught about her, she always felt like she had to impress it.
Lena watched as the AI looked at her and nodded. "If your mate is carrying your child, what has you concerned?" Kara never liked to term 'mate' and almost always found herself correcting the system.
"When I am near Lena and someone threatens her, even someone I trust or even if they mean it as a joke, I become protective. I growled at my sister when she and Lena were just playfully arguing and I know she would never hurt Lena, but I felt this anger I couldn't stop. I just want to know why."
The AI paused momentarily before continuing, "my system data offers some fragmented information regarding this protective drive you have now that your mate is with child. Would you like me to continue?"
Lena watched Kara nostrils flare slightly, "yes I want you to continue, but stop calling her my mate. She is my wife."
"As you wish. The information I found explains that before the matrix was widely used and this type of coupling was more common, the partner who was not carrying the child would display characteristics more comparable to that of animals. That is to say that they would become very protective, almost to the point of territorial of their pregnant partner. They would be hyper focused on caring for their partner: feeding them, insuring their healthy and of course, fending off any foreign entity that would threaten the child. This would ideally result in a safe, healthy pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child, thus continuing family lines."
Kara was listening, but looked lost, having no real understanding why such an outdated response had made its way into her life. Lena, however, seemed to at least be following the information being offered to them.
"So, what, Kara believes she is an alpha and she needs to protect her offspring and by extension me? Like wolves?"
The computer system nodded, "while I wouldn't equate it to wolves, yes the sentiment is the same. From the information I have, this response will subside when you give birth to the child and likely will only return for subsequent pregnancies, if there should be any."
"Why did I get mad at Alex then? I know she would never hurt Lena, but I still growled at her."
"While your heart knows that your sister would never harm your spouse or your child, this drive in your brain supersedes that knowledge and is a purely biological drive. Anything that can pose a threat, in your mind, does, therefore you must protect her when exposed to possible danger."
Kara relaxed a little, but didn't like the idea of being slave to an almost ancient drive to see her bloodline survive. Before Kara gave the go ahead to end the program, the AI spoke again.
"I know I am not really your mother, but from my data I have learned that this news of having offspring is often a moment of great joy between daughters and mothers." Lena bit her lip, not sure if this was going to help Kara or just feel like another thing lost.
Kara nodded, "it is, yeah."
"I understand it is not the same, but your mother…I, am very proud of you and I hope for a safe pregnancy for your spouse and a healthy child to welcome into the family. I have no doubts they will be very deeply loved by you both." Lena watched Kara and it was not hard to see that she was barely holding it together, but she smiled and nodded, all the while willing the tears welling in her eyes to stay there.
"Have I answered your question?" Lena grabbed Kara's hand to steady her, "yes, thank you for the help."
The system smiled at Lena, "you are very welcome. Congratulations again Ms. Luthor." The AI system shut off and the lights in the room returned to normal. Alex knew better than to ask if the couple wanted a few minutes alone and instead mentioned that she was going to update the team and check on Charlie. Lena waited for Alex to be completely gone before she gently squeezed Kara's hand.
"Want some time alone?" Kara shook her head, no.
"Want to talk about it?" Kara shook her head again and Lena just stood there. Sometimes all Kara wanted was not to say anything about the experience until later, having given herself time to process things and feel her feelings before tucking them away. Lena was fully prepared to let Kara dictate how she would settle down after things. She didn't expect to feel herself quickly pulled against Kara so that they were pressed against each other.
Kara pressed her nose firmly into Lena's hairline and took a deep breath.
"You know how much I love you right. Nothing bad is gonna happen to you, or to this baby or Charlie."
"Kara, we are all ok. We're safe and we have more information then we did this morning. I know we are safe with you, but you have to give yourself a break. You aren't the only parent our kids will have and I can share that responsibility with you to keep them safe."
Kara let Lena pull back slightly and Lena could see the tears running down her face.
"I don't want any more of these programs Lena. I can't lose more people before I am supposed to. I don't want to talk to an AI that looks like you, I want you. I want the kids to put us in the ground when we get old. I have to protect you and sometimes you are going to have to let me, please." They had had this talk before; about Kara not allowing Lena to fight her own battles and she never really explained why she fought Lena so hard on the matter, but this made sense to Lena. Kara had lost so much, so quickly and instead of mourning she was stuck in a hell that lasted for literal years. Lena firmly believed that if Kara did lose her, in any other way, but to old age, that their friends and family would likely never see the Kara they knew again. She truly couldn't stand the pain and trauma of losing anyone that way again.
Lena offered a sad smile, "ok. Kara, I know you need to protect me and that's ok, but you have to remind yourself that I can fight for myself, our kids and even you. Ok, just try and tell yourself that and maybe we can meet in the middle?" Kara brushed her tears away and nodded; knowing that Lena was right and that Kara did not always have to be Supergirl for her family. More often than not, they just wanted Kara Danvers. The couple met up with Alex, Winn and Charlie in Alex's office. As much as Lena knew that Alex wanted to dig more into the new info they were given by the AI, a deep glare from Lena stopped her line of questioning before it began and told her that the couple, and more specifically, Kara was done for the day.
Once they returned home, Kara did seem to relax as she settled in the nursery with Charlie and naturally Elsa not far away. Lena had changed into comfy clothes and was working on lunch in the kitchen when she heard the doorbell. The list of people allowed to come upstairs without permission from her or Kara was short, so Lena knew it was likely one of their friends or Alex swinging by to make sure they were ok. Lena opened the door to find Cat on the other side.
"Anyone ever tell you that you and your bride are hard to get ahold of when you go dark?" Cat blew past Lena who could only smile and shake her head as she shut the door behind her.
"That is sort of the idea of going dark. Besides, you saw Kara a few days ago at her little press conference. Thanks for that by the way." Cat waved her hand to dismiss Lena's thank you.
"Oh please, it took maybe 20 minutes and Kara's little speech gave the magazine a boom in business." Lena shook her head and pushed back slightly.
"You do realize when you are in my house you can drop the act and just accept the gratitude. My family was hurting, and you lessened it by pulling some strings. Take the damn thank you." Cat had to admit that Lena had a point: they were well past the point of Cat needing to posture and Kara didn't work for her anymore, not directly anyway. The need for her cold exterior was not needed when she was in the privacy of their home. Cat removed her sun glasses and looked closer at Lena and had to admit: pregnancy did agree with Lena, at least so far.
"I suppose you have a point. You are welcome, but it really did not take much effort and I was glad to hear Kara ask for what she wants. Speaking of which, where is your bride?" Lena pointed vaguely to the other side of the penthouse.
"She was playing with Charlie last I checked. I'll go grab her."
"Before you do, I hear congratulations are in order. I trust everything is ok after Morgan's stunt." Lena smiled and unconsciously rubbed her hand across her stomach, which showed virtually no sign of her pregnancy.
"We are both fine, so no harm done. And thank you, it certainly was a nice thing to find out about right after everything with Morgan."
Cat nodded and had to imagine that if Lena had known at the time that she was pregnant, her demeanor while dealing with Morgan would have been different when faced with protecting two children: not just one.
"Well, you may not look pregnant yet, but you look happy so clearly it agrees with you. Now if you kindly call for you wife, I would very much like to see my tiny troublemaker." Lena smiled as she softly called for Kara, knowing she would be heard and need not yell, just in case Charlie was sleeping. Sure enough her wife joined them in the living room with Charlie pulling to be let down the second she saw Cat. Kara put her gently down and the toddler made a sloppy beeline for Cat.
"Kitty!" Kara dissolved into laughter and Lena was grinning so hard at the enthusiastic greeting Cat received with the nickname she knew drove her nuts. To her surprise though, Cat scooped the toddler up with a wide grin, "Charlie we have been over this, no one calls me Kitty." The toddler bounced up and down in Cat's arm, clapping her hands and saying it several time over.
"The more you try to convince her otherwise, the more she will stick with Kitty. You do know that." Kara pointed out what Cat already knew to be true as she rounded the couches to be closer to Cat.
"Yes well, do me a favor and teach your newest sidekick to call me something else. ANYTHING else." Kara pretended to think about it.
"Sorry Cat, chances are the new baby will just copy Charlie. You are stuck with Kitty." Kara stood there grinning and Cat knew she was right and deep down she also knew that she enjoyed that Kara's children would see her as special enough to deserve a ridiculous nickname.
"Keep up the assault on my name and I will take my good new elsewhere." Cat saw she had Kara's attention and Lena's eyebrows were giving away her raised interest as well.
"That is what I thought. Anyway, I am not sure how you planned on announcing your pregnancy to the public, but you will want to do it before next month." Lena was slightly confused, but before she reacted too big she asked, "why would we need to do that?"
Cat smiled and looked at Kara, "because your wife has just won her second Pulitzer and the award luncheon is next month." Kara was shocked at the news and her brain didn't know what to say first.
"How…how did you find out before they contacted me?"
"I have friends everywhere Kara, which means I have ears everywhere. Once I heard the rumor, I reached out, they confirmed, and I requested being able to tell you myself before they announced the winners on Friday. It's very real, I had nothing to do with it, this is all you and if I might add, well earned. Congratulations."
Kara looked over to Lena and broke down into happy tears before scooping her wife up, allowing Lena to wrap her legs around her waist and be held. Cat rolled her eyes at the brief make out that followed and dramatically shieled the toddler who was clapping, not knowing why everyone was so happy.
Cat bounced the toddler in her arms gently and Charlie eventually looked at Cat and then pointed to her mothers, clearly expecting an explanation and Cat had to laugh at the serious face she made.
"Mommy is very excited because she won an award for her job. She is very happy and wants to share that with your momma and you."
"Kitty!" Cat rolled her eyes, "yeah, I guess with me too." Once the couple calmed down, Kara looked back at Cat.
"You should join us for dinner; we can celebrate."
Cat waved her off, "I won't hear of you paying for your own celebration dinner. I made reservation already at a new place uptown that hasn't even opened yet, but I pulled strings. We will be the only diners, so your safety concerns are a moot point. Feel free to invite your sister and her partner if you would like."
"What about Charlie?" Kara had to admit that Cat had thought of most of the things that concerned her.
"Like I would leave her out. They know to expect a toddler and will have a highchair ready. You didn't think I would leave my troublemaker here did you? So what do you say: dinner my treat?"
Kara looked to Lena who smiled and nodded, "we can't hide in the house forever Kara and this is worth getting out on the town to celebrate. You deserve to be celebrated. Also, the baby is starving and so am I."
Kara laughed and turned to Cat, "well I can't very well let my wife and children starve so I guess we are in."
Cat smiled, "good. You two go change and call your sister if you'd like. Charlie and I will go see if she has picked up yours or Lena's fashion sense." Cat walked away holding Charlie, leaving Kara with a playful frown, "I dress fine."
Lena laughed and rubbed Kara's arm, "you always look beautiful to me, but you own A LOT of sweaters love and not all of them match your pants."
"I will have you know its what all the two-time Pulitzer Prize winners wear Lena." Lena grinned as they walked toward the bedroom. "Fair enough."
