Kara is 21, Chris is 16, Conner is 12, and Jon is 5.
Chapter 10: Vacation
Lois' POV
The temptation to roll my eyes grew stronger with every second as Clark listed his vacation scheme. Honestly, how were we going to be able to afford it? We have three boys.
Clark excitedly explained his plan. "I've got everything planned out, Honey. The room has two queen beds and a pullout. You and I can share one bed, Kara and Jon can share the other bed, and the boys can share the pullout. We'll budget our money carefully. We can do sandwiches at lunch instead of eating out. We'll go to the beach and-"
"Clark, I'm not so sure we can afford this trip. We're not Bruce Wayne or Ted Kord or Oliver Queen. As much as I'd like to go-"
I broke off as his kicked puppy face came into play. Clark then explained how much taking a family vacation would mean to him and that we all needed a break. He also mentioned that we hadn't had a vacation in years.
I interrupted his pleading. "Alright but I'm in charge of the budget."
"Deal."
*******Break*******
Chris' POV
I practically cringed as Dad came out wearing the most godawful Hawaiian shirt I'd ever seen that somehow matched his dorky glasses we were forced to wear and sandals. Mom wasn't much better dressed in her old lady shorts and sleeveless top. Kara looked like a total slut in her daisy dukes and bikini top. Jon was fine in his shorts and t-shirt, but Conner had no clue.
I pointed out, "Conner, you're wearing a long sleeved black t-shirt, combat boots, and dark jeans."
He blandly replied, "And your point is?"
"We're going to the beach for the week. Don't you want to blend in a little more?"
Dad sighed as he looked over at us. "Conner, go take some clothes off. Kara, go put some clothes on."
Kara, Conner, and Dad instantly started fighting before Mom broke them up. The miracle worker of the family forced them both to change. Kara came back wearing something less trashy while Conner came back in a black short sleeved t-shirt, jeans, and some high-tops. Mom gave up before ordering all of us into her car.
The four of us cringed from the back as Mom and Dad started singing loudly and off-key to a song on the radio. Conner put on his headphones to try and drown them out, Kara started talking on the phone to her boyfriend, and Jon started playing with his Gameboy. Great. Now what am I supposed to do?
*******Break*******
Kara's POV
After driving for thirteen straight hours, we finally made it to the beach. We immediately checked into our tiny motel room. Wonderful. Six people to one bathroom.
"Clark, is there a reason why we didn't get two rooms?" I asked.
"It wasn't in our budget," Lois explained before Jon asked her, "Mommy, are we poor?"
Clark explained our financial situation in the most kid friendly way possible. Chris then asked if we could go out and do something. Lois and I made plans to get some rest while Clark took the boys to the pool.
After they left I asked Lois if there was a reason why we were just going to stay in the room.
She announced, "Because we're going to the spa."
"A spa trip is in the budget?"
Lois smirked. "It is now."
"No way!"
"Way."
********Break********
Conner's POV
I sat perfectly still on one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs facing the pool under the shade of the palm tree. Clark and Chris were in the water taking turns flipping Jon and tossing him around. Other families were busy lying out together in the sun or playing together in the water.
Chris eventually came out of the water to come and sit beside me. He shook the water from his hair before smirking over at me. He then asked if I was having fun sitting all alone.
I shrugged as he frowned.
"Conner, why don't you want to get in with us?"
"I can't swim."
Chris' mouth fell open in surprise before Jon jogged over to us. He immediately grabbed onto my wrist and started pulling.
"Kon, you gotta get in!" he exclaimed.
"Jonno, Conner can't swim," Chris gently explained.
Jon's mouth fell open. He then screamed at the top of his lungs for Clark. Everyone at the pool stopped and stared at us. Clark came over to us and told Jon to stop screaming before asking what was wrong.
"Conner can't swim! Fix it Daddy!" Jon commanded.
Clark looked a little embarrassed and ashamed. He then asked me if what Jon said was true. I nodded.
Clark sighed. "Alright. Conner, I'm going to teach you how to swim. Come with me. Chris, watch your brother."
After getting back in the water, Clark turned back to me and held his arms out. I just stared at him as he commanded me to jump.
"Come on, Conner. Don't you trust me?" he asked.
"No."
Jon popped up and pulled at my hand. He immediately asked why I didn't trust Clark. Chris had already walked over at this point.
"Because he hates me."
Horrorstruck, Clark immediately began trying to clarify that I was wrong. Chris tried to change the subject while Jon just looked confused.
"You do hate me. You said I wasn't your son. You tried to have me destroyed. You didn't name me even after you stopped calling me it. You never loved me or treated me like you do Chris and Jon."
Jon looked at his father in huge disappointment. His bottom lip started to tremble as he backed away from us. Chris tried to stop him but he immediately bolted. Jon quickly fled the pool only to run right into Lois and Kara.
"Jon! What is it? What's wrong, baby?" Lois asked.
He wailed, "Daddy's a meanie!"
Lois stroked Jon's hair while Chris explained what happened. When he finally finished, Lois looked pissed while Clark looked guilty.
********Break*******
Clark's POV
Conner was right. I'd treated him horribly. I just couldn't deal with him. I couldn't even deal with what had happened to Chris. Some things you can never take back but you can try to make it better and make it up to them.
Leaving Lois to tan, I glanced over to where Chris and Kara were swimming in the ocean before coming to a stop where Conner and Jon were building a sandcastle. I squatted down next to them before telling them they were doing a great job. Jon beamed up at me while Conner looked skeptical.
"Jon, why don't you go see what Mommy's doing? Conner and I need to have a little talk for a while."
Jon immediately went to Lois while Conner kept his eyes on the sandcastle. Taking a seat in the sand next to him, I waited a couple of minutes as he worked on decorating his art with a few seashells he'd found.
"Conner, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I let you down. When Chris disappeared, I was just so afraid to let anyone else back into my life and I hurt you because of that and I was so angry at the way you were made. But, I wouldn't trade anything for that now. I was wrong. Conner, you are my son and I do love you. I hope you can forgive me."
Conner didn't look up. He sat there for a moment before muttering, "Does that mean you want me to call you dad now?"
"If you want to."
"We'll see."
*******Break********
Lois' POV
I couldn't help but snap a few pictures of Conner jumping into Clark's outstretched arms in the pool. Conner looked terrified for his life despite the fact that he was practically invincible. Kara was already basking in the sun beside me. I looked over to find Chris in the hot tub. Jon was having fun on his pool floaty. I sat there smirking before leaning back in my chair. This vacation is worth every dime.