Chapter 14
"I'll see you at Ruby's game", Lena says, kissing Kara goodbye.
"Ok", Kara says, pouting, "You really can't do lunch".
"Sorry darling", Lena says, smoothing her hands across Kara's shoulders so she doesn't have to make eye contact, "I've been planning this deal for months now and I will see you at 3 at Ruby's game".
"I know", Kara says, ducking down to meet Lena's eyeline, "I'll see you at Ruby's game. Have a good day. Love you".
"You too. Love you darling", Lena says, smiling at Kara and leaning in to kiss her again. "I really have to go", she says breaking the kiss.
"One more", Kara whines, not waiting for a response to pull Lena back in.
Lena relents and melts into Kara again before pulling back and placing her hands on Kara's shoulder, "I really have to go darling".
"I don't want you to", Kara admits.
"I don't want to either", Lena says, kissing Kara again but quickly pulling back, "but we both have morning meetings and need to catch up after being gone for so long".
"I know", Kara says, stepping back but not letting go of Lena, "I love you".
"Love you too", Lena says, chastely kissing Kara again before slipping through the door.
She rides the elevator down, waves to the doorman, Steve, and slides in the back of the black town car, "L-Corp please Frank".
"Right away, Ms Luthor", the driver nods and pulls into traffic.
Lena hates leaving Kara especially after three weeks together not having any responsibilities but she knows that she has to get some work done and hopefully keep her mind off her upcoming lunch with Eliza. She's got her whole speech planned out, and while she knows Eliza will say yes, she's still nervous to make a good impression. She responds to emails until the car stops and she thanks Frank and strides into the building head held high, nerves tucked neatly into a box.
Lena works solidly until 11 when the approaching 12 o'clock lunch with Eliza gets too close for comfort. She stills manages to sign off on mindless reports while her brain is going down every pessimistic rabbit hole it can think of. Thankfully, at 11:15, Sam comes in for the rescue.
"Oh Jess was right, you are freaking out", Sam teases as she opens the door. Lena had just, rather shakily, scratched her signature across a page, the normally perfect loops of her initials, slanted.
"I'm fine", Lena says shortly moving to the next document.
"You may have already done the whole permission/blessing thing twice with Alex and Kara's parents on Krypton but I know you, and for some reason meeting with the nicest woman in the world is freaking you out", Sam says gently sitting down on the edge of Lena's desk.
"That's the problem", Lena huffs, laying the pen down, "She is the nicest woman in the world and loves everyone, even me after all I've done to Kara only to come now and ask for her blessing to marry her daughter. Me the one who trapped her in Kryptonite, whose brother sent her back to her own personal hell, whose family has done nothing but try to harm her. Why would she say yes? I'll probably only get her killed".
Sam leans over wrapping her arms around Lena's shoulder, "I thought you'd gotten past the Lex and Lillian guilt but I'll say what we've all been saying again. You. Are. Not. Them. The only time you actually did anything you were hurt and lashed out just like anyone else would in your situation and you still held yourself back. You are a good person Lena and everyone can see how much you love her, how much you want to protect her and everyone can see how happy you both make each other, especially Eliza. She's seen Kara at her highest and her lowest but her lows aren't as low when she's with you and her highs are out of this world. Eliza can see that". Sam pulls back from the embrace to look at Lena who seems to have calmed down with Sam's speech, "Plus Eliza is like mother to all and I can guarantee she already sees you as another daughter".
Lena gives a watery laugh, "Now I'll have four moms, including you. Thanks Sammy".
"Anytime, now go get cleaned up and get to that restaurant and ask so you can propose to Kara", Sam says, ushering Lena to the en suite in her office.
Lena gets up, taking a deep breath as she fixes herself and grabs her purse and phone to head back downstairs.
"Don't be so nervous", Sam calls after her, "She's going to say yes". Lena smiles at her as she gets on the elevator. "And don't tense up when she hugs you, you should be used to it already", she adds as the doors close, seeing Lena roll her eyes but with a smile lifting the corner of her mouth.
Lena slides into the backseat and Frank drops her off at the restaurant before heading to pick up Eliza. She heads to her table in the back corner and orders a nice bottle of wine, taking a few sips while reading through her ideas of how to ask Eliza.
She gets a text from Frank telling her Eliza is walking in and takes a deep breath standing to greet her.
"Eliza hello", Lena says, greeting her.
"Lena, sweetheart", Eliza says, giving Lena a hug. Lena takes a deep breath, feeling the nerves melt in the motherly embrace, and feels ready for the upcoming conversation.
They slide into opposite sides of the booth and Lena uncorks the bottle of wine, "Would you like a drink?".
"Sure. Thank you", Eliza says, holding her glass over to Lena, "It's nice to see you again".
"You too", Lena says, smiling at her hopefully soon-to-be mother-in-law.
They talk about their trip to Argo and the project Eliza has been working on until Eliza finally stops Lena's avoidance.
"So I've loved getting to catch up with you but something is on your mind", Eliza says, a concerned look on her face, "Is it anything I can help with?".
Lena takes a deep breath and starts talking, "Actually yes. I had something to ask you". She pulls the velvet box, containing the engagement ring and Kryptonian marriage bracelets, out of her purse and sets it on the table. "I wanted to ask for your permission to propose to your daughter. I made these so she could have something for both sides of her. They're both nth metal so that they will withstand anything Supergirl goes up against or clumsy Kara could fall into", Lena laughs, "I know how much she's been through and I know a lot of that was because of people with my last name, including me, but I swear to you, and I will swear to her, that I will spend the rest of my life making sure she is as happy as she's made me these past six years". Lena feels her throat tighten as she finally looks up at Eliza who has a huge smile on her face.
Eliza puts her hands on Lena's over the ring and bracelets and says, "Of course you have my permission. I've seen you as part of our family since the first time Kara told me about you and I can't wait for you girls to make it official". Lena feels the tears well in her eyes, as her shoulders slump in relief. "She's going to love the thought and care you put into these and she's going to say yes", Eliza says, "Trust me".
"I know she will", Lena smiles, "I just still can't believe she loves me much less that I'm about to propose".
"I know what you mean", Eliza says, "It is amazing to see her so happy".
Lena smiles and ducks her head, blushing.
They continue talking until Lena gets a text from Frank that he is waiting outside to take her to the soccer fields.
"Oh it seems we've gotten lost in conversation. Would you like a ride to the soccer fields?", Lena asks.
Eliza checks her own watch, "Oh it seems we have. Thank you Lena".
The women stand and Lena allows Eliza to lead them back outside to where Frank is standing waiting to open the door. Eliza slides in first, Lena following her and Frank quickly puts the car in gear and they head to the sports complex that is hosting the high school soccer finals. Frank parks the car and Kara beats him to Lena's door.
Lena doesn't even have time to be shocked at the hand that pulls her out of the car before Kara's lips are on hers.
"Miss me, darling", Lena teases, breathlessly after they break the kiss.
"You know I did", Kara says, "I was early so I was listening out for your heartbeat so I'd know when you got here".
Lena kisses her again until Eliza interrupts them, "Not that you all aren't adorable but shouldn't we be getting to Ruby's field".
"Mom?", Kara says, pulling back from Lena.
"Oh I was passing by Alex's building on my way here so I gave her a ride", Lena says.
"I didn't know you were coming", Kara says, hugging Eliza.
"Well, I had to come support Ruby and Lena was so gracious to let me use her jet to get here quicker", Eliza says.
"Well come on", Kara says, believing the excuse and grabbing Lena's hand and pulling them behind her.
"It's not food, darling, why are you so excited?", Lena teases.
"Ouch", Kara says, in mock offense, "I do not only get this excited over food".
"Sure, honey", Eliza says, adding to the teasing.
"I am hurt", Kara says, as they approach the bleachers where Alex and Sam are waiting.
"What are you hurt by?", Alex asks, getting up to hug Eliza.
"Yeah I thought you were invulnerable", Sam teases, stepping to hug Eliza too.
"I still have feelings", Kara whines.
Lena kisses away the pout, "It's ok, darling, I was only teasing".
"I know", Kara says, kissing back. "I just wanted a kiss", she adds, smirking, sneaking another kiss before taking her seat on the bleachers.
"Trickster", Lena says, following Kara and taking a seat beside her.
Kara just laughs and kisses the side of Lena's head, putting her arm around her shoulder and pulling her close.
Sam, Alex, and Eliza take their seats a row below and they continue talking while Alex is very interested in watching the girls warm-up.
"What's wrong?", Sam asks, seeing the look on Alex's face.
"They didn't stretch at all, just started running", she says, still not taking her eyes off the field even as the coach blows the whistle.
"They're teenagers, they'll be fine", Sam says, putting her arm around Alex and kissing the side of her head, "Look see at Ruby's stretching".
Alex smiles, proud of the young girl, "I may have scared her".
"Alex", Sam warns, "What did you do?".
"I just asked if she'd like to be able to walk without hurting in a couple years", Alex shrugs.
Sam laughs, "Like you, Miss I-can't-stand-without-joints-popping".
"Exactly", Alex says, "wait, hey".
Sam laughs and their conversation is stopped by the refs whistle to start the game.
"We won!", Ruby cheers, crashing into her mom.
"Nice job, Rubes", Sam congratulates, hugging her sweaty daughter.
"Way to go, Kiddo", Alex says, ruffling Ruby's hair, surprised when the teen turns and hugs her too, "I knew you could do it".
"Great game, Ruby", Eliza adds.
"Thanks for coming", Ruby says, turning to hug Eliza.
"How about a victory treat", Lena says, causing Ruby to turn to her.
"Ice cream?", the teen asks.
"Oh can we Lee", Kara turns, pouting to Lena.
"Yes you can have some too darling", Lena says.
Ruby and Kara both crash into her for a hug, causing Lena to laugh.
"Thanks for winning us ice cream", Kara says to the teenager.
"Gladly", Ruby quips, turning to grab her bag so they can go only to see it already slung over Alex's shoulder.
Alex nods, and Ruby turns back to lead the family across the street to the nearest ice cream place. Kara and Lena take each other's hands as Ruby leads beside Eliza talking a mile a minute. Sam leans into Alex's free side, kissing her cheek while grabbing her hand, "Thank you".
"For what?", Alex asks, confused, turning to Sam as they trail behind the others.
"For being you. For loving us", San says.
"Of course", Alex says, kissing the top of Sam's head before looking both ways and pulling her across the street.
After their ice cream, the groups split up, Alex headed home with Sam and Ruby to clean up before Eliza came over for dinner. Lena and Kara headed home as well, both of them settling in the home office to get some work done while they could still be together.
Alex pulls the car into the driveway and they pile out, Ruby rushing upstairs to shower while Sam and Alex head up to change before getting started on dinner. Sam is standing in the closet and tries to pull on a nicer blouse when Alex's hands stop her.
"Babe, what are you doing?", Sam asks, her voice breathy.
"You're beautiful", Alex mutters, her front pressed against Sam's bareback, against her neck.
"Your mom is going to be here soon", Sam warns.
"We've got at least 30 minutes", Alex says, kissing Sam's pulse point.
"Alex", Sam breathes out, "Don't tease then".
"Yes ma'am", Alex says, turning Sam and pushing her against the door frame of the closet.
Sam manages to get Alex out of her shirt as well before the phone in Alex's pocket rings with her DEO ringtone. Sam drops her head back in annoyance, as Alex's head falls onto her shoulder, with a groan.
"Danvers", Alex barks into the phone.
"We have another alien downtown", Brainy says, "J'onn is down there with Vasquez's team".
"Is it causing trouble?", Alex asks.
"Not yet", Brainy says, "Should we call Kara?".
"Let me check it out first", Alex says and hangs up.
"Go", Sam says, softly.
"I'm sorry", Alex says, kissing her.
"It's ok", Sam nods, "Go. Save the world, but hurry back".
"I will", Alex says, kissing Sam before pulling back to find her shirt. "I'll be back as soon as possible", she promises, kissing Sam again before walking out of the bedroom, laughing as Sam groans. She stops by the closet, reaching up to the safe and pulls her gun and badge out, sliding her holster on before heading to the garage. She puts on her helmet and straddles the bike, backing out of the garage and roars down the street to get downtown.
She quickly makes it to the DEO barricade and the alien isn't causing problems. The agents are standing around not doing much as the watch the creature stand in the middle of the intersection.
"Vasquez", Alex says, "What's going on?".
"Nothing", she answers, "literally nothing. It's just standing there".
They watch the alien continue to stand there until its ears literally perk up and it tilts its head turning south. They watch as the creature starts to get agitated as the red and blue blur gets closer.
"What's up you guys need any help?", Kara asks, landing beside her sister and the agents.
"Move!", Alex orders as the alien's fist comes crashing down into the pavement where they were just standing.
Kara heatvisions the fist until the alien pulls back and she gives the agents time to regroup.
"What alien is this?", Kara shouts into the comms.
"It seems to be a Thoron", Brainy answers, "The exoskeleton seems to be some kind of tech".
"Why was it just standing in the middle of the street and then attacked?", Alex asks.
"That we won't know until we ask it", J'onn replies, flying around the creature's head, "I can't read it".
"They are from the same system as Krypton", Brainy answers, "That or the tech may be why but I won't know unless I can test the technology".
"So how do we beat it?", Alex asks, ducking down to reload her gun.
Brainy hesitates a moment, "I don't know".
They manage to take down the Thoron by stripping its armor and stop it from causing more damage, but it kills itself rather than be taken into custody. Kara stops short of a solar flare with just enough energy to take its tech and drop it off at the DEO before heading home, promising to lay on the balcony or under the sun lights Lena made. J'onn gives Alex the ok to head on home as well and she makes it just in time for dinner.
Sam smiles when she hears the bike roar into the driveway and Alex's key in the door. She wipes her hands on the towel, leaving Ruby and Eliza in the kitchen and goes to greet Alex.
Alex doesn't hear her come up behind her as she secures her gun in the safe and hangs her coat.
"Welcome home", Sam says, nuzzling into Alex's neck, her arms around her waist.
Alex sighs, melting into the embrace, "J'onn let me skip debrief since I wasn't technically on duty. I'll still have to write a report but he's letting me put it off for tomorrow".
"Well, I'm glad you're back and you're just in time for dinner", Sam says, letting Alex turn in her arms and kisses her.
They kiss a little longer in the hallway, reluctantly breaking apart when they hear Eliza call that dinner is ready.
"Glad you're back", Ruby says, as she passes Alex carrying the plates to the table.
"Me too", Alex says, taking the hot dish from her mom and carrying it to the table.
Kara lands hard on the balcony pulling Lena out of the office.
"Kara, are you ok?", she says, rushing to the hero and looping Kara's arm over her shoulders.
"Yeah, Lee. I'm fine. I still have my powers this time", Kara jokes.
"Come on supercharged lights it is", Lena says, leading her to the bedroom. "Hope, super lights please", Lena calls out as she gently sets Kara on the bed, carefully sliding her glasses on to make the suit dematerialize.
Kara sighs at the feeling of highly concentrated solar energy flooding into her cells as Lena removes her glasses again and starts removing the clothes Kara was wearing to change her into something comfy. She kisses Kara after pulling the hoodie over her head and lays her back. "I'm just going to grab my laptop and some water", she murmurs against Kara's forehead, "I'll be right back". Kara nods and drifts into sleep.
Lena comes back, setting the glass on the bedside table before changing herself and sliding into bed beside Kara, getting some work done on her laptop with one hand while the other cards through Kara's hair.
After dinner, Eliza heads back to Alex's apartment. Ruby kisses both of them goodnight and heads on to bed, tired after today and knowing she'll need her energy tomorrow.
Sam and Alex head on upstairs as well, eager to finish what Alex started before she got pulled away by the DEO.
The whole family meets up again, taking their same places in the bleachers eager to watch Ruby, hoping that her team makes it into the finals. The team they are playing is one they've beaten in the regular season, but it was a close game then and will be even closer with the championship on the line.
The five adults are nervous throughout the game, especially when it gets down to 30 seconds left and the game is tied. They all cheer as one of Ruby's teammates steals the ball on the defensive end and delivers a perfect kick right to Ruby. They all watch as Ruby dribbles the ball up the field, avoiding defenders, left and right, and get ready to deliver the winning kick when a defender comes up from behind and takes out her leg.
Sam jumps up, about to run onto the field, and Alex has to pull her back as the refs stop the game for injury, handing out a red card and a penalty kick, and the trainer goes up to Ruby. Her team surrounds her blocking Sam's view of her daughter until Ruby stands and shoots them a thumbs up. Sam audibly sighs in relief as the family around her, squeeze her shoulders in support. Alex kisses her temple, "She's ok, she's strong".
Sam nods as they watch Ruby step up to take her penalty kick. Everyone in the stands and on the sidelines went silent in suspense as Ruby started out at jog swinging one leg around the ball before using the heel of the other to send the ball in the corner opposite from the diving goalie.
In the quiet atmosphere, the ball makes a loud swish sound as it hits the back of the net and everyone erupts into cheers. Ruby's team made it to the finals. Ruby drops to her knees as her teammates and coaches swarm her and Sam can barely breathe through her cheers as she hears Alex whooping beside her.
"She did it", Alex says, throwing her arms around Sam.
"She did", Sam says, hugging Alex, watching her daughter celebrate with her team.
The team's celebration ends, and coach tells them to enjoy their night and rest up tomorrow for the championship on Friday before releasing them to their families.
Ruby is the first one over to the stands, her bag slapping her back as she sprints over, crashing into Sam. "We did it. We won", Ruby cheers into her mom's neck.
"You did it, baby. I'm so proud of you", Sam says into the hug. Once Ruby pulls back Sam searches her face and says, "How's your leg? Do you need ice?".
"I'm good now, adrenaline and all. I'll ice when we get home", Ruby says, turning to Alex, "Did you see that?".
"You mean your badass PK on an injured leg", Alex says, "Hell yeah I did. Great job kiddo".
Sam rolls her eyes but doesn't bother mentioning Alex's language, too happy seeing the look on her daughter's face at the praise.
"You're sure you're ok?", Alex asks, looking down at Ruby's knee, "There wasn't a pop right?".
"No Alex, I promise I'm fine", Ruby says, "It probably looked worse because of the way I crumpled to make sure there wasn't tension on the ligaments".
Alex pulls her back in, "Smart girl".
Julia's mom comes over to Sam as Ruby gives hugs to the rest of her fans, "How is she?".
Sam turns and greets the other mom, "Elated. She'll probably crash later but nothing can stop her now. Tell Julia good game for us".
"I will thank you. We were talking with some of the other parents about taking the team out for dinner if you all would like to join us… all of you of course", she adds looking at the rather large group there in support of Ruby.
"We'd love to. Just text us where you're meeting", Sam says.
"Wonderful, see you later", she says, waving, "great shot Ruby".
"Thanks Mrs. Woodson", Ruby waves as the woman walks away.
"The team is going out for a celebratory dinner and she invited all of us if you guys want to go", Sam announces to the group.
Lena shrugs, "We can get a separate table and let Ruby enjoy celebrating while we do some of our own", she says, already anticipating covering the tab for the players and their family's meals.
"I can eat", Kara adds, sliding her arm around Lena's waist.
"We don't doubt that darling", Lena quips, leaning up to kiss the underside of Kara's jaw.
"Mom?", Alex asks.
"Of course. I'll join the celebrations", Eliza says, so the group piles into the car and heads to the restaurant.
The team enjoys the celebration while the parents enjoy a night out and a wonderful dinner. Lena covertly covers the bill and the team heads to one of the family's houses for a sleepover. Lena and Kara congratulate Ruby one more time, telling everyone goodbye, before Kara flies them home, Lena leaving Frank to give Eliza a ride.
Kara sets them down on the balcony but keeps her arms around Lena, "What did Sam whisper to you?".
Sam had told Lena to breathe and that Kara was going to say yes but she couldn't tell Kara that. "What did Alex whisper to you?", Lena shoots back.
Alex had wished Kara good luck tomorrow, but Kara said, "I asked you first".
With the time to think, Lena admits, "She told me to take tomorrow off for our anniversary".
"Alex said she swears they won't call me in tomorrow", Kara laughs, covering her nerves, "She better not either, this is our first anniversary, I want to enjoy it". Kara leans in, giving Lena a sweet kiss and diverting the conversation to safer topics as they head to bed.