Chapter 13- Proposals
Clark drove until they were safely out of Metropolis. He parked the Porsche in a patch of trees before climbing out.
"Do we walk from here?" Chloe asked as Clark handed her a picnic basket and a stereo.
"You could say that," Clark replied picking Chloe up and starting to run. He stopped on the beach of a small lake.
"Where are we?" Chloe asked.
"About fifty miles outside of Metropolis."
"You can out me down now," Chloe said with her trademark smile.
"I guess I could," Clark replied with a smile. "Are you hungry?"
"A little."
"Let's eat out on the lake," Clark said as he lead her to a small row boat.
"Okay," Chloe answered, sitting in the boat and putting the basket and stereo at her feet. Clark pushed the boat into the water before jumping in. He started rowing and stopped the boat in the middle of the lake.
"Do you want to eat now?" he asked.
"I'd rather swim first," Chloe confessed.
"Okay," Clark agreed stripping down to his suit.
Chloe flipped on the radio and turned it up before diving into the water.
"Well I know I'm not the one you thought you knew back in high school. Never go, I never show, I never react to attention the we crave. Don't tell me to behave…"
"I'm sick of always hearing act your age," Chloe shouted with the song before bursting into laughter.
"You never act your age," Clark teased.
Chloe looked at him intently and motioned for him to come over. When Clark was less than two feet away she splashed him and erupted in laughter again.
"Why you…" Clark said diving under the water and grabbing her legs. He pushed off the bottom of the lake as hard as he could and they both flew twenty feet into the air before crashing back into the water.
"That was amazing," Chloe exclaimed after resurfacing.
"I know I am," Clark replied with a grin. Chloe splashed him again in response.
"'Cause we like having fun at other people's expense and dragging people down is just a minor offense. It's none of your concern, I guess we'll never learn. I'm sick of being told to wait my turn," Chloe said along with the music.
"It's not your turn," Clark said with a grin.
Chloe dove under the water and came back up on the other side of the boat. "Don't count on me, 'cause I'm not listenin'" she continued with the song. As the song went off, she swam back to Clark. Before he knew what was happening she swam under him and he fell. Chloe came up laughing.
"Hey," Clark protested.
"I may not be able to throw you thirty feet into the air, but I have my ways."
"I know you do," Clark replied to which Chloe laughed triumphantly. Clark disappeared under water before Chloe had finished her laugh.
"Clark? Where are you?" she called when he hadn't come up a minute later.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Where are we going?" Lana asked Lex. Lex had blindfolded her once they were safely in his Lamborghini.
"You'll see," he replied mysteriously.
A few minutes later he pulled into the parking lot at the botanical gardens. He helped Lana out of the car and took the picnic basket out of the trunk before taking her blindfold off.
"Happy anniversary," he said.
"Oh, Lex. This is where we started dating!" Lana exclaimed.
Lex laughed. "Yes, I know."
Lana turned to Lex and kissed him. "Happy anniversary," she said.
"Let's go," Lex said offering Lana his arm. They walked into the gardens and Lana picked a place for them to sit. Lex pulled a blanket out of the basket and spread it on the ground. Then, he started unpacking the food. He pulled out four sandwiches and large slices of watermelon.
"What kind of sandwiches?" Lana asked.
"Peanut butter and honey, and ham and cheese. Which one do you want?" Lex asked.
"Ham and cheese, please," Lana said then laughed at her little rhyme.
Lex handed her a sandwich before unwrapping his own.
"This time last year I was only dreaming of being with you. Now, we've been together for a whole year. It just blows me away," Lana said around bites of her sandwich.
"I tend to have that effect on people," Lex teased.
"I noticed," Lana replied leaning over to kiss Lex.
"I'm glad that you're so happy," Lex said sincerely.
"I am, Lex. You have no idea."
"Why are you so happy?"
"Because I am in love with the man of my dreams and he's in love with me. I have two best friends who care about me and who I care about very much. I have an aunt who supports and loves me. Life is good," Lana explained.
"Those are good reasons," Lex said with a sly smile.
"What about you? Are you happy?" Lana asked.
"I have my moments," Lex said vaguely.
"Such as…" Lana pressed him.
"Such as right now," Lex answered.
"Good," Lana replied.
"You are amazing," Lex told Lana.
Lana laughed. "Why do you say that?"
"Look at you. You're so happy, just because you're with me."
"Yes, I am. Why is that amazing?"
"I just never thought I'd find someone who loved me for me and not for my money."
"I don't care if you have two million dollars or two dollars. You're still the same person, and I love you," Lana said.
"I love you too," Lex replied.
"I know," Lana said with a big grin.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chloe screamed when Clark grabbed her waist. Before she knew what was going on she was being pushed through the water at break neck speeds.
"Clark!" she screamed.
Clark slowed gently and resurfaced next to Chloe.
"Yes?" he asked innocently.
Chloe jumped on him. It caught him off guard and he went under. Chloe kissed him before he had a chance to regain his footing. The kiss made him slip even more. Chloe pulled him up and looked at him with a small smile. Clark couldn't help himself, she looked so beautiful with the water dripping off her face, and the droplets clinging to her eyelids. He stepped forward to kiss her again. This time it was Chloe who lost her footing, but Clark put his hands on her waist to steady her.
"Wow," Chloe said when she pulled back.
Clark laughed once, then reached over to rub her wet cheek. Chloe closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. She opened her eyes after a moment and wrapped her arms around Clark's neck preparing herself for another kiss. Clark kissed both of her eyelids, then moved down to her cheeks. Chloe moved her head to kiss him, but Clark lowered his mouth to her neck. She took a sharp breath when he kissed the hollow of her throat. Chloe put two fingers under Clark's chin and raised his head to hers. She looked into his eyes for a moment before kissing him. Clark held her tightly around her waist, causing Chloe to be lifted off of her feet.
"Ow," Chloe said when Clark squeezed her tighter.
"I'm sorry," Clark said putting her down. A pained look crossed his features.
"It's okay, just don't squeeze so hard," Chloe said pressing her forehead to Clark's. Clark closed his eyes in response. Chloe gave Clark a quick kiss on his lips before swimming away. She resurfaced a few feet away.
"Make the wall?" she asked sweetly.
Clark grinned and dove under the water. He swam in circles around Chloe going faster and faster. Chloe squealed uin delight when the water swirled up into a funnel around her. She put her arms out and traipsed her fingers into the wall of water. Clark began to slow down and the water slowly stopped churning.
When Clark came out of the water Chloe said, "Let's eat."
"Okay," Clark agreed.
They swam to the boat and Clark lifted Chloe to her seat. Clark climbed in and pulled two towels out of the picnic basket. Chloe slipped on her shorts and watched as Clark pulled on his t-shirt before unloading the picnic basket.
Clark looked up to see Chloe staring at him. "What?" he asked.
"You are so incredibly handsome," Chloe said pushing a strand of hair out of Clark's eye.
"You're so romantic," Clark said sarcastically.
"You noticed too?!?" Chloe asked.
Clark laughed.
"What's so funny?" Chloe asked jutting her bottom lip out in to a pout.
"You," Clark replied tweaking he nose. "Ready to eat?"
"Mmm-hmm," Chloe said lazily.
"Here," Clark replied handing her a bowl of fruit.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"What is the thing that you want most in life? Lana asked Lex.
Lex and Lana were walking on a garden path. Lana had one arm wrapped around Lex's waist and the fingers of her other hand were laced with Lex's hand that was draped across her shoulders.
"You," Lex answered without hesitation.
Lana blushed.
` "What about you?" Lex asked.
"I want my own family," Lana said after thinking for a moment.
"A family?" Lex asked after kissing her lightly on her nose.
"Yes. A husband, and kids, and grandkids, and in-laws," Lana went on.
Les pulled a velvet box out of his pocket. "Lana, will you start a family with me? Will you be my wife?" Lex asked opening the box to show a beautiful ring. The ring had a large sapphire in the middle and two smaller diamonds on either side.
"Oh, Lex! Are you serious?" Lana asked beginning to cry.
"Yes, Lana. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Yes, Lex. Yes!" Lana exclaimed jumping into hyis arms for a hug. She almost knocked him over in her excitement.
Lana pulled back long enough to let Lex slip the ring on her finger.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Come here," Clark told Chloe. He was sittin gon the floor of the boat with his back against the seat.
Chloe climbed over to him. She sat beside him, draped her legs over his, and laid her head on his chest.
"Do you love me?" Clark asked Chloe kissing her damp hair.
"With all my heart," Chloe replied leaning her head back for a kiss. "Why?"
"I just like to hear you say it," Clark responded.
"I love you," Chloe said looking into Clark's eyes. "I have always loved you, and I will always love you."
"Will you be mine?" Clark asked fingering a small box by his side. "Forever?"
"What do you mean?" Chloe asked.
Clark flipped the box open and brought it into view. "Will you marry me?"
Chloe's hand flew to her mouth and Clark laughed at her expression.
"Well?" Clark asked humorously.
"Yes. Yes! A million times yes!" Chloe exclaimed.
Clark took the opal and diamond ring out of the box and slipped it onto Chloe's finger.
"I can't wait to tell Lana. She'll be so excited," Chloe said admiring the look of the ring on her finger.
"Do you want to know a secret?" Clark asked.
"What?" Chloe asked only taking her eyes off of her hand long enough to glance at Clark.
"Lex is asking Lana to marry him. Probably right now," Clark said with a smile.
"That's wonderful! She'll say yes, I know she will. Oh, Clark, I'm so happy," Chloe exclaimed before beginning to kiss Clark.
Clark drove until they were safely out of Metropolis. He parked the Porsche in a patch of trees before climbing out.
"Do we walk from here?" Chloe asked as Clark handed her a picnic basket and a stereo.
"You could say that," Clark replied picking Chloe up and starting to run. He stopped on the beach of a small lake.
"Where are we?" Chloe asked.
"About fifty miles outside of Metropolis."
"You can out me down now," Chloe said with her trademark smile.
"I guess I could," Clark replied with a smile. "Are you hungry?"
"A little."
"Let's eat out on the lake," Clark said as he lead her to a small row boat.
"Okay," Chloe answered, sitting in the boat and putting the basket and stereo at her feet. Clark pushed the boat into the water before jumping in. He started rowing and stopped the boat in the middle of the lake.
"Do you want to eat now?" he asked.
"I'd rather swim first," Chloe confessed.
"Okay," Clark agreed stripping down to his suit.
Chloe flipped on the radio and turned it up before diving into the water.
"Well I know I'm not the one you thought you knew back in high school. Never go, I never show, I never react to attention the we crave. Don't tell me to behave…"
"I'm sick of always hearing act your age," Chloe shouted with the song before bursting into laughter.
"You never act your age," Clark teased.
Chloe looked at him intently and motioned for him to come over. When Clark was less than two feet away she splashed him and erupted in laughter again.
"Why you…" Clark said diving under the water and grabbing her legs. He pushed off the bottom of the lake as hard as he could and they both flew twenty feet into the air before crashing back into the water.
"That was amazing," Chloe exclaimed after resurfacing.
"I know I am," Clark replied with a grin. Chloe splashed him again in response.
"'Cause we like having fun at other people's expense and dragging people down is just a minor offense. It's none of your concern, I guess we'll never learn. I'm sick of being told to wait my turn," Chloe said along with the music.
"It's not your turn," Clark said with a grin.
Chloe dove under the water and came back up on the other side of the boat. "Don't count on me, 'cause I'm not listenin'" she continued with the song. As the song went off, she swam back to Clark. Before he knew what was happening she swam under him and he fell. Chloe came up laughing.
"Hey," Clark protested.
"I may not be able to throw you thirty feet into the air, but I have my ways."
"I know you do," Clark replied to which Chloe laughed triumphantly. Clark disappeared under water before Chloe had finished her laugh.
"Clark? Where are you?" she called when he hadn't come up a minute later.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Where are we going?" Lana asked Lex. Lex had blindfolded her once they were safely in his Lamborghini.
"You'll see," he replied mysteriously.
A few minutes later he pulled into the parking lot at the botanical gardens. He helped Lana out of the car and took the picnic basket out of the trunk before taking her blindfold off.
"Happy anniversary," he said.
"Oh, Lex. This is where we started dating!" Lana exclaimed.
Lex laughed. "Yes, I know."
Lana turned to Lex and kissed him. "Happy anniversary," she said.
"Let's go," Lex said offering Lana his arm. They walked into the gardens and Lana picked a place for them to sit. Lex pulled a blanket out of the basket and spread it on the ground. Then, he started unpacking the food. He pulled out four sandwiches and large slices of watermelon.
"What kind of sandwiches?" Lana asked.
"Peanut butter and honey, and ham and cheese. Which one do you want?" Lex asked.
"Ham and cheese, please," Lana said then laughed at her little rhyme.
Lex handed her a sandwich before unwrapping his own.
"This time last year I was only dreaming of being with you. Now, we've been together for a whole year. It just blows me away," Lana said around bites of her sandwich.
"I tend to have that effect on people," Lex teased.
"I noticed," Lana replied leaning over to kiss Lex.
"I'm glad that you're so happy," Lex said sincerely.
"I am, Lex. You have no idea."
"Why are you so happy?"
"Because I am in love with the man of my dreams and he's in love with me. I have two best friends who care about me and who I care about very much. I have an aunt who supports and loves me. Life is good," Lana explained.
"Those are good reasons," Lex said with a sly smile.
"What about you? Are you happy?" Lana asked.
"I have my moments," Lex said vaguely.
"Such as…" Lana pressed him.
"Such as right now," Lex answered.
"Good," Lana replied.
"You are amazing," Lex told Lana.
Lana laughed. "Why do you say that?"
"Look at you. You're so happy, just because you're with me."
"Yes, I am. Why is that amazing?"
"I just never thought I'd find someone who loved me for me and not for my money."
"I don't care if you have two million dollars or two dollars. You're still the same person, and I love you," Lana said.
"I love you too," Lex replied.
"I know," Lana said with a big grin.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chloe screamed when Clark grabbed her waist. Before she knew what was going on she was being pushed through the water at break neck speeds.
"Clark!" she screamed.
Clark slowed gently and resurfaced next to Chloe.
"Yes?" he asked innocently.
Chloe jumped on him. It caught him off guard and he went under. Chloe kissed him before he had a chance to regain his footing. The kiss made him slip even more. Chloe pulled him up and looked at him with a small smile. Clark couldn't help himself, she looked so beautiful with the water dripping off her face, and the droplets clinging to her eyelids. He stepped forward to kiss her again. This time it was Chloe who lost her footing, but Clark put his hands on her waist to steady her.
"Wow," Chloe said when she pulled back.
Clark laughed once, then reached over to rub her wet cheek. Chloe closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. She opened her eyes after a moment and wrapped her arms around Clark's neck preparing herself for another kiss. Clark kissed both of her eyelids, then moved down to her cheeks. Chloe moved her head to kiss him, but Clark lowered his mouth to her neck. She took a sharp breath when he kissed the hollow of her throat. Chloe put two fingers under Clark's chin and raised his head to hers. She looked into his eyes for a moment before kissing him. Clark held her tightly around her waist, causing Chloe to be lifted off of her feet.
"Ow," Chloe said when Clark squeezed her tighter.
"I'm sorry," Clark said putting her down. A pained look crossed his features.
"It's okay, just don't squeeze so hard," Chloe said pressing her forehead to Clark's. Clark closed his eyes in response. Chloe gave Clark a quick kiss on his lips before swimming away. She resurfaced a few feet away.
"Make the wall?" she asked sweetly.
Clark grinned and dove under the water. He swam in circles around Chloe going faster and faster. Chloe squealed uin delight when the water swirled up into a funnel around her. She put her arms out and traipsed her fingers into the wall of water. Clark began to slow down and the water slowly stopped churning.
When Clark came out of the water Chloe said, "Let's eat."
"Okay," Clark agreed.
They swam to the boat and Clark lifted Chloe to her seat. Clark climbed in and pulled two towels out of the picnic basket. Chloe slipped on her shorts and watched as Clark pulled on his t-shirt before unloading the picnic basket.
Clark looked up to see Chloe staring at him. "What?" he asked.
"You are so incredibly handsome," Chloe said pushing a strand of hair out of Clark's eye.
"You're so romantic," Clark said sarcastically.
"You noticed too?!?" Chloe asked.
Clark laughed.
"What's so funny?" Chloe asked jutting her bottom lip out in to a pout.
"You," Clark replied tweaking he nose. "Ready to eat?"
"Mmm-hmm," Chloe said lazily.
"Here," Clark replied handing her a bowl of fruit.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"What is the thing that you want most in life? Lana asked Lex.
Lex and Lana were walking on a garden path. Lana had one arm wrapped around Lex's waist and the fingers of her other hand were laced with Lex's hand that was draped across her shoulders.
"You," Lex answered without hesitation.
Lana blushed.
` "What about you?" Lex asked.
"I want my own family," Lana said after thinking for a moment.
"A family?" Lex asked after kissing her lightly on her nose.
"Yes. A husband, and kids, and grandkids, and in-laws," Lana went on.
Les pulled a velvet box out of his pocket. "Lana, will you start a family with me? Will you be my wife?" Lex asked opening the box to show a beautiful ring. The ring had a large sapphire in the middle and two smaller diamonds on either side.
"Oh, Lex! Are you serious?" Lana asked beginning to cry.
"Yes, Lana. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Yes, Lex. Yes!" Lana exclaimed jumping into hyis arms for a hug. She almost knocked him over in her excitement.
Lana pulled back long enough to let Lex slip the ring on her finger.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Come here," Clark told Chloe. He was sittin gon the floor of the boat with his back against the seat.
Chloe climbed over to him. She sat beside him, draped her legs over his, and laid her head on his chest.
"Do you love me?" Clark asked Chloe kissing her damp hair.
"With all my heart," Chloe replied leaning her head back for a kiss. "Why?"
"I just like to hear you say it," Clark responded.
"I love you," Chloe said looking into Clark's eyes. "I have always loved you, and I will always love you."
"Will you be mine?" Clark asked fingering a small box by his side. "Forever?"
"What do you mean?" Chloe asked.
Clark flipped the box open and brought it into view. "Will you marry me?"
Chloe's hand flew to her mouth and Clark laughed at her expression.
"Well?" Clark asked humorously.
"Yes. Yes! A million times yes!" Chloe exclaimed.
Clark took the opal and diamond ring out of the box and slipped it onto Chloe's finger.
"I can't wait to tell Lana. She'll be so excited," Chloe said admiring the look of the ring on her finger.
"Do you want to know a secret?" Clark asked.
"What?" Chloe asked only taking her eyes off of her hand long enough to glance at Clark.
"Lex is asking Lana to marry him. Probably right now," Clark said with a smile.
"That's wonderful! She'll say yes, I know she will. Oh, Clark, I'm so happy," Chloe exclaimed before beginning to kiss Clark.