Disclaimer: I'll swap you.
Author's Note: The story is heading towards the wedding now, after this chapter there will be another time jump. I know that this means that you won't see them 'come out' to their parents, but I will either write a short piece specifically about that or do it in flashback like in the previous chapter. I know it looks like I've forgotten about Lionel's ultimatum, but I haven't all will become clear soon.
Chapter 19: We Are Family.
The last week had been a blur of publicity about the latest addition to the Luthor clan. Catherine was sick of it and the next person who asked her about it was 'gonna get thumped' as she had informed both Lex and her father. Lex had told he'd be more than willing to hold them down, but Lionel had told her not to worry, as they would soon only be interested in the wedding. It had been at this point she had first contemplated suicide, later she'd decided culling the press would be ten times better.
She was currently sat waiting for her gown for the ball that night. This had been the subject of a 48 hour-long argument between her and her father. Mainly consisting of 'you're wearing purple' and 'I want a blue dress'. She had finally acquiesced after a heated 'debate' in the library. She had emerged in tears, and Lionel had a reddened cheek. Lex had had the sense not to ask what had occurred, but the result had been that Lionel had allowed his daughter to get whatever style of dress she wished so long as it was purple.
Lex's week had been a lot less stressful as Gabe had been sent away to sort out some trouble at another plant, meaning that Chloe was staying in the mansion. Although Lionel had been staying, Lex had been able to sneak to Chloe's room every night and had found it easier to cope with his father's presence. As it was a Friday, Lionel had offered Chloe the opportunity to come to the ball as well. She had accepted thinking Lex was behind it, only to discover that Lionel had made the offer of his own volition. Still it meant she could keep an eye on Lex and possibly make some contacts for the future.
After school, Lex picked Chloe up and took her straight to the Luthor home in Metropolis. The minute they entered the real world appeared to fly out of the window, not only was the house full of priceless artwork and immaculate furnishings, their were also tailors, hairdressers and a beautician. Lionel was sitting at his desk getting a manicure while arguing in Japanese over the speaker phone, Catherine was talking in French on a mobile and writing messages to Lionel to aid the negotiations, the minute she spotted Lex she motioned for him to take over the phone call. She then showed Chloe a huge rack of dresses and told her she could choose any one she wanted.
Chloe spent an hour looking at the dresses, trying them on and picking one that suited her. She was surprised by the way everyone in the room offered an opinion when she picked, she'd expected it from Catherine, the tailors and, possibly, Lex, but everyone, including Lionel, helped her pick out the perfect dress. It was a beautiful green dress in silk; it was ankle length with a fitted bodice and a skirt that was loose enough to flow as she walked. She also had a pair of low heels, Catherine had attempted to get her into some, admittedly gorgeous, Jimmy Choo stilettos, but Chloe knew her feet would be killing her and she couldn't enjoy herself. She, as well as the two Luthor children, had had a manicure and then her hair had been put into a simple French twist.
Unlike Chloe, Catherine and Lex had been to enough functions to know that they could be as late as they liked and no one would care, so rather than rush getting ready they helped Lionel finish his business and acted like five year-olds. This was perfectly alright with Lionel until, in the middle of a difficult negotiation, there was a loud yell and his children came tearing through the room, Lex was first with some strange gunk on his head, followed closely by Catherine brandishing a cloth and calling out to him 'but we have to polish your head for the ball'. Lionel had put his call on hold and told them to start getting ready or there'd be hell to pay. After that things had quietened down.
Catherine had elected to get ready in her room, with all the helpers going in to ensure she looked perfect. When she emerged it was amazing, her hair was up in a high ponytail style but curled so that it fell in ringlets to the nape of her neck. Her dress was a purple silk halter neck, it was backless, and had a daringly high split. Chloe couldn't quite see herself in it, but then she hadn't been raised in the same circles as Catherine, and was still shy about going to the beach, as she would have to expose her body.
Lex and Lionel looked very dashing in their tuxedos, although Lionel had had his hair treated so he didn't look 'like a hippie scarecrow' as his children had recently informed him. The spruced up foursome headed downstairs and got in the limousine, and made their way to the ball.
"Chloe, why don't you act as Lex's date tonight?" Catherine asked innocently on the way over.
"Really, Cat I don't think she'd want to." Lex said.
"I think it's a very good idea, she'll keep you out of trouble, and you can ensure we don't lose her." Lionel said.
"Well, I guess that settles the issue." Chloe said to no one in particular.
"Are you embarrassed to be seen with my son?" Lionel asked, adding, "Because you wouldn't be the first." He smirked, proving it was definitely a family trait.
The rest of the journey was spent in stunned silence as everyone came to terms with the fact that Lionel had a sense of humour.
On arriving at the ball, Catherine took her father's arm, and Chloe took Lex's. As they walked up the path side-by-side Catherine took the chance to test Lionel's newly acquired sense of fun and told him the one about Mickey's divorce. The picture every paper published in their society section was Lionel Luthor and his estranged daughter sharing a joke on their first public occasion together.
The night was perfect from Lionel's point of view; Lex was behaving himself and only danced with Chloe and a quick dance with his sister. Catherine proved herself to be a star, charming the socks off every man in the room through subtle flirtation and a keen interest in everything from nuclear physics to fly-fishing. She then put the icing on the cake by announcing her engagement to Bruce, as intended right after the speeches at the end of dinner. She then spent her time hanging on her intended's arm, even though Lionel knew she'd rather be dancing.
The evening was as uneventful as Lionel had hoped, Catherine's engagement had easily detracted from Lex's 'date' and no one had even considered Chloe could be more than a friend. Lionel had his suspicions about the relationship, but was willing to let it slide for the moment, as he was busy concentrating on the wedding and its resulting opportunities.
Catherine got a ride home with Bruce, but didn't stay the night with him, as she felt sickened just looking at him at the moment. Lex and Chloe had already retired to bed by the time she arrived; Lionel was waiting up for her.
"Darling, you took your time."
"I know, he wanted me to stay the night, but I couldn't. Thank God this is on its way to being over."
"It won't be over until I say it is." Lionel said sharply.
"Come off it. Marriage, shares, cursory time together, separation, divorce. That's the plan, right?"
"Sweetie," he said approaching her kindly, "you won't be able to divorce him immediately. He will not want that kind of humiliation. This will take time, but I promise you will not be married to him this time in five years."
"I won't stay with him that long, I feel sick looking at him knowing what we're doing to him. I've only slept with him four times since I was last over here. Why do you think I spent six months in England?"
"I know this is hard for you, but you made me a promise. Luthors are expected to honour agreements." Lionel told her sternly.
In response, Catherine snorted.
"Don't be like that young lady." He said, turning to leave. As he reached the hall he turned back to her and calmly stated. "Next time you see your fiancée, get laid."
Catherine picked up a vase of flowers and threw it at his retreating figure. She sat on the couch, drew her knees to her chest and stared at the water running down the wall. She didn't know how long she'd been sat like that, but when Lex passed by on his way to the kitchen her legs had gone to sleep.
"You don't look happy." He said. "And neither does the vase." He sat next to her.
"I'm fine, I just had a little disagreement with Dad." She smiled weakly.
"I would've thought you'd be at Bruce's."
"Nah, I wasn't in the mood. I mean the last thing I need is Dick first thing in the morning."
"I'll choose to ignore the innuendo, and suggest that since you'll be marrying him it would be an idea to acquaint yourself with his lifestyle."
"That's good advice, but I'm gonna have to grab as much time as I can where I can be me and not Mrs. Bruce Wayne while I still can. Anyway, society balls don't make me horny so much as suicidal. I'd better get to bed if I want to be up tomorrow." She stood, or made an attempt to, dead legs and stilettos didn't make a great combination.
Lex suppressed a snicker. "Get your shoes off, come in the kitchen and I'll make you some hot chocolate and a snack."
"Ooh yum! I'll go put my pyjamas on, I don't want to ruin the dress." She ran off to her room.
A sleepy Chloe emerged a few seconds after Catherine disappeared. "Hey sexy." She said walking up to Lex and cuddling into his chest. "Can I get some food?"
"Sure, I was just about to do hot chocolate and something for me and Cat."
"Sounds great, I'll help."
Lex and Chloe went to the kitchen to make hot chocolate and croissants. Lex managed to find all the ingredients very quickly, using cream and Belgian chocolate for the drinks. Catherine turned up when they were about halfway through the process of making the chocolate.
"Hey."
"You know you are allowed to dress down for bed." Chloe said.
Catherine looked puzzled before realizing she had yet to remove her makeup and take down her hair. "Oh fuck it." She said.
"Well it is an interesting ensemble." Lex commented.
"You can talk, there's a new invention called pyjama trousers consider it." She shot back.
"Hey, I like Lex in boxers."
"Yeah, but you aren't related to him."
"Good point."
"No fair, why don't you rag on Chloe about what she wears in bed?" Lex said, as close to a whine as he ever managed.
"Because she's wearing trousers and a vest same as me. But you can complain about her choice if you want."
"He already has." Chloe said. "He thinks I should wear less."
"Hey! The next person to take the Mickey goes to bed with no snack." Lex said in his sternest voice.
Both girls managed to look meek for a whole thirty seconds before laughing. When the phone rang, Catherine went to answer it, while Chloe and Lex made out against the counter. After about five minutes Catherine returned looking pale.
"What's wrong?" Chloe asked.
"It's my stepfather, he's had a heart attack. They've rushed him to hospital, but they don't know how things will be, they think he may need a bypass."
Lex walked over and gave her a supportive hug. "I'll give you a lift to the airport."
"Yeah, I'll go grab the essentials."
Lex pulled on some trousers, a sweatshirt and trainers. Catherine grabbed her bag, passport, coat and trainers and they were on their way in five minutes. Due to Luthor influence she got a place on the next flight.
"Say bye to Dad and Bruce, I'll call as soon as I land."
"See you soon."
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Okay, that was longer than I meant, but I wanted to get that all out of the way. I'm not sure exactly what will be in the next chapter, but I think it will be an all boys chat featuring Lex, Bruce and someone else, but I haven't decided who yet. At the moment it's between Clark, Dick and Lionel, state your preference in your review