A/N : What will Clark have to say? Read on and find out.....
(Disclaimer : see chapter 1)
"Hey stranger!" I smiled as my old best friend entered the room. He smiled back and we hugged but it was not the smile that I remembered. Clark was always happy and he had one of those really genuine smiles that didn't just show on his mouth but deep in his eyes too. Right then, I knew something was wrong. I had suspected something when he had arrived without Lana, but that fake smile gave it all away.
Lex was right behind me as I came out of my hug with Clark.
"Long time no see" he smiled and shook Clark's hand. I had not expected him to hug him, not really. Even though I knew Lex loved Clark like a brother, he had told me many times, he liked to keep everyone at arms length, except me. I was the exception to the rule, the only one he'd truly let in, and even then, there were times when I knew he was hurting and yet he would not tell me why.
"I've missed you guys" Clark told us, "how're things?"
"Fine" I lied. Things were not fine, but I thought it was probably best not to bring up mine and Lex's procreational problems, not even in front of Clark.
"How about you?" I asked, signalling for him to sit down.
"Oh, okay" he said, non-committally, taking a seat on the sofa, as Lex and I resumed our places, he in the chair and me perched on the arm.
"You don't sound too sure, Clark" Lex pushed the point. I guess he was as curious as I was, but we were about to pay for our shared curiosity.
"No really, I'm fine. I'm just tired and I need a break, I guess. Lana and me, we've got two kids now and that makes for a pretty hectic household" Clark explained, pulling out his wallet.
"I have a picture here" he said as he looked for it, "Yeah, there's me and Lana" he said passing a photograph to us, "Lana's holding our son, Jonathan, he's two, and I've got our daughter, Laura, she'll be a year old next month"
He watched us, waiting for a response. I felt nauseous, knowing that Lex would be hurting so much right now. I didn't want to say anything, as I watched him grip the picture and stare at it with pain and jealousy. I knew I had to make some sort of response to Clark. It wasn't his fault that he and Lana had two beautiful children, whilst we could not even manage to produce one.
"They're gorgeous Clark, you must be really proud" I plastered on a fake smile as I spoke but Lex's expression remained cold and almost angry.
"Yeah, we are lucky" Clark told me, "We never planned to have two so quickly. It just kind of happened" he said, innocently, not realising that every word was twisting a knife into my husbands heart.
We had been trying for a baby for the last eight months, with no success. In the last three years, Clark had fathered two children without even meaning to. It seemed unfair and like nature was being cruel. I handled it all better than Lex. Not many people realised how sensitive he'd become, especially since we'd gotten married.
Before Clark or I could say anything else, Lex was on his feet and half way to the door, letting go of the photograph which fluttered to the ground as he strode across the room.
"Lex?!" I called, hurrying after him. Just beyond the door, I caught up with him and grabbed his arm.
"Lex, where are you going?" I asked, desperately, and he turned to face me. Really I gave him no choice but to answer me as I gripped his arm tighter and I could see the frustration and anger in his eyes as he looked down at me.
"Anywhere!" It doesn't matter!" he ranted, "Nothing matters anymore!"
I'd never seen him in such a state about anything before. It was clear that the talk about Clark's children had done even more damage than I thought. I opened my mouth to speak but I didn't get a chance before he started up again.
"I can't do anything right anymore, can I? I can't give you a child, I can't even do decent business anymore because everyone knows since I married you I've turned into a spineless idiot. I don't have anyones respect..."
"That's not true!" I dared an interruption and a loud one at that, "I respect you" my voice dropped a few decibels, as I fought back the tears that were forming in my eyes, "I love you"
"Yeah well maybe that's not enough" he spat, "It's obviously not enough to get us a child. Why don't you go back to the farmboy in there - apparently he doesn't even have to try and he gets two kids!"
I didn't know what to say to him. I knew he was hurting but that was no excuse for the things he'd said to me. My love wasn't enough for him? He thinks I'd be better off with Clark? He thinks I want Clark instead of him? I didn't believe what he was saying to me. It wasn't Lex, not the Lex I knew. In that moment he was not the man I marred, he was not the man I'd fallen in love with. He was a viscous, unfeeling, selfish man and that is the one time I remember thinking Lex Luthor had become his father. I was so angry and upset with him, I actually dared to tell him that. It was the last words that were spoken that night.
"When did you turn into your father?"
That was it. I knew I had done something horrible as soon as the words had left my lips. His face seemed to crumble with every syllable and then he was gone. He swept down the stairs and out of the front door before I could apologise or anything, and I was left alone, drowning in tears and speechless for one of the few times in my life.
A/N : I know that it seems like I've done something horrible but trust me it will get better, just bear in mind that things usually get worse before they get better. This will end up as a Chlex with a happy ending, I promise. It's the getting to that ending that I intend to make interesting. Please let me know what you think so far, (i.e. please review) and I will post more soon.