Chapter 2- Party Time

As Chloe rang the doorbell Pete took her hand possessively. Chloe smiled at him, giving his hand a squeeze.

"Hey," Clark greeted, opening the door with a wide grin.

Chloe pulled her hand from Pete's so she could get in the door. Once inside she removed her jacket, hanging it on the coat rack. "Merry Christmas."

"You too," Clark replied, leading them into the kitchen.

"Mrs. Kent, that smells delicious," Pete said, licking his lips. He reached for a pastry that was sitting on a nearby plate.

Lana playfully swatted his hand. "It's not time to eat yet."

Martha laughed. "I didn't make those, Lana did," she corrected.

Pete reached for one again, getting the same reaction. "But I'm hungry," he complained.

Chloe sat on a stool, stealing a piece of cheese from one of the plates and popping it into her mouth as calrk sat next to her.

"Why does she get some?" Pete asked.

"It's been this way all morning. The women get to eat whatever and whenever they want, but the men get nothing," Clark told Pete with a heavy sigh.

Martha patted Clark's hand. "The women have been working hard, while the men have been watching TV. Besides, you had a massive breakfast not three hours ago," she pointed out.

While Lana had her back turned Pete reached once again for food, but this time got swatted away by Chloe.

"You're supposed to be on my side," he whispered crossly.

"What was that?" Lana asked, turning around.

"Nothing," Pete replied, smiling as if nothing had happened.

"I think they're starving," Chloe said, linking her fingers with Pete's. "Wasting away to nothing."

Lana's eyebrows furrowed as she looked at Chloe and Pete's hands. Confusion masked her face.

Chloe looked from their hands back to Lana. "Lana?"

"Yeah?" she asked, looking up at chloe.

"Yes," Chloe said simply.

"Yes?" Lana asked, trying to read Chloe's eyes.

Chloe's whole face lit up with her smile. "Yes."

Lana seemed to be trying not to jump up and down as she made her way around the island to hug Chloe. "Congratulations. I'm so happy for you."

Now it was Clark's turn to be confused. "Congratulations for what?" he asked.

Pete held up his and Chloe's hands. "Chloe's my girlfriend," he said proudly.

Chloe laughed at the look on his face. "And he's so proud of it, too," she said with a smirk.

Martha smiled at the teenagers. "It's about time you got together," she said, wiping a strand of red hair from her eyes.

Lana, Pete, and Chloe laughed.

"I've seen the looks you two give each other," Martha went on, dishing food onto yet another plate. "You're close. It was just a matter of time."

"Clark, you got quiet. Are you mad?" Pete asked, looking over at his friend with a worried look.

Clark shook his head, breaking into a smile. "Uh-uh."

"And he shouldn't be," Lana said with a firm nod. "As long as you two are happy."

"I couldn't have said it better myself," Clark said, causing the group to laugh again.

"Really, Clark?" Chloe asked, looking up at her friend.

Clark put an arm around Chloe and squeezed her gently. "Really, now let's eat."

The four teens and two adults piled their plates with turkey, ham, and sides.

"The loft has heaters if you want to eat out there," Jonathan told them. "I hooked up three or four a few hours ago so it should be pretty warm."

"Thank you, Mr. Kent," Chloe said with a smile.

"That's a great idea," Lana agreed, shrugging on her coat.

When the four had their coats on they made their way out to the barn. Pete set his plate on the couch, turning back to Chloe. He took Chloe's plate and set it beside his with a wide smile.

"What?" Chloe asked as he took her hand and led her to the top of the stairs.

Pete pointed up, watching in anticipation as Chloe looked up. Chloe broke into a smile.

"Ohhhh," she said in understanding, her eyes lighting up.

Pete wasted no time in pulling Chloe in to him to kiss her under the mistletoe.

As Pete and Chloe kissed, Clark and Lana watched.

"Aren't they cute?" Lana asked, popping an olive into her mouth.

Clark looked at his friends. "Yeah, they really are," he said, his words full of the truth of his statement.

Chloe pulled back with a contented smile. She tilted her head, looking up at Pete.

Pete looked from Chloe to the couch, then back again.

"Go eat," Chloe said with a laugh.

"Thank you," Pete replied, hurrying to his food.

Chloe swatted Pete's arm on his way by before following him to the plates.