AUTHOR'S NOTE: December 10, 2021 – I had great hopes in having the continuation of "Superman – A Life's Story" nearly completed by this time. Unfortunately, that "little" thing called life got in the way. Time easily got away from me, and the next thing I knew, it had been a year and I'm nowhere near the completion of the follow-up. However, I've had the opening chapter completed for a while. For those of you who have read, "Superman – A Life's Story," I hope you enjoy this taste.
My new goal is to begin regular weekly chapter drops by February 2022. For those of you who enjoyed the first story, I hope you're on board for this one. Any new readers out there – STOP, go read, "Superman – A Life's Story" (or at least the opening chapters to determine whether it's "your thing").
Happy Holidays everyone, and hope to read your story thoughts into the New Year!
ONE – Nothing Compares To You
January 1, 1970
Martha Kent's feet shuffled slowly, but with anticipation, across the light-gold colored sand of Themyscira. Her one hundred five-year-old body still held enough energy and spark to carry her towards her only child. She decided to go without shoes allowing the fine, silky grains to mesh between her toes. She was attired in a lovely, white cotton flowing Summer dress. Several, beautiful and colorful flowers were placed in her stylishly coiffured hair. The crinkles and wrinkles upon her face were crevices that told stories of heartbreak and joy. Many such moments directly related to her loving role as mother to the most powerful being on the planet.
Her erstwhile companion - a white, medium-sized dog strolled along her side, matching her slow gait. He let out a yip as they approached Martha's destination.
"You know you can't hide from me," she asserted coming upon Clark, who was sitting on a large rock embedded in the sand. A small grove of trees was nearby, large green fronds swayed in the gentle, warm breeze. Krypto, the third generation, made his way to Clark's bare toes, sniffing and playfully pawing.
"No, I can't," Clark smiled, dressed in a loose-fitting pair of white linen pants and a white, button-down matching shirt. The shirt's top buttons were unbuttoned. His black flip-flops were off as he too, like his mother, enjoyed squiggling his toes into the sand. "You look pretty spry today; I kept debating whether to come meet you."
Martha beamed a smile to rival the late morning sun. "No need, dear. My happiness today knows no bound. It may have taken a century, but I get to see my son married. And the cherry, absolute cherry on top, the woman he's marrying is exceptional in every way. A woman that I love already, so very much."
"I know you do, ma," Clark said, as he took her hand, helping her down upon the rock. "Diana adores you. By the way, you look quite lovely."
"Thank you," she said. "And you look splendidly relaxed, so handsome in your attire. I saw Di earlier. She will take away your super-breath."
Clark laughed as he spied a pod of bottlenose dolphins streaking miles away, several thrusting their sleek bodies out of the water.
"I have no doubt," he responded, unable to take his sight away from the beauty that was Themyscira. "The proaulia has kept her away from me the last several days. That has been, let's say, difficult."
"An interesting process, the proaulia," Martha observed. "Like a bachelor party, but for the bride. It was fun. And educational. Phillipus said it was the first one in over two hundred years."
"Really?" Clark remarked with surprise.
"What?" Martha asked.
"Nothing," Clark replied. "I just thought they wouldn't have carried out such a ceremony."
"Why?" Martha asked with interest. "Because it would be two women?"
"No," Clark quickly answered. "Well, yes, kinda'. More so that Hippolyta would carry forth an ancient, patriarchal ceremony that in the case of the Amazons, would celebrate the love and union of two women. That they wouldn't need such a male-influenced ritual and acceptance."
"Well, knowing Hippolyta," Martha said. "It would be her and the Amazons taking ownership of their sole desire and ability to marry. Interestingly, my Martha-study, since I've been here, most of them are apathetic to such formal unions. I wonder is that due to them barely knowing man. Are they mostly asexual? Bisexual? When you and Diana told me of this place, I assumed all women, women. Yet, I have seen some of them looking at you with, a never explored interest, shall we say."
"Ma," Clark wanted to end the line of conversation. "Please."
"Okay, okay," Martha obliged. "The point I was trying to make, this so-called patriarchal process is different when it's on a leveled field. I doubt she will be requesting Diana to subjugate herself to you."
"No," Clark scoffed. "Diana's strength – mentally, emotionally. Physically. Without that, she would not be the woman I fell in love with. The woman I can never envision my life without."
"Of course, son," Martha assured.
"As a kid, I'm sure I was ignorant of many things," Clark started. "But I never sensed dad treating you less than equal."
Clark watched his mother's face lighten up.
"Jonathan was my love," Martha's voice cracked. "Never was a woman treated better by a man. That was our marriage. Of which, it's nearly impossible to keep anything from you, but this may be one. Care to hear?"
"Of course," Clark said, listening to the slightly labored breathing from his mother.
"Today, the day of your wedding, it has been forty-three years, the year, nineteen twenty-seven, when Jonathan left us," Martha stated. "Did you know, in that year, we celebrated our forty-third wedding anniversary? A little symmetry wouldn't you say."
"I, wow. I did not know that," Clark replied. "I forget sometimes how young you were when you married."
"A good omen, I say," Martha responded. "So, what brings you out here minutes from tying the knot?"
"Just. Allowing memories to wash over me," Clark replied. "The road to now. One memory you just brought up, decades ago. I'm eighty-one, ma."
"And you don't look a day over thirty," she said with a wide smile.
Clark reflected back her emotion. Laced with a hint of melancholy. "I think of my mortality," he said. "Or lack thereof. For now. Those I loved near the beginning are either gone…"
"Or soon will be," Martha finished, taking her son's hand. "Knowing these days would be upon you, and actually experiencing them are two different things I suspect?"
"Yeah," Clark said, looking into his mother's still very aware, lucid brown eyes.
"Dear," Martha Kent began. "Your father and I had no clue you wouldn't age normally. Your childhood. You seemed to follow a normal pattern. And then, you reached adulthood, and you didn't. Selfishly, it makes me happy to know you will be here. On Earth. Watching over it all for many more years. I know that's not fair to you. But let me be candid. You will move on. Embrace new loved ones. And I am so happy Di will be at your side for the journey. She, in my mind, balances the unfairness of the losses you will feel."
"But I will still feel them," Clark said, as he took a stronger hold of his mother's hand.
"Do you still think of your fathers? And Lara?" Martha asked.
"Of course," Clark responded.
"They, and someday me, will not be physically here," Martha said. "But you carry with you, their spirits. Their teachings. Our immense love for you. We will always speak with you through your remembrance of them. Of me."
"Going a bit morbid," Clark smiled. "You're still here."
"I am," she responded. "Due likely to the graciousness of Hippolyta. Allowing me to live here has assuredly helped in keeping me alive this long. All my marbles still shiny. She told me last night how she felt guilty for making me wait so long for this day, but I've seen so many wondrous things. So many."
Clark placed his flip-flops back upon his feet and moved himself off the rock to hover in front of his mother. He scooped her up into his arms.
"I will never tire of this," she announced, feeling Clark's arms carry her body.
They floated across the sandy beach, up a tall hill leading to the ceremony site. Down below, Krypto chased and barked his wonder. Clark moved high into the air as he and Martha looked down at the proceedings. So many Amazons, looked so fearsome and welcoming at the same time. Their beauty and strength were a sight to behold. Clark locked eyes with his goddaughter, Annie, who smiled and waved upward. A pang of sadness threatened to pour over Clark as the passage of time confronted him again. Annie was now forty-three years old. Children of her own. She stood next to her parents, Lois and Pete Ross. Lois resigned several months ago from her daily duties of running "The Daily Planet." Duties that ultimately fell to Annie who grew up just as passionate about journalism and its power and responsibility to the populace.
Clark and Martha drifted down closer to the gathering.
There was Patrick Wayne, and his wife, Samantha. A memory smile came to Clark's face as he caught the eyes of his cousins, Ted, Jack and Sally. Jimmy Olsen, with a little more heft on his body, was busy taking photographs. His thick, silver mane of hair made it hard to believe it was once a reddish tint. Etta, Diana's dear friend and comrade from both World Wars was helping Jimmy set shots up. Diana hinted to Clark, since Jimmy and Etta were widowers, maybe they could find love again with each other. Clark nodded to emeritus Professor Banks of Atlanta University and his son George, whom Clark struck up a friendship during the 1940s, when not only the United States, but many parts of the planet reached significant reconciliations on race relations. As Clark touched down with Martha, he saw an older woman he did not recognize. She was standing with the assistance of a cane.
Martha smoothly left Clark's hold to speak with her nephews and niece. Hippolyta's graciousness was on further display allowing Clark to invite a handful of outsiders. The identity of the mystery woman before Clark escaped him, until he got closer. His vision poured over her face.
"Anna?" Clark asked stunned. "Anna Kristoff?"
The woman sashayed slowly to Clark, embracing him as her boney hands could only reach to the back of his arms. Her face landed softly on Clark's chest.
"I, I," Clark stumbled in Russian. "Can't believe you're here."
Anna separated from Clark looking up with amusement.
"You are to thank your beautiful bride-to-be," she responded in her native, Russian language. "She found me. Said you told the story of meeting me and Gen countless times. She thought it would be a great surprise. From your face, it looks like even Superman can be surprised."
Clark beamed with happiness. "You know, I believe you're hiding another surprise, but I can detect this one. With my nose."
Anna brought from her side a brown bag from which a familiar, scrumptious aroma emanated.
"Medovik," Clark said, smelling the layered cake.
"Medovik," Anna confirmed, handing the large bag to Clark.
"Thank you, Anna," Clark said, hugging her body. Martha Kent was at least twenty-five years older, but Anna's body felt frailer. "And, Gennady, is he here?"
"My Gen passed away several years ago," Anna said.
"I'm sorry, Anna," Clark empathized.
"Because of you," Anna said. "We did get out of Stalingrad. When we were able to return, the bakery had been destroyed, but we rebuild. The entire neighborhood. And our boys, both returned. They now have families of their own. If not for you, Gen and me would not be alive. If not for you, and Diana, my boys might not be alive. I miss him everyday, but we counted every year after the war as gifted time together."
Anna reached up with a handkerchief, drying a tear that streamed from Clark's right eye. "First time, I clean dirt off you. Now tears. Don't cry, Superman."
"Clark," he interrupted. "Please, you can call me, Clark."
"Yes. Clark," she responded. "I am content. And I will see Gen again."
"Thank you for being here," Clark said. "It has been a while since I've spoken Russian. Do you need anything?"
"I have a seat, and a view the entire world would love to have," Anna said. "I am okay. Happy."
Clark caught the eyes of two Amazons, silently communicated a request for them to interact with Anna as he turned towards the many eyes upon him. He smiled and floated upwards, first handing the bag of baked goodies to Annie. So many of the people he treasured dearly were there to share a day he had waited nearly thirty years for. Amazonians he called sisters. Greater yet, they who called him brother. They all wore ceremonial white, flowing dresses. Diana's handmaidens wore beautiful, metallic, golden headdresses.
"Outside of my mother," Clark said loudly enough for all to hear, while slowly rotating from a few feet above. "No one has waited for this day longer than me. Thank you all for choosing to be here. You are our family. Diana and I cherish you all."
The smiles upon the Amazonian faces quickly turned to stoicism as Clark sensed a familiar presence behind him from below.
"You will have to come down to marry my daughter," Clark heard Hippolyta's voice.
Clark turned, floated down and landed in front of his soon to-be mother-in-law. She was also dressed in white. Her long, honey brown colored hair curled downward. Her regal beauty wore so well as she reached her hands out toward Clark.
He took them.
"You abided by my demand of twenty-five years from the day you sought my daughter's hand," Hippolyta said. "To be your life companion. Partner. A hatred for man burned in my heart for thousands of years. And then my daughter decided to venture out to man's world, following a man who came to Themyscira. Her heartbreak was great at his death. Another reason for me to hate the outside world. Until Diana brought you home. The way my daughter looked at you. You at her. I hated you in that instant. And then I did not. Kal-El of Krypton, Clark Kent of Earth, I welcome you into my family. You have had two mothers. Great mothers. I hope you will come to believe one day, you have a third."
Clark took a glance back at his mother, who was crying tears of joy as she watched the exchange between her son and Hippolyta.
"Queen Hippolyta," Clark said. "You honor me with your words. And I would be the one honored. Happy, to call you, mother."
Hippolyta's smile glistened in the sparkling sun. "First, you marry my daughter, would you not agree?"
"I would," Clark smiled.
"Then let us take our ceremonial places," Hippolyta said louder to all.
Two dozen Amazons broke off and formed a large circular formation, several feet of space separating them from each other. Each had in hand, a long silver colored steel spear. Their backs came close to touching white, Ionic columns that also formed a circle. Within the circle, the inner space, there stood the other wedding guests.
From above, the most beautiful, colorful flower petals drifted downward to the light grey colored, stone ground. Horns from a distance, blared long notes.
Hippolyta laced her left arm into Clark's right. They made their way to an archway structure just inside the column's circular boundary. The Queen of the Amazons faced the guests, who were seated upon rows of long, pew-like, marble slabs. The slabs were placed to allow a walking space, an aisle that led to Clark. He took his place several feet from Queen Hippolyta, who would preside over the ceremony.
A flock of white doves were released and flew upward.
Clark followed their flight, which led him to seeing a sight that made even a superman, weak in the legs. The most beautiful image he could have imagined. Fantasized. There, a hundred feet or so above the flitting birds, floated Diana. Tendrils of her white flowing dress danced with the wind. Wrapping and accentuating body curves Clark knew so well. A hint of a smooth, strong thigh left his mouth slightly agape. Her hair was tightly controlled atop her head, secured by a gold tiara. A few loose strands dangled and danced against her cheeks. A shimmering pair of earrings he gave her on their one year of being together, glistened under the caressing sun. She locked eyes with Clark, and neither one of them could look elsewhere as she floated down and landed within the edge of the circle, directly across from him. Her upper right arm wore a thin, wrap around gold band.
The guests stood as Diana walked, wearing flat sandals, down the aisle. Clark held out his hand. She tilted her head slightly, a tell Clark knew when she was a little bit embarrassed. Diana took his hand and looked up into his eyes. Clark knowingly smiled feeling the callouses on her hand. Her grip so strong. He loved it.
All watched the ridiculously attractive couple as silence overwhelmed the moment.
Clark finally uttered, "Words yet to exist, to adequately describe your beauty."
"My love," Diana smiled. "As usual, your words feed me. I too, am greatly enamored with your presence."
The guests sat as the Amazons, stationed in the circle, banged the butt of their spears upon the ground in rhythmic syncopation for several seconds. Hippolyta raised her hand, and they stopped. The Queen of the Amazons looked at her daughter and Clark.
"Today is the first day of the year, as measured by the outside world's calendar," she began. "On this same day, January first, twenty-eight years ago, my daughter met an outsider. An outsider even to this planet. This will be a day that will be forever remembered on Themyscira. The eternal union of Diana, Princess of Themyscira and Kal-El, protector son of Krypton and Earth. Never has such a union taken place on Themyscira. Never have visitors from the outside been allowed on Themyscira. Yet, I welcome both. I would personally like to thank Earth mother of Clark, Martha Kent, for providing outside customs that work in concert with the gamos."
Clark and Diana looked to Martha, who beamed over Hippolyta's compliment.
"Much has changed since the last I presided over a union," Hippolyta stated. "As such, my requirements for you two, before me, your family, friends and the Goddesses and Gods, are quite simple. Kal, in succinct manner, tell Diana why you wish this union?"
Clark briefly looked down at Diana's light blue, painted toenails. And then his sight found her neck, the gentle throb of pulsing blood through her jugular veins. Her chin, hard as anything on Earth, yet so delicate to his fingers. Her lips, as charge inducing to him as a. yellow sun. Her eyes, so readily aware, yet so open.
"Diana," Clark started, feeling a few strong squeezes from her hands, the diamond engagement ring he placed upon her finger twenty-five years ago sparkled with every bright kiss from the sun. "It's so easy with you. Simply, you make me a better person. To be worthy of your love. I wish this union because I want this world, this universe to know; there is no me without you. That my love for you is not just forever, but forever and a day."
Clark felt the rising warmth in Diana's hands as her eyes glistened with welling tears.
"Diana," Hippolyta stated. "In succinct manner, why do you wish this union?"
"Kal," Diana started. "I was in love with you before we even met. I little knew that, until you held your hand out to me during war. I took it. And everything crystallized. My greatest desire had come true. And every day, after that day we met, has found me loving you more. I can never get enough of you. I too, want everyone to know, there is no Diana without Kal."
Hippolyta could not stifle a smile. She looked to Clark.
"Kal, Clark of the Houses, El and Kent," she began. "Repeat after me."
And Clark did, losing himself in Diana's eyes. "I, Kal take you, Diana, to be my wedded wife, to live together in the relationship of this sacred union. I promise to love and comfort you, honor and keep you, and forsaking all others, I will be yours alone as long as we both shall live."
Diana's desire for Clark as a lover, partner and husband felt all-consuming as her mother asked her to recite the vow.
"I, Diana," she said taking a staggered breath. "Take you, Kal, to be my wedded husband, to live together in the relationship of this sacred union. I promise to love and comfort you, honor and keep you, and forsaking all others, I will be yours alone as long as we both shall live."
Hippolyta held up a white, soft-looking cloth. Atop it lay the wedding bands Clark sculpted out of melded tungsten and steel.
"Daughter," Hippolyta instructed.
Diana took Clark's wedding band and began to place it upon Clark's finger. "With this ring," she declared, wiggling it on. "I pledge all that I am; all that I was, and all that I will be is yours. I love you, Kal. Always."
Clark looked down at the symbol of their love. He looked at Hippolyta who nodded to him. Clark took Diana's wedding band and placed it on her finger. "With this ring," he said. "You are never getting rid of me."
Light laughter led by Pete Ross carried across the warm winds.
Clark grinned cupping his left hand against Diana's cheek. "I could not be happier, than I am in this moment. Yet, I know tomorrow, I will be. And the day after that. Because of you. I am yours, Diana. Do with me what you will."
Diana wrapped her arms around Clark's shoulders and neck, bringing him in close.
"I will," she whispered to him as she brought his face to hers for their first kiss as a married couple.
"And you may kiss, solidifying this union," Hippolyta jokingly sighed watching her daughter waste little time.
Clark placed his hands upon Diana's waist and zoomed straight upward. Neither cared to look around as all they wanted to feel was each other's body against the other, and lips never wanting to separate. Until they did.
"Hello, wife," Clark said taking in Diana's beauty.
"Husband," Diana replied playing with the back of Clark's neck.
They both looked down to see their wedding guests looking upward and waving.
"You ready to celebrate?" Diana asked.
"You and me?" Clark hoped.
Diana laughed. "Soon enough, but for now we celebrate with our family and friends."
"Speaking of," Clark said. "Anna Kristoff?"
"You like?" Diana asked. "I thought you would."
"I loved," Clark answered. "I kept planning to see her. All it would have taken was a quick flight, but I didn't. Thank you for making it happen."
"A wife's duty," Diana smiled.
"And what would be a husband's duty?" Clark asked placing a hand on one of Diana's arousal spots.
She slightly gasped bringing Clark into her body, her chin resting on his shoulder. "You can't do that right now," she managed.
"Right now?" Clark sought clarification.
Diana took a quick taste of Clark's ear lobe. She whispered, "Tonight, my love. Do with me what you will."
Clark's laughter and lust filled the Themyscira air.