He's happy. Ecstatic really. "How did you do this Chloe?" he asks, his voice just above a whisper.
I smile exhaustedly, "I think you had a hand in it."
"More than just a hand," he winks.
"Much more," I groan, trying to sit up a little more. God, everything hurts.
Lex sits beside on the bed and uses his free hand to lift me up a little while I move up the head of the bed.
"Better?"
"Much," I look at the little bundle in his arms. I didn't want her. I was doing this for Lex. I love her so much now.
"I'm so proud of you," Lex murmurs in my ear.
"She kind of looks like-"
"I know," he says, cradling her closer to him.
"Lex, I want to name her Lillian."
He looks up at me, because we'd narrowed it down to a few names and Lillian wasn't anywhere on our radar, "Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'd give anything to have your mother here today."
Lex's eyes mist over, not for the first time today, "So would I honey."
We both know we mean the Lillian Luthor before the death of her baby. The murder. Of her own son. She was so different before. Even in pictures you can see the difference.
There's a soft knock on the door and we both look up. We didn't expect any visitors today. Clark and my cousin are out of town, the Kent's won't be coming until tomorrow and my grandparents are waiting until we bring her home.
Lionel Luthor is the last person I expected to show up today. But he's smiling-really smiling and he's got flowers and a teddy bear in his hands.
"Dad," Lex blinks a few times before he recovers, "come meet your granddaughter."
Lionel kisses me before setting down the gifts, "Are you all right?" he asks.
I smile, "Of course I am. Look at her."
Lionel's eyes go wide for a second because Lex is laying the baby in her grandfather's arms.
"Support her-"
But Lionel adjusts himself quickly and winks at Lex, "I've done this a few times before."
I remember a picture I once found tucked away of Lionel sleeping with a tiny Lex laying on his chest. There was this sense of contentment in his face. I see it again now.
"She looks like your mother," he whispers, sitting down.
"We're going to name her Lillian," Lex says softly.
Lionel looks up and -wow- my father in law is crying.
"She'd be so proud of you. Both of you. All three of you."
Lex's eyes meet mine and he winks. Nothing like a baby to bring a family together.
"She has dark hair too," Lex says, "looks like she escaped that particular gene."
"Thank God," I say.
"Hey!" Lex looks at me, though he's laughing.
"Leave me alone," I say, smiling because laughing's too painful, "I had your child today."
He kisses the top of my head, "Yes, you did."
Lex and his father are both still glued to her and I have to admit, it's hard for me to stop looking too, but I take a moment to see the look in the eyes of the two men. Love. Love at first sight.