"Do you want anything" Clark asked Lana, whose contractions were now about 10 minutes apart.
"No, I'm okay. They really aren't that bad." Lana referred to her contractions. She had always expected them to hurt more.
"Are you sure" Clark held her hand.
"Yes." Lana laughed"Clark, calm down, you are more jumpy than me." She teased.
Clark grinned, and turned away embarrassed.

Clark helped Lana out of the car, as Daris, Clark's security guard, pushed back the reporters.
Clark helped Lana into the hospital. Lana had felt over whelmed with the media. Sure, even before her and Clark had been dating, people would approach her, looking for answers or a story. It only increased once they started dating and became more serious. She'd seen her share of candid shots of her and Clark on dates, or just driving home from school, in magazines, but she had never been bombarded with reporters so heavily before. While she was pregnant she had experiences the very determined reporters, to say the least, but nothing like this.
Lately they had been leaving her and Clark alone because there was nothing more to tell. For a few months, they had followed her and Clark to every check-up for the baby, so they could indeed link her pregnancy to Clark, but now they all knew, so what was the point?
Clark would have just openly said Lana was carrying his child, but Lana and the Kents didn't want that, they wanted it to be private, so Clark obliged, and by now he had the no comment line down pat.
Lana didn't like any of the attention she had been getting from the media, or her peers, about her pregnancy. She'd been called a slut, whore, and every other insult, behind her back and to her face, along with every other teenage mother relating her story to Lana, trying to start a friendship. People Lana had never seen before started coming up to her, to ask her if she was really pregnant, and who the father was. Weather people wanted to befriend her, or humiliate her; it seemed like everyone knew who she was now.
Lana was glad that the later months of her pregnancy were in the summer, so she could kind of hide out, away from all the questions. It was just too stressful. About the last two weeks reporters started showing up again, wanting to be there, waiting for her due date. Clark had gotten a security guard for her, during the last month of her pregnancy, and at first she thought it was a little too much, but soon realized that she indeed needed him.
Lana hated seeing magazines with her face and some horrible headline on it. True, they were focused on Clark, and usually she was referred to as 'the girl Clark Luthor knocked up.' But it still bothered her. She wasn't like Clark, she couldn't not care what people thought about her. She valued her reputation, so it troubled her.
"You okay" Clark asked Lana once they were inside the hospital and she was sitting down in a chair, in the waiting room.
"Yeah." Lana lied.
"Okay, I'm going to let the doctor know we are here." Clark told her.
"I think the reporters probably did that for us." Lana joked, but she seriously wondered how they all knew. She guessed that a nurse had leaked something, and word spread quickly.
Clark chuckled and kissed her forehead"I'll be right back." Clark went over to talk to the receptionist, trying to find their doctor.

Lana sat there, and groaned involuntarily as she felt another contraction pulse threw her, they were getting more painful and frequent. Lana sighed as it passed.
"Are you having a boy or a girl" The lady sitting next to her asked. The woman looked friendly, but Lana had to think, was this just some reporter trying to get information? She hated that she had been driven to second guessing everyone's intentions. But either way it didn't matter. They would find out soon anyway.
"A boy." Lana smiled, with anxiety and excitement.
"Don't worry, I was young when I had my first baby too, you'll be fine." The woman said, sensing Lana's nervousness and fear.
Lana smiled politely, but she doubted her baby would be anything like this woman's, after all, her baby was only half human.
"My name is Wendy." The lady smiled.
"Hi, I'm..." Lana had assumed that Wendy already knew who she was, but saw she was wrong"I'm Liz." She lied.
"Well I guess I'll congratulate you early." She smiled, taking in Lana's physical features. She was such a tiny girl and by how much her stomach bulged out, she guessed that Lana was going to have a big baby. She felt almost sorry for the young girl, her stomach so ridiculously out of proportion with the rest of her body. She couldn't be more than 18 years old.
"Thanks." Lana smiled, but was cut off by another contraction, and gasped, holding her breath until it passed.
"Is the father here" Wendy asked.
Lana found herself disliking this woman, she seemed to be judging her, and didn't like her prying into her life"Yes, he is here." She said defensively.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stick my nose in your business... but that is good." The lady said, trying not to stick her foot in her mouth.
"Lana, okay, they have a room for you." Clark said, squatting down, so he could be eye level with Lana.
"You're Clark Luthor." Wendy said, recognizing him. Now that she thought about it, 'Liz' did look familiar. She must by Lana Lang.
Clark ignored her"Are you okay" He asked Lana as another contraction washed over her. This one was the most painful one she had received yet, and she couldn't stand up, not yet.
"I just need a second..." Lana said, glad that Clark had returned"Okay..."
Clark helped Lana up, and wrapped an arm around her waist, as he escorted her to the hospital room they had reserved for her.

I guess it isn't any wonder
When you think about it
Nothing's ever gonna be the same

Lana was thankful to lie back in the bed. The doctor came in the room only minutes after they had.
"Lana, how long have you been having contractions for" He asked.
"About 6 hours." Lana said accurately.
"And do you know how far apart the contractions are now" The doctor quizzed.
And as if on cue, Lana felt another contraction, and squeezed Clark's hand hard, using her Lamas classes, and took deep breathes, letting them out slowly. It really did help too.
"About 3 minutes apart now." Clark answered.
"Really" The doctor said surprised.
"What" Lana said, feeling panic store up in her"What's wrong"
"Nothing, it's just usually it doesn't happen that quickly. But it's perfectly normal, better actually. You won't have a long 36 hour labor this way." The doctor said optimistically.
"Oh." Lana sighed with relief. She was just waiting for someone to tell her bad news.
"Okay, Lana." The doctor said, spreading her legs, to see how much she was dilated.

"Hi, we are here to see Lana Lang." Jonathan told the receptionist, with Martha behind him.
"I'm sorry, I've been told to except absolutely no visitors." She said, already having to reject information about Lana Lang to dozens of other people.
"We are her parents." Martha chimed in.
"I don't really know that, forgive me but you had to of seen the crowd outside the hospital. So far I've seen 8 of her parents, her brothers, her grandparents and her sister." The receptionist cocked an eyebrow.
"No, I'll show you." Jonathan said understandingly, and pulled out his driver's license.
"I... I was told not to let anyone in." She said wearily"by Clark Luthor." She said, her voice showing fear, that she would mess up.
"Call him." Martha said"He'll let us in."

"Mr. Luthor" A nurse walked in to Lana's room, looking for Clark.
"Yeah" Clark looked up.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but there are some people here saying they are Lana Lang's parents and are asking for you, to verify them." She said, feeling intimidated by the Luthor name and the whole commotion it was bringing to the small hospital she worked in.
"Oh... okay, I'll be there in a minute." Clark turned back to Lana, as the nurse walked out"Lana, you're parents are here, but I have to go get them. I'll be back in 5 minutes." He kissed her forehead"Are you going to be okay"
"Yeah... go ahead." She said, out of breath.

"Ah..." Lana couldn't help but cry out as an extremely painful contraction pulsed threw her.
Clark entered her room again, and was being followed by her parents and Lex.
"Baby, are you okay" Clark offered his hand, and she immediately took it. Clark could tell she was in a lot of pain just by looking at her"Do you want something" Clark referred to a drug for the pain, and Lana understood.
"Yeah..." Lana said instinctively. She had wanted a natural birth, but now she would gladly accept an epidural.
Clark immediately found a nurse, and had her right on the task, while her parents came around to the side of bed.
"Sweetie, we're here for you." Martha smiled, wanting to assist her daughter in any way possible.
"Thanks..." Lana said, feeling a tinge of comfort in their presence. They represented safety to her. But she wanted Clark"Where did Clark go" She didn't notice him leave, yet she couldn't see him in the room.
"I'm right here, don't worry." Clark moved into view, next to her bedside.
The doctor entered the crowded room"Um... I have to check on Lana, and everyone except the father should wait in the waiting room outside."
"Right. Okay, we'll be outside" Jonathan flashed his daughter a smile before he exited the room, followed by Lex and Martha.
"She's about 10 centimeters dilated." The doctor said.
"What's that mean" Clark had been gone for that speech.
"She's about ready to give birth." He informed him"and the baby is in the perfect position."
Lana was glad, because she wanted it all over with.

"No, I want Clark with me." Lana said desperately as they wheeled her whole bed into the delivery room"He has to be here with me."
"He will be, don't worry." A nurse said sympathetically"He just has to put a gown on, before he can come in here.
And sure enough, a minute later Clark entered the room, in a green hospital gown over his regular clothes, and he positioned himself half behind and half on the side of her bed, so she could see him, and hold his hand, yet he wasn't in the way.
Lana felt significantly better after she had received the epidural, but was still in pain.
Clark wished he could take her pain for her, as he looked down at her sweaty, stressed, and exhausted face.
"Okay, Lana..." The doctor said, as he put gloves on"Are you ready."
Lana nodded, as a tear fell down her cheek.
Clark rubbed her shoulder, a reassuring gesture.
"Alright, On three, you need to push." He instructed her"One... Two... Three..."

My baby boy, sweet baby boy
You know I'm gonna be there for you
I said,
My baby boy, sweet baby boy

Clark watched as Lana struggled with pain, as she gave birth to their son. He could tell it was extremely painful by her screams, and how hard she was clutching his hand. He muttered reassuring comments to her, but it was a panicky experience, just to watch, he couldn't imagine how she could do it.
He had heard all about other births, and he'd seen the movies and TV shows, but nothing compares when it's your child, and you are there, watching it, living it. True, it was a typical birth, but nothing about it seemed average to Clark.
"Ah" Lana let out a cry of pain, as the sounds of a baby screaming filled the air.
Clark felt Lana collapse back against the bed, as the nurse took their baby away, to clean him up, after the umbilical cord had been cut.
"What does he look like" Lana asked, in a completely worn out tone.
"I don't know." Clark kissed her cheek"but you did it, Lana."
Not even 30 seconds later the nurse had returned with their baby boy in her arms, he was shrieking loudly and she placed him in Lana's arms. Lana barely had enough strength to hold her baby, and it was basically resting against her chest. As if their son knew it was his mother, he instantly stopped crying, as Lana's heart beat pacified him.

Lana started crying"Clark... he's so beautiful." She kissed the top of her son's head. Clark pulled up a chair next to her bed, as he gazed upon his son.
Lana half laughed, half cried. As she looked down at his little face, she felt completely satisfied.
"Hold him, Clark." Lana smiled, as Clark took the small infant from her arms.
Lana didn't think she would ever see anything more beautiful as she looked upon Clark as he held his son, and oh was it his son, it showed already. Their baby had little tuffs of brown hair over his head.

I never thought I was strong enough
To handle raising my own son
You'll always fear what you've never done
I hope he'll know me when I come home

Clark never really believed it when people spoke of how they felt when their child was born, but now he did. Because as held his son, he knew that no matter what, he would never let anything happen to him. He immediately loved his baby more than he thought possible.

Nothing's gunna change my love for you
I love my child
He's got his mother's smile
I'm so fortunate
So fortunate
Life can get tight
But I will make it right
I'm so fortunate
So fortunate

He had never got to bond with his baby like Lana had, carrying him for 9 months. This was the first real physical bond with his child, and it was amazing. Just knowing that him and Lana made this beautiful child... it was just so remarkable. Any doubt he had about this child before was washed away as he stared at the infant in his arms.

But then I see my baby
Suddenly i'm not crazy
It all makes sense when i look into his eyes

He realized what he couldn't before; he would do everything possible to make sure his baby grew up right, and the passion was so great you knew you would succeed.
Clark felt so many emotions towards his baby, love and pride being the greatest. Everything Clark had gone through in his whole life was worth this one incredible moment.
"What do you want to name him" Lana asked Clark.
They had discussed so many names, but neither of them felt any were right for their son. They wanted a name with meaning.
"I..." Clark thought for a second"Let's name him Alex, after Lex."
Lana smiled, after everything Lex had helped them through; she really loved him like a brother and would be proud to name her baby after him, and wondered why she hadn't thought of it before"It's perfect."
Clark brushed a hand over his son's small head. Clark had never held a person this small before. Clark still couldn't get over how much he loved him already, how was it even possible? The baby wasn't even an hour old.
Clark placed their son back in Lana's arms. With her baby on her chest, safe and healthy, she felt like she could finally rest, like she hadn't in 9 months.

Clark walked out into the waiting room half an hour later, a huge grin plastered on his face, and it refused to come off.
Martha and Jonathan popped off their seats, and headed over to Clark.
Lex went over to his brother too"I can tell by that goofy smile everything went well." Lex teased. He had to admit, he thought that Clark was making a huge mistake with this baby, but now, looking at Clark's face and seeing how happy he was, he couldn't help but feel completely happy for his brother.
"Yeah, 8 pounds 15 ounces." Clark said proudly.
"That's a big baby." Jonathan chuckled, thinking of his almost 9 pound grandson.
Clark didn't really know much about babies and didn't know if it was big or not for a newborn, but when he held him, he couldn't remember anything so small.
"Lana is asleep, she is totally exhausted, but she wanted me to wake her up when you guys came in." Clark said.
"Can we see him" Martha asked excitedly.
"Of course." Clark led them back to Lana's room, and gently woke her up.
Even though Lana looked comely exhausted and depleted of all strength, he thought she looked beautiful, because she had a glow of happiness about her. She truly inspired him, he didn't think he could have done what she just had and still smile.
Lana smiled, as she saw her parents and Lex were in the room. She wanted to show them her miracle"Hey."
"How are you feeling" Martha hugged her daughter.
"I'm tired, but okay." She said honestly.
Clark picked up his son out of the small transparent crib he laid in, which was touching Lana's bed.
"Aw..." Martha said, as she laid eyes on the baby, and she found herself dangerously close to tears"Can I hold him"
Clark smiled and handed him over to her.
"You two must be really proud." Jonathan smiled as he saw the baby over Martha's shoulders.
"Do you have a name for him yet" Lex couldn't help but smile.
"Alex." Clark looked down, smirking.
It was understood, without words that he was named after Lex. Lex smirked too"Great name." It really meant a lot to him"Congratulations, Clark."
Lex and Clark shared one of their rare brotherly hugs.

TBC...