A/N: Lois never came to Smallville in this story, Lex never became evil, and Clark went to college at Met U. That is about all I am changing in this story. I am not sure if it is any good, just putting this up for now, I want to see how you respond to it. So please send feedback on how you like the story so I know if I should continue or not. Well I will let you get to the story now...
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As I sit here and watch my young daughter run around and play, I think about my life. The journey it took to get me to this place, although tough at times, it was a rewarding one. I sit alone as I watch my daughter play, me and the other moms just don't get along. They all look at me with disgust, I can understand why they may think that. They all waited till they were married and in their mid to late thirties when they had their kids.
Not that I planned to be twenty four and have a five year old child. It just happened, my first year in college to be exact. Me and Clark had been so close in college, with Lana at home in Smallville he noticed me more and more.
We started dating soon after we started college together in Metropolis and we couldn't get enough of each other. Being partners on the school paper didn't help much either, seeing each other practically all day every day had an effect on us. The night that Laura was conceived was our five month anniversary, he had gotten a bottle of wine from Lex and we had a picnic under the stars.
It was perfect, we were perfect, then the next week Clark's dad died. Clark had to transfer back to Kansas State and help his mom with the farm. I totally understood, I didn't like it but I knew Martha would need Clark more than ever. So I stayed here and continued school without him, it was the hardest time of my life for the first few months. Then I got used to it, we talked every night on the phone and he would come here on the weekends when he could. I don't know how she did it so quick, and I don't know how I never suspected anything, but Lana worked her way back into Clark's heart.
The night I was going to tell Clark I was pregnant he chose to tell me that long distance relationships never work. "People change" he told me, then he proceeded to tell me about him and Lana. How they had been hanging out more and more and they had decided to start dating. So I never told Clark, I don't know why. I knew he would've dropped Lana in a second to take care of me. But I just couldn't do that, that would be selfish and rude, so I let the love of my life and my baby's father walk out of my life.
I decided to have the baby, daddy said he would let me live with him and he would help me out. I made sure that no one back in Smallville knew about me having the baby, or even being pregnant for that matter. I made daddy and Lex swear they would never mention it to any of them, Lex was the best friend I could've had at that time. He helped me through some rough times, when I needed to talk he was always there.
I stayed in school as long as I could, which worked well because it just so happened that I could finish the first semester of my second year. I made that semester over that summer, it was hard to balance school, Laura, and finding a small job to help pay for stuff. Thank god for Lex and dad, without them I never would've made it.
I was so determined to get my journalism degree and make the big bucks to support me and Laura on my own. I managed to finish four years of college in three years. I took night classes and summer courses, whatever it took to graduate as fast as possible. As soon as I was out of college I put in my portfolio to the Daily Planet , I knew that I had a decent chance. I think that they were leery about hiring someone so young and with a child, plus I think Lex may have talked me up to a few people there. He knew not to pull strings though, just give a good word of mouth, because he knew if he pulled strings and I found out that would be the end of that. But I managed to get a job, it wasn't very big at first but I worked my way up, and it was a long ladder to climb.
I guess you may be wondering what became of Clark and I? Well after he told me about Lana I got a little bitter and he understood, but we still kept in touch. That lasted but a while, I slowly got worse and worse at getting back to him. The reason I gave him for my finishing school so early was that I wanted to escape, get away, travel, and to him I did. I told him I left, or I would lie if he bothered to email or call. I was in France, Germany, and Russia once. He thought I was building my portfolio for the Planet.
Little did he know, ace reporter Lois Lane was me. Yep, I changed my name to keep Clark from finding me. I took my mother's middle name, Lois, and my grandmother's madden name, Lane. I was happy as one in my situation could be right now.
Clark and Lana had dated for years and he had proposed three years after he had left me. Of course Chloe Sullivan was invited to the wedding, but she had business in New York to attend to. Last I heard they weren't the happy couple they used to be. As evil as this may sound, that brought a smile to my face.
Served him right for just leaving me like that. I still loved Clark, but I knew he would never be mine again. We had just stopped talking in the last couple of years, I had cut him off completely. I had to though to move on with my life and be happy with Laura.
I know it is harsh, but what would you do? I needed to distance myself from him and what he had. Laura once asked if she had a daddy. That broke my heart, I didn't know what to tell her. I ended up telling her the truth, mommy never told daddy about her. She, of course asked why, she as so much like me at times it was scary. All I could tell her was, ask again when you're older and I promise I will tell you.
And that was that, no more talk of daddy again. It wasn't like Laura was missing any male attention. Her grandfather spoiled her rotten with affection and Uncle Lex spoiled her in many ways.
There was a point in my life when I considered Lex as a possible love interest. He was so good with Laura and he had always been there to help me with the rough patches in my life. Plus I just enjoyed his company.We tried a couple of dates, but they never went anywhere. It was just too weird for both of us, we agreed to stay close friends, nothing more and nothing less.
Like I said the journey was rough at times but I worked through those times and came out on top. Plus it was all worth it to sit here and watch my daughter laugh and play in the park. Laura Patricia Lane was my pride and joy, my rock, my reason to live. She brightened my day no matter how gloomy it got.
She was so gorgeous, if I do say so myself. She had my hair, a dirty blonde color, but she liked it long for some reason. Her eyes, make no doubt about it, were Clark's though. I saw so much of him in her, his ability to always see the good in people and his "hero" complex. She tried to save everything that looked in danger. But she has my sarcasm alright, that you can make sure of.
I sometimes think of bringing her to Smallville just to see what she would think of it. But then I get scared that I might see Clark and crumble. He would never recognize me, after all my picture was in the Planet every day and he didn't say a dammed thing. It must be the dark and shoulder length hair, and the glasses I wore in the picture they use. I also have this feeling that Laura would just know if she ever saw him.
Nope just going to stay here in Metropolis and live the life I have been living for the past few years. And it is a damn good one at that, I am the star reporter for the best paper in town. I have a gorgeous daughter and I have paid back any money I borrowed from people. Even Lex, that took me a while to get him to take it, but a threat saying he couldn't spoil his godchild anymore was enough.
I have been reading Clark's work in the Ledger, he is good no doubt about that. I have also been watching him try out this new "superhero" thing, I know Clark is Superman. He told me his secret when we were dating, even though I already knew but he doesn't know that. I always wondered if he ever told Lana though, just s suspicion he didn't in the back of my mind.
He used to tell me how he felt he couldn't trust her, he thought she would freak and run. To be honest, I thought the same thing, but who was I to scare him. Even though I heard they had been having trouble I still wanted Clark to be happy.
I was brought out of my thoughts as my skirt was being tugged at, "Mommy, can we go and get ice cream?"
I knew I shouldn't spoil her, but who really could resist that face? "Sure sweets, lets go." I took her and we walked to a local dinner we always go to. It was our Luke's and we were Lorelai and Rory. I know I watch too much TV but , I like to think Laura and I will be like the Gilmore Girls someday. "So honey what kind do you want?"
She stuck her tongue out as she thought about it, something she got from Clark. "Ah, I think I will just go with plain chocolate."
Yes there's my girl, a chocolate lover like her mother. "Alright sounds good." I saw Trey, the owner of the dinner, walk out and I waved him over.
"Hey my two favorite girls! How are we doing and what can I get you?" Trey was great, he was a nice guy and good with Laura. And I won't lie, he is pretty good looking as well, but I just don't want to think about dating again.
"Hi Trey! I am doing great, I got a gold star on my drawing at school today, wanna see it?" Laura was never the shy one, another trait she obviously got from me.
"Well of course, let me see this beauty." Trey sat down next to Laura and I smiled as it really was too cute. Laura pulled out her drawing, that I had already seen twice today. She was so proud of herself, and she just loved to show off her work.
"See, it's Superman standing atop the Daily Planet globe." Laura idolized Superman, what can I say she must have inherited my taste in men.
"Wow, look at that, it's great kiddo!" He gave back her picture and stood up and pulled out his pad, "So what can I get you today?"
"I'll have a bowl of chocolate ice cream, with sprinkles." Laura announced so happy that she got to say her own order.
"Make that two, and coffee for me Trey." I gave him the menus and smiled, we locked eyes and I swear I could feel something there.
"I want coffee! Can I have coffee?" Laura broke out stare down, I looked at her and saw how excited she was at maybe the possibility of her getting coffee. I hated to let her down but she was too young for coffee, no need to get her addicted young like I did.
"Laura, you know you are too young, how about some soda though? You can have whatever kind you like, as long as Trey has it." Laura sulked for a millisecond but got happy when I allowed her any choice of soda.
She scrunched her face while thinking quickly and then decided, "I'll have a Mt. Dew." I smiled at her and she smiled back knowing full and well she could manage to get a sip from my cup out of me. I looked back up to see Trey still staring at me, "Trey? Trey you get that?"
He jumped a bit and shook his head, "What! Oh yeah, two chocolate ice creams, one coffee, and a Mt. Dew." He jotted down the last part on his pad, "Right, well it should be here shortly, enjoy and have a good day." He started to walk away, it looked as if he was talking to himself.
"Don't forget the sprinkles!" Laura shouted at him, he turned and nodded a smile her way to let her know he wouldn't. She turned around to face me with a feeling of accomplishment on her face, crazy how it was almost like looking in a mirror for me. "Mommy, are we still going to Uncle Lex's tonight?"
I smiled, "Yes we are hun." It was what we did with Lex, every Thursday night we go over to his house. He will talk with me for a while then play with Laura the remainder of the evening. I loved to just watch him and Laura play, she loved it too Thursday was her favorite day of the week, she got to go to Uncle Lex's. I never would've pictured Lex Luthor crawling around and playing with Barbies on a weekly bases.
"Here you go girls, enjoy." Kelly, our usual waitress, brought our orders to the table and walked away.
"Thanks Kelly, well dig in sweets. If we want to make it to Uncle Lex's on time." No need to tell Laura, she was way ahead of me. I just smiled at her as she was getting ice cream and sprinkles all over her face. I started mine and went back to thinking about my journey.