Choices We Make

Disclaimer:
Again, I do not own the characters (minus Dr. Britny Blick), nor am I in anyway affiliated with Smallville...

Rating:
T for themes/content

Genre:
Drama/Romance

Pairing:
Clex

Warnings In Disguise

It had been two months since the discovery of Clark's pregnancy. Two months that had been far from easy for either Lex or Clark. Though, Clark appreciated Lex's patience through all of his mood swings other side effects of the pregnancy. Even though he did all he could to control the mood swings, some were so bad that even the mighty Clark Kent couldn't control them. One had even gotten so far out of hand that Clark had even slapped Lex in the face. Though, Lex didn't think anything of it. He understood that it wasn't Clark's fault. Plus, he never could stay mad at the young farmboy.

Another thing Clark appreciated was when Lex offered to have him move into the mansion when his parents had kicked him out when they learned of the pregnancy. Clark and Lex had been spending the past two months preparing for the birth. By now, everything was complete as well Clark's belly more than doubling in size. It appeared as though the young boy had swallowed two basketballs. He already appeared to be nine months along by human standards.

Today was the day Clark was having an old friend of his Lex's come by and check everything out (medically speaking, that is) and see how he was progressing through the rapid pregnancy. Walking up to the door, she knocked on the oversized doors. She was quickly greeted by both Lex and Clark. "Hey, Lex. Clark." She smiled sweetly as Lex ushered her in. Returning the smile, Clark replied "Hey, Britny." Also smiling, Lex replied "Hey, Britny."

As the trio made their way into the room that had been designated "The Birthing Room", Clark sat down on a medium sized bed as Britny prepped her tools in her bag. Britny had been in on the pregnancy right from the start for she'd known about Clark's secret for a while now. She'd made several trips to mansion to check on Clark as she'd offered to be his OB/GYN. Running her various routine tests, Britny asked Clark "So, Clark, how've you been feeling lately? All right?"

Nodding, Clark replied "Pretty good. The morning sickness seems to have cleared up, thankfully." Smiling and nodding, Britny added "Yeah, that usually happens toward the end of the pregnancy when the body begins preparing for the birth..." Both Lex and Clark smiled at the mention of the birth. As Britny wrapped up her check up, she turned to the couple "Well, everything seems to be just fine. Clark, your perfect health is beginning to get boringly predictable." The trio chuckled at that remark. However, Britny's smile quickly faded as she removed her dark metallic purple framed bi-focal glasses, a sure sign that something wasn't right. Sighing slightly, she slowly added "...Which is what's got me concerned..."

Confused, Lex asked "But, I thought you just said everything was fine?..." Understanding Lex's confusion, Britny explained "Yes-right now-it is. But, I know from experience the possible consequences of a pregnancy as smooth as Clark's..." With that, Britny then placed her glasses back on her face as Clark asked "What are they?" Reluctantly, Britny added "Well...I didn't wanna bring this up because I didn't wanna scare either of you...But, as a doctor, I am obligated to warn you of any risks...Back when my mother was pregnant with me, her pregnancy went just as boringly smooth as Clark's is right now...Then when it came gametime, that's when things went wrong...Really wrong...It came to a point where the anesthesiologist told Dr. Goyle-my mom's OB/GYN-to just focus on saving my mom and she would have another child...At any point during that birth, either my mom or I-or both of us-could have died, and in fact, I was technically still born..." Shocked by Britny's story, Clark asked "What do you mean 'still-born'?" Sighing, Britny explained "Still-born means born dead..."

Clark and Lex couldn't believe what they were hearing. Worried, Lex asked "Are you saying this is gonna happen to Clark? That there's a chance I could lose him during the birth?" Trying to reassure Lex (and Clark as well), Britny replied "It's not a guarantee...But, I do feel like it's a distinct possibility...One that you guys should be prepared for come gametime..." As both Clark and Lex nodded understandingly, Britny gathered her things as Lex replied softly "Thank you, Britny." Turning to Lex, Britny smiled as she replied "No problem..." With that said, Britny made her way out of the room and out to her car and left for home.

Scared not only for his own life, but the lives of his and Lex's children, Clark turned to Lex as he asked "Do you think it'll happen?..." Knowing how likely it was based on the facts he'd just been given, Lex tried to reassure Clark as he replied "Clark, just because it happened to one person doesn't mean it'll happen to you. I mean afterall, you're obviously a lot stronger physically than anybody on Earth...Plus, Britny even said it wasn't a guarantee...Don't worry, Clark...Everything's gonna be all right...I promise..." Wrapping a comforting arm around Clark's shoulders, Lex took Clark's hand in his and just held him close to him.

Resting his head on Lex's shoulder, Clark subconsciously placed a hand on his enlarged belly, rubbing it gently, as he replied "I hope you're right..." With that said and done, Clark and Lex tried to go about their day as normal. At first it seemed impossible, Britny's warnings still fresh within both of their minds. However, as the day progressed, things seemed to settle down. That evening, Lex and Clark sat on the couch in the living room watching the snow falling outside the window. The mansion decorated for Christmas as it was already Christmas Eve, the young couple seemed to be lost in the romance of all the candles on the mantle and the warmth of the fire. After a while, Clark grasped his belly and winced in pain.

Turning to Clark, Lex asked "Clark? You okay?" Turning to Lex as the pain subsided almost instantly, Clark replied "Yeah, I'm fine. It was just a contraction." Concerned, Lex asked "A contraction? You're not in labor are you?" Chuckling softly, Clark replied "Oh, heavens no...Just like with human pregnancies, our bodies go through sort of..practice contractions toward the end of the pregnancy to get ready for the birth. It's nothing, Lex. Really." Still somewhat unsure, Lex resigned "If you're sure..." Smiling reassuringly, Clark replied "I'm sure, Lex. Don't worry. If I thought it was anything serious, I'd tell you."

That said, the young couple just resumed enjoying the ambiance of Christmas which floated all throughout the mansion. Occasionally Clark would have another contraction and Lex would question him about it but, Clark kept insisting it was nothing. As another contraction passed, Lex asked "Clark are you sure you're not in labor? I mean, the contractions are getting closer and closer together and from the looks of things, they seem to be getting stronger..." It was then that Clark immediately rethought his explanation. It felt as though some sort of sack had broken within his body. Gripping Lex's hand, Clark turned to him and stated "Lex, you were right..." Shocked, Lex asked "What?" Feeling another contraction pass, this one stronger than the rest preceeding it, Clark replied "Lex, I am in labor...My water just broke...I'm giving birth..."

The urgency of the situation finally settling into Lex, he quickly helped Clark carefully to his feet while having one of the servants call Britny to have her come over to help with the birth. That done, Lex quickly lead Clark back to the birthing room. Approaching the bed designated for the birth, Clark gripped his belly in pain, gritting his teeth in agony as the contractions only seemed to be strengthening. Quickly lying back on the bed, Clark watched as Lex hurried to his side. Taking Clark's hand in his own, Lex stroked Clark's forehead gently as he stated "Looks like it's showtime..." Clark's only response was "God, I just hope Britny gets here soon...I really feel like I need to push..." Clark stated, his teeth still gritted in pain. Still stroking his lover's forehead gently, Lex replied understandingly "I know...She's on her way...In the meantime, just remember the breathing she taught you..." With that, Lex began coaching Clark through his breathing while Clark occasionally screamed in pain.

Driving down to the Luthor mansion as fast as the speed limit would allow, Britny soon came upon a traffic jam. "What the hell's going on here?" She asked the empty space of her black 2005 Chevy Silverado open-bed pick-up truck. Looking around, she noticed an ambulance rushing down the street from her. "Shit, there's an accident. I'm never gonna get there in time with this..." Still looking around, she then remembered a short cut to the mansion. Backing up with the little room she had behind her, Britny turned off onto a side road. Within fifteen minutes she was pulling up into the driveway of the Luthor mansion. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of her assistant arriving as well. Hurrying out of their cars, they both made their way inside and back to the birthing room. Hurrying into the room, Britny saw how far the labor had already progressed.

Turning to Lex, she stated "I got here as soon as I could..." Nodding, Lex simply replied "Well, the important thing is that you're here...Who's she?" He asked, indicating the hispanic looking assistant standing next to Britny. "This is my assistant María Gualez...And if you're concerned about her knowing too much about Clark, don't be. She won't say anything...Even if she did, nobody would understand her...She only speaks Spanish...Doesn't know a word of English..." Britny explained, prepping for the delivery. Assuming her own position, María aided Lex in coaching Clark with his breathing.

When they were half way through delivering the first baby, Britny heard María mention "Doctora! Su pulso es de carreras!" Snapping her head up at that, Britny fired back "¿Qué te dijo?" Hoping against hope she'd misunderstood, Britny had a sinking feeling she had heard María just fine. When María repeated the statement, Lex asked Britny as she cursed to herself, "What'd she say? What's going on?" Walking around to Lex's side, Britny rested a firm yet gentle hand on his shoulder as she replied "Lex, I know this is hard for you. But, I need you to step aside so I can help Clark." As Clark screamed out in pain again, Lex asked "Just what the hell's goin' on here? What'd she even say anyway?" Sighing, Britny replied "Clark's pulse is racing. If his heart rate continues at this rate his, heart could give out at any given moment. Meaning, we could lose him and quite possibly the babies as well. Now, do you really wanna risk that?"

Turning to Lex, Clark added "Lex, please-agh-...stay...I need you here..." Determined not to leave Clark's side, Lex replied "Don't worry, Clark. I'm not going anywhere!" Turning to Britny, María asked "¿Qué debo hacer?" Pointing to Lex, Britny reluctantly replied "Le impede..." Nodding, María approached Lex. Looking from the hispanic assistant back to Britny, Lex asked "What's going on? What did you just say to her?" Lex's question was soon answered as María pushed him back, away from Clark. Fighting her and losing, Lex shouted "No! Let go of me!" Watching Lex being forced away from, Clark reached out for Lex's hand as he shouted out "LEX!" The desperation in Clark's voice stinging in his heart, Lex tried to grab on to Clark's hand but soon found María had forced him just out of reach. Instead, he shouted "CLARK! Clark, I'm here!"

Pulling a syringe out of her bag, Britny quickly filled the tube with some sort of medication. Rolling up Clark's sleeve, Britny administered the medication. However, it hadn't been enough. Clark suddenly went limp. Knowing what had just happened, Lex reached out to him, still unable to reach him for María's grip, and cried out "CLARK! NOOO!"

Understanding Lex's reaction, Britny immediately went into an all out effort to revive Clark. Turning to Britny, tears were flooding down Lex's cheeks as he cried "Please! Hurrry! You have to do something!" Continuing the revival effort, Britny turned to face Lex as she replied "I'm doing everything I can, Lex!" After a few attempts, Britny sighed a sigh of relief as she saw Clark snap awake once more. "Lex! Please! I need you!" He called out, desperately. Hearing Clark's cry, Lex hit his knees both in relief and desperation. Reaching out to Clark, Lex cried out "Clark! I'm here! I'm here, Clark!"

Returning to her original position, Britny looked to María. "Le libera..." She ordered. As María returned to her original position, Britny watched as Lex eagerly returned to his own, right by Clark's side. Taking Clark's hand in his own once again, Lex gently stroked his lover's forehead as he assured him "I'm here. I'm here, Clark. It's okay. Everything's gonna be okay." Turning to Lex, Clark's voice lowered back down to regular level as he replied weakly. "Lex...I can't do this..." Trying to instill in him the same confidence he'd instilled in him, Lex replied "Yes, you can Clark...I see that in you..." Smirking, Lex added "Now, it's time for you to see it in yourself..." Looking up at Clark, Britny added "Come on, Clark. One good push. You're almost half way there. Just one good push!..."

Looking down into his lover's eyes, Lex could see the pain Clark was in. Trying to push thoughts of that aside, Lex added "You heard her, Clark. Just one good push. That's it. Just one good push." Something in Lex's voice seemed to give Clark strength. Looking across the bed at Britny, Clark just nodded his head. Smiling, Britny added "Ready...aaand push!" Gritting his teeth in pain, Clark cried out in pain as he bore down on his belly, forcing the rest of the first baby out. As Britny lifted the baby up off the bed, Clark watched as she handed it over to María who proceeded to clean it off and wrap it in a warm blanket while he listened to its cries. Looking down into Clark's eyes, they both smiled as Britny proudly announced "Congratulations, you two...It's a girl." Smiling up at Lex, Clark added "She's beautiful..."

Their moment of happiness was soon cut short by Clark screaming in pain from another contraction. Taking her original position yet again, Britny looked down to see the second head already crowning. Another hour later, Britny looked up at Clark and stated "One more good push and you're done, Clark! One more push and it'll all be over!" Gazing down into his lover's eyes, Lex repeated "You hear that, Clark? One more push and it's over!" Looking up into Lex's eyes full of caring and support, Clark replied breathlessly "Lex...I don't think I can...I just don't have it in me...I'm too weak..." Caressing Clark's cheek gently, Lex replied "Yes, you can, Clark. You can do this...Hell, if for no other reason, do it for me..."

Lex's words seemed to empower Clark. Taking a deep breath, Clark replied "All right...Let's do this..." Smiling, Britny looked back up at Clark as she replied "All right...Ready...aaaand push!" Giving it everything he had, Clark bore down on his belly one final time. The second baby sliding out almost with ease, Britny handed it over to María who-again-washed it and wrapped it in a warm blanket. Still smiling, Britny replied "Congratulations! It's a boy!" Turning to Britny, Lex asked "Can we hold them?" Nodding, Britny replied "Of course..."

Walking over to María, Britny added "Dame ella..." Nodding, María carefully handed Britny the little baby girl while she picked up the baby boy. Smiling, Britny told María "Le da ello..." Turning to the young couple, Britny indicated Lex. Nodding once again, María replied "Bien..." As Britny approached Clark's bedside, Clark sat up in the bed as she handed him the little baby girl while María was giving Lex the baby boy. Smiling down at the infant in his arms, Clark asked "Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?..."

Smiling, Britny asked "Have you two thought of any names?" Looking up at Britny, Clark suggested "Well for her, I was thinking maybe Richelle Noel?" Smiling, Lex replied "I love it...What do you think of Jonathon Alexander?" Smiling over to his lover, Clark replied "I love it..." Slowly, Britny just made a silent exit in order to leave the new parents alone. Carefully, Lex sat down on the bed next to Clark, still holding Jonathon in his arms. Turning to Lex, Clark stated "Lex, I'm sorry to have ruined your Christmas Eve by going into labor. I'm sure my giving birth wasn't exactly how you planned on spending Christmas Eve..." Smirking, Lex replied "You are right about that, Clark...But your giving birth gave me the two most precious gifts ever..."

Smiling, Clark replied "Well, it's not like I can take all the credit...Just credit for carrying them for three months and giving birth to them..." Chuckling, Lex just leaned in toward Clark and kissed his lips softly. Smiling, Clark replied "I love you, Lex..." Smiling as well, Lex replied "I love you, too, Clark...Merry Christmas, Clark..." Looking up into Lex's deep blue eyes, Clark replied "Merry Christmas, Lex..."

El fin

Author's Note:
What do y'all think? Sequel? Lemme know if y'all want a sequel and I'll see what I can do...And before I forget...Merry Christmas from Kansas, y'all!...