Clark awoke a little before 6:30 a.m. He yawned slightly and then cracked an eye open.
The sight he was met with was beautiful.
His eyes first focused on Jason, who had shifted somewhat sideways in the middle of the night. Jason's feet were slung across Clark's stomach and his head was close to his mother's, sharing her pillow. As Clark's gaze traveled up his son to rest on the woman next to him, he couldn't help the wide, uninhibited country farm boy smile that spread across his features.
Lois Lane, the woman he loved most in the world, next to him. Albeit whenever he imagined waking up next to her, which, he was ashamed to admit, happened more often than not, having his son sprawled between that after a heavy night of Candyland was not usually in the equation. But somehow, Clark felt as satisfied as if it was just he and Lois and he had spent the night ravishing her.
He watched them for a long while, both sleeping heavily. Suddenly his peaceful thoughts were disturbed by a far off cry for help. Feeling refreshed and hoping that he'd return before they woke up, Clark sat up. A few moments later, Superman was speeding into downtown Metropolis. Twenty minutes later, he had saved a woman from being mugged, prevented a potentially huge accident, saved a fireman who was trapped under rubble in a burning building and rescued a cat.
Not bad, he thought, smiling as he surveyed the city from his vantage point high in the air. He had been going through his work more quickly than usual, anxious to return to his family. It was Saturday… they had the whole day together. A flurry of anticipation rushed through Clark as he cocked his head slightly to the side, listening for any more pressing calls for help.
For once it was pretty quiet…
Thanking a higher power for such wonderful fortune, Superman had returned home and dressed as Clark Kent all in a matter of moments.
He stuck his head in the door to his room and smiled at the sight. Lois and Jason were still curled up next to each other, blissfully unaware of the world.
Whistling some tune hadn't remembered in years, Clark Kent-Superman-Kal El pulled out some flour and eggs and began to make some good, old fashioned pancakes, just like the kind his parents had always cooked for him.
Jason's allergies. Clark groaned. There goes his romantic lover/wonderful father routine. He stared at the half made batter in the large silver bowl and growled.
Yes, he growled.
While this was occurring, a pair of wonderfully slim arms had wrapped themselves around his waist.
"What in the world has you so worked up Clark?" Lois stood on her tiptoes and kissed his shoulder blade through his shirt. She peeked over his shoulder curiously.
"What are you making?"
"I wanted to make you and Jason pancakes, but I forgot about his allergies," Clark said, running a hand through his hair. "If I had only been there from the start these habits would be engrained in my by now. How did I leave you two? How?" Clark turned and stared at Lois, his blue eyes reflecting a world of hurt.
"You didn't know about Jason! I didn't find out until after you left! And we've already worked out why you left, because you loved me," Lois said. "And though it was wrong, I forgive you. And Jason's allergies get the best of me sometimes too, don't beat yourself up about it."
Clark's eyes softened and Lois leaned in closer. "Besides, where's my good morning kiss?"
The tense knot inside his stomach eased slightly as Lois ran her hands up the sides of his body until one reached his shoulder and the other slid into his hair.
He pulled her tightly against him and kissed her, closing his eyes and losing himself in the feeling. It felt so good, so right. The past twenty four hours had allowed him to glimpse the life he could have. It was so wonderful and precious. How had he lived so long without it?
Pancakes forgotten, Lois pushed Clark against the counter, kissing him even more fiercely. Her hand slid back down his side to his waist and began to slip under his T-shirt. The muscles in his stomach tensed at her light touch, effectively showing off his taut stomach muscles, even though it was reflexive. Clark dimly registered the sound of Jason moving around in the next room and with a Herculean amount of effort, drew away from her intoxicating kiss.
Jason appeared a moment later, as both Clark and Lois ineptly tried to straighten their clothing. Not noticing anything amiss, he beamed at them, his eyes still slightly sleepy.
"'Morning Mommy," Jason went over and gave his mom a big hug. Clark held his breath as his son looked at him for a moment. A smile then graces Jason's small features, a country boy farm smile identical to one Clark Kent, as he went to hug Clark. "Hello daddy."
Jason then took a step back and glared hard at Clark.
"Were you kissing my mommy?"
Clark gasped at his son, flushing a deep, dark red.
"I-I-"
Lois was blushing as well, but soon as she glanced at Clark, she had to slap her hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. A five year old had shocked the mighty Superman.
Clark looked wide-eyed at Lois, aghast to see her laughing.
Pretty soon, Jason was giggling with his mother, partly out of relief he wasn't being yelled at, partly because his new Daddy looked very funny and partly because his mommy seemed happier than she had in a long while.
Clark started laughing along with them, and pretty soon the entire kitchen was filled with high pitched giggles, some coming even from Clark Kent—Superman.
Thirty blocks north, Rhett Moniker strode confidently across the streets, on yet another assignment for the Daily Planet. His mind had been working triple time after Richard had told him that particularly juicy bit of information regarding Superman.
He still hadn't decided which was the best course of action to take. He could blackmail Clark Kent, but through the research he had dug up, he figured that Kent didn't seem to be absolutely loaded. He'd do better to sell the information somewhere.
Hmm… Rhett idly walked through the alleyways, deep in thought. He was so deep in thought, however that he nearly walked straight into a man in a back alley.
"Hey!" The guy turned angrily and glared at Rhett.
"Hey, chill man. Sorry," Rhett said, dismissing the man as he continued to amble.
The man grabbed the hood of Rhett's sweatshirt and yanked hard. As he swung Rhett back to him, he threw a punch, winding the photographer.
Rhett gasped and assumed a fighting position as he struggled up, street instinct kicking in. Rhett managed to get in a few punches and kick him in the shins, but the man grabbed his arm in a vice like grip and flicked open a switchblade under Rhett's chin.
Always a man open to a bargain, Rhett thought fast.
"Wait! I can get you something nobody else has," Rhett shouted, willing the pressure of the cold steel against his neck to subside.
The man shoved the knife a little harder.
"Like what?"
"I know who that vigilante, Superman is!" Rhett said desperately.
The grip on his arm tightened imperceptibly.
"You what?"
"I know who Superman is! If you let me go I can tell you. You can sell the information for thousands! Millions if you appeal to some of his bigger enemies."
Money was the last thing on the man's mind. The man, a junior member of the Sharks suddenly grinned, effectively showing three missing teeth. If this guy was telling the truth and he brought him to the boss… He'd be his right hand man!
The man jabbed the knife blade slightly against the pudgy man's neck, a drop of blood mingling with the sweat that trickled down his face.
"Come on. You had better be telling the truth. If you aren't," the Shark paused for effect. "I will personally cut off your," the man flicked his eyes downward and smiled nastily.
Rhett gulped slightly, getting the hint.
"Lead away."
How's that? Two updates in a day! You reviewers rock my world.