Chapter 11: So This is Christmas

On the very last day of school before Christmas, Jason was actually happy. His class had a party, and even though he knew he shouldn't, he snuck a few bites of the cake that Mrs. Rogers, Benjamin's mom, had brought for the party. His own mommy wasn't there, nor was his father, but Jason didn't mind, because this way he could have all the things they didn't want him to have. As a five year old, he knew that he had allergies, but he had never really known what that meant, because his mommy always took great care about what he could eat. Jason had to sneak because he knew his teacher's were on the watch, but he managed the cake and some candy before it was time to play games.

As the morning went on, and after a visit from Santa Clause Jason's tummy began to bother him. They were having two hours of constructive play, indoors due to the icy cold weather outside. Finding a good Dr. Seuss book to read, Jason sat down in the reading corner on a yellow bean bag chair, and opened it trying to ignore how much his belly was starting to hurt him.

"Hey Jason, do you want to come over and watch the magic show, Mr. Reynolds is going to show us tricks from his show," Rebecca said as Jason lowered the book. She noticed that he didn't look very good. "I should go get my mommy," she said as she ran from him.

While Lois was out on her last assignment before their planned trip to Montana, Clark was sitting at his desk looking at the pictures she had left for him of Jason. She had taken him sometime after thanksgiving, and after he visited his mother to get Holiday photo's made, and these pictures were fantastic. Jason was dressed in a white long sleeved turtle neck shirt and over that he wore a red vest type sweater. He had on a pair of black dress pants and black dress shoes. Seated in a wooden rocking chair that was his size, Jason was holding a real Dalmatian puppy on his lap and had the most wonderful smile on his face. In back of the rocking chair was a Christmas tree all decorated with ornaments of various sorts, and at the base lots of presents. Clark couldn't tell if the background was real or just some sort of backdrop.

As Clark gazed at the picture his phone began to ring, and without having to look he reached to his left picking it up, half expecting to find Lois on the other end. "Clark Kent," he said still looking at the picture of his son.

"Mr. Kent, my name is Patty Albright, I am the nurse at your son's school," she said.

Clark put the photo down and listened as Patty told him of Jason's sudden illness. She told him that he had gotten violently ill and that an ambulance was on the way. Clark told her that he would be there as soon as he could, and when he hung up the phone, he turned in his seat. "Jimmy," he called out and as Jimmy got up from his desk, Clark was already putting his heavy dress coat on. "Page Lois, tell her Jason is sick, and an ambulance is on its way to his school." After he told Jimmy, Clark raced out of the office and when he found no one in the first Elevator that arrived at the newsroom floor he stepped inside and as the doors shut he took his glasses off and looked up as his body lifted from the ground.

Along with losing most of what he had eaten at his party, Jason was in the throws of a severe asthma attack. Miss Patty had already helped him use his inhaler but it had done little to help him get his breath. Jason was resting on a cot in Miss Patty's office as she tried to help him calm down, and all he could thing about was how much he wanted his mommy. When the doors to the office opened and Jason saw the people who were from the hospital he tried to sit up so that he could run away, and then behind them he saw his daddy and his mommy.

Just as she was getting out of her interview, Superman arrived and told her about Jason and after seeing Jimmy, they flew of toward his school. It had been a very long time since Jason had been this sick, and as Clark moved to go to Jason, Lois stopped him. "It is easier to let them work first, and then we can go to him," she said knowing this from the past.

Clark held Lois's hand in his as the Paramedics went to work. One placed a clamp of some sort on Jason's finger, while another woman held him still as another Paramedic took out an oxygen mask and placed it over Jason's mouth and his nose. When they finished Jason's breathing was far less labored, and both parents were able to go to him as a stretcher was wheeled in to the small office.

Jason tried to talk but Lois shook her head. "You just worry about breathing right now, your daddy and I won't leave you," she said as she leaned down and kissed his forehead.

By the time Jason had been checked into the Pediatrics ward at Metropolis General, he was doing much better. His oxygen level was still low enough that the attending physician wanted him to stay over night, but other than that he was almost himself. On the way to the hospital, a nurse had stuck an IV in him, and Clark had again felt the strength of Jason's struggle as he held him still. The IV was there just to replace the fluids he lost when he became ill at school, and the bag was still half full.

As Jason sat propped up in the stark white hospital bed, he was trying his best to fiddle with the IV needle stuck in the back of his hand, while doing his best not to let either parent see what he was up too.

Not far from his bed, Lois was on the phone with her father who had gotten word of Jason's sudden attack and was assuring him that everything was fine, and that he and her mother didn't need to come by for a visit. They were leaving for Spain in the morning and when she hung up the phone she shut her eyes.

Seeing her shut her eyes, Clark had a guess that her parents were going to come by with or without her permission. He walked over to her a moment before he stopped to turn back toward Jason. "Hey, remember what the nurse told you, if that comes out they will have to stick another one in its place," he said.

Jason did as his mother had done after getting off the phone with his grandparents, and shut his eyes. He hated being here, and wanted to go home so that they could get ready to go to Montana. Reaching to his left, the little boy grabbed a TV remote and turned the channel until he found a cartoon to watch.

When Clark's arms wrapped around her waist, and pulled her against his body so that her back was pressed against his chest, Lois opened her eyes and leaned her head back. "They insist on seeing him before they leave," she said as she looked up at the man she was falling in love with.

For a moment Clark looked down at Lois and then glanced briefly at Jason, who was starring intently at the TV. He lowered his head and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips, before both of them walked over to Jason's bed to watch TV with him.

It didn't seem to long before the General and Ella arrived in the room just as Jason's Dr, a woman named Karen Mason, left the room after telling Lois and Clark that Jason's attack had likely happened due to some sort of Allergic reaction. By then Jason was agitated and wanted to go home and as soon as he saw The General he told him that his mommy and his daddy would not let him leave.

"Well now, I think he looks fine," the General said as he walked over to his grandson and gave him a kiss.

Lois shut her eyes and counted to ten, promising herself that she wouldn't get angry this time. "Yes he is much better, but his Oxygen level is still low, and he needs to stay here in case he has another Asthma attack," she explained as she opened her eyes.

Ella walked over to the bed and gave Jason a colorfully wrapped package and the little boy eagerly ripped it open. Inside he found two toy cap guns, and a sheriff's outfit. "Oh wow," Jason said as his mom glared at the General.

"I thought you might like that. You know back when I was in the service," he began.

Clark could tell Lois was about to lose it and stepped up. "Uh, maybe telling Jason war stories isn't such a good idea sir, Lois doesn't seem to be too comfortable with that idea," he said.

General Lane looked up as if noticing Clark for the first time. "So you must be Clark," he said as he stood up. He held out his hand and when Clark shook it he was surprised to find a sure firm grip that almost hurt his hand. "Well you're stronger than you look son. Now what makes you think that Jason isn't ready to hear stories of when I served my country, he is a smart boy, takes after the Lane side of the family I do believe."

Fortunately before things could get too heated up, a nurse came in to check on Jason and told them that only the parents were allowed to stay.

Relief crossed over Lois's face as her father and mother left, and once they were gone, she and Clark got Jason settled in for a night in the hospital. Clark read to Jason from one of the books Lois happened to have in her purse and when he was finally asleep, Clark walked over to where Lois was standing by the Window looking out at the city below.

"I don't know why he does that," Lois said referring to her father.

Clark thought about that for a moment, and then answered, "Because he believes that he is right in all things, and it seems like he wants Jason to be like him," he said truthfully.

Lois turned around to face Clark. "Thank you for standing by my side, I want to get those guns and toss them out, my father knows how I feel about them, and Jason has been asking for a set of those for longer than I can remember." Again she found herself in his arms and was beginning to realize how safe she felt with Clark around. After sharing a brief snuggle, Lois settled down on the couch against the wall under the window to try and get some sleep, while Clark sat next to Jason's bed keeping a close eye on their little boy.

Two days later all three of them were on a Plane heading west. Jason had wanted Superman to fly them there, but Clark told him that it was too cold for he and his mother to endure the journey, and Jason didn't argue. He had forgotten about his cap guns, which Lois had accidentally left in one of the hospital waiting rooms, and was excited about meeting his new grandparents.

By dinner time they had arrived at the cabin, in the car Lois had rented at the airport. Jason was asleep in the back seat, and didn't even move as Clark lifted him out. His pediatrician told them both that Jason might sleep a lot over the next few days, and said that was normal, and having gone through this a few times before, Lois knew what to expect. As they walked around the front of the cabin, both Martha and Ben had come out of the house to greet them. Clark had phoned and told them about Jason's illness, and both of them were glad that the family had been able to make the trip.

The cabin was by no means small. It was two stories, complete with three bedrooms, and one master bedroom downstairs. After hugs were giving, Martha led her son and Lois upstairs to the room directly across from the staircase. "I fixed this room up for Jason," Martha said in a quiet voice. She opened the door and inside the room was warm due to a fire burning in a small fireplace. They didn't turn the lights on because the warm glow of the fire was enough to see by.

From the door, Martha watched as Lois pulled the covers down on the small bed, and then smiled as she watched Clark lay Jason down, before he took off his shoes, and pulled the handmaid quilt and sheets over his small body. When her son and Lois came out of the room she led them to the room on the left of the staircase which was much bigger, and had its own bathroom. Again there was a fireplace with a fire burning inside, and Clark told Lois she should take that room.

Clark's room was on the opposite end of the staircase from Lois's and was the same style and size as the room she was staying in. In his new room, Clark changed into more comfortable cloths and when he finished he left, and went to Jason's just as Lois came out. "How is he doing?" Clark asked in a soft whispered voice.

"Sound asleep, I don't think he will be up until tomorrow morning," she said. Lois had also changed cloths, from wearing a long skirt and a blouse and Jacket that matched, to a pair of jeans that fit snug around her legs and waist, and a casual dark blue sweater. When Clark smiled at her and held out his hand, Lois took it and they went downstairs.

Nearly an hour later all four adults were seated on the couches close to the fire place in the living room, and Lois was laughing as Martha told him about Clark as a child. Next to Lois, Clark was shaking his head, enjoying seeing a smile on Lois's face, even if it was at his expense.

As she finished her latest story, Martha realized that everyone's drink glasses were empty, and as she got up to remedy that, Lois got up offering to help her. The two women left the men for the kitchen, and when they arrived, Lois filled her two glasses with ice, while Martha got out the white wine they had all been enjoying. "Martha, I hope you don't mind me asking you this, but did you have trouble keeping Clark's abilities a secret?"

Martha had been prepared for this question, and as she poured the wine into the glasses she answered. "When he was young like Jason' there wasn't too much to hide. He did have his moments like Jason when he was upset and his powers would manifest, but those times were very few and far between. His powers really didn't start to show until after he turned twelve, and living on a farm in the middle of no where helped us keep his abilities secret," she said, watching as Lois took all of that in. She could tell that the young woman was still worried, and after setting down the glasses she had, Martha walked over to Lois and put her hand on her shoulder. "You and Clark will work through this," she said confident of that.

Despite her worries, Martha's words did comfort Lois and after getting her glass of wine and Clark's she joined the older woman as they went back into the Living room. As she sat down Jason walked into the room rubbing his eyes.

A little shy due to being sleepy, Jason walked over to where Clark was sitting and was glad when he was finally in his arms. When his mommy introduced his new grandparents, Jason politely said hello to them, and then just sat on his daddy's lap and listened as the adults talked. In two more days it would be Christmas, and Jason was very excited about that.

The next day, Jason warmed up to both of his grandparents, and was glad that he didn't have to call Ben anything other than Grandpa. While Jason headed out on a walk with both of his grandparents, so that his parents could get the rest of his presents wrapped, Lois went up to her room and got the present she had made for Clark, wanting to give it to him now while they had the house to themselves. When she had what she needed, Lois crossed the hall to his room and knocked on the door. Clark opened the door and she held out the two wrapped gifts.

"Hey what happened to waiting for Christmas," he teased as she smirked at him. They both went downstairs, and after sitting down on the Couch close to the 52 inch TV, something Lois said he would need, Clark opened the biggest present first. What he found was an album and on the front it had Jason's full name, Jason Kyle Kent. "Lois, you didn't have to do that," Clark said when he read Jason's last name as Kent instead of White.

Lois smiled at him. "Clark you are his father, and he is going to carry your last name even if you and I decide to eventually go our separate ways," she said sounding a bit sad as she said that. Clark reached out and hugged her before he opened the album and finding Jason's birth certificate which had been changed to reflect his new last name. The next page had Jason's first picture, and Clark felt his throat tighten as he saw how tiny his son had been at birth. By the time he finished looking through the book he was speechless, but Lois put the next present in his hands before he could say anything.

This next present was a DVD of some sort, and as he sat on the burgundy sofa in the TV room, Lois put the DVD into the player and soft music began to play as the picture came into view. Clark watched the screen as the camera zoomed in on a plastic stork in back of Lois's house which had a sign saying It's a boy. The Image faded and the next image came on the screen zooming in on Jason in his infant seat. The image went with the picture Clark had seen in the album of Jason on his first day home from the hospital. His son was tiny even then, and as they watched the DVD, Clark put his arm around Lois. Clark noticed that all of the pictures and all of the Image's on the DVD only included Lois and Jason, and when the DVD finished he wrapped both arms around Lois and just held her. "I'm sorry I wasn't there," he finally said.

"I know, but you are here now and that is all that matters to me." After they shared a brief kiss, Clark got up, and Lois watched as he went upstairs. While he was gone she took the DVD out of the player and was putting it in the case that went with it when he returned with his present which was a small box shaped gift. Lois opened it carefully finding a jewelry case and when she opened that she found a pair of crystal earrings inside as well as a matching necklace. "Oh how beautiful," she said.

Before either of them could say more, they heard Jason calling out for them to come outside, and after putting the box on the coffee table, Lois took Clark's hand, and they went out to the front of the house to see the snow that was starting to fall, and to hear all about the deer Jason had seen on the walk he had taken with his grandparents.

The soft glow of the fire in his room woke Jason, and after rubbing his eyes a huge smile formed on his face. He sat up and pushed the covers off of his bed, and then slipped out and ran to his door. It was chilly but he didn't care as he ran to his mommy's room first. He opened the door and ran to her bed, on the wall opposite of the door. "Mommy its Christmas wake up," Jason said pulling on her arm.

Lois groaned as she lifted her head seeing that it was 6am. "Jason, it is early still, I don't think anyone is up," Lois said.

"Actually this house is full of early birds," Clark said from the entrance of the door. "Come on pal, let your mom get some rest," he said willing to let Lois do that if she wanted.

Jason pouted, and then laughed as his mom hopped out of bed, and grabbed him tickling him, until he was begging for her to stop. After she did, the three of them headed downstairs and when they entered the den they found a huge tree decorated with crystals and bows, one that had not been there last night.

Lois glanced at Clark who gave her a wink, and then she walked over to where Jason was eyeing all of the presents under the tree, most of which were his. Before they left Metropolis, Superman had brought all of Jason's presents here, and along with the presents his parents had gotten, there were quite a few from his grandparents.

"Jason, you need to open this one first," said Martha. She took the circular package, and placed it in front of her grandson before she placed a kiss on his head.

Lois wondered what was in the package, and blinked as she saw it wiggle. As soon as Jason untied the ribbon over the top, it popped off revealing a Dalmatian puppy, and even though Lois had sworn never to have an animal in the house, when she saw how happy Jason was she just laughed along with the rest of them.

From the fireplace, Martha's old dog Shelby perked up and then walked over to sniff the puppy snuggling in Jason's arms. After sniffing it, the old dog went back to his bed, not very interested in the new addition to the family.

Jason laughed as his new puppy licked his face, and when asked what he was going to name her, the little boy smiled at his family. "Lucky, just like in the movie," he said.

So that Jason could open the rest of his presents, Clark took Lucky over to his new crate and got him settled in there. When he returned Jason had opened another present from his grandparents, a remote controlled tractor.

"Jason, when your daddy was little we used to have a tractor like that to mow the grass in our yard," Martha said as Jason went for another present.

Several hours later, Jason had fallen asleep on the sofa in the Den with Lucky resting next to him. All of the paper from the presents had been cleaned up, and thrown into the fire, and all of Jason's new toys had been set back under the tree. Martha and Ben had gone into the kitchen to work on Christmas dinner, and on another sofa seated next to Clark, Lois looked over at her little boy. "I think this is the best Christmas he has ever had," Lois admitted.

"I know it has been mine," Clark said as Lois snuggled against him. So far today he had not gone away to do any Super duties and Clark hoped it would remain that way.

Seated in his newly renovated office, Lex Luther was looking at the paper. It was Christmas, and too quiet for his own tastes. The news was peaceful, and Lex knew that Superman's return had ushered that in. As he put the paper aside he looked at the entry to his office as a young Scientist, his tenth, walked in. "Well?" he asked.

"It did what I thought it would do, but I still have to work on the strain and test it against the sample before I know for sure that it will work out," Max said brushing his long blond hair out of his eyes.

"Well don't just stand there, I need that to be ready for the new year, to ring in with a bang," Lex said and watched as the young man ran out. Sometimes Lex wondered how the world survived with such idiots around, and then Miss Kitty walked into the office wearing a silk gown and for now his thoughts were of pleasuring himself with her.