ok... sorry for the delay. ugh, life.
anyway. this chapter was very difficult to write. at least emotions-wise. i'm pretty sure i've gone through approximately 10 kleenex with this one. of course, as a writer, you sometimes bring your own experiences and feelings into the story. so that's there, too.
but i'm rambling..
so, this chapter is gonna set up much of the rest of the sequel. i hope you're gettin' good at finding those darn eggs. they can be difficult to locate at times, but i assure you they're there.
btw- if anyone is still clueless about some of those hidden easter eggs in the first installment (Lilies, SFL or FH), feel free to ask me about 'em. i'll gladly help you figure 'em out as long as they don't interfere with the sequel
so here we go.
Author: Alison
Disclaimer: Characters belong to DC, WB, AlMiles, etc., etc., etc. I only own the story and a brand new DVR! I know! I'm excited, too. No more missing Keith Urban every day on CMT's Sexiest Videos. Have you seen his "Raining on Sunday" vid? Wow.
Chapter 2
She could feel her heart breaking. But what could she do?
He'd shut her out.
"Clark. Everyone has to go at some point. This was just his time."
Sure, it wasn't the most comforting sentiment. But what was right now?
He just sat there. Nothing. Not a word.
It was driving her crazy. She wanted to comfort him. She wanted to make him realize that it would all be okay.
She just wanted him to know that she was there.
"You don't know that."
Well, of course she didn't know it. But she'd accepted it. It's what happened.
She'd learned long ago that sometimes you just have to deal with whatever life throws at you.
"No. But…" She took a deep breath. "I do know that he's gone. And…there's nothing you can do to bring him back. You just have to accept that and try to move on. That's what he'd want."
She said it soft, but it came out harsh. And part of her regretted it. But it was also something he needed to hear. And she was sure no one else would tell him.
She watched him. He clenched his jaw and stayed focused on the picture.
"You don't know anything about him or what he'd want."
Wha-?
Where was this coming from? She knew he was angry, but he didn't have to be like this…even though part of her understood why he said it.
It's one of those many stages. She knew it well. Denial is almost always first. Anger, resentment, regret…all those are there, too. She'd experienced all of them and more.
But this was him. Sure, she'd seen him angry and upset before. She was with him when he found Alicia. She knows how he can wear his every emotion on his sleeve.
But now he was attacking her. She knew he probably didn't mean it. But that didn't help to ease the pain.
She reached out and put her hand on his arm. It was meant as a comfort.
He suddenly jerked his arm away from her touch and stood.
"Clark?"
She was confused. He still shut her out. She wanted to be there for him. She wasn't entirely sure why. But she was sure of one thing.
She wasn't ready to leave.
"Just go away." He spoke softly as he walked to the window. "I just wanna be alone."
She sighed. That might be what he wanted, but it wasn't what he needed.
She hated this. Her heart broke with his every word. He had been such a comfort to her in the last few weeks. She only wanted to repay him and be there for him. She at least owed him that.
But how could she when he didn't want to see or speak to her?
Slowly, she rose off the couch, keeping her arms folded against her chest, and walked to him. She had to try again.
She gently placed her hand on his arm. He only slightly flinched. A soft half-smile slowly formed on her lips.
At least he didn't pull away.
"Clark. I know you're hurting. Trust me. I've been there. There will be good days and bad days."
She couldn't help but think of it. It still haunted her. That week. She was beginning to understand why it affected her so much. He had been there. And it had changed everything.
Her sleeping was screwed up, she had trouble eating, and even her dreams were invaded by visions of her mother. That hadn't happened since she was a kid.
She could still see her blonde hair blowing in the wind, the bright sunlight sparkling all around them as they stood in front of the yellow farmhouse. Her heart sank as the image of her mother smiling at her became clearer. She wanted to cry. She wanted to just reach out and hug her.
Her bottom lip began to quiver. But he didn't notice. He never looked up at her.
Besides, she missed his dad, too. He was such a wonderful, honest, hard-working man. He'd do anything for anyone. Even her.
Chloe had called from Metropolis the night it happened. She couldn't make it in time, but Lois tried to rush to be with him…with both of them. She didn't know why, but she knew it was the right thing to do. And she knew he would've done the same thing for her.
He was in the waiting room with his mother. The trip to the hospital was really just a formality. They knew he was gone before they left the farm. But she still wanted to be with him no matter where he was.
When she walked in, he was holding up his mother as she had already collapsed in his arms. He tried to be strong. He tried to comfort her. But in reality, she knew he needed someone to collapse into, too.
She'd watched him stroke his mother's long auburn hair as he held her tightly. She saw the few tears stream down his face.
They hadn't seen her walk into the room and somehow she didn't think they'd notice her walking out. So, she left. She knew that moment was just for the two of them. Her time to comfort would come later.
She softened her voice again as she spoke.
"But, whatever you're feeling…if you have a good or bad day…" She paused to take a deep breath. "…just always know that I'll be here, no matter what."
It must've been building. She hoped it wasn't her words that did it. But before she knew it, he spun around and threw the picture against the wall of the barn, the glass shattering into tiny pieces, littering the old wooden planks. The picture frame fell to the floor, the photograph now more tattered than before.
She gasped and stepped away from him. He'd had a way of surprising her before, but this was on a completely different level. Part of her was afraid of his anger. But the other part of her knew she could handle it.
He slowly walked to the old sofa and sat, leaning forward on his elbows and putting his head in his hands.
Yep, she knew exactly what he was going through.
The picture still lay there. She walked to it and reached down at the smiling face. She picked it up and smiled as she studied it.
Even though he was adopted, Smallville definitely had his father's smile.
She turned to look at him. He wasn't moving. She knew he probably wanted to cry. She knew he more than likely wanted to hit something. After all, that's what she did after it happened some thirteen years ago.
She walked to the couch and sat next to him, still clutching the photo in her hand.
Taking a deep breath, she braced herself for what she was about to say. But she knew they'd be the right words. It's what helped when he said them to her anyway.
"You know, Clark. I've also heard that…a father's love never dies."
She could see it. His jaw clenched as he tried to stop his lower lip from quivering.
Now was her time.
She put her arm around his back and pulled him closer. He slowly fell into her as she wrapped both arms around him. She put her chin on the top of his head and very softly rocked back and forth.
Her heart broke with his every sob. She had to try hard to keep her own tears from forming.
She stroked his hair with one hand while looking at the photograph in the other. It would all be okay…someday.
But right now, this was what he needed. It was what they both needed. To sit and comfort.
So, maybe it fell because she thought of her mother. Maybe it fell because she cared so for his father.
But she certainly wasn't sure if she was ready to admit that the lone tear fell down her cheek…for him.
