Just for clarification, I exaggerated James (and eventually, Clark) for the sake of the story. Drama has to come from somewhere.
Technically, it wasn't Kara's idea. She wanted to give the magazine to Alex and run as fast as possible before the news settled. That was her plan, and it was a plan worth pursuing. But no. Lena, her darling, beautiful wife, wanted to make the occasion special. So, Lena and Cat conspired to release the magazine the day after Lena and Kara's fifth anniversary. That meant Lena had no choice but to throw an anniversary party that Saturday at Cat's beach house with a select group of people invited. And by select, Kara meant that almost every person they knew was invited. The biggest thing? They were revealing the photoshoot during the party. Kara sat down at the island while the food stayed warm in the oven. The balcony doors slid open, and Kara waved in Sam.
"Where's Lena?"
"Out with Jess," Kara said. "Sundays are their spa days."
"That's adorable. Anyway, you should know the group chat has grown."
"Who's in it now?"
"Outside of the main folks, Ryan's joined with Luke and Alice-
"Alice?"
"Yes, they're cool now. Mary can't come, but she sends her regards. Luke and Ryan promise Alice will be on her best behavior."
"I don't have a problem with her," Kara laughed. "I'm just surprised they're friends."
"Something like that," Sam said. "Why are you looking so glum tonight?"
"How bad have I fucked up with this whole private marriage thing?"
"Well." Sam leaned down and propped her chin. "How long have you known Lena?" she asked.
"Six years."
"And how often has she spoken about being loved openly and honestly by the individuals in her life?"
Kara sighed as if she expected the answer and said, "Ever since she got back, I started wondering how long she'd been thinking it. And it hit me I've been an asshole. I was scared of what people would think that I never realized how it could look to her."
"Jack and I had a running bet to see how long it would take for you to realize Lena was never on board with keeping your relationship private. She understood the first two years, but five? Kara, you may have been a genius on Krypton, but you lack common sense when it comes to your wife."
"I know. That is why I have the ultimate week planned."
"Ah, is that why you're making her favorite food?"
"That and her favorite beer, favorite dessert, and that documentary on deep-sea travel queued up on Netflix."
"Her unfortunate choice in films aside, can you decide on a color scheme so that I can purchase the right decorations? Your wife gave me a budget, and I plan on using every bit of it."
"Blue, red, and gold are the preference. She looks good in red, and I know she has a red dress she's been dying to wear."
"Great! Oh, and Jack wants to know when you want to get the suits. He's bringing his boyfriend to the party, and he wants to look good."
Kara rolled her eyes affectionately and pulled out her phone, bringing up the calendar. She had a busy schedule, courtesy of Cat and the DEO, but her Wednesday was free. She told Sam, and Sam promised to relay the message to Jack.
"Now, let's get back to this ultimate week," Sam said.
Kara chuckled and leaned forward on the island.
"Five years is a huge deal, Sam. This woman has promised to spend the rest of her life with me, and I still can't believe it sometimes. And you're right. I think I've always known that Lena's wanted to go public, and I've let my fears dictate our coming out. So, I'm going to make things right. Everything leads up to giving her the house."
"What house?" It took Sam a moment, but then, "Wait, the house? As in the one in Jump City?"
"Yep." Kara flipped through her pictures until she found the screenshot. She turned the phone to Sam and added, "The sale fell through about a year ago, and I bought it straight out."
"Kara, you've had the house for a year?"
"Mhm. It's been a headache and a half, but it's been worth it. The owners wanted to get rid of it. They were in Milan and just wanted the deal done. I wanted to give the owners full price, but they let me get it for a hundred grand. Considering the property, that was a steal."
"How did you even afford it? The DEO pays you in potstickers and premium, front-row seats to alien fight club."
"Bruce gave me half a million as a wedding gift. Anyway, I've spent about two-thirds of the money buying the house, renovating and updating it, and outfitting it with a new security system. I also have a pool installation scheduled for tomorrow that Raven and Jinx will oversee." Kara cocked her head as she listened to the city, and then she said, "The house has changed a lot since Lena first saw it, but I fought to keep the bare bones the same. It will be unfurnished when I show it to her, so she can decorate how she wants. But it's still five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and an office suite, but I opened the kitchen since she likes to cook on her off-days. The basement has space for a private lab, gym, and a panic room. I made sure the contractors understood that I needed this done perfectly, and so far, they've done a good job. The beach access needs to be cleaned up a bit but it's finished."
"Wow. I mean… wow. I can see why Lena snatched you off the market before the rest of us folks could get a crack at you. How are Raven and Jinx, by the way?"
Kara winced and said, "Raven's relationship with the Titans is tense due to her relationship with Jinx. I think the only one she still talks to is Starfire."
"Where are they living now?"
"At the house," Kara said, shrugging. "They're my tenants while the construction is going on."
"You trust them that much?"
"Raven sees Lena as a mentor." At Sam's look, Kara laughed and added, "Yeah, it scares the mess out of me too."
"Maybe I need to date a superhero."
"I thought you and Diana looked pretty good together."
"No," Sam scoffed. Then she stopped and pretended to find the counter interesting. "Unless she's said something about me?" she asked.
"Maybe, maybe not. You can always ask?"
"Nope. Bye!"
Kara snorted as Sam flew out of the apartment back to Metropolis. Speaking of Diana, Kara dialed her aunt and made sure their plans for tomorrow were still on.
"Hi, babe."
Kara slid across the foyer and planted a raspberry on Lena's cheek.
"You are such a child," Lena grumbled, wiping her face.
"I just made you dinner, and you want to insult me?"
"Fuck off, Kara."
"Whoa, okay. Back up, what did I do?"
Lena groaned and said, "I'm sorry. That wasn't meant for you. My feet hurt, and I'm so hungry."
"What happened to your day of relaxation with Jess?"
"The place got raided by the actual FBI, and Jess and I were detained for almost two hours before they let us go. When we got back, our cars were towed, and I had to call Frank to come and pick us up. But there was a fucking accident that blocked most of the traffic, so Jess and I had to walk ten blocks to the car. Frank couldn't get around it, so I had him drop Jess and me at L-Corp. Jess caught a ride with Teo, my security officer, and I was going to call you to get me. But guess who decided to show up? My sister-in-law found out I was detained by the FBI and wanted to know why that was. I spent an hour telling her that it was a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. She didn't believe me, and I had to defend myself against more vitriolic bullshit because I was raised by fucking psychopaths. Frank had to go home to his wife and kids, so I walked from L-Corp to the penthouse at seven at night because I didn't want to come home angry. But that didn't work!"
Kara nodded to herself and picked Lena up by the waist. Lena sighed and slumped forward, wrapping her legs around Kara's hips. Kara carried Lena into the living room and gently deposited her on the couch. She took off her heels and removed her clothes. Kara then sped to their bedroom, took out an old hoodie and a pair of her shorts, and came back. She dressed Lena and nudged her until she was relaxed against the arm of the couch. Kara snatched Lena's blanket off the ottoman and draped it over her, kissing her forehead before moving into the kitchen. She moved with a purpose as she plated Lena's food and removed the drinks from the fridge. Kara broke the cap with ease and poured the beer into a glass with precision to avoid giving Lena too much foam. Satisfied with everything, Kara went into the living room and placed Lena's food on the coffee table. She kneeled next to Lena, brushing hair from her face until her eyes fluttered open.
"Here, you need to eat before sleep," she murmured.
Lena glanced behind Kara, and her eyes opened wide when she saw what Kara cooked.
"Is that cottage pie?"
"Yes, I've been practicing all morning. I also made some dairy cake, and I got the Guinness from the brewery in Ireland."
Lena shot forward and kissed Kara, a single tear slipping free. She pulled back and cupped Kara's cheeks, her mouth opening and closing before kissing Kara once more. Kara let Lena take the lead, uncaring about the discomfort from their position, and Lena sniffed and moved away, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Why are you so good to me?"
"Because you've been good to me," Kara said. "And because you deserve it."
"I just screamed at you."
"Did you mean it?"
"Of course not."
"Then it doesn't matter. We both have bad days, but what matters is what we do in the aftermath. This was just one of those nights."
"Even if I might hate your sister?"
"Yes, even still." Kara sighed, playing with the bracelet on Lena's wrist. "I'm sorry about how I've been keeping you a secret. I never wanted you to feel like I'm ashamed or embarrassed by what we have. I am happy to be your wife, and I am proud that you have my last name. I swear to you that the whole world will know you as the love of my life. Whatever happens, I will take it as it comes. But I will not continue to hide that I'm married to the most beautiful woman in the universe. Lena Zor-El, I vow that things will be different from now on."
Lena's lower lip quivered, and Kara brought Lena's head down until their foreheads connected. Kara truly fucked up in the worst way. She had five days to show the world, and her wife, that she was serious about their union.
Monday
Lena spent most of her drive with her head down as Frank weaved his way through the crowded National City streets. She never saw the people crowded outside of her building nor the CatCo photographer, James Olsen, staring at her building with suspicion, even as he snapped photos for Cat. Lena had no idea why her lobby was empty. When Lena looked up, she was already on the floor to her office. The elevator doors dinged as they opened, and Lena came face to face with Jess and Teo.
"Is there something wrong?" Lena asked.
"No, ma'am," Teo said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Okay," she said slowly.
Teo moved to the side, and Lena passed him and Jess with a weird look on her face. Teo beat Lena to opening the door, and she thanked him under her breath.
"Not a problem, Mrs. Zor-El," he whispered.
Lena's head snapped up, and Teo gave nothing away. He merely stepped to the side, revealing her office, and Lena gasped.
"Hello, little one."
"D-Diana?" Lena stammered. "What- what are you doing in National City? I mean, so soon."
"Four years ago, I witnessed a union between you and my niece, one that has shown me time and time again that the truest love is the love that no one expected to happen. You are family, Lena, and you have been since the day I found you two sleeping away on that cliff. You deserve every ounce of happiness in this world."
Diana removed a tarp from an item in front of Lena's balcony doors. Lena's purse fell from her grasp into Jess' awaiting hands, and Diana gestured for her to step closer. Lena didn't until Teo politely nudged her forward, and she stumbled over the threshold. Her feet carried her across the room, and her hand shook as she covered her mouth.
"I present the first world's first cast-iron telescope," Diana said. "It has been sitting in my private collection for years. Your wife saw it when she came to visit, and she felt it would be appreciated more here. I cleaned it and ensured that it was reinforced. You can use it whenever you like, and," Diana reached into her blazer pocket and pulled out an envelope, "It now belongs to you."
Lena took the envelope with a glazed look in her eyes, and Diana chuckled.
"Come, there is something else your wife wanted you to see."
Lena followed Diana out to the balcony. The entire space was covered in flowers and strings of lights. Diana pointed to the balcony edge, and Lena leaned over. She saw a banner, but the angle made it hard to read. Diana gently tilted her chin up, and through the reflection of the next building, Lena saw it in full.
'I Promise To Come Home Every Night.'
"This sign can be seen by everyone," Diana said. "The only person who can take it down is the person who put it there."
Lena had a tight hold on her emotions as she hugged Diana. The Amazonian returned the hug with the same amount of intensity, albeit with less strength, and kissed the top of her head.
"Enjoy your day, little one. I will see you this weekend."
Diana winked and left the balcony. Teo and Jess took Diana's place with matching smiles, and Lena grew suspicious.
"What now?" Lena asked.
"Come with us and see," Jess laughed.
Lena followed Teo and Jess back into the office, and she folded her arms.
"How did she even do this?" Lena huffed. "She was with me all night."
"When I got here at six, Supergirl had just finished the balcony," Teo said.
Lena sighed and said, "You do know you have to sign-
"I already did. We all did."
"Wait, we?"
Teo said nothing, and she kept asking until they reached the top floor. Jess opened the door, and Lena jumped as confetti canons went off. Balloons flew around her, and there was a lot of applause. She blinked in confusion at the lab technicians and directors huddled together with various juices and coffee in hand. Teo and Jess then joined the rest of the small group of employees, and Michael, Lena's lab overseer, stepped forward with a genuine smile.
"When we got here this morning, we had no idea what would be in store. Supergirl might have arranged this, but our words and actions are true. Everyone here has been impacted by your leadership in so many different ways. And you made our lives infinitely better with your arrival. We love you, Lena. You've been an incredible leader, and you've changed the world. L-Corp has never been a force for good until you got here, and we are honored to work with you. We're not the biggest bunch, but we'll always have your back. So, we want to say to the boss whose heart is always in the right place, congratulations! We wish you years and years of happiness and love because no one else on this planet deserves it more than you," he said.
"Cheers!" everyone exclaimed.
Lena's tight hold on her emotions fractured. She was immediately surrounded by her employees. They were men and women she knew personally, and they hugged her, whispering how much they appreciated her in her ear. Lena felt an invisible weight she didn't even know she'd been carrying lift from her shoulders, and she felt free.
James stepped up to Kara's desk, and she glanced up.
"I just left L-Corp," he said. "Someone covered the balcony in flowers and left Lena Luthor a pretty romantic message."
"Oh. Well, good for her, I guess?"
"The only person who could get that high and do that without being seen is Supergirl," James said.
"I can list at least ten other people who can do that," Kara countered.
James bent down and looked Kara in the eyes.
"Are you dating Lena Luthor?"
"No, I am not dating Lena Luthor," Kara said dryly.
"Are you sure? Because if you are, then you might be the stupidest person on this planet."
"I broke up with you because you seem to have two moods. Accusatory and envious. I am unimpressed with both, and I do not appreciate being called stupid. But I will humor you. Why would I be stupid?"
"Lena might be smiling in everyone's face now, but she and her brother are two peas in a pod. Her moving to National City is an omen. She can't be trusted."
"There's that accusatory mood I love so much," Kara said. "Honestly, let it go. Miss Luthor hasn't done anything, and I doubt she plans to."
"Don't do what Clark did and let your guard down," James hissed. "That bitch is-
Kara grabbed James by the shirt and tugged him forward so hard he knocked several items off her desk.
"If you ever call her that again," she whispered. "I will drop you from the stars. Do you understand?"
"Kara, let go," James said quickly.
"I said, do you understand?"
"Yes, yes, please, let go."
Kara released him, and James fell forward. He braced himself with his hands, and Kara sat back down. James pushed himself upright and glared at Kara.
"You're doing a shit job of proving you aren't dating her," he spat.
"I defend those who deserve to be defended, even from egotistical, arrogant assholes like yourself. Do me a favor and get lost," Kara warned.
Cat cleared her throat, and James spun around.
"Mr. Olsen, I suggest you get back to work. If I catch you gossiping like a teenager again, you will find yourself taking pictures of crying children in the mall to pay your rent."
James nodded once, and Cat dismissed him with a wave. Kara watched him leave with a neutral expression before returning her attention to Cat. Her boss crooked her finger, and Kara jumped up to follow her into her office. Kara closed the door behind them and clasped her hands behind her back. Cat gestured at the television, which was showing images of the banner she'd left at Lena's office, and she let out an uncharacteristic snort as she sat down.
"When I said find a location for Lena's solo shots this evening, I didn't mean deck out the L-Corp balcony as some sickening Valentine's Day shrine."
"That was more for me than the photoshoot," Kara sighed. "I need to make up for four years' worth of being a horrible partner."
"I see." Cat chewed on the tip of her glasses before shrugging. "Let me see if my private photographer is available for this evening. If he isn't, then I'll do it."
"We would prefer you do it regardless."
"Fine, I'll be your Anne Leibovitz for the occasion."
"Thank you."
"One last thing, is Mr. Olsen going to be a problem for you?"
"He might, yes. He is close to my cousin, and I imagine our conversation might spark a visit," Kara said flatly.
"Not interested in the family reunion?"
Kara said honestly, "Kal-El is but a memory of a place I no longer live. My best and closest connection to Krypton is my best friend, who has proven time and time again that she cares for who I am as a person. So, no. I am not interested in the family reunion."
Cat hummed and said, "Make sure Miss Luthor is prepared for her close-up."
Kara smiled and took the dismissal for what it was. She left the office and glanced to the side, seeing James and Winn staring back at her with varying looks of suspicion. Kara ignored them both and grabbed her bag. She had to pick up Lena's outfits from the cleaners since Jess was on shower Lena with love day at L-Corp. Kara let the elevator doors close on her and twitched at the thought of the inevitable confrontation with Clark. Chewing on her bottom lip as she argued with herself, Kara pulled out her phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Hey, Uncle B. What are the odds of you coming to National City a few days sooner than Saturday?" she asked.