Chapter 10 [Parker Residence—New York]

Shadows cloaked the bedroom. Boxes overflowed from the main room to line that space's edges as well. Sol streamed through Blinds' cracks. Cool Air caressed sleeping souls therein.

Peter rolled over onto his back. He felt relaxed for the first time in weeks. Granted, stuff still remained to be done. Packing for them, Aunt May, Harry and then Liz awaited. He needed to catch up with Aunt May as well. He sucked in a deep breath through his nose. He reclined into the soft pillows. His eyes alighted on the platinum blonde hair next to his ear. His toes felt hers tickling them. Her soft breathing caressed his ears.

Paradise…

He leaned over. His lips brushed across her forehead. "Good morning." He slipped out of bed and into the main room. He glanced around at the possessions and boxes scattered all over the staging area. Wow. She's really been busy. Appreciation warmed his heart for Gwen's efforts. Maybe he was the hero who swung into action and dealt with the bad guys.

Still Gwen kept the home fires burning….

She's amazing! He worked his way through the cardboard maze. We'll have to figure out how to get to Wabash. His mind though returned to the woman in charge of this effort. He touched his wedding band. My turn to get breakfast! It's definitely that. He started a batch of his apple cinnamon French toast frying in a skillet. He had the coffee pot perking beside that.

"Peter?" She groped her way out of the bedroom. "Everything all right?"

"Yeah, Gwendy, I'm great. Just admiring your groovy handiwork." Concern raised an eyebrow. "I didn't wake you, did I?"

"What? My Pepper Picking Prince disturbing my sweet slumber? Never, Man of Mine!" She smirked at him. "Not when you have Dad's favorite dish going."

"And yours?"

She shrugged. "I might like it. It did convince me to marry this guy. Maybe you know him? Brown haired science geek if he wasn't so into journalism. Has a fetish for webs, red and blue." She brushed her lips across his. "Good morning."

"Good morning." He embraced her. "This is so nice."

"What? You like hanging out in the middle of a disheveled mess?" Teasing spiced her tone. Her smirk spread out to Lex-levels.

"To put it your way, Kid, anywhere you goeth, I followeth." He touched foreheads with her. "Last three weeks have been so long. You know?"

She nodded. "And smart too! Tell me about it, Mr. P. I keep reminding myself that it's about the future. Peter…" She looked into his eyes.

"Yeah?"

"Do me a favor?"

"Sure. Anything."

"Check your creation, Genius." She motioned toward the stove.

"Oh yeah. That." He hustled toward the stove.

"Yeah that." Giggle escaped her lips. "I like browned toast not blackened sending smoke signals."

"I'm not abusing your stomach, Mrs. P. By the way, I was thinking of going up to Aunt May's for breakfast one day. She should try this." He flipped the toast over.

"We'd better! She'd love this. I meant what I said about her being part of our family." She shook her head. "I've been up there every other day. I just want to make sure she's okay."

"I appreciate that. I've called her but…." Guilt stabbed at him.

"She knows. She'll be glad now that we're back here." Suggestion raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not the only smart one. Must be why I married a genius." He took another skillet out and set bacon in it. "We're getting a good breakfast."

"Good breakfast huh?" She rested her chin on his shoulder. "As if you'd give me a bad one?"

"Perish forbid." He rubbed her arm.

The phone cut into their bantering.

"Ah that's Reality's sting I believe!" She answered it. "Parker Residence."

"Hi, Gwen. It's Jennifer Dubois. Glad I didn't wake you up."

"No. We're up. Peter's cooking breakfast for us. Then we're setting to work on our conundrum here. What's going on? Hopefully we don't have another emergency." Gwen glanced toward Peter.

"No emergency this time. Actually Clark and Lana wanted to help you out with packing today. They're free and asked about you," Jennifer offered.

"That would be great!" Gwen considered the boxes and other scattered items. "Lex said they might be interested. We'd love the help! Have they eaten breakfast?"

"Actually no. We had a situation last night. They did their chores. I'm at Lex's mansion right now. They're waiting in the barn."

"Yikes. I hope it's not another argument with Clark's Dad about the heritage stuff." Gwen made a face. "Just a sec! Hey, Mr. P! Put on more if you please! We're going to have company!"

Peter had overheard enough. He nodded and set to work. A thumbs up signaled his intention.

"The Chef approves. We just need to get dressed. There's coffee, French toast and bacon waiting. Then we'll get to work. Chloe will be here tonight so maybe we can have a great dinner?"

"Lana has to go back tonight for her shift. Yeah that'll work. We'll give you twenty minutes. All right? Thanks. See you then." Jennifer hung up. She nodded to Lex. Then she rushed out the front door and toward the Kent Farm.

Gwen hung up. "You think after raising an alien child, that man would get a serious clue. I don't get it!"

"That makes two of us. Hey. Let's make today as great as possible for them." He dipped more bread into the mix. "How long we have?"

"Twenty minutes." She shook her head. "I could've sworn she said they're in Smallville though."

"Where that place is concerned, I've stopped asking questions." Peter shook his head. "Dinner with everyone would be great. We'll see what everyone wants." He flipped the other toast. "Why don't you change? Then you can watch this while I change?"

"Sounds like a plan, My Man." She kissed his cheek. "Be back!" She made her way through the boxes.

Why do things have to be so difficult? Peter shook his head.