Here we go! I hope you all like it. This one wasn't as painful as the last but here we go. As always thank you to my amazing Beta who says the theme of this chapter is "smiles". There is also more mention of cake...
Stepping into Alex and Sam's house, Kara blanches as she can see her mother has clearly decorated. There is a rainbow of pastels coloured banners everywhere because of course, Eliza Danvers would be gender neutral with giraffes, elephants, and a veritable ark of other adorable zoo animals. The motif continues as they step into the living room and dining room, overwhelming Kara who spares a glance at Lena who seems humoured by the situation. They find Alex already glaring at them from the couch.
"You better have brought scotch," Alex all but growls as they come near. Kara tries to ignore the adorable snort Lena makes as Sam takes their bags and jackets to another room with a humouring smile at her wife.
"No scotch, but I did bring wine, for those of us not carrying a small human," Lena teases.
"You're an ass Luthor," Alex huffs. "What about the cake?"
"Shoot," Kara curses and glances at Lena, who is staring at her with an arched brow.
"You forgot the cake?" Alex asks with a hushed hiss.
"Yes, I'm sorry," Kara exclaims with a sigh.
"Alex be nice," Eliza calls from the kitchen. Kara's head droops as Eliza makes her way over.
"I'm sorry Eliza, we were just running late and then traffic." Kara rambles her nerves visible and Eliza simply shakes her head with a reassuring smile.
"It's just a cake, Kara, Ruby, and I will make cupcakes instead. Besides, the shop called, I'll just pick it up tomorrow instead." Eliza informs with a reassuring smile that Kara is grateful for, and Alex rolls her eyes with a shake of her head.
"Suck up," Alex mutters as Eliza walks away, before looking pleadingly at both Kara and Lena. "Please just rip this kid out of me so I don't have to do today," Alex whispers with a groan.
"You know she's probably planned this since you left for college," Kara teases before stepping further into the house.
"You're just lucky you don't remember your wedding," Alex whispers, glaring at her. "Because if there was ever a time I thought you might laser eye mom it was then."
Both Kara and Lena's smirks falter at the mention of their wedding and Lena can't help the question that slips from her lips, "Really?"
Alex seems to soften but nods. "She was insufferable. It was like the biggest love fest ever, and then Alura came and it was a nightmare, not one but two moms fawning over Kara. All that was missing was a damn rainbow flag flying from the alter."
Kara can't hide the relief at the sound of her mother's name. She was alive. Argo had made it through the rebirth. She wants to ask Alex more, but Eliza's walking past to talk with Ruby and she bites her tongue. She can ask Alex when there are less people around to impact. A warm hand squeezes her own in silent support and Kara follows the pale hand to find Lena's warm green eyes on her and she smiles thankfully.
"Because I'm sure your wedding was a low key event," Lena drawls without thinking and Alex smirks.
"Touche," Alex relents before lifting her hand. "Help me up?" Kara responds quickly, rushing to her sister's side and lifting her gently. She turns to find Lena watching her carefully, an unreadable expression on her face. It's gone as soon as their eyes connect, and it makes Kara wonder what Lena was thinking. "Come on, I think Sam and Ruby are hiding," Alex says as she leads them through the large home and Kara watches as Lena glances around.
"It's a lot to take in," Kara whispers quietly enough for Lena to hear as green eyes meet her own. Lena nods, offering a small smile in greeting to Eliza, who is prepping cupcakes from the looks of it. Kara's stomach grumbles at the sight.
"Good luck trying to steal one, I'm going to find Sam," Lena whispers and Kara nods with a grin.
Lena had been drowning as soon as Alex had mentioned their wedding. She didn't want to think about the memories she so desperately wanted. Stepping onto the back porch, the cool air was a welcome relief.
"Thank god you're not late," Sam states as she catches sight of her and Lena's mouth softens with understanding.
"I was under strict instructions," Lena says in mock seriousness as she steps onto the grass and ignores the sinking of her heels. Ruby emerges from the hedgerow with her soccer ball and a grin as she runs over, tightly embracing Lena. "Also, I think your wife is missing alcohol a little too much," Lena adds.
Sam chuckles shaking her head, "Some would say it's a problem how much she misses beer."
Lena can't help the grin that spreads over her face.
"It's not that long is it?" She finds herself asking.
"Six weeks," Ruby chimes in excitedly. "Not that anyone's counting," She adds with a pointed look at her mother, who blushes.
"Hey, why don't you grab Lena and I a drink?" Sam asks and Ruby happily nods before running off into the house.
"You must be excited," Lena comments as Sam shoves her hands in her pockets.
"Nervous," Sam admits.
"Sam, she shoots aliens for a living," Lena reminds with a reassuring smile.
"Yeah, but that I can do something about. There are contingencies and protocols and Kara," Sam rattles off and Lena can see the worry etching over her features. "With this, there is nothing any of us can do."
"You never said you felt this way with Ruby," Lena states with a frown.
"I didn't have anything to lose with Ruby," Sam shrugs. "I've never seen Alex like this," Sam whispers. "She's uncomfortable all the time, and I can't do anything about it."
"Alex knew what she was getting into when she decided on this, right, besides it's only a few more weeks and then it'll all be better," Lena smiles rubbing Sam's arm who returns the expression with a nod. "How is Ruby about it all?"
"Ecstatic," Sam chuckles as they look at Ruby who clearly has abandoned getting them drinks in favour of helping Eliza decorate cupcakes while Alex and Kara talk animatedly while Kara munches on her stolen cupcake. "She's so excited. For so long it was just us two and then Alex came along and we were complete." Sam glances at her with a sympathetic smile, "I forget you know."
"Forget what?" Lena asks softly.
"That you don't remember. It must be so horrible for you," Sam whispers.
"It's not so bad," Lena shrugs with a small shake of her head. "Kara helps the best she can, but even she gets lost sometimes. We haven't talked about everything from before very much. We've talked more recently but still not a lot."
"You should talk to her," Sam urges softly.
"She kissed me last night," Lena says, and Sam's eyebrows rise sharply.
"That's- That's a good thing, right?" Sam asks, looking uncertain. "You're not looking like it's a good thing."
"Every time something bad happens between us, Kara's reaction seems to be hugging or kissing or..." Lena rolls her hand to elaborate, not trusting her voice.
"Fucking?" Sam supplies and Lena scowls. "What?" Sam asks with a laugh, holding her hands up in defence as Lena relaxes. "Look, you two have been through a lot more than the Lena and Kara, I knew, but you guys are going to get through it. You're always able to forgive each other," Sam reassures.
"Were we randomly having sex or kissing each other before?" Lena asks dully and Sam smirks.
"Yes, but you were trying to be subtle and hiding your feelings from Alex," Sam admits, and Lena can't help but laugh.
"When I first caught you two, Kara begged me not to tell Alex, then..." Sam stops as she smiles at the memory.
"What?" Lena asks, suddenly intrigued.
"Kara dragged you onto the dancefloor at our wedding, which wasn't long after she told you everything in Kaznia. You gave her the cold shoulder throughout the wedding and managed to ignore her through the dinner, but she kept pestering you. Eventually, you let her drag you to dance and then you ended up kissing her in front of everyone. Alex cried. She hadn't told other you that she did."
Lena finds herself smiling at the story, her chest feeling that horrible light and fluffy way when she feels like her happiness is within reach even if she knows it's not. Sam steps onto the deck with Lena following.
"I wish I could remember it," Lena admits quietly, and Sam gives her a reassuring nod.
"Me too. But you can make your own memories," Sam offers before her face becomes serious. "Just not today because if Alex's blood pressure gets any higher, she might have a heart attack or kill someone."
Kara looks up as Lena and Sam slip through the backdoor and Lena can't help but smile at the warm blue eyes. Kara returns it just as brightly as Lena steps closer, accepting the soda Ruby hands her.
"So Nia and Brainy are on their way, James is a little behind but on his way," Kara tells them, putting away her phone.
"Winn said he's running late, something about a nuclear particle inducer or something from the DEO," Alex informs them, grimacing when she sips the juice in her hand.
"Why does Winn need a nuclear particle inflamer?" Sam asks with a weary look.
"Inducer," Eliza corrects and Sam nods, accepting the correction.
"I didn't ask, nor do I want to know," Alex admits with a shrug and chuckles as Sam groans into her shoulder.
"Who else is coming?" Kara asks.
"Just the usual superfriends. We're going to have a separate party with more of the work friends,'' Alex informs them and Lena nods. Nia and Brainy turn up fifteen minutes later and then Winn and James half an hour after. J'onn appears as the party's in full swing and Lena wishes she had let Kara drive. The house is crowded with their friends and it takes Kara back to a year ago when they were all gathered in J'onn's office drinking after defeating Lex and it makes Kara's stomach twist with guilt. There are lots of games and congratulations and Alex looks mildly irritated, but she stands with a small smile on her face, braced for the whole situation. With Sam glowing with pride at her side as they talk to their friends. Kara glances at Lena as she leans against the wall where she's been standing away from the noise.
"You ok?" Lena asks softly.
"It's just very loud," Kara says, and Lena has forgotten she has super hearing. "I can normally block it out, but sometimes it's just too much when I can't focus on one thing."
"Tell me something," Lena requests before she can think of a brighter idea.
"What?" Kara says, her brows knit in question.
"To focus your hearing, tell me something? Something about Krypton?" Lena suggests.
Kara watches Lena for a long moment before nodding and Lena steps closer so only she can hear what Kara is saying.
"When I was a child, my father used to take me to the Hanging Rock Garden of Vala. They were a long flight from Argo, Krypton's capital city and the place where I grew up. It was something my father, and I used to do just the two of us. It's a sacred place, a hand sculpted monument to the lost love of Krypton's mightiest warrior, Vala. Who chose the spot where Rao's light would always shine. At night the gardens look like they were glowing, having been bathed in Rao's light." Kara recalls with a contemplative look on her face. A look that Lena can tell the Kryptonian is deep in her memories.
"Rao is your god, right?" Lena asks in confirmation and Kara nods, looking to her feet, crinkle forming as words flood her mind from around the room.
"Vala must have loved her very much," Lena whispers and Kara snorts, forcing Lena to look up at her, confused.
"Vala's love wasn't a woman," Kara states with a shake of her head. "Vala's love was another warrior who fell in battle, a general who was destined to prove his worth to the high council of Krypton."
Lena's mouth is open slightly before nodding, "Right," Lena mutters and before she's stopped herself she's asking; "So they don't have a problem with any of this?" Waving her between them.
Kara chuckles low in her throat and Lena's squeezing her thighs to stop the raging fire that's begun in her abdomen. "No, it was never a problem on Krypton," Kara states with a shrug. "We had a device called the birthing matrix that could combine the requesting couples' DNA and create a viable child."
"That's amazing," Lena whispers as her mind tries to organise the tech components required to create such a thing. "And where you-"
Kara sniggers as she shakes her head. "No, they designed it for families who couldn't conceive, but it was more to ensure the survival of Kryptonians. Should the war between Krypton and Daxam prove too destructive, they could send the matrix to an unpopulated inhabitable planet and restart there."
Lena's mind races for several moments before stating, "So, you do know what quantum entanglement is."
Kara chuckles and nods, a smile slowly spreading over her face as she sips her drink. "Since I was like 5," Kara adds sheepishly and Lena glares.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Lena wonders and Kara shrugs.
"For a long time, I had to blend in. To be a normal thirteen-year-old that didn't know things humans hadn't discovered yet," Kara admits. "So, I tended to forget, then you came along and had all these amazing groundbreaking ideas for Earth, I wanted you to discover them." Kara stares tenderly down into green eyes, "I couldn't burst your bubble."
Lena admires Kara for a long moment. The Kryptonians strong jaw clenching as she thinks, blue eyes scanning the room behind black frame glasses.
"Well, there's no excuse now not to discuss nuclear quantum mechanics and their application for weaponisation," Lena states with a huff, making Kara laugh in a way that it almost splits her face and Lena revels in the look. Kara's eyes meet her own and she can't help but worry her bottom lip and doesn't miss Kara's glance down at them.
"Kara!" They're pulled from their bubble by Alex. Kara looks up with a small quirk of her lips at her sister and follows the summons with a small apology to Lena.
Lena watches her walk away, slacks fitting slightly too well for Lena not to notice.
"Oh thank god you're here," Winn says, gesturing to where Lena is, "And not there," hands waving indicating where the party is in full swing away from them. Winn taking over Kara's previously vacated space. "Not wanting to play guess the candy bar in the diaper?" Winn asks with a teasing grin.
"Not exactly my kind of fun," Lena states with an unimpressed brow raise, and Winn raises a knowing eyebrow.
"I don't even know why I didn't think up an excuse to get out of this, it's like Alex's bridesmaid's shower all over again," Winn mutters quietly into his beer.
"What happened?" Lena asks, and Winn shudders.
"Eliza had all these games and there were banners and more games and not enough alcohol," Winn informs and Lena laughs.
"Oh yes, it sounds terrible," Lena smirks and Winn glares.
"There were butlers," Winn begins, and Lena raises a simple eyebrow. "In the buff," He adds.
Lena frowns at him and Winn shrugs. "There was apparently a miscommunication on the booking."
"Ah, I'm glad to see the level 1.4 intellects are congregating here," Brainy states, stepping up beside them and Lena scoffs. "I never understood this tradition of humans preemptively celebrating the birth of another human. There is still a 5.8% chance that the child will not survive, which by my calculation would cause devastating grief for the expectant parents."
"I wouldn't state those statistics too loud in current company," Lena advises and Brainy frowns.
"Sam might be human, but I'm almost certain she knows how to get rid of your body," Winn sniggers. "Plus, pregnant or not, Alex will shoot you."
"Agent Danvers would not-"
"Dude," Winn warns. "No, baby dying statistics today," Winn hisses quietly and Brainy looks affronted.
Lena smiles into her glass before nodding, "I agree, not today or at all for the next six weeks?"
"Surely it would be efficient to know the survival of-"
He's silenced by Lena's glare and nods tightly. "Very well."
"Kara said there was some trouble with the shrink ray," Lena comments, a ploy to get Brainy from mentioning any more child mortality statistics.
"We got the wiring wrong," Winn huffs with a shake of his head.
"Winn got the wiring wrong," Brainy amends with an arched brow.
"You said it would work," Winn protests.
"I believe I said it would have a 75% chance of operating at its optimum given the correct environment to which it was used."
"You know if you had just given it to me I would have built it where it worked in nearly every environment," Lena teases, earning looks of incredulity from both men. They spend the better part of an hour arguing over the subtleties of carbon fibre as an additive to aid in conductivity vs conductive polymer as a natural source for conductivity before turning to see Sam, being blindfolded and lead to a table where a doll is waiting to have its diaper put on. To everyone's surprise, Sam proves to be the only one able to put a diaper on blindfolded
"So why aren't you two not engaging in the thrilling activities?" Lena asks both men, and Winn visibly shudders.
"We're only here for the free booze," Winn mutters into his bottle.
"Yes, these games seem childishly and easily comprehensible after all it is obvious if there is Almond Joy in that diaper," Brainy adds pointing to guests sniffing at melted candy bar filled diapers. Lena can't help but laugh at both men.
"And why aren't you playing?" Winn asks, his eyes teasing. "Not up for competing with your Kryptonian wife?"
"Please, we all know I would win against Kara in any game," Lena states with a challenging glare. She's fallen, Lena knows it, she's fallen completely back into where they were a year ago. Every betrayal is being ignored for the enjoyment of the day, and Lena doesn't care.
"I hasten to bet Kara would disagree," Brainy counters and Lena smirks. Kara is her most formidable opponent at any game night.
"Try me," Lena shrugs.
"Alright, next game," Eliza announces, producing a length of twine. "Guess the size of the bump."
"Hey Kara," Winn calls, walking the three of them over to where Kara was talking quietly with Nia. The Kryptonian looks up happily at the sight of Lena. "Why don't you and Lena play this one?"
"Ugh sure," Kara nods and Lena smirks. "What are we doing this for?" Kara asks Lena quietly, and Lena shakes her head.
"Winn seems to believe I can't beat you at any game," Lena states with a shrug and Kara scoffs.
"You can't beat me at every game," Kara amends.
"But I can," Lena smirks and watches as Kara pales at the playful challenge.
"Alright girls, what do you think? Guess the size of the baby bump," Eliza asks with an enthusiastic smile.
"Be very careful how much bigger you think this kid is making me," Alex warns as she stands with Sam's help.
Kara looks over at Alex for a few long minutes before fidgeting, and Lena grips her wrist before she can pull down her glasses.
"Are your eyes sore, darling?" Lena asks with a grin and Kara glares, shoving her glasses pointedly back into place. Lena observes Alex for a moment, trying to visualize the latitude of Alex's stomach in a straight line.
Alex sighs heavily. "Just guess," She orders.
"15 inches," Lena states.
"20," Kara blurts and even Lena can't hold back the look of shock that matches Alexs, and Kara quickly covers her mouth as she realises how offensive she sounds.
"Really, Kara," Alex growls, taking a threatening step forward.
"Girls," Eliza warns, and Alex relents, pointing angrily at Kara who mouths 'Sorry'. "The baby bump is 12 inches, Lena wins."
Lena turns to Brainy and Winn with a proud smirk as she walks to the kitchen.
"You look far to smug about this," Kara states as she steps up behind her, leaning against the counter.
"I must admit, I take a small amount of pleasure in beating you," Lena says triumphantly as she pours soda into two glasses, sharing one with Kara and keeping the other for herself.
"I suppose you don't get to do it very often," Kara smirks as she accepts the glass. Lena glares, making Kara chuckle, "I wish you hadn't stopped coming to game nights," Kara mutters softly and Lena looks down guiltily into her glass.
"Maybe we could host one at our place," Lena suggests thoughtfully, and Kara smiles brightly.
"Yeah, maybe," Kara agrees and they turn to observe the party. Her thoughts as she recalls the times when Lena would turn up at game night with an expensive bottle of wine Kara had never heard of. Her mind drifts to the game nights that they had had in her own universe, and it makes her wonder how often they do game night in this world. They stand together in a comfortable silence for a long time before Ruby pulls Lena outside to show her the latest soccer move she's been learning and Kara follows them outside. Lena looks ridiculous in six-inch heels attempting to kick a soccer ball around, but she can't help enjoying the wide smile on Lena's face as she plays with Ruby..
"Hey, how are you holding up?" Kara turns as Sam steps up beside her and she smiles at the woman.
"You know, getting there," Kara shrugs, she feels awkward under Sam's watchful gaze. Like the woman knows more about herself than Kara does.
"You shouldn't be angry at her for telling me," Sam states carefully and Kara forces a tight smile in return
"I just worry for you and Alex," Kara says, with concern and Sam nods.
"I know, but we're stronger than you think," Sam states and Kara can't help laughing as Lena tries to run, leaving a red soled shoe behind. Kara doesn't see the way Sam watches her for a long moment.
"She isn't as angry at you as you think you know," Sam informs her quietly and Kara turns to look at Sam who has a knowing smirk on her face. Kara doesn't say anything, simply watching the older woman smile before glancing back at Alex, who is talking animatedly with Nia and gesturing to Sam to join them. "I'm being summoned but think about what you want, Kara," Sam encourages before rejoining her wife.
Kara grits her teeth, she doesn't know what she wants, that was the problem. She'd like to think she wasn't the type of person who went around kissing and sleeping with her friends, but her actions of late with Lena would say otherwise. Lena who had stood by her through so much, through Mon-el, through Reign even after battling with Supergirl at every turn. Kara shook her head, Lena shouldn't want her, she probably doesn't, Kara reasons. Not after everything.
"Hey, what are you thinking so hard about?" Kara turns as Lena steps in front of her, concern written over her face.
"Nothing," Kara smiles softly, her skin tingling where Lena's hand rests on her arm. "Did Ruby win?" she asks, changing the subject.
"Of course she did," Lena groans with a hidden smile. "I fully lost a shoe," Lena adds with a teasing glare, and Kara can't help but chuckle.
"Yeah, you did," Kara smirks with a roll of her eyes and she feels her body warm at the sound of Lena's melodic laughter. "But you were able to get it back."
"Lena, we need you to settle a debate on the application of the polyatomic field generators," Brainy informs them, pulling Lena from her position beside Kara. Kara gives a reassuring smile at the look of worry Lena sends her. A painted red lip pulled between perfect white teeth, and Kara can't help but recall when Lena was on her back with Kara between her legs. Kara can't help the blush that overcomes her as she admires the way green eyes are filled with curiosity and passion over the discussion Lena's having with them.
"Eliza sure has outdone herself this time," Kara turns to find Nia sipping a glass of wine.
"Yeah, I remember Alex's 18th Birthday. She wanted to go paint balling, so Eliza turned the hay maze in Midvale into an arena." Kara grins at the memory.
"Speaking of parties," Nia begins with a sly smile. "Have you thought any more about your anniversary?"
"What?" Kara squeaks. "Oh god, that's... That's soon." Kara realises as she recalls the calendar on her desk.
"Yeah," Nia states sarcastically.
"I'll um, I'll think of something, you know we could go somewhere for a fancy meal or something." Kara shrugs and Nia nods unconvinced.
"I mean, I'm sure that would work," Nia shrugs. "If she wasn't Lena Luthor."
Kara watches Nia for a long moment and wonders if Nia has forgotten, forgotten what they had told them at the DEO. Kara can't think how, but there's a faint look in her eyes that makes Kara wonder if that is the case. "Yeah, you're right," Kara mutters with a nod, making a note to bring it up with J'onn.
The party drags on for a long time. Longer than Kara had thought, it would have to play some silly games with diapers and eating cupcakes. She's leaning against the wall when Lena returns to her side.
"So much for together," Lena whispers with a sigh.
"It's ok," Kara shrugs, staring into the club soda she's managed to find.
"It's not, we made a plan and I haven't stuck even remotely to it," Lena berates herself.
"Neither have I, Lena, really don't worry," Kara reassures with a smile. She can see how on edge Lena is, and she wants her to relax, to not have the underlying worry in her eyes that Kara knows is there since they left the house. The party slowly dies as the afternoon wears on, J'onn having excused himself early and James ducking out with excuses of a long drive.
"I can't believe you forgot the cake, Kara," Sam teases as she walks over and Kara rolls her eyes.
"One thing Kara," Eliza sighs as she joins them, playing along. "I asked you to get one thing."
"To be fair, mom, she was super busy the last couple of days with work," Alex defends and Eliza shakes her head with a warm smile.
"I knew I should have told Lena," Eliza teases. "Oh well, we can use it for your earth birthday tomorrow." Eliza shrugs, "it's not like we have to worry about it going to waste, not with Kara around. I can pick up both cakes in the morning."
Kara pales as she realises the time of year. Memories flash through her mind of Krypton. It's her earth birthday tomorrow, the day she crash landed on earth and if the widening of Lena's eyes is any indication they are definitely having a long conversation in the car ride home.
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