It's another day and time for another chapter. Enjoy!

After leaving Lexcorp I hurried around town purchasing what I needed for dinner tonight. I bought some of Lois's favorite foods. Things I would normally steer her clear of like steak and ice cream. However, tonight I was going to spoil her. So, she could have whatever she wanted. She deserved to be treated like a queen, after all. Once I had what I needed, I flew it all to the forest to set it up. I could have held it at home, but I truly wanted us to be alone. No one else around us. The only place that I could think of doing that was in the fortress. It did present its own challenges: Like how do you cook steak in here? But, I am Superman. I can deal with that. I might have asked Ma to help me cook the dishes in Smallville. That way I had access to a stove without Lois finding out about this. I wanted it to be a surprise. Lois had no idea that I was seriously doing this. She made it up as a ploy. Now, it was reality. I was going to treat my pregnant wife to a night that she will remember.

Once everything was ready I headed home. I found Lois working on a story that she did not want me to see. For she closed the laptop the moment I entered the apartment. Which I assumed meant that she was doing something that I asked her not to no do. But I let it slide. She was a grown woman, capable of making her own choices. I had to respect them. At least for now that is. I would not pursue the matter tonight. Tomorrow, I may. But tonight I would not. This was her night. Even if she didn't know it yet. I was not going to spoil it by arguing with her. Nor would I spy on her later. Yes, I could crack into that laptop easily. But no, I was not going to do that. Not even tomorrow. I had to respect her privacy. I would ask for her sources, not steal them. That was not who I was.

Lois smiled at me as I entered the room. She looked tired but happy. She was also curious as to why I did not bother to change. I still wore my suit. I could see it in her eyes, but she said nothing about it. Instead, opting to pretend that I wasn't Superman.

"Hey, Clark."

I kissed her. "Lois."

She seemed really confused now. She had no idea why I just breathed her name. "What's going on Smallville?"

There it was - her favorite pet name for me. One that she used to use as a derogatory thing. Now it was primarily used only when we were alone. When she wanted to tease me. It was her way of showing affection. I had grown to love that name almost as much I loved the other name that she had given me. I just never told her how much I loved hearing it. Or how I loved teasing her about it. It was fun protesting even though I didn't want her to stop. I liked being called Smallville by her. No one else could call me that. Only her. As I made that clear to Batman long ago. I would only let Lois call me that. That was her pet name for me and no one else's. I didn't want anyone else calling me that.

I smiled back at her. "Nothing, just wanted to know if you would take a flight with me tonight?"

"Tonight?" Lois said suspiciously, "Clark, you didn't take me seriously today, did you?"

I scooped her up as I teased. "No, Lois, I never do that."

She hit me for that. It didn't really hurt, but it was fun. I loved instigating stuff like this. Lois was so damned predictable at times. God, I loved her. I wouldn't want to share my life with anyone else. I kissed her again and she relaxed.

"You've got something planned, don't you?" She asked.

I smiled. I couldn't help it. She knew me so well. "Of course I do, Lois."

"Let me guess: You're not going to tell me what until we get there."

"That's about it."

Now it was her turn to grin like an idiot. "I love you, Clark."

"And I love you." I kissed her again. "Now, come with me." This time Lois did not hesitate. She got her coat. Then went back to me. That was not going to be good enough for a nighttime flight in the arctic. Particularly for one used to the climate of Metropolis. I cleared my throat then suggested, "Why don't you bring your winter jacket."

"Really?" She asked. "We're going to the fortress? Couldn't you have thought of someplace warmer?"

"Lois, the fortress is climate controlled. It maintains room temperature 24 hours a day. Even if the outside is forty below, it will be 'comfy' inside. You won't be cold. Besides, it's summer now. It won't be that bad."

She gave me a withering look. "To you maybe. But for us mortals it's bloody cold! Why couldn't you put your fortress in a more hospitable climate?"

I laughed. "Lois, Ice hides Kryptonian tech far better than cacti."

"How's that working for ya?" Lois fired back.

"Not so well, lately," I admitted. "There's a lot less ice up there than there used to be."

"See?" She said with a note of triumph. "You should have built it in the desert." She grabbed the coat. "Let's go."

I could have gone straight for the arctic and been there in 15 minutes. I didn't want to. I wanted to take my time getting there. We were in no rush and I wanted Lois to enjoy the flight. So, I made a few detours. Making sure to stop in some of Lois's favorite spots along the way. I wanted this night to be about her. It was my way of thanking her for being with me and for giving me such a wonderful gift. I had to return the favor somehow. This was my way of doing it. Still, it was getting late and Lois was getting hungry. I could tell. She was getting to be a touch irritable. It was time to head north and have dinner.

Of course, Lois complained about how cold everything was. And about how long it took to get here. Even though she had enjoyed herself along the way. She just couldn't help it.

"Lois, if you didn't want to take the scenic route then you could have said something." I reminded her.

"And cut out all the flying? No thank you! I just wanted to point out that we could have been here faster."

I chuckled. "Of course. I could have been here in less than a minute. But that speed is far too dangerous for you. I like my wife in one piece thank you."

She shook her head. "That's not what I meant and you know it."

Oh, I knew what she meant. She meant I could have been here faster even with her aboard. And the answer was . . . yes, I could have. But what would be the fun in admitting that I knew?

"What do you mean, Lois?"

She kissed me. "Don't play dumb, Smallville. It doesn't suit you."

"What?" I had no intention of letting up just yet.

Lois growled at me then headed towards the door. "Fine, whatever. Let's just go."

I don't know why I enjoyed that outburst, but I did. It assumed me. Then again there was little point into gording her anyway. I just wanted to. It was fun. I guess my way of flirting with her. I loved watching Lois be Lois. I never wanted her to change. Even though inevitably she would have to. Just as I would. We were about to become parents. Our world was going to change. There was no getting around that. It came with the territory. We had to change. And we will do so gladly. That doesn't mean that I won't miss these days. I wanted to enjoy every second that I had left. Even if a little of it was at Lois's expense. I couldn't help it. I just couldn't.

One of the robots met us at the door. He had my favorite of her dresses. A red number that showed off all of her best features. A number that Lois had used many times for work. It tended to drive men to spill their guts. Then again Lois was a minx. It was hard to deny her when she wore it. Particularly, if she spoke to you in her sexy voice. You had no chance. God, I loved watching her work. Even if I had to watch other men drool over her. At least that they were going to be left with nothing. For at the end of the day, Lois was mine and mine alone. There was nothing that they could about it. Just lement how they fell to the siren's call. I know that this sounds selfish, but I deserve something for myself sometimes. And I wanted Lois Lane to myself. I did not want to share her.

Lois looked at the dress then looked back at me. "Really?"

"Really." I reaffirmed as I took it from the robot. "You look gorgeous in it. Takes my breath away. Always does. Can't you grant a humble man his request and put it on?"

She shook her head before finally talking. "Clark, you are an idiot, but I love you."

"I love you too."

"So, I assume that you have my usual place set up for me."

What Lois was referring to was a suite that I designed just for her. I tried to emulate one of Lois's favorite spas. Which was hard with Kryptonian tech. It was not designed to emulate wood and stone. Still, I think that the end result was satisfactory. Lois seemed to agree. After all, it was usually her first stop here. She would spend an hour or more just soaking or tuning out the world. When she was there she did not want to be bothered. Even by me. It was her alone time. Which I always gave her. After all, I wanted her to think of this place as home too.

"Of course. Let me know if you need anything."

I offered even though I knew that she wouldn't do that. She always wanted to be alone there. She could disappear in here for hours. Enjoying the amenities that I built into the place. Including the hot tub and holographic masseuse. When Lois went in there she did not want to be bothered by anyone. Not even me.

Honestly, I do not know what she does in there. For I cannot see inside the room. Once she turned on the privacy screen that is. It was a feature that I insisted was not necessary. I assured her that I would not spy in on her when she was in there. She didn't believe me. To be fair, I don't blame her. The thought had crossed my mind. She is the most beautiful creature that I had ever seen. Of course, I wanted to see her like that. Hell, I would have preferred to join her in there. Alas, Lois was insistent that I don't. She wanted it to be her space where she could be alone. So, I installed the privacy screen and left it at that.

"I will." She kissed me then she was off. I wouldn't see her for a least an hour or so. I would take that time to make sure that everything for our dinner was perfect.

When Lois finally emerged from her spa I was ready for her. I had the table set and the music playing. It was a romantic number that people said was nice. I never heard it before, but it was relaxing. Smooth jazz was always romantic in my book. The food was warmed up and waiting for her. I had even changed into something more appealing. Lois had a thing about me in tuxedos. It was true that Superman turned her on, but me wearing a tux was more alluring. Trust me, I know. Her heart rate and body temperature rises whenever she sees me in one. Then she proceeds to undress me with her eyes. Something similar used to happen when I showed up as Superman. Now, the effect is less pronounced. Maybe she is just too used to me as Superman. I don't know. I didn't understand at all, but I didn't really care either. If it worked then it worked. So tonight I would tear a tux not my tights. Although, I did leave off the glasses. It didn't seem necessary. After all, she knew that they were fake. I just wanted to be with her as I was. The man she married. The father of her children. The false pretenses seemed unnecessary. We were alone.

When Lois saw me chuckled. "You're looking handsome tonight."

"Oh? Do you like what you see?" I asked in a low voice.

"Of course I do. I always appreciate a good tux."

"Ma'dam, your table is ready." I announced in a purposely awful French accident as I pulled out her chair. "Allow me." Once Lois sat down I proceeded to explain the menu that I had put together. It was all decidedly not french, but I didn't care. If I wanted France I could have flown her there. I did not need to recreate it. This was for fun. So, I kept up with the cheezy french accident until she could take it no more.

"Clark, please stop. You're killing me." Lois protested as she laughed. "I can't take it anymore!"

"What don't you like it?" I asked as I did not already know.

"I do, but a girl can only take so much."

I agreed to go back to my normal accent. Then the date started in earnest. We discussed the time that we first met as both Clark and Superman. She mused on which moment she liked better. Saving her from falling was the winner apparently. I told her the moment I fell in love with her. It was when II saw her in the newsroom. She was so alive, so at home there that it was scary. For Lois, it was a little more complicated. She fell in love with me as Superman the instant she saw me. As for my normal self, it was a slower process. She ignored me until she could not ignore me anymore. Apparently, it hit her over the head when I 'died'. She didn't know what to do. She went insane. I remember watching her that week. I felt awful. I didn't mean to fake my death. It just kind of happened that way. What made it worse was that I couldn't tell her. She didn't know that I was Superman back then. I wish that I had the guts back then to tell her the truth. At least now she knows.

"Don't get me wrong, Clark. I love you so much.. I just never thought that I would fall in love with someone like you."

It didn't honestly matter too much to me how or why she fell in love with me. Only that she did. I was with the most beautiful woman in the world. No one else could have her. She was mine. Call me a neanderthal, but it is how I honestly feel. I want Lois all to myself.

Eventually, the conversation turned towards her pregnancy and our twins. How could it not? After all, this night was to celebrate their impending birth. We discussed how the hell it might have happened. As well as what the pregnancy would be like. I realized that Lois was just as scared as I was. If not a little more scared. I tried to dissuade any fears, but honestly I was not successful. This was a big deal. She was putting her life on the line for this. I would do everything in my power to prevent losing any of them but there were no guarantees. That was nerve-wracking. I understood why she was so nervous about all of this. I was too.

"Lois, listen to me, I will not let any of you die. I'll protect you."

Lois smiled at me sadly, "Clark, that's sweet, but even you cannot stop death."

I shook my head. "I know that but doesn't mean that I'll let you go without a fight."

Lois got up then kissed me on the forehead. "I know that. You're Clark Kent, Superman, you can do the impossible. I know that you'll fight like hell to save me. And if anyone can get me through this then it's you."

"Then what is it?"

She sighed. "Sometimes you fail, Clark. You can't help it. You're only human." She added in before I could say anything. "You know what I mean. We know the risks. We know that I could lose the babies or we could all die. That scares me, Clark. And don't pretend that doesn't scare you."

I stood up and hugged her. "It does." I admitted. "It scares the hell out of me."

"Good," She said as she buried herself into my chest. "Glad to know that I'm not alone in this."

I kissed the top of her head. "No, Lois, you're never alone. Never."

We ended up spending the night in the fortress, cuddled up next to each other. It was a great way to end the night. Even if Lois fell asleep almost immediately. It didn't matter. I enjoyed just being there with her. Lois was adorable like this. I could just sit there for hours watching her. Quiet moments like this were few and far in between. I intended to enjoy it. For soon things would be very noisy in our lives. I had two very needy children on the way. I had to be ready. I was about to be a father. And that was something to celebrate.

Please review and I hope to see you next time!