The next day at the Kent farm was much like the one before except Sarah was running around. Heather kept her out of Edna's hair for the most part. I woke up early and helped Enda get the tractor ready for planting. Helped load the seeds and helped her hook up the seeder. She was planting corn in the north field and wheat in the east field. Edna, like Heather was very patient with all my questions and the fact it took a little longer to set up with me there didn't seem to bother her. I was an eager student. Once she was seeding I went back into the house an washed my hands. Heather was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt today. She had Sarah dressed similarly.

"She finally finished with you, come on, we're going to Metropolis. You need some clothes."

I stammered something out about not needing anything more than I had. My protests were in vein and I found myself in Heather's blue pick-up truck. Unlike Edna's truck the seat belts worked, and it was almost silent. Sarah fell asleep in her child seat shortly after we left the farm.

"You really don't need to get me anything ma'am."

"Yes I do. I don't know what kind of story Edna spun for you, but we aren't just poor farmers. I used to work be an executive vice president at Luthorcorp. She's always going on about how we need to save our money for a rainy day. What's it for if not to spoil our grandkids? And stop calling me Ma'am, it's making me feel my age. Aunt Heather will do. Or if you prefer Grandma."

"I'll go with Grandma if that's alright, I think I'd confuse Sarah otherwise."

"Good idea. We can't have you walking around Smallville looking like we dove into a donation bin. No offense to the folks that need to do that, but we have standards to Keep Edna used to be the Sheriff."

"She did?"

"Yes, you don't think she's farmed her whole life, did you?"

"Well I…sort of did."

"We had people take care of the farm for us when we were young and busy. Now Edna does it to keep herself busy. And I enjoy cooking for her and taking care of the house. But I do like going shopping sometimes. We'll get you some school clothes, a tablet, a computer, and a phone. And then we'll go find you a couple of nice dresses for special occasions. A proper young woman needs to have a dress for every occasion. Maybe we can get that hair looked at, it looked like you cut it yourself in the mirror."

I could feel my cheeks burning again.

"Its fine Amber, we do what we need to when things are tight. But you're part of a family now, not an orphan. Edna would let you shave it off and wear plaid to school and jeans. She's always been a bit of a tom boy. I'm not saying it's not attractive, but you don't seem like that type of girl. Are you?"

"Well, I am not sure. I think I'd love to have a dress. And I really don't want to shave my head. I mean, I suppose I might look good in a dress."

"Oh, Amber, you're already gorgeous. What did they tell you at orphanage?"

"Well Kat used to say I was beautiful. I didn't quite believe her. I don't know what beautiful really means."

"Wow, that is a long conversation to have. Where do we start?"

"First off, beauty starts on the inside. If you're a good person it shows. I already know you're a good person. Sarah has this sixth senses about folks and she took to you like white on rice."

I nodded.

"But then there is your outside. Your hair, make-up, the right bra."

I shifted in my seat.

"Its okay to talk about this stuff Amber. You're a growing girl. Your body is changing. Its all natural. So is being uncomfortable in your own skin. Trust me. I know all about that. I tried marrying a man, did not work out for me at all, so did Edna. Once we came to understand ourselves we met each other and well here we are."

I nodded.

"I'm not trying to call you out. I just want you to feel pretty for your first day of school. Monday is coming up fast. And every kid seems to have a mobile phone, and a tablet these days. Even Sarah has a tablet. I don't really agree with all that, but I am old and stuck in my ways. And Sarah needs a new dress that ugly pink thing was her dad's idea. The man has no idea how to dress up a little girl. God bless him."

I nodded, she fell into silence and watched the road and I looked out the window, watching freshly tilled fields turn into industrial complexes and then into city houses. Heather parked the truck in a multi-level parking lot and she nudged Sarah awake. Sarah groggily rubbed her eyes and I helped her out of her seat and scooped her up and held her while she woke up. Heather led us towards a store. I could tell it was expensive just by the look of the front of it. She opened the door for me and when we got inside an older woman greeted us with a smile.

"Mrs. Thomas, How can we help you today?"

"I was hoping to get my granddaughters a couple of dresses, if you have time."

"We always have time for you Mrs. Thomas."

What followed was an experience I would never forget or get used to. Now when I go to this store, I get the same greeting but I still am weirded out by how far the bend over backwards to service their clientele. I must have tried on fifteen different dresses. Sarah picked her two out within the first fifteen minutes. Between her, Heather and the woman who I came to learn as named Marie, I had a non-stop parade of dresses to try on. I had no idea what I liked at the time, I still don't but I knew I liked black and silver. So, I ended up finding a plain but flattering black dress and a red blue one in the same style. Sarah demanded I get something fancier, Heather agreed, and I found myself in a black gown with silver high lights. I had no idea how much it all cost, none of it had price tags, and Heather didn't seem to care. We dropped our bags off at the truck and we went to another store, a much less expensive store, and far more my style. Heather made sure I could make several outfits that would apparently be the envy of all the girls at school. We dropped those bags off in the back of the double cab truck and then Heather said she was taking us out for lunch and then shoe shopping. I felt a need to ask to do one other thing, and I am not sure why I felt drawn to it, but I was, maybe it was the conversation with Kat, maybe it was the fact his emblem was on my favorite shirt.

"Grandma, could we visit the Superman Memorial?"

"Sure, its nearby, why don't we go do that before lunch."

Sarah was bouncing. She was a fan. Sarah got tired of walking as we made our way to the memorial. I scooped her up and carried her. She felt like she barely weighed anything. It was about a fifteen-minute walk and Sarah was happily hugging me the whole way. Heather kept glancing at me. Eventually when we were about three minutes away, she stopped and looked at me directly.

"You don't have to carry her the whole way, hon, she can walk, you must be exhausted."

I shook my head and shrugged.

"She weighs almost nothing. I barely notice."

"Okay."

She turned and continued walking. The memorial was huge. A twenty foot tall marble statue stood with one arm extended above it's head. I could see the symbol from my t-shirt on his chest. It was a single piece of silver bound to the marble. There was a semi-circle and dais around the statue with a low set of stairs leading up to a plaque:

Dedicated to the Superman.

He was the best of us.

Died defending the Earth, October 16, 1982.

We will never see another one like him.

Built and Maintained with funding from Luthorcorp.

Fresh flowers lay at the statue's feet and on the plaque. The park was well maintained and busy that day. Towering office buildings surrounded the park. They were in what I came to realize was Art Deco style. Each was unique but all were similar. When I researched what happened the fight had devastated ten square blocks of Metropolis thousands had died. Luthorcorp had funded the park, the statue and the buildings, then donated them all to the city. I had an overwhelming sense of calm under the statue's watchful gaze. I could tell why people revered the place. I made my way around and looked up at his face. I'm wasn't sure how true to life it was, but I could start to make out similar features that I saw in my own face. The nose was particularly obvious. He looked a heck of a lot like my genetic grandfather Clark Kent. I touched my own nose and glanced at Heather and Sarah. Sarah was reading her way through the memorial plaque. Content I had a few more minutes I stared up at his face again. I couldn't shake the feeling I had seen him before. Which was ridiculous I hadn't seen anyone before six months ago.

I made my way to where his sealed stone sarcophagus lay at the far end of the memorial up another set of stairs. I approached it and I was overcome but a wave of weakness my legs gave out completely and I collapsed there my hands twitched and I could see my veins pulsing. I struggled to breath. It was like I was back in my old body, completely powerless. I tried to cry out for help but my mouth and lungs wouldn't respond. I could hear people calling out. I struggled and managed to pull myself away from the sarcophagus. I could feel my strength returning. By this time, I was surrounded by concerned people. Heather appeared above me Sarah was hugging her leg and tears were rolling down her cheeks. I struggled to sit up. My breath started coming easier. I didn't know it but I had just had my first encounter with Kryptonite. I would come to know the sensation well. Several people had their phones out and were starting to dial. Heather told me to just stay on the ground and relax, they were calling an ambulance. I shook my head, my breathing had become regular enough I could talk.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. I just got short of breath, that's all. Please don't waste their time."

Heather looked skeptical but it seemed like I'd convinced the crowd I was alright they started putting their phones away. I sat there for a few more minutes before getting up. The crowd slowly dispersed, and Heather was dusting my hoodie off.

"You shouldn't have carried her that far. You're still recovering from the explosion."

"I'm fine, I was fine until I go too close to that."

I pointed at the sarcophagus.

"You're talking nonsense."

I wanted to get close to it again, like a moth to the flame to test my hypothesis. I started approaching it again and reached out my hand I could see the black veins start to appear in the parts closets to the sarcophagus and I could feel the weakness setting in, I jumped back quickly. I didn't want to feel like that again. It took me back to my old life. Heather looked at my hand and then at me. I could tell she was trying to figure out how to ask a question.

"I don't know Grandma, I don't know. I just know if I go near that it feels like every bit of strength in me is sapped and I'm trying to breath in water."

"Just take some deep breaths, I'll see about calling us a taxi to get us back to the truck."

"No, I'm really okay. Maybe…can we go for lunch now, I just want to forget about that feeling."

I shuddered.

"Are you sure dear? We can head home if you're not feeling up to it."

"NO, no, I don't want to ruin our day because I had some weird episode. Come on Sarah."

I scooped Sarah up again and she wrapped her arms around me. She squeezed so hard I thought she was going to break me. She leaned her head on my shoulder.

"I was worried about you Amber. Please don't do that again."

"I'll try not to sis."

Sarah's eyes brightened when I called her sis. She squeezed me even more tightly.

"I love you Amber."

Those words again. My heart melted even further. Heather smiled at us and we went to a nearby restaurant and by the end of the meal the episode at the park was forgotten. The rest of the day was uneventful, I had my first professional haircut and Sarah got her hair trimmed and styled. We finished our shopping. Heather seemed to love every minute of it, she took great joy in spoiling us, I did my best to not take advantage of her generosity, always going for the least expensive gadget. She would then ask for the most expensive, latest fastest model. For someone who said she doesn't approve of children using tablets, she sure knew a lot about electronics. After an early supper we headed home. Sarah fell asleep again. Heather waited until Sarah was completely passed out and then she gave me a side long glance.

"We're making you an appointment with a doctor first thing Monday morning. I have one in Metropolis. I don't trust that that hospice did their due diligence with your health. You were in a coma for six months. There might be more wrong then they realized, and it is not like they are well funded."

"I'm alright, doctors are expensive. I really don't need one. I've been feeling great ever since we got away from that Sarcophagus."

"Nonsense. You don't play games with your health."

I shrugged, it seemed like an argument I couldn't win. I really was feeling better every day, especially better today. I wasn't even close to tired and we'd walked all day and most of it I was carrying Sarah.

"We'll just say it's a check up before school okay. I don't want to worry Emma, or Edna. Knowing Emma she'll want to sue someone."

"Okay Grandma."

Heather smiled again. It seemed she liked that I had started calling her that. It felt odd coming out of my mouth, but it was getting to feel more normal. She drove me to my new house and helped with the bags. I carried Sarah inside and put her to bed. It was after seven by the time we got home, and Sarah was out for the night. Emma and Henry had been working all day apparently and I had a room fit for a teenage girl. Pinker than I would have chosen, but I had a home, and my own room.

Emma and Henry were sitting at the kitchen table drinking tea and talking quietly. They didn't stop when I showed up. They finished their talk, they were discussing childcare for the next week, apparently Henry had to go to some publisher meeting. I sat down at the table with them.

"Sarah and I can go to grandma's house. After school, can't we?"

Emma smiled and rubbed her eyes.

"I don't want to give them too much to worry about."

"I don't think they'll mind. Especially if I'm there to keep her distracted. That way you know she's safe, I don't think I'm quite ready to take care of her on my own."

Emma nodded, Henry had gotten up for the table and started putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. I took a few minutes to form my words, it felt awkward asking my next question.

"I, I don't want to press, but what should I call you, I don't want to confuse Sarah."

"What do you want to call us?"

"Can we do mom and dad? Sarah will be happy with that I think and its easy."

Emma looked up at Henry who did not meet her gaze or mine. He shrugged and nodded.

"Okay, mom and dad will do. I see mom took you shopping today. Did she leave anything on the shelves?"

I laughed.

"Yes. I tried to not shop so much but she just wouldn't take no for an answer."

"Mom's like that. She worked hard her whole life and she loves to spend her money on people she loves."

I nodded. Henry finished the dishes and quietly walked upstairs. Emma looked after him.

"Look I know this is all strange to you Amber, but you're safe here. And Henry will start to get better around you. He is just not good with people, he's shy. It's not you, he just doesn't understand people like you and I do. He is really a good man when you get to know him though. Just give him time."

"I understand, I feel like that all the time. I'm not good at reading people's body language."

"Hmm, you might be autistic as well then. If so, we can get you help. You can learn to understand with practice. It is exhausting though. Henry gave up his job because he just did not have the energy to deal with people all day and then come home and be a husband and father. He's been much better. We are here for you. Whatever you need. You're family. Looking at picture of Uncle Clark and then looking at you it's obvious."

"I…well Grandma Edna doesn't look anything like me, and I don't look anything like you. I just I don't understand."

Emma pondered for a few moments, then she laughed softly.

"Oh dear. My mom was adopted and so was Uncle Clark. Martha and Jonathan couldn't have children. So, they adopted."

"Oh, I see."

"I never got to meet Uncle Clark he vanished before I was born. My grandparents never got over it, but they never put any effort into searching for him either. We assumed he died in the Metropolis attack that killed Superman. He worked at the Daily Planet and it was one of the buildings that was destroyed. They had so many unidentifiable remains. They've started doing DNA testing to try and get them to their loved ones. That's how we found you. You matched his DNA in the database. I wish you could remember your parents so we could maybe find out more."

She waved the thought away dismissively.

"It doesn't matter. What matters is you're with your family now and not stuck in some foster home."

"Thank you…Mom."

Emma smiled and she reached out and rubbed my hand gently.

"You're welcome daughter."

I could feel tears started to form in my eyes and I quickly wiped them away. Emma squeezed my other hand gently.

"You have been through a lot. It's okay to cry."

"You're just all so welcoming and you barely know me."

"All we need to know is that you're family. That's enough for us. My grandparents drummed that into is. Doesn't matter where you came from, once you're together you're a family. Look at Dean and I. We were seven when our mothers came out and got married. It was not smooth at first let me tell you. But now he's my brother and Heather is my mother, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Now you're here and it won't be all sunshine and rainbows, but you're my daughter and I'm your mother and one day we won't want to have it any other way."

Tears were dripping down my cheeks freely by then she came around and hugged me tightly. I didn't deserve so much love. Not after the lies and what I had done to my family. I wanted to come out and tell her everything, but the words would not form, they caught in my throat. So, I just sobbed.