Chapter 4 - Midvale Festival
At Danvers Baked Goods, Kara was behind the counter, serving the customers as she waited for Alex to arrive. Thanks to her super-hearing, she easily picked up the sound of her cell phone chiming into the side pocket of her black shorts. Her heart already fluttered in anticipation as she hoped that it was Lena texting her.
One week had passed since she and Lena had kissed for the first time. The least Kara could say was that she was overjoyed by the unexpected turn that the summer had taken. Lot of dates and a lot of kisses had happened between the two women, and Kara was more certain than ever that she was in love with Lena. And she was even more certain that it was a feeling that wouldn't fade over time.
Once Kara was alone in the shop, she quickly took her phone out of her pocket and lit up the screen. The biggest of grin spread on her face when she opened the text Lena had sent her.
Hi, darling, how are you doing?
Kara's heart melted as she read, and she had to hold back a silly giggle at the pet name Lena used for her, reading it felt as good as hearing it, and Kara found herself falling even more in love.
Hi, my beautiful. :) I'm amazing! I can't wait to see you. :D
Kara exhaled happily as she sent her text while the door of the shop swung open.
"Still texting your girlfriend?" Alex asked, pushing the door close behind her.
Kara froze at this question and her eyes slightly widened.
"Did I say something wrong?" Alex asked, stepping closer to her sister.
Kara shook slightly her head. "N-no, it's just... We haven't really talked about that... yet." she said, hearing her phone chime in her hand.
"Well, from my point of view, you really look like you are dating."
Kara smiled her widest smile and looked down to read the new text Lena sent her.
Are you free tonight?
If that had been possible, Kara's smile would have widened at the perspective of spending time with Lena tonight. She tugged her bottom lip between her teeth and nibbled it as she wondered where she could take Lena on a new perfect date.
As if she had read her thoughts, Alex spoke, "You should take her to the festival tonight."
Kara looked up at her sister, "Mmm?"
"You should bring Lena to the festival tonight. Mom will be happy to see you hang out with someone who's not me."
"I'll ask her." Kara grinned.
"You should take the day off and hang out with her." Alex said, surprising Kara.
"Really?"
Alex nodded. "Yeah. I can handle the shop just fine, and I don't really wanna spend another day seeing you kiss your phone every time she sends you a text."
A slight brush colored Kara's cheeks. "I did not do that."
Alex snickered. "Yeah. You did. Maybe not every time, but you did it."
Kara shrugged. "Anyways. You'll understand the day you'll be in love."
She looked down at her phone and quickly typed, Yeah. But are you free now? :)
Barely ten seconds later, Lena's answer caused another huge grin to spread on Kara's face.
Meet me at the park. Can't wait to see you, my darling.
Kara exhaled blissfully and pressed her phone against her chest with a goofy smile plastered across her face.
"Kara, get out of here." Alex laughed.
Kara shook slightly her head and tucked her phone inside her pocket before freeing her hair from the ponytail it was stuck on since this morning and running a hand trough her locks.
She quickly stepped closer to her sister and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Alex. You are the best sister in the world, and I love you."
"Love you too." Alex smiled.
Seated on her usual bench at the Midvale Park, Lena was reading one of her favorite books as she waited for Kara to arrive. Since one week, she was feeling something that she had never felt before. She was happy. Her smile hadn't faded since the first time she had kissed Kara, and even Andrea who was spending almost all of her time with the guy she had a crush on had noticed the change in her during their brief interactions this week.
Her smile broadened when she heard her phone chiming in her pastel blue purse. She took it out with a feeling that it was Kara texting her. Her heart fluttered as she read the text.
You are so beautiful, my Lena.
Lena nibbled slightly at her lips, trying to stop herself from smiling too much as she typed her reply.
Where are you?
Her phone screen lit up barely one second later, Coming towards you, my beautiful princess. :)
With a beaming smile that she couldn't hold back, Lena ran a hand through her long dark-hair that flowed in waves around her face as she browsed the place. Her smile widened when she saw Kara walking to her with a matching smile. Lena quickly put her book and her phone into her purse and stood up from the bench, smoothing imaginary wrinkles on her white summer dress as she waited for Kara to reach her.
"Hey," Kara smiled, adjusting her glasses that were already perfectly adjusted.
"Hi," Lena beamed, bringing a hand to Kara's cheek. "You really are breathtaking, my darling."
Kara blushed adorably. "And you are wonderful, my princess." She smiled, putting a hand to Lena's hip. "I want to kiss you so much."
Lena quirked an eyebrow. "What are you waiting for then?"
Kara slid her hand up to Lena's cheek and leaned in slowly to brush their noses slightly until their lips started caressing each other in the sweetest of way.
Their eyes fluttered open at the same time when they slightly pulled away from each other. They shared a smile and started a peaceful stroll around the park with their hands swiftly sliding together like two magnets that couldn't resist to the force of their attraction and inevitably made contact together. They didn't even need to talk for enjoying their moment. Being together was enough to make them feel that they were exactly where they wanted to be.
After a while, they sat down on the grass, their bodies in a very close proximity and their hands still joined.
Kara cleared slightly her throat. "I, um... I wanted to ask you something."
Lena smiled fondly at Kara and stroked softly her thumb over the back of her hand, silently inviting her to continue.
"So, tonight, there's this festival. It happens every summer on the same date, and I, um… I would very much like if you could come with me this year. If you want to." Kara said.
"I'd love too." Lena beamed, squeezing softly Kara's hand.
Kara's face lit up. "Really?"
Lena nodded with a smile. "What kind of festival is it?"
"Nothing big. Lots of unhealthy food. Some cool games. We can dance too, although I've never done it. It's nice. My foster mom is the one who organizes it actually. Her grandmother created it decades ago. She wanted an event that would bring people together, and it quickly became a tradition around here."
"Does it mean that I'm going to meet your foster mom?" Lena asked with a slight feeling of nervousness washing over her at the thought of meeting Kara's mother.
"If you want to. There's no pressure." Kara replied.
Lena looked slightly away from Kara. "I want to. But meeting my girlfriend's mother is a bit stressful."
Kara's mouth hung open at this declaration.
"Well, it's a lot stressful actually if I'm being honest." Lena continued, looking back at Kara. "Darling? You all right?" she asked when she noticed Kara's stunned expression.
"Girlfriend?" Kara said dreamily.
A deep crimson blush spread on Lena's face as her eyes widened. "Sorry. Have I been too forward? I just assumed… I mean, I really like you, Kara, and I… I mean, I don't want to put any kind of pressure on you, and I…"
Quickly but softly, Kara leaned in to press her lips to Lena's in a way that she hoped would make her girlfriend understand how much she was more than all right.
Caught off guard, Lena didn't respond to the kiss right away, until she understood what Kara was trying to tell her. She smiled into the kiss and tangled her fingers into blonde locks as Kara smoothly slithered her tongue into her mouth and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close until their bodies started to almost meld into one.
Breathless, they softly rested their foreheads together.
Kara slightly pulled away and put a hand to caress Lena's cheek. "I can't believe I have a girlfriend as amazing as you." she said with a dreamy smile.
Lena brought her hand to Kara's cheek and gave her a beaming smile. "I know what you mean, my darling."
Kara smiled widely, feeling flutters in her heart. "And I really can't wait for tonight. It'll be the first time that I'll go to the festival with someone special."
"Really?" Lena said surprise.
Kara nodded. "I usually go with Alex and her friends, and even though I have fun, I still feel out of place somehow."
"Because you're an alien?"
"Maybe." Kara said until she sighed. "Probably."
"What it's like? To be an alien on earth?"
"Uh, it's..." She paused, not sure of what to say.
Feeling Kara's struggles, Lena took both of her girlfriend's hands in hers. "I'm sorry, you don't have to answer. I shouldn't have brought this topic."
"No, that's fine." Kara smiled, squeezing gently Lena's hands. "I'm just not used to talk about this with someone who's not Alex or my mom."
"What about your cousin? Do you see him sometimes?"
"Not often. Very rarely actually. I mean, he doesn't really have time to hang out. I don't blame him."
"But?" Lena asked fondly, encouraging Kara to continue if she wanted to.
"But, I feel lonely sometimes. I mean, I know that I'm not. I have Alex, I have my foster mom. But still, it's… I don't even have real friends actually. I struggle to relate to others, which doesn't make easy to interact with them. Not to mention that I constantly have to be careful that no one finds out I'm an alien. That's exhausting." Kara replied.
"I know what you mean. Even though it's not for the same reasons. I know what it's like to struggle to interact with others." Lena said. "Most people wouldn't touch a Luthor with a ten-foot pole. Even if I'd try to get close to someone, I know they would run away from me at the second they would learn I'm a Luthor."
"Well, that's their loss." Kara smiled, staring at her girlfriend.
Lena smiled slightly at these words. "What got you to trust me so quickly? I mean, why did you take the risk of telling me who you are? Why haven't you got scared when you learned I was a Luthor? Why didn't you run away from me, Kara?" she asked, her tone showing how much she couldn't understand how someone could care about her so much.
Kara slid her hand up to Lena's cheek and caressed it softly. "Because I trust you." She smiled. "I can't explain why. There's just something about you that makes me feel safe and warm. I wanted you to know me for who I am. For your other questions... I don't care that you're a Luthor. I'm not afraid of you, and it breaks my heart that people don't even bother to get to know the wonderful human being you are just because of your last name. You are a brilliant kind-hearted beautiful soul, Lena Kieran Luthor. I can see that every time I look into your eyes." she said, catching delicately with her thumbs the tears that had spilled out from Lena's eyes and wiping them away with gentleness.
"You have no idea how much I needed to hear that." Lena smiled through her tears. "That also breaks my heart that you can't be openly yourself."
"Perhaps one day it'll be different for the both of us." Kara said, caressing softly Lena's cheeks. "In the meantime, at least, we have each other."
"Meeting you is the best thing that's ever happened to me, Kara." Lena spoke truthfully.
"Same." Kara beamed. "I'm so happy you're here, Lena."
"Me too." Lena smiled, letting herself fall into Kara's arms.
With a smile on her face, Kara caught protectively Lena between her arms and held her with all the love she felt as she swore to herself to always take care of the wonderful woman who stole her heart.
This year, the annual festival of Midvale was taking place under a beautiful night sky full of twinkling stars.
Eliza Danvers gave a heartwarming speech and thanked everyone for coming before wishing them to spend a wonderful moment with their loved ones. It was enough for Lena to see the warmth and the kindness that emanated from her and making less anxious about meeting the woman who had been raising Kara since she was thirteen. If anything, it made Lena want to meet her.
Kara and Lena strolled around with their arms linked together as they were stealing loving glances at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking.
"Where do you wanna start?" Kara asked.
Lena spun her head to Kara. She smiled. "You choose. I really am not used to this kind of events." she said, looking all around the place before turning back to Kara. "But I'm very glad that you brought me here. Thank you."
"It's an honor to have you as my guest and my girlfriend." Kara smiled dreamily.
A cute blush made its way on Lena's face which made Kara's smile widen as she gazed at her girlfriend with all the love she felt reflecting in her blue eyes. She shifted closer to Lena and pressed a sweet lingering kiss on her cheek.
Lena gave Kara a beaming smile and slid down her hand into hers.
Kara grinned at her girlfriend before glancing all around the place. "How about we start by the best thing ever?"
Lena quirked an eyebrow. "Eating unhealthy food?"
"Yeah," Kara nodded eagerly.
Lena let out a laugh. "Only if you let me pay. That's the least I can do."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, with all the stuff you gave me for free at your aunt's shop, it's time that I treat you well." Lena said.
"Oh, that..." Kara started, a blush coloring her cheeks and the tip of her ears. "Alex kindly chastised me for that multiple times."
"Why did you do it though? It's not as if I couldn't afford to pay for myself."
Kara let out a soft chuckle. "Honestly. I have no idea. From the moment you walked into the shop, I felt completely hypnotized by you. You took my breath away like no one else did before. Then, I handed you your order, our fingers brushed slightly, and I felt something in my body that I've never felt before. I feel it every time we touch actually."
"I feel it too." Lena said awestruck, caressing her thumb over the back of Kara's hand.
Kara smiled and entwined her fingers with Lena's. "Then, I'm not sure why, but the words it's on the house made their way out my mouth. After that, you smiled at me with that particular smile of yours that I'm sure could eclipse the brightest sun. I wanted to keep making you smile. I never want to stop making you smile, my princess."
Lena stopped their walk and faced Kara. Slowly, she brought her free hand to Kara's cheek and caressed it softly. "You don't need to buy me stuff to make me smile. Being with you is more than enough. You are the reason I smile so much since we met, my darling." She gave Kara her brightest smile.
Kara beamed and leaned in to connect her lips with Lena's for a couple of seconds. She pulled away and beamed even brighter than previously. "I don't think I could ever get something that tastes better than your lips."
Lena let out a laugh. "I'm sure I can find something else to make you happy."
"Honestly, I wouldn't be against having some of my favorite chocolate donuts."
"Anything for you, darling." Lena chuckled, leading Kara by the hand.
"So, where's your mother?" Lena asked after they played some games and won a couple of prizes.
"Do you wanna meet her?" Kara replied with a smile.
"I'd like to, if you're okay with that."
Kara pressed a kiss to Lena's cheek. "I am more than okay with that, my princess."
Although she still felt a bit nervous, Lena was also eager to meet Kara's mother. Besides, the beaming smile that was stuck on Kara's face was enough to reassure her that everything would turn out well.
With their hands joined, they slithered past the crowd of people and made their way to Eliza and Alex that were talking together.
"Hi, sweetie." Eliza smiled. "Are you having a good time?"
"Yeah," Kara grinned. "I want you to meet someone very special for me."
Eliza turned her attention to Lena who stood besides Kara. She glanced at their joined hands and smiled before looking up at them.
"This is Lena. My girlfriend." Kara said dreamily.
Eliza put her hand out to Lena. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lena."
"Likewise." Lena smiled, all her nervousness had vanished from the moment Eliza had smiled at her.
"I have heard a lot about you from Alex." Eliza said, surprising both of them.
Kara narrowed her eyes at her sister. "Really?"
Alex chuckled awkwardly. "I gotta go." she said, quickly stepping away.
"Kara, you should bring Lena over for dinner sometime soon." Eliza said as a middle-aged man made their way to them.
"Will do." Kara beamed, looking at Lena before leading them away.
"Wow! She looks so kind. I'm really not used to that." Lena said wonderstruck.
Kara let out a laugh. "Get used to it, my beautiful princess." she said, pressing another kiss to Lena's cheek. "So, did you see a prize that you would like me to win for you?"
"You know you don't have to win anything for me."
"I know. But I want to."
Lena squinted her eyes around her surrounding and smiled when she noticed that the brown teddy bear she had spotted earlier on was still there. "How are your throwing skills?"
Kara gave her a tiny shrug. "I guess we're gonna find out."
Lena let out a laugh as Kara led them.
"What's the prize you want?" Kara asked.
"This teddy bear right there." Lena said, pointing at the brown teddy bear. "It reminds me of the one I had as a kid."
"It's gonna be yours." Kara smiled confidently.
Lena gazed with admiration at her girlfriend as she did her best to get her the prize she wanted the most, and without any surprise, she won without too much difficulties.
"Ta-da." Kara beamed, handing Lena the teddy bear.
"Thank you, my hero." Lena smiled dreamily, pressing the teddy bear against her chest.
"It's nothing." Kara shrugged with a smile, taking Lena's hand in hers as they started walking.
"I didn't mean only for the teddy bear. But just... thank you for bringing me here tonight. I hadn't had that much in a very long time. Basically, thank you for the happiness you're giving me ever since we met." Lena said, her eyes becoming slightly glossy as she spoke.
Tears welled up subtly into Kara's eyes. "Thank for deciding to spend your summer here."
"That's without a doubt the best decision I've ever made." Lena beamed.
Without really realizing it, they arrived at the area where some people danced happily.
"Will you dance with me, darling?" Lena asked with a beaming smile.
"Uh, I... I don't really know how to dance actually." Kara replied.
"You're sure that it's what it is?" Lena asked, knowing there was often a hidden meaning behind Kara's words.
"I'm also afraid of stepping on your feet and hurting you." Kara admitted, knowing that Lena could see right through her.
"Kara, we've been pretty close this week, and you didn't hurt me. There's nothing to be afraid of. Trust yourself, and know that I trust you more than anyone in the world." Lena said with the deepest sincerity.
Kara smiled, and softly took the teddy bear she had won for Lena from her girlfriend's hand. She crouched on the ground and placed the bags containing their prizes and the teddy bear atop them.
When you say nothing at all by Alison Krauss started playing from the speakers.
Kara stood up, and stepped closer to Lena.
Kara put both of her hands out to Lena with a huge grin.
Lena beamed as she took Kara's hands into hers.
With gentleness, Kara tugged them somewhere at the center of the dance floor.
Kara snaked an arm around Lena's waist and Lena draped one of her arms around her shoulders as their hands joined and their fingers entwined automatically.
With the brightest of smiles stuck on their faces, they began swaying to the music, basking into the comfort and pleasure of having their bodies pressed together.
"You lied to me, Kara. You're an amazing dancer." Lena chuckled, staring deeply at her girlfriend.
"Only with you, my princess." Kara smiled, softly pulling Lena closer to her.
Lost into each other's eyes, their gazes were locked together with an intensity that was worth thousands words.
Lena put a hand to Kara's cheek and caressed it slowly until she shifted closer to her and laid her chin on her shoulder. She closed her eyes, feeling happier than she had ever been. I love her, that were the words that couldn't stop echoing in her mind as she swayed gracefully with the woman she had fallen for.
Kara tightened her embrace on Lena as their cheeks were touching. She closed her eyes, and focused on the relaxing sound of Lena's heartbeat.
Overwhelmed by her feelings for Lena, and submerged by the need to put them into words, Kara stopped moving and slightly pulled away to stare at Lena with all the love she felt.
With a smile and slightly glistening eyes, Kara slid her hand up to Lena's cheek. "I need to tell you something that I've never told anyone. Something that I've never felt for anyone either."
"Kara," Lena gasped, somehow knowing what Kara was about to say.
"I'm falling in love with you, Lena Luthor. Well, actually... I have already fallen." She smiled through her tears.
"I..." Lena's voice got caught in her throat as she was about to tell Kara that she loved her too. She swallowed thickly, frustrated with herself for not being able to say what she wanted to say.
Smiling, Kara softly put a finger to Lena's lips. "You don't have to say anything. I know that expressing your feelings is harder for you than it is for me. I just needed to tell you. I love you, my beautiful princess." she said, brushing slightly Lena's lips with her finger until she rested her hand on her cheek.
Lena leaned into Kara's palm as some tears spilled out from her eyes. Tears that Kara wiped away with her usual gentleness that made Lena feel that she was the most precious person of the world.
She brought her hand to the one Kara had rested on her cheek and covered it softly with her own as she straightened her stance to gaze into deep blue eyes that stared at her with love.
Lena entwined her fingers with Kara's and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as she shifted closer to her.
Their noses brushed together until their lips finally joined.
Lena kissed Kara with all the love that she struggled to put into words, but that she was sure was there, and would always be there. And until she found a way to make the words come out of her mouth, Lena was more than willing to pour everything she felt in every kiss, ever touch and every look.
The song they had been dancing to came to an end when their lips parted.
Their arms wrapped around each other, they shared a smile and leaned in to rest their foreheads together, both feeling as if the world around them didn't exist anymore, and the only thing they could focus on was the love that swirled between them and united their souls together.