A/N - Thanks to bailey1ak, super12, and fiveforfighting09 - you twisted my arm - here's your answer to Martha's racing heartbeat!

Chapter 11 - The Surprise

"Clark, something happened while you were in Metropolis this week." Clark's mother handed him a packet of papers that he opened. He sat and stared at the words on the top of the page. IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES He kept reading...CUSTODY He couldn't read anymore; he was scared of what was coming next.

"Clark I was thrilled when I first found out that 'you' could have children. I'm so sorry that this isn't going to work out. Are you two not even going to try again?"

"Mom, I can't put on this charade with her anymore. I already have to play two roles...I can't possibly play another that loves someone that doesn't love me back. It was a huge mistake and I just need to go on."

"How are you going to explain all of this to..."

"Why do I need to? She's not super that we know of. Besides, Lana never knew and I won't be seeing them again I guess." At that, Clark opened the papers and started reading them himself.

CUSTODY: It is the decision of the court that custody is awarded to the child's father for the reason of stability. It is the court's thinking that the child should not be left with a parent that has a movable job. If this cannot be fulfilled by the father, the mother has signed permission to the father's mother to be sole caregiver until time that the father is able to take over.

Clark sat motionless at the table.

"Lana brought these by herself; she said she knew you wouldn't be here and hoped you wouldn't be upset." Martha held her son's hands. "Clark, she's in your room."

He got up and followed his mother into his old bedroom. He was still in shock that his now ex-wife just left him with this monumental task. He had hoped he could see her but never imagined that she would just leave her with him without a fight. They walked into the bedroom and Clark stood looking at his bed. A tiny little girl was bundled tightly among several blankets. The girl's brunette curls partially covered her face but Clark could see her sweet smile on her face. His mother looked at him as he walked into the room and tucked her in tighter. She stirred.

"Go back to sleep..." He rubbed her hair back out of her face.

"Daddy..." She sat up, rubbing her eyes. Clark tucked her back in.

"Go back to sleep Brittany. We'll talk tomorrow. I love you." He kissed her forehead and walked out of the room with Martha. She excused herself to bed. Clark grabbed a spare blanket and wrapped up on the couch. One of the longest days in his life had just ended...seeing Lois again, divorce final from the love of his life, so it seemed, Brittany was his, and Superman had to fit in somewhere.

"Perry, this is Clark. I know this is a horrible way to start out but I need to finish up some loose ends here at home before I can return to work. Lois can handle this assignment on her own." Clark heard footsteps in the hallway and saw Brittany standing there. Perry was talking to someone. Clark signaled Brittany to come sit with him.

"Yes, I'm here. Clark if you really need to finish up things, try to make it back by Monday. I hadn't turned in your beginning date, so you're safe. See you Monday." Obviously, Perry was in a hurry by hanging up without saying goodbye.

"Now for you little princess. We need to talk." Brittany shouldn't have been put through this. "Mom has gone a long trip and I don't know when she's getting back. Do you understand me?" She shook her head but still looked at him confused. "Now, you need to go get ready - we need to go into town for a little while." Brittany ran into his room and slammed the door.

"What was that?" Martha walked out of the kitchen and saw Clark sitting on the couch.

"I'm taking her with me into town to turn in the papers. She always liked going into town."

"Have you told her?"

"Somewhat - I think she's still a little young to understand." Clark got up and headed to the bedroom to help her. He walked in and saw her shirt on backwards and shoes on the wrong feet. For three years old, she was trying to grow up so fast. He laughed as he tried to untangle the little girl twisted up in her clothes.

"Clark?!"

"Go brush you teeth and I'll be back in a bit." Clark went into the living room where his mother was reading the newspaper.

"Son, you need to see this..." He held the front page of the newspaper to show the first picture of himself, as Superman. Luckily, it wasn't Lois writing the story. The only thing actually published as a picture of him in costume flying away with a headline WHAT IS IT "Clark, what are you going to do?"

"Guess we're finally going to find out if that cover we thought of will actually work."

"Do you think it will?"

"The big problem is if it will work with Lois. She's seen me without glasses."

"But now your hair is darker and the glasses are much more different than contacts. It's a risk though. Still, maybe we should keep Brit here for now."

"No, I have a place for her to stay. It was intended for when she visited but it will work for her permanent room also." Just then he could feel a pint sized weight hugging his leg, laughing.

"Let's go daddy..." Clark picked her up to kiss her grandmother and took off for a bit. He borrowed the car and headed into town. It's final - a new start.