Thanks for the reviews; I was hoping that last chapter is helping to solve some unanswered questions from before. Also I appreciate constructive criticism, but I don't want flat out anything sucks, because there is such a thing as a learning curve and right now I am on it. So I will learn, the story will get better, and I hope that everyone who reads it can get some enjoyment from it. Thanks )
Chapter 4: Across Town
Lois had just finished putting Jason to bed, going through their routine: first a story, then tucking him in, and finally a kiss on the head with a goodnight. Jason as always, by the time his mother flicked off the light was sound asleep, dreaming of his own adventures. Lois carefully crept down the stairs, so the squeaky set wouldn't sound and wake Jason.
Lois walked into the kitchen sitting down on a stool by the island and waiting to find the opportune moment to talk to Richard, who was now doing the dishes.
No sooner had thoughts of walking back upstairs and putting it off until tomorrow entered her mind, had Richard turned around and said, "Lois we need to talk…"
Several scenarios all relating to Superman flashed through her head, and then how did Richard know?
"Huh?" a very confused Lois asked, a little shell shocked to say the least.
"I …I am sorry Lois…Its just … I should have told you sooner, but ever since Superman came back I could…I felt us drifting apart," He was leaning against the counter across from her, head hanging low, and arms crossed, "I couldn't be the better man, I didn't want to be second best," looking her in the eye and continuing, "who does? I am seeing someone, she's wonderful to me, thinks I am and the sun, the moon, and the stars. Probably how you feel about Superman. It started out as a friendly dinner and has escalated into something more."
Lois could see he was truly remorseful, but the funny thing was all the pain that she should have felt, everything awful she would have said, didn't come out, because this was making her so happy. It was her clean escape, without feeling totally crappy.
Richard continued, "I know what I am saying is probably a bit shocking, and this next part is going to infuriate you."
She noticed he seemed a little fidgeted now, but hey he probably thought that last bit was gonna kill her, so this won't be too bad…right?
Richard continued hesitantly, "Umm… Lois, I love Jason very very much, he is like my own son, but the thing is I went to a doctor and…"
Lois could not believe what he was saying….he went to a doctor. He couldn't just talk to her about it? Lois calm feeling was fading rapidly, "What did he say then?" through clenched teeth.
"Jason isn't mine."
"You took him to just some doctor. Are you crazy?"
"Lois I took him to his regular doctor, and well, when he tried to give Jason the needle, it well….it snapped on his skin."
Lois was speechless, if the piano hadn't been enough evidence this would have been.
"I want us to go our separate ways, you can have full custody of Jason, and I only would like to see him occasionally."
Lois was shocked this was getting to be too much.
"Also I would like to sell the house, because for the next few months I'll be abroad, and I'd prefer to start afresh, and the house, has many memories for both of us," Richard took a deep breath trying to get everything out, "I talked to a realtor who says he can sell it buy the end of next week if we are both out."
Lois nodded her head, in a haze of confusion, sell the house, up root Jason, find Superman, start anew, this was so soon and too much in one sitting for her.
"I'm leaving the morning, goodnight, Lois."
Lois got up, walked out back. Sitting on the old dock, she looked up at the stars. Taking a deep breath, as she saw a shooting star, she closed her eyes tight like when she was a little girl, and wished. She made her wish with all her might, that she Lois Lane and her son, Jason Lane could one day have a firm, solid family. She opened her eyes and continued to watch the stars, until she went to bed, many hours later.