Chapter 15: Disappointments and Doctors appointments.
And there it was. The disappointment she had so dreaded seeing from the woman she respected, loved like a mother. Martha said nothing for a long time, preferring to think it through in silence. A silence that was, of course, slowly killing her son and Lois. They knew it was irresponsible, could reel off all the reasons this was a stupid thing to let happen. That didn't mean that the disappointed look they were getting hurt any less. As Martha thought over the news and Lois and Clark stewed in shame at disappointing Martha, Chloe was left to wish rather desperately that she was anywhere but the Kent's kitchen.
Eventually Lois couldn't take it anymore and before Martha got a chance to express her disappointment, through words as well as facial expressions, Lois jumped in with a babbling explanation and justifications. Chloe cringed before she even opened her mouth. Clark was too busy feeling ashamed of his actions to care one way or another what Lois had to say on the matter.
'We didn't mean for this to happen,' Lois said, and then seeing the alarmed look on Martha's face hurried on. 'But we've talked this through and we came to what we thought was the best decision. We are keeping this baby, we considered all the options abortion, adoption, but we both decided that what is best for us and this child would be to keep it. It was an accident, yes, and we are young but I want this baby, I want Clark to have someone else.'
'Lois,' Martha attempted to cut in but Lois was on a roll now.
'It's not going to be easy and it is going to be risky what with Clark being who he is but I think it's worth it. Clark and I decided to try being a couple before we told people I was pregnant so that when it did come out our relationship wouldn't seem like nothing but a convenience. We want this, Mrs. Kent, accident or not, stupid mistake or not, we want to have this baby.'
Having reached the end of her little speech Lois waited with an uneasy feeling for Martha to comment. Clark squeezed her hand under the table, the first real sign he wasn't a zombie since he'd made the announcement. Lois smiled at him and squeezed back. Now all they could do was wait.
And wait.
And wait.
To be fair on Martha, she was finding it a little difficult to keep up with all these revelations. The idea that Clark and Lois were dating was one she was quite happy with, after all they did spend all their time bickering in a fashion that she and Chloe had both likened to flirting on more than one occasion. The news that Clark was being open with Lois about his more than human status was a sign to her that he was comfortable being himself around Lois. She supported his decision to tell Lois and only hoped that Lois would be able to cope with the news just as Chloe had and not find it as difficult as Pete had.
All that was fine, she could understand that, and if what Chloe had told her about Clark and Lana's break up was anything to go by, not coming out of the blue. Lois being pregnant was that last card on the castle that sent everything tumbling down and suddenly Martha was having trouble accepting that her son was no longer the small boy they'd found wandering in the corn field. She knew that Lois was right, even if they hadn't planned this pregnancy it didn't matter, this baby was here and it was very real. Her baby was having a baby. She was going to be a grandmother.
A huge smile broke out on her face.
'I'm going to be a grandmother.'
For the first time in several very long minutes the other three occupants at the table breathed.
'I'm disappointed,' Martha informed them carefully. 'But I do understand that accidents happen and I'm glad to hear that you have talked this through. You have a tough time ahead but I will support your decision and help you in any way I can.'
Lois moved from her chair and circled the table to hug Martha.
'It means a lot to us.'
'This might be a good time to mention Doctor Callen.' Chloe didn't particularly want to ruin the happy quiet that had settled over the table now that everything was out in the open but with all the disappointment being bandied about Lois and Clark seemed to have forgotten the main reason they had told Martha everything in one big go.
'Doctor Callen?' Martha frowned.
Lois shot Chloe a look that told her she was going to die a slow and very painful death in the near future before exchanging looks with Clark.
'Uh, about that…'
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She was intrigued; if there was one thing she knew it was that things with Lois Lane were never boring. Receiving a phone call asking for a private appointment with full knowledge that she was on maternity leave just peaked her curiosity and Lois' hints on the phone that she needed a doctor that could be trusted had her feeling honored that after all of these years Lois would come to her. Taking a deep breathe Sam raised her hand to knock on the door of the small farm house. The overwhelming feeling that whatever happened today she would never see things the same way again actually had her quivering with uncertainty. It was a little embarrassing that one phone call from an old friend and fellow army brat could have her so jumbled.
The opening of the door brought her out of her thoughts and face to chest with a plaid shirt. Maybe flats weren't the best idea after all. Looking up she found herself under the close scrutiny of a tall, brown haired farm boy who her inner city girl found immensely attractive and her married self found slightly dreamy. With new material for a couple of day dreams to get her though those early morning feeds she thought she should stop staring and maybe do something about getting inside.
'I'm Sam Callen,' she greeted extending her hand. 'I've got an appointment with Lois.'
'Clark Kent.' He shook her hand and she had another of those traitorous thoughts that was asking why she had always avoided small towns. 'Come on in.'
She followed him in wondering what was going on and why Lois was living on a farm in the middle of Kansas.
'Lo,' Clark called as he directed her in to the living room.
All that he got in reply was a grumble that could have been understood as she was coming. Sam looked around the room taking in the pictures above the fireplace and on the walls. There were plenty of Clark, either by himself or with what she assumed were friends, but there were also a few that had Clark and Lois in them. She was saved the trouble of thinking up a way to ask Clark about them when Lois shuffled into the room and settled onto the couch beside Clark. She didn't look good; she was pale and looked like she had spent some time getting acquainted with the toilet bowl.
'Can I get you anything?' Clark asked her hesitantly.
Lois glared at him and then snapped her reply.
'Lead lined clothing.'
Clark grinned at the obvious inside joke and then turned to address Sam.
'Would you like something to drink while you and Lo catch up?'
'Just water will be fine.'
Curious as to why she had been asked here, Sam could do nothing but follow Lois' example and offer details of her life now. Once Sam had talked about her husband and son, and they'd reminisced about their days on the base Sam thought it was time she brought up the reason Lois required a doctor. In the half an hour they'd been talking Lois had not once mentioned why she had called. Although Sam now knew the reason Lois was staying at the farm and her relationship with Clark.
'As much as I love talking about my son I have the feeling there was a reason you made this appointment. A medical one, I mean.'
'I'm pregnant.'
'Congratulations, though I have the feeling there's more.'
'You're right, there is,' Lois agreed. 'It's not a normal pregnancy and I wouldn't trust any old doctor to take care of my baby.'
'Is everything alright?'
'I don't know, we assume so.'
'The doctor's didn't tell you?'
'We haven't seen one.'
'Oh. Can I ask why?'
Lois and Clark exchanged looks and Sam once again had the feeling that whatever was about to happen was going to change her. Clark hesitated for a moment and then nodded.
'What I'm about to say is just between us, it cannot be repeated, we're talking doctor-patient confidentiality to the extreme. I need your word that what is said in this room stays in this room.'
'You have my word.'
'Clark is not normal, it stands to reason that what makes Clark so special also makes our baby special. And after that stupid experiment this morning we have few doubts but that means we can't just see any old doctor.'
'Okay,' Sam said, though inside she was going huh? With the huh?
'If you do this you need to know that you will need to ran every test yourself, blood work, everything.'
Sam wondered what could be so special about Clark and this baby that Lois would request such a thing.
'We checked up on you and we think you are someone we can trust with this.'
'I get that you're concerned but I need to know more before I can agree to this.'
Lois shook her head but it was Clark who spoke.
'I'm different, that's as much as you're going to get. If you agree to be our doctor we will tell you what you need to know in order to best care for our baby but if you don't think this is something you can do I'm not going to tell you. I can't run the risk.'
Sam thought about everything she had learnt about Lois' life and about Clark. It was obvious they both feared for the safety of their child and knowing what it felt like as a new mother Sam felt the right thing to do was to agree to help. She didn't want to be regretting not helping in the future if something happened to the baby that could have been avoided. Not to mention that as a doctor she was really curious about what made Clark so special.
'I'll do it; I'll even sign an agreement if that makes you feel better.'
'That won't be necessary,' Lois assured her with a relieved smile.
'So what makes you so special Clark that has you concerned for you child.'
'I'm an alien.'
Yep, world and life definitely changed forever.