Chapter 08 – Happy Birthday, Lara !

Three months later, Lara was preparing to celebrate her first birthday and Clark was busy decorating the apartment with the help of his super speed.

Lois headed to Lara's room to change the baby's dress for the party, giving Clark an amused look as he smiled back at her.

"Sometimes your powers are very helpful, honey," she commented sarcastically as he stopped to give her a passionate kiss and to kiss Lara's forehead.

"Sometimes?" Clark asked raising his eyebrow.

"Okay, most of the time," Lois admits as she entered in the baby's room.

Suddenly, Chloe arrived at their apartment with her face red from crying. Clark heard her breathe before she rang the doorbell and came to the living room to open the door before she had a chance to ring the bell.

"Chloe?" Clark asked, worried about Lois' best friend, "Are you okay?" He look of concern grew as he let Chloe into the apartment.

"Can I talk with Lois?" Chloe asked, trying to avoid his look. "I need to talk to her."

"Sure," Clark nodded, still worried about her. Clark entered Lara's room and seconds later, Lois came out of there with a worried face.

"Chloe?" Lois said as she pulled Chloe next to her and hugged her dear cousin. "What happened?"

"It's Bruce…we broke up," Chloe explained as Lois looked at her in surprise. Chloe plucked a tissue out of her purse to wipe her tears. "He's been distant lately and I think I know why."

"Why? I thought you two would be engaged any moment," Lois pointed out, confused. "What did he tell you?"

"Selina is back and I think he still didn't forget her. He has been acting strange and distant since she returned to Gotham. Something big happened recently but I don't know what it is and he wouldn't tell me either," Chloe explained still crying. "He said he loves me but…this thing with Selina is very complicated. So I decided to break up with him before he could hurt me anymore."

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Chloe. I really am," Lois said hugging Chloe tight. "But you know what? Everything is going to be okay. You have to trust me."

"I hope so." Chloe wiped her tears before looking at Lois. "Can I use your bathroom? I can't show up to Lara's birthday looking like this."

"So you'll stay? Bruce is coming, you know…" Lois pointed out, concerned about Chloe's feelings. "Chloe, if you aren't in condition to face him I totally understand…"

"Don't be silly, Lois. We ended the relationship on good terms. Besides, I wouldn't miss my goddaughter's first birthday for anything in this world," Chloe explained before standing up and heading to the bathroom. "I'll come back in a minute."

After Chloe locked the door behind her, Clark appeared in the living room with Lara in his arms wearing a yellow dress. "It's everything okay?"

"Kind of. She and Bruce broke up," Lois explained to Clark.

"Oh. Is she going to be okay?"

"I hope so."

TBC