CHAPTER 2
Clark hadn't said a word since they had arrived at Bruce's mansion. And it wasn't necessary. The entire place spoke for itself.
"It's way bigger than Lex's, isn't it?" Lois whispered into his ear as they were getting out of the limousine.
Although Clark agreed, he didn't say it.
"Just don't worry about the mess" Bruce said, entering in the house after Alfred.
It didn't take more than a second for Lois and Clark to figure out what he was talking about. The place seemed like a mausoleum. All the furniture and the pictures on the walls were covered by white sheets. It was like the place had been abandoned for years.
"I haven't been here a lot since I went to Princeton--" Bruce explained.
Clark looked around, impressed with the mansion's dimensions. It was an amazing place. And at the same time, a sad one.
Lois gave him a gentle smile, and Bruce continued:
"--and since Alfred doesn't receive many visitors, we have this museum aspect!"
While they crossed the big hall in the direction of the other side of the mansion, Clark wondered where Mr and Mrs Wayne could be. Lois had never mentioned anything about them. So, he wondered if they were living in another country. But it was a weird thought considering this was such a big place for just one person to live in.
Suddenly, Lois felt cold and crossed her arms against her chest. But it wasn't cold. In fact, she was shocked that Wayne's mansion wasn't the same one of years before. Unbidden memories came flooding back to her mind...
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FLASHBACK
Lois was six years old. She was wearing a blue dress and matching ribbon in her hair. With her small arms around her knees, she was sitting on the stairs of Wayne's mansion. The entire place was shining. Lights from outside came in from all the windows of the big hall. It was clearly a happy and lovely home. Bruce was seven years old, and he was sitting next to her.
"Don't cry Lois" he asked.
She turned her face to look at him. Her cheeks were tear-streaked and flushed from crying.
Bruce cleaned up her face with a handkerchief that he took out of his pocket.
He could understand her sadness. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't know how bad she was hurting.
Days before, Lois' mother has passed away. And because she had been very close to Bruce's mom, Sam Lane decided to leave their oldest daughter to stay a few days with the Waynes until his transfer to Europe was concluded.
But no matter how hard Bruce tried, nothing in the world could console Lois.
Suddenly, Martha and Thomas Wayne arrived from a charity event.
When Lois saw they were coming, she immediately stopped crying, because she didn't want anyone else to see her sadness.
"Lois, my dear--" Martha said when she and Thomas saw the two kids on the stairs.
The gentle couple approached them and while Martha sat next to Lois, Thomas gave her a sad look. Then, he turned to look at Bruce. Proud of his son's good action of trying to make the Lane's young daughter feel better, he smiled.
"You don't need to hide your tears, sweetie" Martha said, putting her arms around the little girl.
With both hands in his pants' pockets, Thomas stepped closer and took a deep look at Lois:
"Don't be afraid, my child" he said, gently. "Everything is gonna be all right"
Bruce smiled at his dad and then embraced Lois too.
END OF THE FLASHBACK
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Lois raised her eyes to the stairs where years ago she felt the comfort and love of the Wayne family. Then, she turned to look at Bruce, who simply smiled, knowing exactly what she was thinking about.
"In museums things aren't usually covered by white sheets" she said, in response to his last comment.
Bruce smiled, and he glanced to Alfred, who didn't say anything.
Then, the young Wayne faced Lois again and gave her a little smile. Lois smiled too. And Clark watched them. It was like they shared a secret in common, and the fact that he didn't understand what it could be was irritating him a lot.
"Isn't it a waste of space?" he asked, trying to break "their moment".
Lois and Bruce looked at him, surprised.
Clark saw their reaction, and tried to fix the situation, but Lois was faster:
"He didn't mean to say that, Bruce--"
"It's okay, Lois" Bruce interrupted her, smiling. "He's right"
Then, Bruce turned around to see Alfred, who just gave him a little and concerned smile.
"Well, what do you think about taking a tour of the garden while Alfred prepares a lunch for us?" Bruce suggested.
Lois looked at Clark and they just nodded. It seemed a good a idea. Especially for Clark, who was still so uncomfortable with the entire situation.
Bruce took them to the garden while Alfred went his way to the kitchen. Lois took the opportunity to punch Clark's arm, censuring him for the previous commentary.
To be continued...
