Disclaimer: see Chapter 1.

A/N: I'd like to thank all my faithful readers and reviewers at and NS for their constant support and encouragement. I hope this final installment's up to your expectations.

Although this fic ends here, I invite you to accompany Chloe and Lex once again by reading the first chapters of my new story, " Hope and Happiness ", which I've just posted.

Enjoy and don't forget to review !

CHAPTER 28: Gifts

Gotham Memorial Hospital

Chloe's waters broke around six o'clock in the morning, stirring to life the household at Wayne Mansion and the always serviceable butler Alfred. He was the one to take the matter in his hands for Bruce turned out to be useless around a woman in the family way. It was Alfred who brought the car to the driveway and helped her hop in to drive her to hospital. Meanwhile, Vicki, who had attended Lammasse with Chloe for two months, turned up in hospital at about eight. Four hours later, Chloe was ready for the delivery room, and at quarter past twelve, Alexandra Lillian Luthor was born.

Lex arrived in Gotham at one o'clock and was driven to hospital by Bruce, who had checked on the patient to make sure everything had been taken care of. Chloe had been given a private room in the Wayne Aisle of Gotham Memorial and received VIP treatment. Bruce wouldn't have had it any other way, and he knew Lex would appreciate his efforts.

" Hi, Lex ! " exclaimed Vicki, leaving Chloe's room. " I'm glad you could make it. "

" How are they ? " asked Lex with a catch in his voice.

" She's exhausted but fine. And the baby girl's perfectly healthy, " responded a smiling Vicki. " Chloe 's sleeping now, but I'd like to stretch my legs. Would you mind keeping her company for a while, Lex ? "

" No, Vicki. I'd like that very much, " he answered.

Lex entered the room and let his eyes rest on the young woman who lay sleeping. He approached the bed and, looking at her closely, brushed some strands of her hair off her forehead. Despite the long hours of labour, she positively glowed. ' Radiant ' had always been the adjective that came to Lex's mind to describe Chloe's demeanour. She had a radiant smile, and she radiated warmth. He could bask in that warmth for hours.

" Lex ? " she murmured sleepily.

" Hi, Chloe. How are you ? "

" You've come, " she smiled.

" You thought I wouldn't come ? " asked Lex hurt.

" Vicki said you would, but I had my doubts, " she confessed. " You never phoned or came to visit. I thought it was the old story repeating itself, " she added with teary eyes.

" Chloe, I owe you an explanation. "

" There's no need to explain. Let bygones be bygones, Lex. What matter's you're here now. "

" No, Chloe. In order to start afresh, things must be clear between the two of us. You must know why I did what I did twelve years ago. "

" I think I know now, Lex. Vicki started me thinking. You were scared, weren't you ? "

" Yes, I was scared of many things. I was scared of ruining your future. You had such a promising career ahead. I thought I would asphyxiate you with my emotionals demands. You were right that night at the restaurant when you talked about ' need '. I need to be needed, Chloe. It's the selfish streak in me. Lana needed me, and when my dad's trial was over you didn't need me any more. "

" Is that how you see yourself, Lex ? As someone disposable ? "

" Before coming to Smallville, I'd had only one true friend, a boy called Duncan, someone who saw beyond my name and my millions. People have always come close to me out of interest, Chloe."

" I wasn't all people, Lex. I'm not all people. I needed you, yes, but after a year of working together to put your dad behind bars that need turn into something else. Was it because you felt unworthy of that feeling that you pushed me away ? "

" I thought I'd answered that question, Chloe, when I told you sometimes one's got to compromise. It didn't matter what I wanted then, there was a lot more at stake than my feelings for you, Chloe, " said Lex, getting up and picking up a wrapped gift. " I've brought you something. "

" You needn't bring me anything, Lex. Your being here is present enough, " she murmured, looking at him in the eye.

" Take it, please. I want you to have it, " he responded with glassy eyes. " Please, Chloe. Humour me. "

" OK. Let's see what we've got here, " she said, tearing the paper to reveal a Renaissance Madonna. " My God, Lex ! " she exclaimed chokingly. " I can't accept this. It's too much. It belongs in a museum, Lex, where people can see it. Besides, I couldn't pay the insurance premium, and don't say you would because..., " blurted Chloe before Lex stopped her by placing a finger on her mouth.

" It's a very special gift for a very special moment. I bought it the day Lana was killed. It was to be her wedding present, but I never dared look at it until this morning. "

" Excuse me, " said a nurse, opening the door just a crack. " Feeding time, Mrs Luthor, " she said, stepping in with a bundle.

" Sure. Come in, " said Chloe, taking the baby.

" She's beautiful, Chloe, " said Lex with a smile, caressing the baby's cheek. " Have you chosen her name yet ? "

" Alexandra Lillian's her name, " she responded, loking at the baby girl. " She'll be red-haired like all Luthors by the looks of her. "

" She has her mum's eyes. They're green like yours. "

" Well, we'll have to wait for that. You know, eye colour changes the first months. "

" Chloe ? "

" Yes ? " she said, meeting his eyes.

" Are you willing to give me a second chance ? " he asked, pleading with his eyes.

" Never beg, Lex. I told you once that you deserved better than a woman's gratitude. You're a worthy man, Lex. Yes, I'll give us a second chance, " she responded, stroking his cheek with a hand and giving him a quick kiss on the mouth.

There's still one more chapter to read. Go ahead.