So here's the last upate, hope you have all enjoyed the rollercoaster. Thank you to each and everyone of you who have taken the time to review, you all rock!

Chapter 36:

Elevator, Kent/Lane apartment building, 5 days later:

I lean heavily against the railing for support. Not wanting to ask for help even though I've already overexerted myself and I haven't done anything other than walk from the car. With assistance at that.

"You're not used to it are you?" I arch my eyebrow questioningly at Clark, Jack clinging tightly to his right hand… "Accepting help." He adds.

Truthfully, no I'm not used to it. But how do I say that? I can't just come out and say I need your help Clark. Or can I? I sigh and as I'm about to confess that help would be appreciated when the elevator dings and the doors slide open. Clark and Jack exit the elevator, Clark holds the doors open for me as I slowly hobble out. Each step jarring my abdomen, my body aching with the movement. Clark lifts me up into his arms.

"Put me down Smallville." I whine.

He smirks at me as Jack unlocks the front door for us, "Not a chance Lo."

How sweet, he's gonna carry me over the threshold. Naturally I hide my inner girl, "Any excuse to have me in your arms huh?"

Clark shakes his head and enters, the new apartment spacious and well decorated but noticeably empty of other people. "Smallville, where is everybody?"

"Lara and Lucy are at the General's, he's waiting hand and foot on those two." I giggle at the thought.

"Giggling now are we?… Must be some good drugs." He whistles and places me down on the couch, I lightly slap his chest.

"Mom and Lionel are having lunch with Bruce; Mom's already getting back into the work and all that. Everybody will be here for dinner later." Clark trails off as he enters the kitchen.

I nod my head, not the homecoming I was expecting. "Oh ok." I lean back into the comfy couch, feeling the need to close my eyes for just a little bit.

"Daddy, can you play Crash with me please?" I sit up abruptly; Jack and Clark have actually bonded. The pain in my stomach causes me to lie back down.

"Sure little man, just let me get Mommy settled and I'll be in there."

"K." Jack says excitedly as he scrambles down the hallway excitedly.

"You two seem to be getting along well." I comment to Clark.

"Yeah, well. These past couple of days has just been the two of us getting this place in order. He's a good kid; he just needed time to get used to me and to know that I love you and that I'm not going to hurt you."

"I'm impressed Smallville."

"Is it really that hard for you to accept that I'm not a bad guy?"

"Oh I know that you're a good guy… Jack's just not a very accepting person. He's only got one friend at school and rarely talks to anyone outside of the family."

"Oh… ok. Sorry for snapping." He apologizes as he hands me two ibuprofen and a glass of water.

"Don't be sorry Clark, it's been a stressful time and let's face it, I'm not the easiest person to get along with at the best of times."

"No… really?"

"I will hurt you Smallville." I threaten before downing the pills with the water.

"Promises… promises. You get some rest on the mighty comfortable couch while I get my butt kicked at PS3." Clark leans down and lightly kisses me. I chuckle, the irony of Superman being beaten by a five year old.

"Laugh it up Lois, I won't be so forgiving when you're better." He tries to look stern but fails, his smile breaking through.

I snuggle into the couch, pulling the comforter from the back down on myself. I sigh, this wasn't the welcome party I was expecting, but it's so much better. Jack and Clark are getting along as father and son. The way it should be. The warm and fuzzies consume me again as I drift off into another deep sleep.


2 hours later:

I'm awoken by loud voices. Extremely loud voices that won't go away when I place a couch cushion over my head.

"Daddy! Mommy's awake." Jack screams as he runs out of the room. If I didn't have a headache before, I certainly do now. I hear footsteps approach and feel the couch dip slightly.

"How you feeling Lo?" Clark asks gently as he strokes my hand.

"Good until the scream fest."

Clark chuckles, "C'mon Lo, every one's here. Jimmy, Bruce, Lionel and I are cooking."

I open my eyes, "Jimmy and Bruce in the kitchen, are you trying to kill us all?"

"Take that back!" Jimmy yells from the kitchen, I hear several snickers from behind me.

"You learnt to cook so why can't Bruce and Jimmy?" damn, why does Clark have to go all psycho babble?

"That's not the point." I argue lamely.

Chlo walks into my view, "Hey Cuz quit arguing with your man and join us ladies at the table. We've got quite the pot going in poker."

"What are you playing?" I ask.

"No limit Texas hold 'em."

"I'm in." I reply as Chlo and Clark help me off the couch.

The General pipes up from the table, "Your card shark of a daughter keeps stealing the pot. I swear she's cheating and Chlo, since when was I a lady?" I forgot that my old man had a sense of humour.

Chlo seems to shrug Daddy off as she takes her seat at the table and pulls Hannah into her lap. I gingerly take a seat in between Martha and Lara. I notice the sizeable pile of m&m's in front of Lara; will have to ask her later if she's developed another power. As the cards are dealt and I'm given my 'chips' I look into the kitchen, my heart swelling as I watch the two most important men in my life teaching Bruce and Jimmy to cook with the assistance of Alfred and Lionel.

"This would be much easier if just I did it." Alfred pipes up.

"Quiet old man." Jimmy teases.

"I see that photographers have no respect for their elders." Lionel chastises playfully.

"You three are worse than women." Bruce states, joining the game.

"Daddy, why is everybody making a mess of the food that even I can cook?" Jack asks innocently.

Clark chuckles and hugs our son, "Everybody has to learn sometime little man."

"Earth to Lo. Come in Lo…" Lucy calls out.

"Ah hey Luce, what's up?"

"It's your go." She points to the cards in front of me. I pick them up, two of spades and a five of clubs; I bet Lucy shuffled this hand.

"Fold." I place my cards in the middle of the table. Lucy smirks but the smirk is soon wiped from her face as Lara raises.

"Dinner'll be ready in ten." Clark calls out.

The General laughs and jokes with Lucy, he resembles the man he used to be, when Mom was around. I've never seen my sister as happy as she is right now, the lingering glances she sends in Bruce's direction not going unnoticed. Nor the ones that Bruce returned when he thought no one was looking.

I lean back in my seat and look around me; I can't believe that everyone I love is all together in the one place…


4 hours later:

"I can't believe you're watching the cartoon Transformer's movie." Clark says in disbelief as he leaves the twins room. Everyone having left for the night and the twins now soundly asleep, leaving the two of us all alone. Oh the possibilities…

"It's a classic movie… gotta love Rodamus Prime and the dinobots."

"You're an odd woman Lois." He says jokingly, collapsing onto the couch next to me.

"But that's why you love me." I joke. Clark's face turns serious, and he sits properly in the seat. He looks tense.

I pause the DVD, "Clark, what's wrong?" I sit up properly, ignoring the slight ache in my abdomen.

He stands and wanders over to the doors to the balcony. I stand also and come to stand behind him; I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him from behind, placing my head against his back. Clark turns to face me; I can tell he's warring within himself over something.

"I love you Lois." I'm confused.

"I love you too Clark but what's wrong?"

He smiles nervously as he bends down on one knee and slides a silver box out of his pocket…

"Lois Lane, I couldn't imagine my life without you in it. I love you with all my heart; will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Oh my God! I'm speechless, I don't know what to say, that was just so beautiful. Disappointment crosses Clark's face as he stands. He goes to turn away.

"You big dumb alien, of course I'll marry you." I say as I hug him. The healing wound long forgotten.

Clark kisses me and then pulls away to slide the ring on my finger. "It's so beautiful Clark, I love it. I love you." I smile as I reclaim his lips, the kiss becoming more heated as time passes.

Clark lifts me into his arms, never breaking the kiss, and carries me to 'our' bedroom. We break apart as he gently lowers me to the bed. Clark hastily whips his blue t-shirt off and then leans down to continue kissing me. I rub my hands along his well defined chest and abs; marveling at the softness of his skin. His hands alternate between running through my hair and traveling my legs. Gently Clark lifts the hem of my shirt; I shudder as his fingers make contact with my skin. We break apart as Clark gently lifts me up to remove the offending thin piece of material. I can sense Clark is being extra careful with me, I smile up at him. His gentleness conveyed in every touch. The pain from a few hours earlier covered with love and tenderness by the man I love.

He licks his lips as he looks down on me with desire and concern in his eyes, "Are you sure?" he asks, voice deep.

"Smallville quit stalling and make love to me." I demand.

"Yes ma'am." He says slyly as I pull him down into a hungry kiss…


Only one chapter left now… can't believe the journey is almost over. So please people, be kind and review.