CHAPTER 2

VISITING FAMILY

...

"Congratulations!" Was the first thing Karen heard when she finally broke the news to her cousin from an alternate earth/timeline. Yeah, it was pretty complicated. Clark meanwhile was practically grinning from ear-to-ear when he learned that she was expecting. She was going to be a mother and by extension he was going to become an uncle to his niece and or nephew. "Karen that's... wow. Have you or Bruce told anyone else?"

"The rest of the bat family knows obviously, and so does Kara since she was visiting when Bruce and I got the news." She answered happily. "I asked her not to tell you or Lois yet since I wanted to come down here and tell you myself. Bruce would've been here too, but you know, Batman stuff. He said he'll make it up to me though."

She'd been waiting for a while to tell Clark and had literally flown all the way to Metropolis just to give him the good news. Needless to say, he was overjoyed for her and still processing the fact that he was going to become an uncle. He and Lois had been talking about having kids of their own but hadn't gotten around to it yet with work and his duties as Superman in the way. One day though, one day.

"He'd better." Clark smiled knowing full well Bruce would in fact make it up to Karen for not traveling all the way to Metropolis with her to break the news. Still, he wished that his in-law would take it easy more often. Nightwing and Batgirl had already proven they're more than capable enough to hold down the fort in his absence.

"You know he will." Karen assured even though she knew he was joking. She did however make a mental note to punch the Joker extra hard for diverting her husband's attention away at such an important time. Yep, she was going to knock all thirty-two of the clown's yellow teeth out of his head. 'Let's see him try to tell a joke then.'

Clark nodded already having an idea what Karen was thing. She was like Kara in a lot of ways considering she was her from an alternate earth and timeline, just older and more mature, but still childish enough to probably want to crack the skull of whichever criminal selfishly drew Bruce away, not that he blamed her. He'd had a few moments like that himself.

"I don't doubt that. So, I know it's still kind of early, but do you have any names in mind or anything like that?" The glasses wearing man asked. He had one or two good names stashed away for the future when he and Lois finally had kids and was quite eager to see if Karen or Bruce were the same.

"Well..." She began by tapping her chin, a small habit she had picked up from Bruce. "If it's a boy then I know for a fact Bruce will want to name him after his father or Alferd. Both names honestly sound good to me if that's the case. Thomas and Alfred both sound quite distinguished, don't you think?"

"They certainly do." Clark agreed. "And what are you going to name it if it's a girl?"

"If it's a girl?" Karen parroted as she briefly looked at her stomach. "If it is a girl, then I want to name her after my mom... Alura just sounds nice."

Hearing that made Clark frown, not because he was upset but because he knew how much Karen's family meant to her. Her original timeline was gone and despite that she carried on. She didn't talk about her Krypton much or her parents but just like Kara he knew they meant a lot to her. He stood up from where he'd been sitting and took a seat next to her. He gently placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and gave her a warm smile.

"I think Alura sounds like a wonderful name."

His words made her feel a little misty eyed, but she didn't let any tears fall. She'd made her peace with her home planet and timeline a long time ago. This was her world now and she was going to live her best life with the people she loved and who loved her back.

"Thanks, it means a lot to hear you say that." She sniffled. "Jeez, look at me getting all misty eyed. Do you have anything hot to drink?"

"I can make some coffee if you like?" Clark answered as he stood up to make his way to the kitchen. "Plenty of creamer and tons of sugar?"

"You know me so well." Karen chuckled. She didn't like bitter things, but coffee was an acceptation when it was loaded up with enough sugar to mask the bitterness.

"Lois did say one of my best qualities are my listening skills." He replied without missing a beat. He set up two mugs and put the kettle on the stove. "So I take it you'll be taking it easy for a while now that you're expecting?"

"When my washboard abs start to stick out then yeah, I'll kind of have to." She confirmed, although she didn't particularly like the idea of losing her hard-earned figure. Oh well, it would be a small price to pay in the end and she could always work double time to get it back.

Clark couldn't but tease some more. "Good, glad to know Bruce's stubborn streak hasn't rubbed off on you."

"Hush, you know I have a stubborn streak of my own. All of us superheroes do. Remember what it was like to try and get Hawkgirl to take it easy?"

He did in fact remember what it was like to get the Thanagarian woman to take it easy. It was like pulling teeth with her. She had a stubborn streak that rivaled Batman's. It was actually Batman of all people that convinced her to put down the mace and sent her to the spa on his dime. Lantern had gone with her to make sure she didn't try to sneak off somewhere.

"Yep." Was Clark's reply as the kettle finally went off. Using his super speed, he finished making the coffee in record time and returned to the living room with both cups in his hands. "One for you, and one for me."

Karen graciously accepted the mug. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Clark finished as he sat down and took a sip. It was sweet but not overly so. All he needed was milk and three lumps of sugar.

Karen took her own sip and savored the oh so sweet taste of creamer and sugar. "Delicious."

"I'm glad you like." The man of steel removed his glasses. "So, will you be staying for dinner?"

"Depends, what are you and Lois having?"

"Pizza."

"Hmm!" Karen hummed in mock thought. "I guess I can stay for a slice or two. No pineapples, right?"

Clark laughed. "I promise, no pineapples."

To be continued...