Keeping a Promise Chap 10
Who can you trust?
3 DAYS LATER
Superman meets Chief Abbott again on the MPD roof.
"Thanks Chief, do you have a definitive answer for us? Can you assist us?"
"I don't think I should use my position in this way. I hope you and your wife understand."
"We certainly do; we just didn't know where else to start. I hope you are not offended that we would ask this kind of question, or favor. Might you have a suggestion or 2 about reputable private investigators who could help us out? You do realize the extreme sensitivity of the subject we are dealing with."
"Not offended at all. And yes, here are 2 names that I would recommend talking with." Chief Abbott hands Superman a slip of paper with 2 names and contact info on it. They shake hands and part amicably.
The 2 names Chief Abbott gave Lana and Clark are of two drastically different PI firms. One is a large company with offices in 3 different cities in the region, the other is a 1-man shop with no extraneous affiliations. The 1-man shop even has his wife run the office – a real family affair.
After talking it over, Lana and Clark decide to try the small shop. While the large firm has a sterling reputation, the chance of their information leaking into unwanted hands just seemed too great. So they elect to trust the small PI shop, at least to start with.
Interestingly, both firms have their office in a building that has a coffee shop on the main floor. So, L/C decide to do some surveillance of their own. Separately, they will visit one of the coffee shops each day; observing (super hearing in Clark's case) what is going on. Who is coming & going etc. After 2 weeks they compare motes.
"Anything suspicious, Clark?"
"No, you?"
"No. Our amateur sleuthing turned up nada," Lana admits. "I guess we're ready to visit mom & pop, right?"
"I think so." Clark concurs.
Their initial visit with the PI and his wife went very well; the two couples felt an immediate level of comfort. After sharing Lana's situation, and Clark's secret, the PI took the case and got to work. Three weeks later Lana and Clark were called back in for a report.
The PI reported, "I thoroughly checked out Dr. Amanda Jackson and found absolutely no reason that you couldn't trust her completely with all the facts of your situation. I would have one word of caution however."
Lana tensed and asked, "What caution should we have?"
"Well, Dr. Jackson is an outstanding physician who plays everything absolutely by the book. She cuts no corners, plays no favorites. I cannot guarantee that she will agree to your request. I feel very confident, however, that she will not betray your trust in her."
"That's all we can ask for up front," Clark responds. "It will be up to Lana and I to convince her that our request is reasonable, and will not sully her good reputation. Also, that what we are asking is in the best interest of the community at large."
"My wife and I agree with you, and sincerely hope hat she will work with you. We wish you all the best. We would love to see your little one when you are willing to make a quick visit! Blessings!"
After thanks, hugs and handshakes the couples part ways.
LATER – RESTING IN BED
"Clark?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"I'm thinking that our next visit to my doctor will take considerably more time than a normal pre-natal visit. If we are going to explain everything, and ask for her assistance. How do you think we should handle this?"
"Yes, I've been thinking about that. I am not even sure this can be handled in an office visit. We may need to approach this completely differently."
"Do you have an idea, Superman?" Lana asks with a smirk.
"Well, yeah I do," he grins. "This is way out there, so hear me out."
Lana braces herself, crosses her arms across her belly saying, "Isobel, listen carefully, your daddy is about to take us into outer space. I've got a firm grip on you to keep you safe!"
Clark proceeds, "well, we've seen Superman has shown up in the media, so we can assume that Dr. Jackson is aware of his presence in Metropolis. What if he paid her a private visit, sharing with her the predicament one of her patients is in. And asking if this patient and her husband could have a private visit with her to explain themselves and asking for her assistance? What do you think babe?"
"That's better than anything I have thought of. Why don't you go ahead and do it?"
"OK, game on!"
Dr. Jackson is doing some gardening in her back yard; an area she has had highly fenced in for maximum privacy. She is planting a border of petunias and is sweating in the sun. "I really wish that I had hired a gardener for this", she mumbles under her breath.
Suddenly there is a breath of a breeze that brushes her face, and a red/blue blur that flashes by the corner of her vision. She looks up, startled as a being floats down to stand a little bit away from her. It is a man in a costume which she recognizes; "Superman?"
"May I assist you doc?" He inquires.
"Do you do gardening," she smirks.
"I've been known to."
"These petunias are driving me crazy!"
"How far apart are you planting them?"
"6 inches," she responds.
Superman disappears into a red/blue blur, like she saw a few moments ago. When the blur coalesces back into Superman himself, the petunias are all planted!
Superman brushes the dirt off of his hands and knees; Dr. Jackson covers her open mouth with one hand while she stands to her feet, amazed.
"Glad to assist you, doc. Now, I hope you can assist me with a little problem some friends of mine have."
"How can I possibly assist you?"
"Well, the pregnant wife of a close friend of mine is a patient of yours. They have a very personal need related to her pregnancy and delivery, not a medical problem. They would like to have the chance to discuss this with you outside of the office, if you would agree to meet with them."
"What is the problem?"
"I'm afraid that I can't go into that. I know this is quite extraordinary, but hopefully you would agree to meet with them for a few minutes; if at any time the discussion goes into areas you don't want to be involved in . . . you can shut it down. I can give you my absolute assurance that this is NOT anything illegal. I give you my word of honor!"
"Very well, I will give them some time to explain themselves. Can you speak for them as to date & time?"
"Yes, I can."
They set a date & time.
At the appointed date and time Clark & Lana ring Amanda's doorbell. She opens the door.
"Lana and Clark, I'm surprised to see you! So, you are friends of Superman?"
"Yes, sort of," Clark responds. He has on his everyday disguise of eyeglasses and puts forth his CK body language, voice, hair style and personality.
"Sort of?"
"Yes, that will become clear momentarily," Lana inserts. "May we come in?"
"Yes, of course, please excuse my manners. Follow me."
They follow her to the breakfast nook and take seats. Amanda brings over a tray of coffee, tea and supplemental items. She sits down and asks for their beverage choice.
Lana asks, "do you have a non-dairy creamer?"
"Yes, would Almond milk be OK?"
"Perfectly." Lana smiles.
"Let me get that for you," Amanda starts to get up.
Suddenly Clark is standing before her, holding out the carton of Almond milk. "Is this what you were looking for?"
Amanda's mouth drops open, she is speechless for a moment. "You . . . you are . . . you are Superman, Clark? Lana, you married Superman? This is incredible!"
"No, I married Clark Kent whom I've known since we were 5 years old; he just so happens to have extraordinary abilities and that persona is known as Superman. Thus, our dilemma, now that I am pregnant."
"Allow me to explain, Dr. Jackson," Clark requests.
Over the next 90 minutes Clark & Lana explain and answer all questions. At the end Dr. Jackson is agreeable to assist, Lana and Clark are very relieved!
Dr. Jackson proposes having the birth at home, with a mid-wife she totally trusts assisting her. The hospital environment would introduce too many risks; keeping Clark's origin and abilities secret would be extremely difficult. The couple agree with that plan and leave very happy with the outcome of their talk.
LATER
"Clark?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"We need to find a way to properly thank Dr. Jackson."
"Yes, we do. Maybe I should do some more gardening?"
"Ass!" Lana lightly slaps his chest as she giggles.
"Your giggles are so sexy!"
"Really? What are you going to do about that, lover boy?"
"Let's see what comes up," (pun intended). Clark rolls over and gently covers Lana – he is ever mindful of baby Isobel's presence, something that prompts Lana to love him even more if possible. They soon connect in a beautiful, loving embrace. Father, mother, child – the family Clark and Lana have always dreamed of, coming to fruition!
A/N Next – And baby makes three!