Keeping a Promise Chap 12
Promise kept!
3 MONTHS LATER
Mom & dad are relaxing in bed, Isobel is sleeping nearby in a cradle her daddy built just for her. She has been a very good baby, only fussing when hungry or needing a fresh diaper. Daddy can calm her down usually (he can, and does do diaper changes), but mommy has the complete soothing kit – no doubt about it.
"Clark?"
"Um?"
"When are we, the three of us, going to spend a little time with grandma Kent? I know we had that 2-hour time with her at Metropolis airport as she was passing through on her way to the farm; but that doesn't seem like enough. I really want Isa to know and love her grandma!"
"I do too, and so does mom. She is just so busy with her Senate duties, I don't know."
"Well, when will Isa be old enough to travel on the CK express with us? Then we can travel to see grandma almost anywhere, right?"
"Right. I was thinking 6-months of age."
"6-months? Really, even the short trip to the farm?"
"Well, that trip is a lot less stressful."
"And she will be all wrapped with me, under your cape."
"Oh . . . you mean me with my suit on?"
"Yeah, she needs to know of the super-man in her life, right?"
"Yes, but not before she's old enough to understand what that means. And old enough to be able to very carefully filter her speech. We were concerned about the PI's wife – what she might say, right? Well the same applies to our little girl."
"Ah, you are correct. I hadn't thought of it that way. I may need a brush up course in Superman appropriate conversation! I wonder who might be available to instruct me?"
"I know just the teacher. Do you want me to contact him?"
"Please do. And what about grandma?"
"I think we three can do a trip to Smallville. Let's call mom."
THE KENT FARM – 3 WEEKS LATER
Friday afternoon Clark and his precious cargo float softly to earth between the house and the barn. He unwraps Lana, who has been holding Isobel carefully under an oversized parka. The parka had been purchased exclusively for such a purpose – to protect their little one on trips such as this. As they approach the house they can tell that someone is home; the heavenly aroma of fresh home baked goodies wafts on the air and envelops them. Like a sweet, warm hug from an excited grandmother. They barely make it through the door before that sweet, warm hug attacks! She doesn't even take time to remove her flour covered apron; nobody seems to mind a little flour dusting.
"Welcome home! Where is my sweet, little grandchild? Ah, there she is!" Martha holds her arms out wide and Lana transfers her baby to her grandma Kent who envelops Isa in a warm, loving and enthusiastic embrace.
"So, the baby gets a hug before I do?" Clark exclaims with faux disappointment.
"Get used to it," Lana whispers.
He pouts, Lana smirks.
Martha grins and says, "well son, you are in 3rd place now."
"3rd? How do you figure that?"
"Well, this little angel is obviously 1st. Your beautiful wife who gave me this adorable grand daughter is of course 2nd, and you are 3rd. If your father were with us, you would be 4th. My advice? Quit while you are ahead!" She laughs out loud, THEN pulls him into a 4-way hug with Lana. A stray tear trickles down her cheek . . . she hadn't dared hope that this day would ever come.
"Why don't you two take your things upstairs and get settled while I entertain my little angel in the kitchen."
"Ah, mom, she doesn't eat solid food yet. Please be careful." Lana requests.
"I will dear. Don't worry."
Clark and Lana look at each other, rather uneasily. They do take what little they brought for this brief stay upstairs but soon are back in the kitchen. Cark has had his super hearing on and hasn't heard any troubling sounds so they are ok. When they reappear, all is well. Martha has Isobel in an infant seat, propped up looking at grandma from the kitchen table. Isa is fascinated, watching her g-ma cooking while Martha keeps up a constant stream of storytelling. If only Isa could remember all these stories about her daddy! She could tease him endlessly. He is counting on her not having a super audio memory!
The family had a wonderful weekend together; grandma rarely let her grandchild out of her sight. Isa loved her time with grandma, so Clark and Lana had quite a bit of free time together. When this sense of freedom really dawned on them, they realized how valuable an asset a grandparent can be.
With Clark's ability to take himself and Lana virtually anywhere in the world in minutes, when Isobel is weaned and old enough to leave for longer stretches of time, the possibilities for mini vacations are endless!
God bless grand-parents!
EPILOGUE
Somewhere in the US Virgin Islands.
Lana awakens as a warm tropical breeze caresses her naked body. It looks like the sun has just arisen. She wonders how she can be so tired after a good night's sleep? Then she remembers – the night was short, albeit the sleep was good when it came. The man sleeping beside her had something to do with the brevity of the sleep time. If pressed, she would admit a role in that also!
She wasn't about to complain.
Neither was he.
Nor was grandma at home with 2-year-old Isobel.
And Isa was delighted when she got the opportunity to spend time with g-ma and help her bake goodie after goodie.
Life was turning out very good indeed!
Lana had promised to wait for him.
Clark had promised to come back to her.
Both promises were kept.
Now they have a beautiful family of three.
Grandma makes four.
Lana's art career is well established and profitable.
Clark is assisting the MPD in keeping the city a safer place to live and raise a family; and Superman is developing a nice working relationship with the Justice League, making trips like this easier to accomplish knowing his responsibilities are covered.
Will Isobel ever have a younger sibling?
I don't know.
Fin