A/N: This next chapter finds the family enjoying a little breathing room as they look to a future full of peace and happiness! Thanks again to my amazing beta, as I send along more hugs and appreciation. Please R&R. Thanks, everyone.

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Chapter 13 – Breathing Space

Previously:

"I wish I could have seen his face when he realized he was going to jail for a very long time. I wonder if they'll still be a trial. I wonder if he's going to plea bargain, give the district attorney a few crime bosses names or maybe he won't say a word. It's hard to tell what Luthor will do now."

"I really don't care what he does, as long as he leaves our family alone," Clark said closing his eyes and leaning his head back on the car headrest again.

"Amen to that," Lois said as she squeezed his hand, then started the car and headed home to their family.

##

Lois glanced at her husband and she could see how tired he was. She had planned a family celebration at the house, but she decided at that moment that they would do it another night. Clark was truly drained after everything that happened over the past several weeks. After almost dying a few days ago, then splitting his self in two, and now dealing with Luthor, she wanted him to have an evening of peace and quiet so he could recharge and not worry about anything. She pulled over to the side of the road and called her father.

"Hello, Daddy," Lois said. "Yes, we're on our way, but Clark is really exhausted and I think we should postpone this family party for another day. Will you offer our apologies to everyone and we'll get together soon, I promise. Yes, thank you, Daddy. Bye."

"Lois, you didn't have to do that," Clark said although he could barely hold his eyes open.

"Clark, you're exhausted. I'm calling Oliver and giving you the night off. How often does that happen? You could use it after all you've been though. I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping us out." She dialed Oliver's number.

"Alright, Lois, you win. I am exhausted. I just need to rest for a few hours and I'll be fine."

Once Lois explained the situation over the phone, Oliver was more than happy to take care of any emergencies that arose for the night. "Tell Clark I'm very happy everything worked out today with the news conference and with Luthor."

"I'll tell him. Thanks, Oliver. We'll talk to you tomorrow. Bye," Lois said and hung up. "See, no problems. Oh, the kids. We should have Lucy take them out to the farm for the night so you won't be disturbed." She dialed Lucy's number.

Clark chuckled. "Lois, are you trying to get me alone so you can seduce me?" He wriggled his eyebrows at her.

"Clark, will you look at yourself? You can barely hold your eyes open." She lifted his arm. It fell back on the seat, limp as a ragdoll. "Oh, you're ready to get it on, are you? Be serious, Smallville. You need to rest and we could both use a quiet evening together." She tried to keep a straight face, but Clark was smiling at her.

"Sure, Lois, whatever you say." Clark closed his eyes again, but the smile remained.

After hanging up the phone with Lucy, Lois just shook her head and pulled out into traffic.

##

When they arrived home, the house was dark. Everyone had left. It was so quiet that they actually wondered if they were in the right house. It was never that quiet, except when the kids were asleep. Lois helped Clark upstairs to bed. She undressed him and he climbed under the covers. "Do you want anything, honey?"

"No, I'm fine. Aren't you coming to bed?" He couldn't help but smile at his wife.

"Clark Kent, you just wipe that smile off your face. Now, go to sleep. You need to rest. Don't be hardheaded." She leaned down and tucked the covers under his chin and kissed his forehead. "There, I'll turn out the light and let you fall asleep."

Clark looked at the clock. "But it's barely eight o'clock. I'm not sleepy anymore."

Lois rolled her eyes and sighed. "Alright, Clark, do you want to talk for a while?"

"Ok, sure, what do you want to talk about?" He smiled and sat up in bed letting the covers slip down his bare chest, and waited for her reaction. All of a sudden, Lois forgot to breathe.

"Clark, what are you …?" Lois forgot what she was going to say. She tried not to stare. It wasn't working. She continued to stare at her husband's chest, then her eyes wandered up to his throat, his chin, his lips, and then she looked into his eyes. Her heart was pounding so hard, it was hard to breathe.

"Lois?"

"Uh, uh?" She asked transfixed by the look on his face.

Clark reached up his hand and pulled her down next to him on the bed. He touched her cheek, as his other hand came up to frame her face between his palms. Lois closed her eyes and sighed. He pulled her toward him and kissed her. She put her hands on his face and wrapped her arms around his neck. "It's my turn now." He slowly began removing her clothes, kissing and caressing every part of her that he could reach.

"Clark, you said you were … exhausted," Lois barely managed to say as he removed her bra and underwear.

"Not any more." He smiled at her. Lois sighed as he took her into his arms as they touched skin to skin, hip to thigh and finally mouth to mouth, as passion burst to sweet life between them. She ran her fingers through his thick black hair, down his powerful neck and arms.

"You're so beautiful. I love you, Lois."

"I love you too, Clark," she said, knowing deep inside that he needed to make love to her and she needed him to make love to her too. His mouth closed over hers then. Her lips parted under the pressure of his tongue as it slipped inside her mouth, demanding a response. She melted against him. He kissed her thoroughly, as she came into his arms whimpering her need. His lips moved down her neck where he sucked lightly at her skin, and she tilted her head to the side to give him more access. Lois knew his need, felt his hunger in the intensity of his kisses. His excited moans and rapid breathing fueled her own desire and she clung to him, trying to pull him closer. His fingers moved over her center, as Lois gasped into his mouth and arched her back. "Please!"

That word, coupled with her tugging motion on his erection, finally galvanized him into action. He positioned himself at the entrance of her body and thrust home in one smooth glide. And then he was kissing her again, his mouth slanting across hers in a deep, consuming kiss as he began to slowly move in and out of her lush body. He loved her, needed her with every fiber of his being and knowing that she returned that love with an equal intensity made his heart swell with unparalleled joy. Making love to Lois was as natural as breathing to him, yet the pleasure he experienced seemed sweeter each time. His body moved at just the right angle to pleasure her and him, as hearts pounding, lungs straining, they began that climb until they reached the highest peak, soaring together through the heavens.

Finally spent, he lowered his weight to rest gently on top of her, pressing tender kisses to her lips, her cheeks and her eyelids. As their breathing returned to normal, they lay together, Lois' head on his chest and their legs entwined. She had always been in awe of their lovemaking, but she couldn't find the words to describe what had just happened.

A few minutes passed and Clark suddenly realized that Lois' shoulders were shaking and that she was crying. "Honey, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"Oh, Clark, nothing is wrong. In fact, everything is wonderful. It's just … I never really had the chance to think about what happened to you in that warehouse. My mind refused to go there, but now…" She tried to get control of her emotions and pulled him closer. "You almost died Clark."

"Sshh, honey, please don't cry." He kissed her temple and hugged her close. He hoped to make her feel better by talking about her favorite subject. "You know, Lois, the kids were amazing that day. Lara told me it was Jonny's idea to find me. He knew I was in trouble. He's so much like you Lois, it scares me."

"Like me? Really?" She sniffed and smiled at that.

"Yes, he is. He didn't think of himself for a minute. He just knew I was in trouble and forgot about everything else. Does that remind you anyone?"

"Well, maybe me, just a little. And Lara, who is she like?"

"Lara is smart and has the kindest heart I've ever seen, much like ...ummm..."

"Like someone you know... she's exactly like you, Clark, and don't tell me you don't know that."

"Yeah, I do, and that scares me too. She's too trusting, believing everyone is good inside, but that's not always the case."

"I know, but they're still so young, and have a lot of growing up to do. I'm so relieved we don't have to worry about your secret being out there and we can live our lives in peace." She thought about something Jor-El had said. "Jor-El said ten years, Clark. Ten years before they're fully powered like you, ten years before they start flying off into space, or lifting busses or stopping earthquakes and goodness knows what else."

"And let us not forget, in ten years, they'll be teenagers and we both know what that's like." Clark shook his head remembering.

"Oh, my god Clark, teenagers?!" Lois gasped. They both stared at each other not quite believing it could really happen. Then, they shook their heads, smiled and hugged each other knowing that they'll be together as a family, and that's all that mattered. They would be there for each other no matter what.

Together forever, the way it should be!!

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A/N: The final chapter will be an epilogue and a look into the future, 10 years into the future, to be exact! Thanks for reading. Reviews are love!