Chapter 18

Clark had entered Watchtower, Chloe had called him over for an emergency. He answered with a tired tone, "Chloe I got your message. What's going on?" Clark took his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose while wincing.

"Glasses starting to irritate?" Chloe walked up to him smiling.

Clark opened his eyes, "I haven't been getting much sleep lately. I've been on patrol."

Chloe lifted her head up, "You sure it's patrolling that's causing the sleep deprivation? Cause last I heard, you don't get tired much."

Clark shrugged, "I guess I've been pushing myself harder than ever. Some things don't change. The world still needs Superman." He sighed to himself.

Chloe pursed her lips, "The world has a Justice League now. You don't need to do this alone."

"I need to keep myself busy." He walked past her.

"Clark it's me you're talking to. I know you've been trying to keep your mind off a certain brunette."

Clark shook his head, "She's always on my mind Chloe. And.. I never thought she would ask me for a divorce. You know. I thought if I married her, it would be forever."

Chloe gave him a sympathetic smile, "Well things change when you left. Clark I know you. Ever since Lois came into your life you've changed. You're not that shy farm boy who gives in to everyone else's needs anymore. You're more confident and you're someone you will go after what you want no matter what heavy obstacles come your way. I know you're sulking now, but you're not gonna sign those papers. You're gonna keep fighting for her."

"I don't know what to do anymore Chloe. When she came to me, it was like she was begging me to sign them and let her go."

"Then don't give in to that. If you do, then you will lose her forever. You can't start over. If you let go, she won't come back. Right now you're tied to her and you gotta keep fighting Clark."

Clark smirked to himself, "Losing Lois isn't an option Chloe. I just... I just can't believe she's giving up on us." Chloe gave him a sympathetic smile. Clark walked up to her and touched her stomach, "How's the baby by the way? I'm sorry I haven't been around much. There's just been so much going on."

Chloe chuckled, "You don't need to explain. I understand. Besides you're really gonna need to stick around more if you're gonna be my baby's godfather."

Clark's eyes widened, "I'm gonna be the godfather?"

Chloe nodded and laughed as Clark gave her a bear hug, "Who else would I trust my unborn child with other than my best friend?"

Clark grinned, "Chloe I don't know what to say"

Chloe shook her head, "I haven't seen that smile in ages. No need to say more." Clark smiled and kissed her cheek.

Chloe walked away for a moment and handed him and envelope, Clark looked at her confused, she explained, "It's an invitation to Bruce's party. He's having one of those annual charity gala's and he told me to invite you."

He raised his eyebrow, "This was your emergency?"

Chloe shrugged innocently, "I figured the only to talk to you nowadays was to cry wolf. What do you think? You gonna go?"

Clark looked unsure, Chloe rolled her eyes, "Clark stop distancing yourself from us. You're coming and that's that."

"Is Lois going?"

Chloe hesitated, "... Yeah. But she's going with a date."

Clark froze, "What?"

Chloe nodded, she brushed a strand of her hair away from her forehead, "God. I hate being the bearer of bad news. She met someone, and they've been going on a couple dates. She's bringing him as a plus one. Sorry."

Clark's hands balled into fists, "She never said anything about seeing someone. She never tells me anything."

Chloe shrugged, she didn't know what else to say, "I'm sorry Clark."

Clark shook his head in disbelief. That's when he heard a gust of wind, both his and Chloe's hair flew. He turned to see Chris standing in front of him, "Clark!" he ran up and gave him a hug. Clark's heart felt warm when he saw his son again.

"Hey buddy! What are you doing here?" Clark picked up his son.

Chris shrugged, "I was bored at school. All we do is color and play blocks. I always come see aunt Chloe. I get to watch her do grown up stuff!"

Clark raised his eyebrow at Chloe, "You let him skip school?"

Chloe gave him and innocent shrug, "The kid's got such a convincing puppy dog face, I can't say no to that! He goes back before anyone notices he's gone."

Clark looked shocked, "That doesn't matter Chloe! You keep this up and he gonna keep coming to you even when he's in High School!"

Chloe laughed, it was nice seeing Clark act like a father. Chris pleaded, "Pleaaaseeee can I stay? Just for a little bit, then I'll go back promise!" He gave Clark the same puppy dog eyes. Clark finally understood. He couldn't say no. Besides, Lois hasn't ever been around for him to ask to see his son. He hasn't seen him in weeks.

Clark cleared his throat, "Fine. Just for a little while though."

Chloe took a hint that Clark wanted to spend more time alone with Chris. She took her bag, "I'm meeting Ollie for lunch. I'll see you two later."

"Bye Aunt Chloe!"

"Bye sweetie."

When Chloe left, Chris turned back to Clark, swing his arm from side to side, "So what do you wanna do?"

Clark shrugged, "What do you usually do with Aunt Chloe?"

Chris gave a sinister grin, "Eat ice cream!"

Clark laughed, "Sorry bud, but your mommy doesn't like it when you eat too much ice cream."

Chris pouted, "What momma doesn't know won't hurt her."

Clark shook his head, "Does she ever find out that you do this during school?"

"Nope. I'm toast if she does!"

Clark laughed, "So it's just the two of you at home?"

"Yeah. But my aunts and uncles visit and I sleep over most of the time. Momma works a lot and she doesn't want me to be alone. I told her I'd be okay. But she's always worrying. I worry about her a lot too."

Clark furrowed his eyebrows, "What do you worry about?"

Chris shrugged, "Momma get's sad a lot. She sometimes cries when she's sleeping. She thinks I can't hear her. Sometimes I listen to her heartbeat while I'm at school. Just so I know she's okay."

Clark blinked, Chris really worried about Lois whenever she was upset, "I don't want you worrying about her Chris. Your mommy has a lot of people who love her, including you. As long as she knows you're safe and happy, then she is too. Trust me I know."

"How?"

Clark sighed, "Because if you were my son... that's how I'd feel."

Chris nodded in agreement, "Do you have a family?"

Clark nodded, "I do. But I left to protect them, but now they've moved on."

"Do you miss them?"

Clark nodded, "Every day."

Chris swallowed, "You should tell them you love them. Whenever I fight with my mommy and she says she loves me, I feel all better."

Clark smiled, "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks buddy."

Chris grinned, "Your welcome."

Clark yearned to tell Chris he was his son and hold on to him and never let go. But he couldn't. Lois said she was waiting for the right time to tell him. What was taking her so long? Was she waiting for him to leave again? Was she dodging it, not wanting to deal with it? Or did she want Clark replaced. Was this what this new guy was all about? A new dad for Chris. It angered and hurt Clark when he thought about it that way. He was finally going to speak to her at Bruce's Gala. After Chris ran back to school, Clark went back to the barn, went to his loft and took out a black box in the desk drawer. Inside was a gold ring with a red rock secured in the middle. Red meteor rock.