HOUR 9 – A VISIT FROM LUCY

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 1 P.M. AND 2 P.M.

"You're awfully quiet," Clark remarks as they re-enter Metropolis. "Are you okay?" a concerned look on his face.

"I'm okay," she replies while gazing out the car window. "I'm just concerned about what Lucy has to tell me. What if she has bad news?" looking over at Clark with a worried expression on her face.

"I'm sure it's not," he replies as he stops at a red light.

"How can you be so sure?"

"It's just my gut telling me so," flashing a wink at her as the light turns green.

"You and your gut," rolling her eyes. "I think maybe you've watched N.C.I.S. way too many times," shaking her head.

Clark laughs as he looks ahead of him. "What luck!" grinning at her as he backs into the parking space and turns off the engine.

She glances at the dashboard clock. "Looks like we're a little early," she remarks as Clark exits the car and comes around to her side and opens the door. "Knowing Lucy, she'll probably make us wait a half hour," she scowls.

"I don't think that's gonna happen," he remarks as he helps her out of the car.

"Another gut feeling?" looking at him curiously as he locks the door and they start walking towards the café.

"Nope," pointing to one of the tables in front of the café.

Lois' brow arches as they come closer. "Now I know something is wrong if Lucy is on time," the worried expression returning to her face.

"I guess we'll find out soon enough," he quips as they come up to the table. "Hi, Lucy," he smiles while wrapping his arms around her.

"Hi, Clark," standing up to hug him back. "How's my favorite brother-in-law?"

"Couldn't be better," he replies with a smile. "What about you?" he asks.

"I'm just fine. Thanks for asking," Lois remarks in a sarcastic tone.

"I think she needs a hug," Clark tells Lucy with a twinkle in his eyes.

"I think you're right," flashing him a wink before turning her attention to her sister. "Wow! Look at you," hugging her. "You look like you're almost ready to pop," she remarks while giving Lois a soft kiss on her cheek.

"One more month," Lois replies with a sigh as she sits down on one of the chairs and rests one hand on her stomach, the other one on her lower back. "So what was so important that we had to meet now instead of tonight?"

"Straight to the point, as usual," Lucy quips as she sets her purse on the table in front of her.

"So what is it?" Lois asks again with a hint of irritation in her voice.

"If you'll give me a chance I'll tell you. Boy you're even more impatient than usual. Is that what I have to look forward to?" Lucy replies with a coy smile.

Both Clark and Lois stare back at her with surprise. "Are you trying to tell us that you're pregnant?" Lois says at last.

"Ron and I wanted to wait until I entered my second trimester before we told anybody," she replied before leaning forward. "We're also getting married," she adds with a huge grin on her face.

A few people at a nearby table are momentarily started by the shriek that comes out of Lois' mouth. "I am sooo happy for you!" struggling to rise to her feet.

"I'll come over there," Lucy says with a smile and gets up from her chair so that Lois could hug her.

"Congratulations, Lucy," Clark says with a smile as he comes over to join the hugfest. "So when is the big day?" he asks after they pull apart.

"We were planning on getting married this weekend," she answers as she sits back down, turning to Clark as he returns to his chair. "We were also hoping that we could have the ceremony at the farm."

Clark looks at Lois, who gives him an encouraging nod. "We would love for you and Ron to have it there," reaching over to briefly take Lucy's hand.

"So why isn't Ron here with you telling us?" Lois asks her.

"He wanted to be here, but he's currently on an assignment in New York and won't be back until tonight," she replies while sipping her decaf tea.

"So does the General know?" Lois asks, changing the subject.

Lucy leans back in her chair. "He's still on that secret mission, so…" she replies with a sigh.

"He has no idea that Lois is pregnant too," Clark pipes up as he takes a sip of his water.

"He doesn't?" taken aback by the revelation. "How could you not tell him after all this time?" she asks in a questioning tone.

"Believe me I tried but his assistant told me the same thing that he told you. I didn't want him to find out that he was going to be a grandfather that way," Lois replies as she reaches for her water glass.

Lucy nods her head. "I can understand that," she finally replies as the waitress comes over with Lucy's order.

"So do you know if it's gonna be a boy or a girl?" Clark asks after the waitress leaves.

"We're not sure if we want to know, but the doctor kind of told us what she thinks," she replies. "Help yourself," indicating the appetizer plate the waitress had placed in the middle of the table.

Lois pouts at her sister's comment as she picks up her fork. "Fine. Don't tell us," her fork suddenly dropping to her empty plate with a loud clatter.

Both Clark and Lucy look at her curiously. "Are you alright?" Clark asks with concern in his voice.

"No," shaking her head furiously as she grabs her stomach.

"Are you…?" Clark's eyes widening.

"Duh," rolling her eyes at him and punching him on the shoulder. "I think my water just broke."

Coming up next: Hour 10 – Going into labor