Chapter Fifteen

Clark and Lana walked together into the park as Clark carried Lara in his arms. Lana had the bag with Lara's things in it as they came to a good spot. Lana put the bag down as Clark placed Lara on the grass. Clark and Lana sat down under the tree there and watched Lara crawl around. She was six months old now, and was crawling a lot.

"Any sign of powers?" Clark asked Lana. "Other than crushing Chloe's finger."

"No," Lana said. She wasn't sure if Clark appeared disappointed or grateful. "I guess all we can do is wait and see."

Lara crawled over to Lana, and laughed at her. Lana laughed back as she picked her up, kissing her. Lara took a hold of Lana's hands and stood up shakily. Lana got up and took Lara's hands, walking with her a little ways from Clark. Clark got into a squatting position as Lana turned to face him.

"Go on," Lana encouraged Lara. "Go get daddy!"

Clark held his arms out as Lara took a few steps towards her father. "Come on," said Clark. "Come to daddy!"

Lara took the last steps in a rush as she fell into Clark's arms. Clark scooped her up and hugged her.

"You did it!" Clark told her. He spun around with Lara in his arms, laughing. Lana watched the two of them, and smiled. Clark looked so happy with Lara; he looked—what was the word?—complete; like he was totally at peace. It had been the same way when Evan was still a baby. He was so natural with children. Lara laughed as Clark kissed her on the cheek. Lana walked towards them.

"Her first steps," Lana said as she placed a hand on Lara's dark hair.

"Momma…" Lara muttered softly. Clark and Lana looked at each other.

"Her first word!" Lana exclaimed. "I can't believe it!"

"Me either," said Clark, amazed.

"Isn't the Kryptonian race more advanced?" asked Lana.

"Yeah," said Clark. "But I didn't say my first word until I was at least two."

"But then again, you were alone in a spaceship for, like, two and a half years," Lana replied.

"That could be why," Clark said. They continued to hug their daughter.

"How did the park go?" asked Chloe as Lana and Clark came into his parents' house.

"Well, she took her first steps," Clark answered as Lana took Lara into the living room.

"That's great!" exclaimed Martha as she brought the potatoes over to the table. It was Thanksgiving, and everyone was coming over: Clark, Lana, Lara, Chloe, Lois, Pete and Lex.

"And she said her first word: Momma," Lana told them as she came over.

"Already?" asked Chloe.

"She is Kryptonian," replied Lana.

"But—" began Martha as she turned to Clark.

"I didn't have anyone to learn from for over two and a half years," Clark interrupted.

There was a knock on the door, and Lex opened the door.

"Hey, Lex, come in," said Jonathan.

Lex came in, carrying a package from the grocery store. "I brought pie. It's probably not as good as Mrs. Kent's homemade version, but…"

"That's very thoughtful, Lex," said Martha as she took the pie.

"So, how's the little one?" Lex asked.

"She said her first word," Clark told him.

"Mommy," Lana supplied.

"Daddy…" came a little voice from the living room. Everyone turned and saw Lara looking at Clark.

"And her second word," said Lana, surprised. Lara started to reach towards the fireplace. Clark rushed forward, but it was too late; she had her hand in the flames. Clark made sure he was blocking the view as Lara brought her hand out, unharmed. Clark stared at it as he picked Lara up. He came back to everyone with his daughter in his arms.

"That was close," said Clark.

"Lex, would you take this corn to the table?" Martha asked.

"Sure," Lex answered, and went to the table.

"She stuck her hand into the fire," Clark whispered to the others.

"Her powers are really developing," Martha said as Lois and Pete came through the door. "You're just in time; dinner's ready."

Everyone sat down at the table as Jonathan stayed standing.

"Every year, we have a tradition in the family," Jonathan told them. "We say what we're most thankful for. I am thankful for my family; for my wife, son, daughter and granddaughter. They have brought me so much happiness."

Jonathan sat down and looked at Martha.

"My family," Martha said.

"All of us able to be together," Pete said.

Lex looked at Clark. "My friends."

Clark smiled at Lana. "My wife and daughter."

Lana smiled. "My family."

"My cousin and friends," said Chloe.

"My cousin," said Lois.

Everyone smiled as they dug in.