Chapter 23 [Luthor Mansion—An Hour Later]

Lex reclined in his chair. He'd long since powered down his computer and ceased business for the day. Instead he served as the entertainer, tour guide or whatever needed doing to assist the ongoing poetic exploration. Oh sure, there were the guests, their efforts and the session coming up on the following week. In addition, however, the side blossomings from that creative effort arguably overwhelmed the main deal.

The Duboises reunited with their niece….

Jasmine being able to reach out as poet, friend, diplomat and connoisseur….

Byron's acceptance by the town and apparently his nurse, Sandra….

Clark expressed his ideas openly instead of simply ranting to Frustration's tune. His suggestion had opened these doors. Now Cupid seemed to direct him toward his waiting barista fair at long last.

The mysterious arrival of jasmine, lilacs and roses brightening the mansion's gardens. Given that the roses (Lillian), lilacs (Angie) and jasmine (Dave) represented certain people's favorites, they seemed hardly a surprise. Brimstone's odor wafting in the early morns betrayed the Child's hand in it.

The chance to work in the dirt to help bring about said beauty. In such ways, his mother would be pleased. In such ways, his father would be ticked off.

The Smirk widened at that last thought. He raised his coffee mug toward Lillian's portrait. "Your fingerprints are all over this, Mom. I'd say this is your handiwork. Everything's working out. You certainly could make magic. I'm just glad we could include Dave in this after all of these years."

Almost on cue, Sol streaked through the glass. Its shafts glistened on her portrait.

Perhaps in a trick of light, Lillian's eyes glittered at him for a heartbeat.

Lex nodded. He sipped on the mug. Nostalgia warmed his heart. He recalled the last great reading of this sort thirty years earlier. As with the previous event, Hostility had run its course. Now he wanted the flowering to commence…

…that and to once again rub it in the Big Bad Lionel's face….

Almost too soon, the doors banged open jarring him from his reverie.

Clark barged into the area. Dejection and Anxiety occupied his thoughts. He had to come up with some idea, some germ of a strategy to counter his father's stubborn outlook. He looked about. "Lex?"

Lex sighed deeply. He'd become accustomed to the Farm Boy's intrusions into his life. He knew that Clark didn't mean anything malicious by them. Granted he did wonder how the teen evaded his security team and the vaunted detection systems. "Right here, Clark. What's going on? Trouble in Paradise already?"

Clark rolled his eyes. "Lana's coming over for dinner. My Dad's being stubborn. Mom's in the middle. I just want…."

"You want everyone to be happy. Right?" Lex stood slowly. As he'd just presumed, Clark needed a break. The billionaire knew well of Jonathan's inflexibility and determination. Granted he admired those qualities especially when they were used to spit in Lionel's face. Still it could be a royal pain in cases like this one. "Not going to happen. Sorry, Clark."

"Lex, why can't it? Lana wants a normal relationship and to fit in. She's willing to work with my folks. Mom wants this to work. Why is Dad being…I don't know….?" Clark threw his hands up. Exasperation threatened to push him into a super speed pacing fit or goad him into putting his hand through the wall.

"Your Dad can be difficult. I certainly have seen that often enough." Lex shrugged. He poured a mug full of coffee and handed it to his friend. "Have some. Promise it's straight coffee."

Clark frowned. "Lex, I know that. I figured you stood up to your Dad like this." He fixed his coffee and took a sip.

"True. That dynamic though is totally different than what your Dad and you have. Your father cares about you. He wants to protect you. Question is when does that protection become stifling? You do have to fall before you can fly. You have to stumble before you can walk and then run. My Dad wants to use and manipulate me like an asset. Your Dad values you as a person. There's a difference," Lex elaborated. "Then again, ask your folks if they remember Dave with his father back in the day. Now that is the definition of familial dysfunction."

Memoria recounted for Clark once again the vision of the librarian's dark alter ego. He could recall more than he cared for about the Child driving off Arighatto. "His Dad did that?"

"In part. It's a long, complicated and very unpleasant story, Clark. The point is your Dad may seem unreasonable. Still he's being that way for your benefit. Work with him. Now that's the challenge. Lana's worth it. Right?" Lex continued. He added a bit of a goad at the end.

"Of course she is!" Clark insisted.

Lex raised an eyebrow. "Then find a way. Your Mom and Lana are your allies in this. It isn't a battle. Lana just needs to get your parents' confidence. They like her now. Just give them time. Allow Lana to have the same. Remember, Atticus, slow and steady wins the race."

"I'll remind you of that the next time I see you take that turn into town," Clark jabbed.

Lex smirked. He raised his mug. "Touché, Clark. Stand up for Lana. Still respect your Dad too. At least Lana wants to be part of the dynamic. And be grateful you don't have my Dad or Stuart Dubois to deal with." He rubbed Clark's shoulder. "Patience is a virtue, Clark."

"Easy for you to say. I feel like the weight of the world's on my shoulders." Lament slumped Clark's shoulders.

"Then I guess it's a good thing you have the rest of us to help you buoy it up. Now isn't it? Drink up and I'll give you a lift. Best to have the chores done so that your Dad's in a good mood. Now isn't it?" Lex assured him.

Clark nodded. He wasn't exactly sure that his father would be in that mood. Still he wanted to do what he could to put Jonathan in that frame of mind.

Nothing was easy…..