A/N: So, this is why I was rushing the last chapter. And you'll see why I needed that chapter before I could have this chapter.

Ok, this is kind of a short update, but it's kind of a game changer. Not as much as some of the chapters to come, but that's all I'll say about that.

So I hope you enjoy this, and I also hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Chapter 4:

Sitting in his living room with his mom and Chloe felt amazing, but Clark could feel that something was missing. He looked up at the mantle at the picture of his dad. The first Christmas without him. But somehow he found himself smiling and laughing. He hated himself for it.

His mom came up behind him and put a loving hand on his shoulder. "I wish he was here, too," she said, somewhat sadly. "But he'd want you to enjoy yourself today." He turned around to look at her. "I know you have something special planned for Chloe and, Clark, you deserve to be happy."

He smiled, knowing every word his mom said was the truth. How was she always so wise?

Clark reached into his pocket and felt the small ring box that contained Chloe's Christmas present. A wave of excitement washed over him as he pondered exactly how we was going to pop the question.

He walked over to Chloe who was sitting by the fireplace, trying to keep warm. "Hey Chloe," he said smiling.

Chloe laughed a little as she looked up at him. "Hey Clark," she said, obviously mocking him.

"Are you having a good time?" he said.

"More than you know," she said, looking into his eyes. "Every Christmas, there's always some kind of fighting. Lois and the General, Lucy and the General, Lois and Lucy..."

"Wow," Clark said. "Poor Chloe and Gabe."

"Yeah, well, my dad and I are going out for dinner tomorrow," she said, smiling the whole time. "Lane free."

Clark laughed. Yes, the Lanes really could be a handful. Clark knew this firsthand, from his everyday encounters with Lois, and the more obscure encounters with Lucy and their dad. They all had such strong personalities that, when put together, were explosive. But they were a family, which was more than some people had.

"So thank you for giving me a perfect Christmas," Chloe said. "You and your mom are great. I mean, I know it must be hard for you guys with out your dad, but you still invite me over for an intimate family holiday. It means a lot to me."

"It's not always easy without my dad," he said, looking at the ground. He lifted his gaze to Chloe. "But, no matter how hard it is, I can't be a shell forever. Last year was the worst year of my life. I lost my dad and Lana, and it felt like I would never be happy again. But then you kissed me... and for once it felt like everything was going to turn out okay."

Clark had to force the tears not to come out. He had not foreseen this conversation getting so serious, but in a way, he was glad it did, because it was the perfect segue into what he'd been planning.

"So," he said. "Time for presents?"

Chloe noticed that Clark seemed awfully excited about the presents. She didn't really understand, because they had placed a $20 limit on presents.

"Why not?" Chloe shrugged.

With that Clark looked at his mom. It looked like he was trying to send her a signal.

"I'm just going to go check on the ham," Martha said, excusing herself. The plot thickens, Chloe thought. In a way, it amused her, but she wouldn't be satisfied until she knew what was going on.

"What was that about?" Chloe wanted some answers, and she wanted them now.

"Nothing," Clark lied. Chloe found it funny that once someone found out Clark's secret, he turned into the worst liar around them.

She rolled her eyes. Whatever, she thought. It wouldn't kill her to give Clark a victory just this once.

"You first," he said.

"Fine," she said, handing him the gift bag.

He dug through the tissue paper, and pulled out the little stuffed alien she had bought him.

He stared at the green toy with the enlarged head, with a blank face. Chloe just started laughing.

"He's your twin," she said through her laughter. He took the toy and threw it at her, obviously consciously not using his powers, or it might've actually hurt.

"Come on," she said, picking up the alien and turning it towards him. "You know you love him."

His face broke into a smile. "I do," he said. Then the smile disappeared, but he still looked playful. "Except for the fact that it's blatantly offensive."

Chloe laughed again.

"Now it's your turn," she said, once she had calmed down. She was excited to see what Clark had in store for her.

"Close your eyes," Clark said.

"No," she said, playfully. He was going to trick her somehow, she just knew it.

"Do it," he said again, more forcefully, but maintaining his joking tone.

"Fine," she said, closing her eyes. This better be worth it, she thought.

She could barely hear him doing anything, so either he was using his superspeed, or he was just being very quiet.

"Okay," he said. "Open them."

When she opened his eyes, Clark was on one knee, and holding out a ring box.

Chloe almost laughed, but Clark had a dead serious look on his face. No, this wasn't happening. Clark was on some kind of kryptonite or something.

He opened the box. She took in the hands that formed a heart, around an actual heart in the center. Her first thought that it was the ring Angel had given to Buffy. It was actually really sweet that Clark paid actually paid attention when she was watching t.v.

But then, another thought came over her. Isn't this a wedding ring in Ireland? she asked herself.

A wave of panic washed over her.

It's okay, she tried to tell herself. We'll figure out what kind of kryptonite poisoning this is, and we'll fix it. She just didn't know what she was going to do in this moment.

"Clark-" she started, but he didn't let her finish.

"Chloe Sullivan," he said, looking from the ring to her face. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Clark..." she said again, before registering what he had actually said. She sighed heavily and then broke out into fits of laughter.

The laughter became hysterical, and she didn't know how it had happened, but she found herself on the floor. Clark, still kneeling, was above her, still holding the ring out.

"So, what do you say?" he said with a smile on his face.

"Yes!" she said, throwing her arms around him.

He pulled her into a deep kiss, and when they pulled away, he slid the ring onto her finger, with the heart pointed towards her.

She hugged him, and when she looked up toward the kitchen, Martha was standing there watching with a huge smile on her face.

Best Christmas ever, Chloe thought.

A/N: Did I fool anyone?

I wasn't going to do it like this, but I was thinking about what presents they should get each other and the Claddagh ring fits in perfectly with them finally becoming official, and since it can also be used as a wedding ring, I thought it would be kind of funny to mess with Chloe a bit. :)

Anyways, MERRY CHRISTMAS!