Chapter 27
"Which one did she want?" Clark muttered to himself, a few months later, as he stared inside the freezer case with a perplexed expression. Quickly, he retraced the morning. Only an hour and a half earlier, Clark was sitting in the kitchen in his pajamas with a cup of coffee, waiting for the boys to come down for breakfast. It was his day off, which meant it was his turn to make breakfast and get the boys ready, allowing Chloe to stay in bed as long as she wanted. He turned the TV on, listening absently to the morning news. A breaking news bulletin caught his attention. Clark set his mug down and wandered into the living room. An attractive field reporter with long black hair stood in front of the sky high City Hall building.
". . .where just minutes before former city employee Ray Waller came barreling in with a gun. Ray Waller had worked for the Sanitation Department of Metropolis for almost two years until a more in-depth background check revealed he'd falsified his application. His real is Derek Raymond Wallings, a man wanted in several other states in connection to multiple on-going sexual assault investigations. Police here believe he may also be the Suicide Rapist that has been terrorizing the lower area of Metropolis for the better part of a year. After being fired for lying on his application, Ray Waller has now taken Mayor Kensington hostage, demanding the equivalent of his life's salary had he continued working for the city. City officials and the Police Department are scrambling to find a solution to this deadly stand-off."
"Chloe!" Clark called as he made his way up the stairs. Connor and Kaid stepped out of their room, half-way dressed.
"Everything okay, Dad?" Connor asked, his little brow furrowed. Clark only yelled for Chloe like this if there was trouble.
"Yeah, everything is fine, guys," Clark answered with a reassuring smile. "Mom's going to take you to school. Hurry up and get dressed now and don't make her have to nag you."
"Yes, sir," Kaid nodded before they disappeared inside their room again. Clark stepped across the hall, pushing their bedroom door open. Chloe sat up on the side of the bed, her sleepy eyes blinking at him.
"What's wrong?" She asked around a yawn.
Clark opened up their closet and dug in the back, pulling out his suit. "There is a hostage situation in Metropolis-" he started.
"Say no more," Chloe said as she got up. Clark had already zipped into his suit and was pulling jeans and a sweat-shirt over it. "Be careful."
"Always am," Clark replied before he opened the window and prepared the leave.
"Can you pick up some ice cream on your way home?" Chloe asked behind him.
Clark shook his head, one foot hanging out the window. "Chloe, Superman-"
"I'm not asking Superman. I'm asking my husband," Chloe said sweetly with a challenging glint in her eye.
Clark narrowed his own at her playfully. "What flavor?"
Chloe opened her mouth to tell him. "Smallville?"
"Smallville? That's not right," Clark muttered.
"Clark."
Clark looked to his left. He swallowed. "Hi, Lois."
Lois cocked her head at him. "What are you doing here? Isn't it your day off? Did you come in for the hostage story?"
"No," Clark answered quickly. "I came in for uh-" He pointed toward the freezer case. Lois joined him in front of it.
"You drove three hoursround trip for 32 ouncesof ice cream?" Judging by her face, Clark knew she wasn't particularly buying his story.
"Yeah," Clark said, opening the door and reaching for the first thing his fingers touched. "Chloe loves Blue Bell and they don't have it in Smallville."
With suspicious eyes, Lois took the tub from his hands and set it back on the shelf.
"Hey!"
She picked up another and shoved it into his hands. Clark looked down at it.Mocha Almond Fudge! Clark looked back at Lois. "What did I have?"
"Pistachio Pudding," she told him. "So, let me get this straight. You woke up at seven o'clock to drive in and get my baby cousin ice cream?"
"Yes, I did," Clark answered smugly. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be down at city hall pushing for a quote or stalking the Big Man in Blue?"
"Well, I would be but this happened." Lois untied her coat and pulled it open, revealing a huge stain on the front of her expensive lilac colored sweater. "Thedweeb photographer the Planet stuck me with saw Superman fly out of the window with the shooter and went to chuck his morning espresso to get a picture of him and over shot his throw about three feet!"
"Lois, haven't you learned not to let Scott have coffee when they send you two out together?" Clark questioned, thinking of the same exact incident that happened about a month ago when Lois covered the attempted bombing of the French Embassy. Clark told her he'd catch up with them and then changed into Superman, getting the bomb out just in time to fly it up into the atmosphere and throw it so it would explode in space. Scott Mitchell had done the same thing trying to get his shot off before Clark was out of sight, spilling his tepid Latte down the front of Lois' eggshell blouse.
"Maybe if I keep adding dry cleaning bills to my expense report, Perry will get the message and not assign me dorks anymore," Lois suggested sweetly.
Clark rolled his eyes. "Maybe you should talk to your boss."
"Are you kidding? I've gotten in trouble for dating my editor before, who knows what would happen if people found out I was fooling around with the owner!"
"And that is my cue to leave," Clark said curtly, walking past Lois in the direction of the registers.
"Don't be such a prude, Smallville!" Lois hissed behind him. "I don't exactly believe it's the Immaculate Conception with Chloe."
"Hello there," Clark said to the cashier, desperately trying to ignore Lois. "How are you?" The young man scanned the tub of ice cream, ignoring Clark and ogling Lois. Clark followed his eyes and found Lois just standing there with him. "Aren't you getting anything?"
"No," Lois answered.
"That will be 4.52, sir," the guy said.
"Then why did you come in here?" Clark asked as he fished a five from his wallet and handed it to the cashier.
"I followed you in here," Lois answered.
"Why?" Clark asked, groaning when he realized he sounded like his sons.
"Gosh, Clark. If I didn't know you any better I'd say you were hiding something. Were you really here to get ice cream for my cousin or someone else?"
"Lois!" Clark exclaimed at her outlandish suggestion. He took the tub of ice cream from the cashier and stormed away from the register and out onto the sidewalk. He could hear Lois scurrying behind him and took a sharp left, fading into the rabble of people crossing the street.
"Clark! I was just teasing!" Lois called a from a few paces behind him.
How the hell can she hang on to me like this? Clark thought frantically. She'd soon find out he didn't have transportation here if he couldn't shake her. But shaking Lois was like shaking a blood hound off the scent.
"Now, I'm really starting to believe you're two-timing my cousin!" Lois shrilled a few feet behind him.
Clark groaned again as he saw the stares at the other pedestrians passing him. He stopped and turned back to Lois who stood with her hand on her hip, a murderous gleam in her eyes. "I'm not two-timing Chloe. I just need to get this home before this melts," Clark told her through clenched teeth.
"Because that's going to happen," Lois replied.
"I have a cooler in the back of the truck," Clark lied. "Is there something you need?"
"I was going to ask you if you would mind dropping me off at my apartment. I was breaking new heels in today, but they're breaking me. How about it? Feel like being my white knight?"
"Not really," Clark answered. He brought his fingers to his lips and whistled sharply. A cab broke away from the herd and pulled up on the curb.
"Clark, you can't be serious-"
"My treat. Go on, get in now," Clark said, hustling Lois into the cab. He threw two twenties in the front seat at the driver.
"Clark!" Lois shouted through the half-open window as Clark slammed the door on her.
"3304 W Cooper Blvd," Clark shouted, thumping the roof of the car twice and it pulled away, Lois still yelling at him as it went. Clark breathed a sigh of relief as he saw the yellow vehicle merge into on-going traffic. Backing away, he made his way into the alley between two buildings. Double checking his surroundings, Clark took off.
He came down in the field behind the barn, sending a couple of Marcus' frightened calves scurrying for their mothers. He made his way up to his house and opening the back door, stepped inside the kitchen.
"I'm home!"
"Hi, sweetie!" Clark turned at his mother's voice.
"Hey, Mom. I thought you were leaving this morning?" Clark asked as he put the ice cream in the freezer. He walked over and leaned down where Martha was sitting and kissed her on the cheek.
"I was. I came over to say good-bye, but I got talking to Burt and he said they'd be done with the renovation about mid-afternoon. I decided to hang around for the unveiling," Martha replied, flipping casually through a Homes & Gardens Magazine.
"Great. Where's Chloe?" Clark asked, looking around for his wife.
"Where do you think?"
"Really?"
"She's convinced they can't do it right unless she's standing right there. I got her down here for about ten minutes but then she heard someone drop a hammer and that was the end of that," Martha laughed.
"I'll get her," Clark said, following the sound of thuds and bangs to the second floor. He crested the stairs and saw Chloe, standing with her back to him, her head cocked as she held the cordless phone to her ear.
"Yes, I did send him!" Chloe yelled to be heard over the workers. "If Clark is having an affair then it's with a malfunctioning printer at the Planet! No, Lois, you do not need to trail him! I can just stick a tracking device on him the next time he walks out the door! Thanks for the offer though! Yeah, I'll see you later!" Chloe pulled the phone away and held it down by her side, watching the men as they worked. Clark stole up behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle.
"Lois tattling on me?" Clark said close to her ear so she could hear him.
Chloe laughed. "You know," she said as she turned in his arms. "Maybe we should tell her you're having an affair. Get her off Superman's case for awhile."
Clark rolled his eyes. "Does she have to so gosh dang nosy all the time?"
"Watch it," Chloe snapped, poking him in the chest. "That's a family trait."
"But it's so much cuter on you," Clark replied.
"Morning, Mr. Kent!" One of the guys called.
Clark waved back, withdrawing from Chloe with a small blush. He'd forgotten they could be seen. Taking her hand he started to lead her away from where the construction on the house was taking place.
"No, I want to watch," she said, pulling back against him.
"The last time I checked, Chloe, you didn't have a degree in Architecture," Clark argued.
"So? Doesn't mean I can't offer a few constructive criticisms," Chloe replied.
"Come on. Don't you want to hear about the Mayor?" Clark dangled.
"Fine," Chloe relented. She allowed Clark to pull her into their bedroom where he shut the door. "I did catch a little of it on the news. Liked the little wave you gave to what's-her-face."
Clark detected a sly note of jealousy in Chloe's voice as he opened the closet door and began undressing at a normal pace. "You know Lori Lemaris has been instrumental in rallying support for Superman among the media. You didn't seem to care that Lois went on and on last week about how Superman winkedat her after pushing her out of the way of that speeding getaway car."
"That's different," Chloe said from her cross-legged position on the bed.
"How?" Clark sat at the end of the bed, pulling on some socks.
"You can't stand Lois."
"I can barely tolerate Lori Lemaris. What else you got?" Clark asked, pulling on his jeans again before topping it a light cotton t-shirt. He faced Chloe again, enjoying seeing her flustered. Usually he was the one getting needled when he so much as glared at the construction worker who eyed Chloe a little too long.
"Lois has Oliver. Lori can get her own Super-Hero," Chloe finished with a shake of her blonde head.
"Lori's not in the market for a suped up boyfriend. She's dating the Governor's son," Clark told Chloe, putting both feet on the floor, twisting to face Chloe. "You have no reason to be jealous."
Chloe gaped at Clark. "I am not jealous."
"Chloe," Clark started.
Chloe stood up and went to stand in front of Clark. "I hate hormones," she muttered.
"I like your hormones. They're my favorite part about you," Clark replied, pulling her in closer between his knees. Chloe laid her arms around his neck.
"Hmmm. . . And here I thought it was my technological savvy that had you floored," Chloe whispered.
"How are my girls this morning?" Clark asked with a quick glance at Chloe's slightly rounded tummy, fingering the Blue Kryptonite band she wore on her wrist. "The boys didn't give you any trouble, did they?"
"We're fine and no, the boys were perfect angels. You seem to forget, I handled them all by my normal, non-Kryptonian self for the first eight years. I can get by one morning without back-up," Chloe snipped.
"You never were good at accepting help," Clark muttered.
"You knew that going in," Chloe replied. With a quick kiss, she pulled back and stepped to the door. "I'm going downstairs. I need to see what we can make for dinner."
"Hey, speaking of the Lois thing-"
"Oh, yeah. She's coming to dinner tonight," Chloe told him quickly before ducking out the door.
Clark followed her, dogging her heels as she skipped down the stairs. "Chloe, no," Clark whined behind her. "I already had the awkward exchange with her this morning. And it was my day off!"
"It sounds like you still have a quota to fill," Chloe threw over her shoulder as they arrived in the kitchen. She went to the refrigerator and peered inside.
"Isn't it enough I have to see her at work? And she's always here! Are you sure she hasn't been evicted from her apartment?"
Martha listened to the two of them argue, smiling behind her magazine. They fought as if they'd been married for forty years instead of the newlywed period of four months.
"Boy, Clark, you better watch yourself. You're dormant ability of Super-Whining is making it's appearance again," Chloe told him as she shut the fridge and leaned against it. "Whether you like it or not, when you married me, you married Lois. We're kind of a set, if you haven't noticed." Chloe pushed away and came to stand in front of her pouting husband. "She's been so lonely since Oliver moved back to Star City. They don't get to see each other as much as they'd like with Oliver auditing his company branch there."
Clark breathed in through his nose. Lois had been to dinner at the house for the past three nights. When he walked in and saw his mother sitting at his table, he threw together a quick plan to butter her into baby-sitting so he and Chloe could spend some time alone. Now, it seemed he was to be over-run by family. "Fine," Clark muttered.
"Good. One other thing," Chloe began. "I think it's time we tell her about you."
"What?!"
Chloe jumped and looked back and forth between Clark and Martha, who had spoke in unison with her son, slamming down the magazine she had been pretending to read. Chloe put a hand to her heart. Immediately, Clark folded, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"Sorry," he apologized. "Chloe, this is nothing against Lois, but I really don't want anymore people to know than they already do." Clark threw a look to his mother for support.
Martha stood and joined the couple in the kitchen. "Hear her out," she said, laying a hand on Clark's arm.
"First of all, she knows about the League. She also knows Clark is a part of said League and it's not gone unnoticed that all members have some sort of ability," Chloe held a few fingers up, circling the island to stand opposite of Clark and Martha. "Second, she has known about Oliver and has always been a help, not a hindrance. When anyone got too close in the past couple of years, she was able to throw up some kind of fence. Third, she's family. She's my best friend and like my sister. I can't lie to her anymore."
"I don't want you to lie to her either," Clark said, coming to stand beside Chloe and taking her hands. "But, you've got to understand. I work with her. One slip of her tongue and it could all be over."
"That's what got me started thinking," Chloe replied, her eyes gleaming as she began to rationalize. "Clark, you are always having to make excuses about why you have to stay behind when a big story breaks or how you'll catch up with her and always seem to show after Superman does his thing. Trust me when I say, Lois has already started putting two and two together. When we would break stories in the Torch, you would always conveniently disappear then reappear right after everything was squared away. I had my questions and my theories. Then I found out what you could do. It made sense! And even if you didn't I knew, you didn't seem that shy about cutting out suddenly. Don't you see? If Lois knew, you wouldn't have to think up excuses. Like when those robbers pulled that Antiquity Heist at the museum?" Chloe looked over at Martha. "He told Lois to go on without him because he needed to tie his shoe."
Martha bit back a laugh.
"This is a good thing," Chloe continued earnestly. "Superman is gaining more and more popularity each day. And along with that popularity, the list of your enemies grows longer with it." Chloe gripped Clark's hands tighter, allowing him to see the fear in her eyes. "There is only so much I can do from Watchtower. Lois is a powerful ally."
Clark couldn't argue with any of the reasons Chloe had tallied off. He could tell she'd given this a lot of thought.
"Plus, I don't think we're going get lucky again for a politician to take her off our hands when these little girls are due," Chloe began again. "She's going to notice when my nine month due date comes and goes. And another thing, Kaid dented her car last week."
"When did this happen?" Clark demanded.
Chloe bit her bottom lip. "Connor and Kaid were playing football in the yard and Kaid ran for the ball and landed on the hood of her car."
"What did she say?"
"I got them to pop the dent out before she saw it," Chloe said quietly.
Clark put a hand to his forehead. Martha stepped forward.
"You know, honey, I think I'm going to agree with Chloe on this one. Lois has always proved trustworthy and she is family," Martha agreed. Chloe smiled brightly at winning over the Kent Matriarch. The two women looked back to Clark.
As with every choice Clark had, he weighed the pros and cons. This was a weighty burden. If anyone tied Lois to him, she could be in danger. If anyone tied Chloe and the boys to Superman, they could be in danger. Lois could also have a freak out. What would she do when she found out her cousin was married to an alien? That her nephews were part-Kryptonian? Maybe they could leave that out. Clark had been monitoring Lois' progress on the unveiling of Superman's true identity and he knew, like Chloe, that she was getting uncomfortably close. He knew she had pegged his age, his weight, his height and that he held a job in the downtown area, likely an eight to five. If Lois was anything like Chloe, and the two were uncannily similar, it wouldn't be long before Lois had his name. He knew she would never out him if she knew. Clark knew all was needed was to beat her to the punch.
Squaring his jaw, he looked over at his mother and his wife. "Fine," Clark gave in, throwing his hands up in submission. "How are we going to do this?"
Martha took the boys into Smallville to meet up with some friends at the movie theater. Connor ran across the field to invite both of Marcus' daughters to go and all four kids piled into Martha's sedan. Clark and Chloe made dinner in comfortable silence, waiting for Lois to arrive.
"Have you heard from Lana?" Clark asked Chloe as he cut the fat off three steaks.
"Yeah, she called a few days ago. Her and Davis are doing good. They're all settled in Baltimore. I'm so glad she was able to take the house. She can't wait to set up the Baltimore office," Chloe answered, slicing potatoes.
Clark looked over at Chloe. "Are you happy, Chloe?"
Chloe met Clark's eyes. "What?"
"Are you happy? Have you been happy since you stepped down from Isis?"
After Christmas, Chloe and Lana had a long talk about Lana's plans for the future. She had helped Davis construct a new identity again and was willing to go wherever he could get a job.
"Would you ever consider coming back to Isis, Lana?" Chloe asked the day she and Lana met in Metropolis for dinner.
Lana took a sip from her wine glass, mulling over her feelings. "I don't know. I really don't want to live in Metropolis. Or Kansas, for that matter. And I'm not sure I'm cut out for an eight to five job anymore, Chloe. Also, Davis got his license reinstated and he's looking for EMT jobs. Depending where he got a job, I don't even know where I'm going right now."
"So you and Davis-"
Lana had the grace to blush. "He's really sweet, Chloe. And he wants to help people, in any way he can. He's a lot like Clark, but different somehow."
"That's great, Lana. I'm happy for the both of you. It doesn't bother you two the difference in physical status?"
"Did it ever bother you about Clark?" Lana asked. "That he could do so many things and you couldn't?"
"At times," Chloe answered truthfully. "But that one time he was mortal, I realized that I wasn't just only the side-kick. I was an equal partner in crime. I help the world in my own way, ways that Clark could never do."
Lana rested her chin on her hand, her face open and honest. "When did you know? When did you know about what Clark could do, I mean?"
"The second half of our senior year. I saw him catch a car one night," Chloe answered with a soft smile, thinking back on the night that had changed her life more than she could have ever imagined. "Why, Lana?"
"We never really talked about it. I don't mean to make this old girlfriend versus new, well, old girlfriend versus wife, but there are so many things I never asked you that I always wanted to," Lana said. "You don't think it will bother Davis that I am the way I am?"
"Davis likes strong women. You're right up his alley," Chloe answered.
Dinner lasted late into the evening. Lana accepted the position in Baltimore, genuinely excited about the ideas she and Chloe had talked about. A few weeks later, Chloe found out she was pregnant again. Making a command decision, Chloe met with Lana and Gladys. She was going to step down totally from Isis. Lana had no interest in being CEO again and Gladys was apprehensive at first, but after many urgings from Lana and Chloe, accepted the job. It was made official at a news conference the next day. Since then, Chloe had devoted all her time to Watchtower, Clark and the boys. She had never been happier.
Clark set the steaks on a plate, getting ready to sear them over the stove-top. He regarded her closely.
"How can you ask me that, Clark. You know how happy I am," Chloe told him.
Clark fired up the burner and set one of the steaks on the grill pan. "You were also so happy in the Metropolis. You stepped down from Isis without even talking to me. My mom did the same thing for my dad. She loved her life here, but I can see how happy she is as a U.S. Senator. I don't want to think that you gave up something that makes you happy for me."
"Clark," Chloe set down her knife and crossed the kitchen. She leaned against Clark's side and wrapped her hands around his arm. "You make me happy. Truly happy. You always have. I don't care what I'm doing, as long as I'm doing it withyou. Yes, at one time my dream was to be a big city reporter for the Daily Planet, but all I want now is to live my life with you and our children and bust the occasional bad guy. Since I've stepped down from Isis, I have so much more time for the boys and for Watchtower, which is where I really want to be."
"So, you're not bored?" Clark looked over his shoulder at her.
"When has life with you ever been boring?" Chloe fired back. She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed the back of his neck. Clark let the steak fall to the pan and turned, catching Chloe in his arms and pulled her to him, kissing her passionately.
The kitchen door swung open and Lois stopped abruptly. "Can you hang a tie on the knob or something? Warn a person about what they're walking into."
Clark let go of Chloe with a growl as Lois stomped in and slammed her purse down on the counter. He returned to searing the steaks.
"Hey, Lo," Chloe greeted as she went back to her potatoes.
Lois marched over to the refrigerator and opened up the freezer on top, searching inside.
"What are you doing, Lois?" Clark asked.
"Keeping you honest, Clark. Aha!" Lois yanked out the carton of Mocha Almond Fudge. She looked over at Clark. "Looks like you alibi checks out."
"My alibi for what?" Clark replied testily.
"Lois, why don't you help me with these potatoes?" Chloe suggested.
Lois went to stand by Chloe and helped peel potatoes. The rest of the preparations were made with hushed conversation between Lois and Chloe, Clark nervously searing his steaks and then taking them outside the grill them. When the door closed behind him, Lois looked over at Chloe.
"Is Smallville all right? I was only pulling his leg when I checked for the ice cream. I know he would never cheat on you, Chloe."
"I know. Clark has just been a little stressed out lately," Chloe told her.
"How are you feeling? This time going easy than last time?" Lois asked.
"Yes. I know what to expect this time and what helps." Chloe reached across Lois and put a couple of dishes in the sink.
"Hey, isn't that the thing Lex was after? Why are you wearing it?"
"Steaks are ready!" Clark called as he came in with a plate of smoking beef. "Hubbard's Finest."
Most of dinner was eaten in silence, Lois picking up on the agitated state of Clark and Chloe. She tried to make nice with Clark a few times, but gave up when he only gave one word answers.
"You want help with the dishes?" Lois asked when dinner was finally over. "Where are the boys, by the way?"
"Martha took them into town for a movie," Chloe answered, organizing the dishes for wash later.
"On a school night? Wow, you two are really spoiling them, aren't you?"
"Lois, we need to talk to you," Chloe said. Clark stood behind her, hands on her shoulders.
Lois regarded her friends and now close family. "Is everything okay?" She was starting to worry.
"Let's go sit down," Clark suggested. He maneuvered both women into the family room. Lois sat down on the couch and was surprised when Chloe and Clark sat down on either side of her.
She swung her head back and forth between them. "You guys are really starting to wig me out. What's with the parent routine? Am I in trouble? Did I miss curfew?"
"There's not really an easy way to tell you this," Chloe started.
"Oh, god. Is there something wrong with the baby?" Lois asked frantically. "Martha? Your dad?"
"Lois, everyone is fine," Chloe reassured her. She looked over at Clark. "You wanna?"
Lois swiveled to face Clark. "You wanna what?"
"You know how you've been chasing that exclusive with Superman?" Clark asked.
"Yeah, so?" Lois looked back to Chloe.
"Well, here's your chance," Chloe told her.
"What are you guys getting at?"
Clark cleared his throat. "I'm Superman, Lois."
Lois' mouth dropped open. The room was deathly quiet, so quiet Clark knew he wasn't the only one who would hear a pin drop. Chloe and Clark watched Lois carefully. Suddenly, she began to laugh. Laugh hysterically. Clark sat back, highly offended. Chloe continued to watch her cousin. Lois laughed so hard her face turned red and she doubled over, holding her sides.
"Lois?" Chloe asked, a hand on her back.
Lois sat back up, tears in her eyes. "Oh! You two are so funny! And it's not even April Fool's!" She choked out before be consumed by laughter again.
"Lois, we're serious," Chloe began. "Clark is Superman. Martha and the boys came up with the suit."
Lois' laughter got louder with every sentence, guffawing as she slapped her thigh. "Chloe, stop! Stop! I'm going to ruin my pants!"
Clark stood, crossing his arms. "Lois, this is not a joke," he said severely. He lowered his brows, glaring at her.
Lois pressed her mouth shut, holding in her laughter. She took a couple of breaths and finally steadied herself. She looked up Clark supremely. "Prove it."
Clark turned stiffly and stalked from the house.
"Come on," Chloe said, grabbing Lois' wrist and pulling her along behind.
"You can't be serious!" Lois exclaimed, dangerously close to laughing again. The two women tripped outside to where Clark was standing in the middle of the yard. Chloe led Lois out to Clark. Chloe stepped away.
"What do want to see?" Clark asked.
Lois rolled her eyes. "Okay, guys, I get it. I'm sorry I laughed. But, what is this really about? Clark being Superman is about as likely as me wining the Miss America Pageant."
"Up, up and away, Clark," Chloe said, taking a few more steps back. In the blink of an eye, Clark swooped Lois into his arms and shot up into the sky. Chloe heard Lois scream and shielded her eyes from the sun as she watched Clark soar against the blue sky with Lois clinging tightly to him. After a few minutes, Clark came back to the ground and landed lightly. He put Lois down, but quickly caught her when she swayed slightly.
Lois gripped Clark's shirt, her eyes huge as she stared up at him with a dreamy gaze. "Holy Crap. My Cousin-in-Law is Superman."