The Marshall and Superman

Chapter 6 Important Decisions

The morning air was cool in the loft; Lana snuggled as close to Clark as she could. She was getting terribly used to sleeping by his side with his arms around her and she knew the feeling was reciprocated. He had freely admitted it several times, there was no reason to deny it.

Morning light was just breaking and her senses were just coming on-line. She rolled onto her other side so she could look at her lover as he slept. He was so peaceful; how could she have been so lucky to have been assigned to protect him? Of course, the thought was rather ludicrous – Lana Lang protecting Superman! (She didn't know about his weakness to kryptonite yet) She caressed his cheek with her palm; starting a trail of kisses from forehead, to temple, to nose, to cheek . . . he stirred and opened one eye, smiling at her.

"Good morning beautiful."

"Good morning handsome. I've been thinking – while your mother is here with us, we should talk with her and make some decisions."

"I am assuming you have a list?"

"You think you know me that well already Clark?"

"I'm catching on," he smirks.

"As a matter of fact, I do!"

"Ok, shoot."

"When and where are we going to get married? Where are we going to live? Are either of us going to make a career adjustment? Kids; yes, no, when? Anything you'd like to add?"

"Wow, that's quite a list, and all appropriate decisions to make. Shall we start the process after breakfast?"

"I would really like that. I'll go start the coffee maker." Lana hops out of bed, puts on a light robe and heads for the kitchen where she bumps into Martha.

Martha draws Lana into a brief hug, "Good morning, dear, did you sleep well?"

"Oh yes, sleeping in Clark's arms is a slice of heaven! I can't remember ever sleeping so well!"

"I'm so glad. It is wonderful to have you here so we can get acquainted. Do you and Clark have any plans for today?"

"Well, we have some things that we would like to discuss with you before you go back to DC. How long do you plan on staying in Smallville this time?"

"I will be here for 2 more days. Can we talk after breakfast?"

"That's what we were hoping to do, thanks."

WEDDING PLANNING

Martha starts, "Have you two discussed where you might like to have the wedding?"

"Not really, we are just starting this whole discussion," Lana admits. "But as we've walked around the farm I am quite impressed with that huge old oak tree out in the north 40."

"I was hoping you would be impressed by that tree," Clark expresses with a smile on his face as he ambles into the kitchen. "Guys don't dream about those kinds of things like girls do, but I have thought about that tree and standing under it while I pledge my eternal love and devotion."

"Wow," Lana whispers. She and Martha both have a single tear trickling down their cheek. 'I think I'll keep him!'

"So, it's under that tree then?" Martha surmises.

"Yes," both kids agree simultaneously, then seal the deal with a soft kiss.

"What about a minister, priest, so forth?" Clark wonders. "As a United States Senator can you marry us, mom?"

"I would need to do a little paperwork, and that can be accomplished. But, I would rather not take on that role. I prefer the proud mother of the groom and the baker of the pies for the reception," she beams and giggles.

MARTHA'S THOUGHTS

'I am really proud of the fine young man Jonathan and I raised. It was miraculous how he dropped out of the sky. We instilled in him strong moral & ethical values, and he carries those with him to this day. That will bode well for him and Lana as they build a life together. My one regret is that we never were a very spiritual family, we just weren't. Now we don't even have a pastor to lean on and marry them; well, let's see what we can come up with.

"I have thought of pastor Steven Marks of the United Methodist church; I have heard him speak twice and was impressed," Martha suggests. "Would you be willing to meet him and see what you think?"

Clark and Lana look at each other, smile and nod. "Yes, we will do that," Clark responds." Are you willing to call and see when we can meet him?"

"Yes, I will do that right now. I assume your day is quite flexible?"

"It is."

Martha steps into the kitchen and makes the call. She reenters the LR, "he can meet with you at 2 PM today, I said that was ok unless I call him back and suggest a different time. Are you ok with that?"

"Yes, we will do that."

The meeting with Pastor Marks went very well, Lana and Clark were very pleased. They were quite comfortable with him and how he described the ceremony he usually performs. He emphasized that variations were very possible, and was open to meeting again as the planning proceeded to firm up what the ceremony would look like. He expressed delight at the oak tree venue they had chosen. At the end he gave them several options for dates, suggesting that they coordinate with Martha's US Senate duties and get back to him to firm up a date. Then the rest of the details could really begin firming up. Lana and Clark were quite pleased as they left the church and headed back to the farm to talk more with mom.

"So mom, can we leave the food/catering in your capable hands?" Clark asks.

"Absolutely, I am excited to do that. I assure you both that I will keep you in the loop, and please – if you have special requests, let me know ASAP."

"We will," Lana replies for both of them.

After considerable discussion and several phone calls to Martha's Senate office one of Pastor Steven's suggested dates was nailed down. The wedding would be in 5 weeks – excitement was building!

After a get acquainted lunch meeting, Chloe Sullivan, one of Clark's boyhood friends, was asked to be the wedding coordinator and she gleefully accepted. Lana worked out of the US Marshall's district office in Metropolis, and Chloe was an investigative reporter at The Daily Planet in the same city; therefore, they could easily meet to push the planning forward. The two young women soon became fast friends. Clark was ecstatic over this. Heretofore, Lana hadn't had a BFF and this development pleased him greatly.

2 weeks later they had a Skype call with Martha to discuss a 2nd big topic – where were they going to live? Lana had expressed to Clark how much she was becoming attached to the country environment and especially the Kent farm. She could see them raising a family here in rural Kansas. This surprised him quite a bit, as he envisioned her as a city girl. He had thought about this, wondering about his mother's wishes in regards to the farm which meant so much to her. He had never broached the subject with his mother, now seemed to be the time.

"Mom, Lana and I are talking about where we are going to live after the wedding."

"Martha, if I may be so bold" Lana starts. "I really love it here in the country and on your beautiful farm. We are wondering what your plans might be, long term, for this lovely place?" She blushes, she is not usually so forward.

Martha places her hands over her face, shielding a few tears that are trickling down her cheeks. She hesitatingly responds, "You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say that, Lana. I have been thinking about this . . . and when you told me that you were engaged my mind went into high gear. Nothing would please me more than to have you and Clark live here and raise a family – my grandkids. I have made a preliminary contact with a real estate lawyer to discuss options. If the two of you are comfortable, let's set up a conference call to talk."

They do talk and decide: Clark and Lana will be added to the title for the Kent Farm. It will be owned by the three of them; if & when Martha passes on (for example) the property will just remain in the ownership of Clark and Lana – nothing more needs to be done. Everyone is very pleased.

Clark, with his abilities, can live virtually anywhere on the planet and accomplish his self-assumed duties of protecting Metropolis. Lana works out of the Metropolis office of the US Marshall's service; when she is working at the home base and needs to commute, Smallville is close enough for it to work. Of course Martha, when she retires from the Senate, will come home for her sunset years. Everyone is extremely pleased with the arrangements; they start moving Clark and Lana in and doing some remodeling to make a cozy upstairs suite for the newlyweds and also space for a baby (or two?).

This leads to a final (for now) decision point: kids.

BEDTIME

"Clark?"

"Um?"

"We've not talked about kids yet."

"I know."

"So?"

"So what?" He hates being a dentist.

"Are we going to have kids, Clark?"

"Well, we are remodeling to make room; I thought that decision had been made."

"By default, it seems, babe. I'd like to hear the words pass your lips."

"My lips are good for other things, you know!"

"I noticed," a wicked grin settles on her face. "Later, now let's hear it, please."

"Ok, I want you at my side as long as you'll have me. And I want a family with you, as large of a family as you want my love. You will be a fantastic mom. I have no doubt."

"Thank you, my love, I just needed to hear that. A girl needs occasional reassurance; routine maintenance you know."

"I can do that. Now about that lip thing," he smirks. He carefully rolls over her, supporting his weight on his elbows, and starts to show her how much love he has for his one and only.