Chemistry Chapter 11
JUST US
Alex, Nancy & Carl are all there at the Metropolis airport to welcome them home. They have fresh leis to put around everyone's neck. Alex makes them promise to take her to Hawaii sometime soon. Nobody objects.
Lois asks Alex if her classroom would like a Hawaii show and tell. Alex is sure that could be arranged. Lois promises pictures of the National Cemetery of the Pacific.
Clark goes in search of a Starbucks.
Nancy and Carl wonder what's going on.
"Later," whispers Lois.
SHOW & TELL
Alex and Lois get this set up for Veterans Day. Lois has convinced her dad, Army General Sam Lane to come and participate with the ladies. They do a short history of the National Cemetery organization, show pictures of several of the grounds, then Sam tells a couple stories of military service. The whole affair was very well received. Clark was delighted that he was not needed to take part. Alex has teased him endlessly about the Punchbowl. She threatens to take him there when they go to Hawaii with her. He threatens to send the ladies alone. There is an impasse.
PILLOW TALK
"Clark?"
"Yes, love?"
"I know we haven't talked about it in a long time."
Silence.
"Clark?"
"Hm?"
"I thought we should revisit kids."
"Really?"
"Yes, don't you want to talk about it?"
"Well, after what happened way back at the beginning, I decided to not bring it up. I didn't want to cause any. . . you know, hurt. I'm willing to discuss that, if you want to."
"I think we need to talk about it."
"Ok, have you changed your mind? I know that when we first got together you didn't want the whole pregnancy, delivery, baby thing. That's a lot of work, especially for the mother. And given your personal history I . . . really am not going to push you /on this topic."
"Yes, I appreciate that. But, you see, now that I know you as well as I do, I have a little different perspective. It's not that I WANT to have a baby. It's that I know I/we (baby & me) could depend on you for help and support. You would be there for us."
"I would be, no questions asked."
"And we already have a nanny who we know and trust." Lois admits.
"So, have you changed your mind, sweetheart?"
"No, but I'm softening."
He gasps, she hits him with a pillow.
"Lois Lane, soft?"
"Watch it buster! You say that out loud, you're dead."
"That's better. Now I can sleep easily in your arms."
Silence.
"Seriously, Clark. Will you be happy with just the 2 of us. Plus, Alex of course?"
"Yes, absolutely. I am being honest, you are all I need, you are all I was looking for. I'm very happy! Alex is frosting on the cake. Another child would only be more frosting."
"Really?"
"Yup, really."
"1-4-3 Good night, Lois."
"1-4-3 Good night, Clatk."
THEN IT HAPPENED
"Lois, Clark, my office NOW!" Perry White shouts.
They hustle to the chief's office, enter and sit down.
"Big story; I need my best on it. Children's Foster Care home fire. Several kids homeless. Here is the address."
"But that's not our beat," Lois sputters.
"No matter. The usual reporters are out sick or on vacation. Now GO, GO!"
They grab their shoulder bags and run. Clark flashes his keys, "I'll drive."
Lois nods. She has a bad feeling in her stomach. The conversation from last evening flies thru her mind. 'This can't be happening, can it?'
Yes, it can!
TBC