Chemistry Chapter 13

Mother, YES!

MASTER BEDROOM

Clark finds Lois laying on their bed, shaking with sobs. "No one trusts me to care for a baby! They know I'll be a failure!"

Clark gently lays the child next to her and lays himself snug next to his girls. "Lois, my love. There are only 2 people who have a vote, and an important opinion on this; you and me. And your vote trumps mine. I know you can do this; we can do this. When you saw me with her, your heart knew what to do. Your brain will follow. Never doubt yourself, never doubt us. Will we need help? Of course, we will. And we have people around us who will fill that need. BUT only doing what we need, and when we ask. I promise!"

"You promise?"

"Yes. Now can we rejoin everyone and talk about this?"

"Yes. Give me a couple of minutes, and I'll be out."

"Ok. Give me a little time to talk with them. I will call for you when we are ready. Ok?"

"Ok. I love you, Clark. So much!"

"1-4-3, always and forever!"

After a tight hug and passionate kiss, Clark exits to the family room. He intentionally leaves the baby in her care.

FAMILY ROOM

Clark sits on the love seat and looks from face to face. Alex comes and sits next to him. "Is Aunt Lois Ok?"

"She will be. I'll call for her to join us in a moment." He looks around again and asks, "Do any of you realize what Lois heard when several of you said you'd help care for the baby? That was appropriate, but taken together it sounded like she wasn't needed. Like you didn't trust her."

"I didn't mean that!" Nancy gasped. "Not at all."

"Me neither!" Martha exclaimed, over the speaker phone. Alex nods vigorously.

"I know you didn't; but for years Lois herself never wanted kids. She didn't consider herself mother material. So, when something clicked for her, she was as surprised as you probably were. Now, she and I both know we will need help. But please, help when we ask and with tasks, we ask for help with. At least for starters. As time goes on, we all will reach a comfort level and know when and what to do. Agreed?"

Everyone nods yes.

Clark goes to the MBR and gets Lois. She comes out, holding the baby. She sits by Clark, snuggling into his side.

After a slow start, the conversation and tears flowed freely. Lois and Clark deeply appreciated the family and friends that surrounded them, always willing to step up and help.

JAMES OLSEN'S PH OFFICE

Lois and Clark join Perry White and the Daily Planet's owner to discuss their work schedules now that their application to be foster parents has been approved. Ordinarily Mr. Olsen would not be involved, but when the issue involves reporters of the stature of these two, he joins the talks.

"Kids, I love what you're doing!" James Olsen is effusive in his praise. "And that picture? Wow! Did you know that our sales of that edition exceeded our previous high by 20,000 copies! Amazing!"

"We are glad for that, sir." Clark admits. "But we are hoping to come to a resolution regarding our work and our duties around child care."

"You have a nanny, don't you?" Perry White asks, rather sarcastically.

James O raises his eyebrows.

"Yes," Lois replies. "But we are becoming certified as foster parents. And we intend to proceed to adoption. So, both of us, me especially, need to bond with this baby. And time spent with her is of paramount importance. Especially early on."

"Perry, what is our maternity leave policy?" James asks.

"1 month for mom, 2 weeks for dad."

"Does that apply in this case?"

"Not specified, sir."

"Well, given the value of these two, I am authorizing it to apply to them."

"Precedent, sir?"

"We will deal with that if and when it comes up. Is that Ok with you two?"

"Yes," Lois says. "But, may we come back in 1 week with a request for my work schedule going forward, beyond that 1st month?"

"I am ok with that," Perry opines. "May I assume that you would like to cut back from full time reporter work? Maybe even quit?"

James gasps.

"No, no, I do not intend to quit reporting and writing. I don't know yet what I/we will propose. I am just asking for a little time to think things over, and come back with a proposal."

James responds, "I think you and Clark deserve that much. Perry?"

"I agree. I, too, greatly admire what you're doing. But I have a paper to run and you two are big headliners. Can we afford to lose some of your production? Not my call, ultimately." He looks askance at his boss.

"Well, talk with Faith and set up a meeting in 1 week," Mr. Olsen directs. Meeting adjourned.

LATER AT HOME

Lois, Clark and Alex sit in the FR. They include the young girl because they want to impress on her the importance of family. Lois begins: "Alex, do you understand what we are going to talk about?"

"I think so. You want to take care of the baby, and not work so much, right?"

"Yes. But it's not that I don't want to work, I love my work. It's just that the baby needs a mommy to love and cherish her. And I want to be that mommy. So, Uncle Clark and I are trying to come up with a plan where I can do both."

"But you're a really good reporter. I don't want you to quit!"

"Thank you, sweetie. I appreciate that. I don't intend to quit."

Clark chimes in, "Lois is thinking about writing about different things. Maybe things of interest to mothers and children. That would be an area where someone like you might be able to help her out."

"Really?" Alex's eyes get big; she looks at Aunt Lois and grins.

"Well, that's a maybe. We shall see." Lois sends Clark a 'be careful' look.

Lois sums it up; I think our talk with Perry and the boss will include these options:

Same reporting focus as now with reduced hours. I.e. mornings free for family time. No on-call hours.

Same schedule as #1; mixing in stories important to mothers, children, schools. No on-call.

Same schedule as #1; change entire focus to mothers, children, early childhood education. No on-call.

MUST HAVE:

Mornings free,

No on-call.

OPTIONS:

Focus:

Same as now,

Mix in mothers & children,

Focus on mothers, children, education.

Leave Daily Planet – full time mommy!

Clark grins, Alex gasps and covers her mouth, Lois smiles.

Lois turns to Alex, "Sweetie, we need to talk about money. Many families wouldn't include a child as young as you in this part of a family conference. We are going to because your Uncle Clark & I feel you need to be aware of these things. If we say something that you don't understand, please ask. Ok?"

"Ok, I will."

Clark starts: "Your parents were very well off; I mean they invested wisely in mines around the world – metals and other things. Like copper, gold, silver and other things. They made a lot of money so they could afford this PH, staff like Nancy & Carl & Robert. They could and did take good care of you. When we took over care of you, all those resources became ours . . . Lois's and mine. We are using them to continue to take care of you. That is what your mom and dad wanted. Are you with me so far sweetie?"

'Yes, I understand."

Lois takes over; "With all of that, your Uncle Clark and I don't both need to work full time, as we are now."

"So that's what you are deciding now?" Alex points out.

"Exactly!" Lois agrees, proudly. "I love my work. I also love you, and the new baby. For most of my life I didn't think I would be a very good mommy."

"No, no, you ARE a good mommy!" Alex throws her arms around Lois and hugs her tightly.

Lois & Clark tear up.

Lois can hardly talk, "Thank you, sweetheart!"

Alea continues, "So, what are you going to do? Will Nancy & Carl still be here to help me?"

"Yes, yes, they will still be here. The question is – how much time will I be spending at home with you and the baby?"

"Uncle Clark, what do you think?" Alex turns to look at him.

"Well, Lois and I are going to talk with our bosses at the Daily Planet and see how much flexibility they will allow Lois to have in her work. And how much family time they will let her have. I am getting the feeling that your aunt, given the stubborn woman that she is-

Both girls pounce on him and start punching & tickling-

"Stop, stop!" He exclaims amongst peals of laughter.

"You were saying," Lois smirks.

"I was saying . . . your lovely & talented aunt Lois, will probably so impress Mr. Olsen that she can do whatever the hell she wants. So there."

"Nice save, lover boy!"

DAILY PLANET PH OFFICE

Lois, Clark and Perry join James Olsen for their meeting. Lois presents the options spelled out above. Perry scowls and looks to the floor. Mr. Olsen looks pale and swallows hard. Clark keeps a neutral expression. Lois does her best to not look predatory; she knows that she's in the cat bird's seat. She really doesn't want to throw down ultimatums. But she does want more, much more family time. And every man in the room knows it!

Finally, James Olsen speaks. "Well, I see 2 points here. First – the focus of Lois's work. That is an editorial decision; if Perry wants to recommend a change of your focus, which will basically mean a new section added to the Planet, he is free to do so. I will consider that based on its merits. Second – Lois's time at work. That, and the multiple options presented, make this a very convoluted discussion. I would strongly prefer that you present me with one plan that you wish to have approved. Can you do that?"

Lois and Clark look to each other. He nods, and she replies," May we have 30" to talk, then resume?"

Perry shrugs, James nods. They part.

CONFERENCE ROOM

Lois and Clark confer.

"I don't think they are happy," Clark mutters.

"I got that," Lois frowns.

"So?"

"Shall I be a fortune teller?" She wonders.
"Please do."

"Ok. As much as I like my work, my career, I can tell that I will LOVE being a mommy. Loving and caring for you, Alex, the baby and maybe more."

Clark draws a blank. "More?" He squeaks out.

"Listen to this."

"Ok."

"I can see down the road, when the baby is 3 or 4 y/o, that we will be ready for 1 more child; probably no more. Does that scare you?"

"It amazes me, not scares. Lois, with you by my side I don't think anything will scare me. You, however, are an incredible and wonderful; woman. I love you to death, and will totally support whatever option you want to present to Perry and James."

"Ok, I want the schedule adjustment as proposed; keeping my focus as it has been. If in the future the Planet wishes to start a section as I described, I am very willing to head that up. If desired. Agreed?"

"Absolutely!"

They resume their meeting and Lois' proposal is accepted. With salary adjustment, as expected.

TBC