It was a routine morning on the planet Krypton. Kal-El admired the fruits of his labor as he gazed fondly at his magnificent farm. Despite growing up in the city, he'd always been a country boy. His parents and grandfather were a little surprised, but they did have to admit Kal had an aptitude for agriculture. So, they let him follow his dreams. After all, growing crops was still crucial to their society. Notably, the son of the most outstanding scientist was more suited to being a humble farmer than following in his father Jor-El's footsteps.
He playfully teased his captivating redheaded wife, Loana. She was a successful and well-known journalist for the Daily Argo. Her outstanding beauty had made multiple men chase after her. But her heart had always belonged to Kal-El. They're, in fact, childhood sweethearts. Having grown up together in the city, well? Why wouldn't they end up married? She still wasn't as fond of agriculture as her husband, but she supported him nonetheless. She just wished it wasn't such a commute to the city for her job.
Luckily, she'd had the week off, so she could unwind. Plus, she could get over her hangover, which her husband still teased her about. "Ugh! I can't believe it's morning already!" she moaned.
"That's what you get for partying all night."
"Okay, so I had a few drinks. But you could shake it up some. You know, take me out for dinner. Or, again, just get off this damn farm once in a while. We only have so much time to play before the kids wake up. So come here, handsome!" as they began to kiss and threw a large pillow at Brainiac.
About an hour later, they arrived in the kitchen, where Kal began making flapjacks while his wife finished typing her latest column. Unexpectedly, two things happened at once. One was her husband stepped in a pile of poo from the pet dog, Krypto. And two, their kids woke up and were already doing the typical sibling antics!
"Van! Van come back here! I know you're snooping around my room again! Give it back!" yelled a teenage female voice.
"I didn't take it, Valara! Why do you always blame me when your stuff goes missing?" shouted back a young preteen boy's voice.
"Because you're the only one here who'd snoop through my stuff! Now give it back!" as the two children and the family dog rushed into the kitchen. Their father looked up from his pancakes and sharply said.
"Val! Van! Knock it off this instant!" he said as he looked at his sixteen-year-old daughter Valara and his eleven-year-old son Van. Van was the spitting image of his father, and his sister looked exactly like their mother except for her black hair.
"Daddy! Make Van give me back my holo-photo! I know he was snooping in my room again!" demanded his daughter. Kal looked at his wife, who silently reminded him during her days off that he was the one who had to deal with their kids. Since this was her time to herself. After taking a deep breath and counting to ten, he addressed his children.
"Van-El, tell me the truth. Did you snoop around your sister's room again?" he asked in his firmest tone. The eleven-year-old trembled before he nodded. "Did you attempt to reread her diary? And where is the holo-photo, young man?"
Sighing, he reached into his pocket and handed his father a small red disk. "Van, how often have I told you to respect your sister's privacy? Furthermore, to take care of your pet?"
The blue-eyed boy sighed, "More than enough times. I'll clean up Krypto's mess and take him for a proper morning walk."
"And?"
Sighing again, he said, "I'll work harder at respecting my sister's privacy."
"No, Van. I don't want to hear you'll try. I want you to promise never to go into your sister's room without her permission again. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, sir."
"Daddy? Aren't you going to ground him? Or not let him come to the party?" his daughter demanded as she took back her holo-photo. She made sure it wasn't damaged as she opened it. The image was of her and her boyfriend, Dev, at their last school dance.
"Van's grounding will be after the party, sweetheart. Don't worry. I don't want him to miss my birthday party since I know that's what you're talking about. But rest assured he'll be grounded for a month afterward."
"Are you serious, Dad?!" Van exclaimed as he finished mopping up his pet's mess.
"You deliberately broke the rules and stole from your sister, Van. I've told you before actions have consequences. So that's the consequence of your actions. Please take Krypto for a walk while I finish making breakfast."
"Yes, sir." he found Krypto's leash and went to take him for his morning walk. Kal then looked back up at his daughter. "Val, are you going to be okay?"
"As long as you put a new lock and change the password on my bedroom door, I'll be fine, Daddy. Can Dev come to the party? Please! I don't get to see him much unless it is at school! Or my other friends since we live so far away from the city!"
"Yes, your friends can come, and so can Dev. But they better be on their best behavior, as should you, young lady."
'I promise, Daddy! Can I go with you and Van to see Grandpa? It will allow me to tell my friends they can come to the party in person."
"And you'll be near the fashion district?" he eyed his purple-eyed daughter, who flushed. "Okay, but you'll have to spend at least an hour and a half with your grandfather. Afterward, I'll let you spend two hours with your friends, understood?"
"Perfectly!" his daughter squealed in delight. She quickly kissed her father on his cheek before returning to her bedroom to put back her holo-photo.
"Ugh," Kal slumped a little.
"What's wrong, honey?" Loana smiled cheerfully.
"Loana, I've everything I want in life. I'm living my dream as a farmer, husband, and father. But sometimes, things get to me. I wish we could have a few days without our children fighting."
Loana couldn't help but laugh. "Honey! They're just acting like normal kids! It's nothing to be too concerned about. Valara is growing into a fine young lady. Undoubtedly, she'll get a scholarship to the best university on the planet! As for Van? Well, he still has some maturing to do.
Again, the brain is fully mature at age twenty-five. But don't worry about it. They're just ordinary brothers and sisters. It won't be forever. Ensure you secure Val's bedroom door, and that problem will be solved!"
"I guess you're right. Well, I'd better finish the hotcakes before they burn. Also, make sure we leave on time to visit Dad. He's been extra lonesome since Mom passed last year."
"I know, sweetheart," as they kissed. As Kal turned to finish the pancakes, he couldn't help but grin. He still had everything he wanted and wouldn't trade it for anything, for it was just another day in paradise for him!