Hey guys!
I'm so sorry that this chapter took so long. I needed to figure out exactly what was gonna happen and I was also dealing with my arm stuff.
If you're still reading this, thank you and I hope you enjoy.
Chapter Twenty Nine
Lex slept all the way through the night.
It was the first time since Clark had run away, and somehow it was the best night of sleep he had experienced in a long time.
He rubbed at his eyes then reached down and stroked Clark's hair. There was nothing better in the world than waking up with his child on his chest. He was convinced of this.
After a second though, he frowned. A spike of adrenaline pushed through his body.
He couldn't hear Clark's breathing. He couldn't feel Clark's breathing.
"Clark?" Lex asked as he shook him. "No. No, no, no…"
He wasn't breathing. His lips were blue and his skin was pale…
Lex placed Clark on the ground and began doing compressions. It had been years since he had last taken a CPR class, but that didn't matter right now.
He needed to save his son.
He couldn't lose Clark. He couldn't let their last conversation be a fight.
Lex tried to keep the tears in as he reached the last of the compressions and breathed into Clark's mouth.
It didn't do anything.
So Lex did it again.
And again.
And again…
Each time Lex redid the compressions, the pit in his stomach grew deeper. It wasn't working… Why wasn't it working!?
Finally, Lex let out a sob and lowered his head. He stopped the compressions as the tears finally started to fall.
His son was dead.
Lex tried to wipe the tears out of his eyes, but more replaced them instantly.
He couldn't believe it, and yet, it was now his reality. His son had died, and just like with his brother, it was his fault.
Another heavy sob shuddered through his body as he picked up Clark and held him close. The little body was still warm, but for how much longer?
He held him close and tight because he knew that he wouldn't be able to do so for much longer. Sooner or later, he would have to let him go.
More tears fell at the thought.
Maybe he should take him to the hospital. Maybe they would know how to help. He would tell them the truth about Clark, about his origins, about what happened.
And yes… Maybe he would never see the child again if he did that, but it would be worth it if they could bring him back.
Right now, whatever happened after they brought him back didn't matter. Clark couldn't die. He was too young, too precious. And Lex would give anything for him to be awake again.
He would have to leave now though. He couldn't let Martha and Jonathan know. They had already done so much for him, and for them to see Clark like this would just be too much. He couldn't do that to them.
Besides, if it was possible for them to revive Clark, then it needed to be done now.
Lex stood, his arms wrapped tightly around his son, then he walked out of the house.
As soon as he opened the door, he was blinded by the bright sunlight.
He winced as he covered his eyes. It was like the weather was mocking him. His son had died, and yet the sun was shining and the sky was bluer than ever.
If it was even possible, the lump in his throat grew larger.
Clark had loved playing in the sun. When he wasn't coloring or playing with his toys, he was running around outside.
He wouldn't be able to do that anymore. Even if he was somehow brought back to life, he would be a lab rat once again. He would be locked away in a cage just like Alistair had done to him. The sun would be nothing more than a distant memory.
Lex held Clark tighter. Either way, this would be his last day with him… He couldn't hold back the loud sob that escaped him.
He began to walk towards his car. He just hoped that at this point the hospital would be able to revive him. He would miss his baby so much, but at least he would be alive…
Then Lex felt a tug on his shirt.
He froze.
It wasn't possible. There was no way. The compressions didn't work.
"Clark?"
At the sound of his name, Clark curled up to Lex.
This time, Lex let out a sob of joy.
"Clark!" He said.
He was awake. His big blue eyes were open for the first time in days.
Clark smiled at Lex, then buried his face in his father's shirt.
Lex held Clark tighter and Clark wrapped his arms around Lex's neck. He had missed this so much. It felt like it had been forever since he had last held his son like this.
Suddenly, Lex realized how cold it was outside. He would be fine, but Clark was in a thin nightshirt. He needed more warmth than this.
So he ran inside, accidentally letting the door slam behind him.
"Lex?" Jonathan asked as he walked down the stairs. "What's going on?"
Lex couldn't keep the grin off of his face. He still couldn't believe what had happened. His heart was still beating wildly.
"He woke up," Lex told him. He couldn't keep the excitement out of his voice and he didn't want to. His baby was alive.
Jonathan's eyes widened. "Martha!" He called. "Clark's awake!"
Clark tugged on Lex's shirt. "Daddy…" he rasped.
"What is it, bubba?" Lex asked as he adjusted his hold on Clark.
Clark laid his head on Lex's shoulder, then pointed at a glass of water that had accidentally been left out the night before.
"You're thirsty?" Lex asked.
Clark nodded.
Lex walked over to the cabinet and grabbed a glass, then filled it with water. Afterwards, he walked over to the sofa and sat down with Clark on his lap.
"Small sips," he instructed as he wrapped his arm around Clark to support him.
Clark nodded again, then took the glass from his hands and began to drink until Lex took the glass away.
"Daddy?" Clark said. His voice was still weak, but not as hoarse.
"Yes, bubba?" Lex asked.
"Did I miss Christmas?" He asked.
Lex's heart pounded as his mind fumbled around for an answer. Clark had missed Christmas, but he couldn't tell him that… It was his first Christmas.
"No," he finally said. "It's still three days away."
Clark's tired eyes glowed with excitement and Lex knew that he had made the right decision. It was a small, white lie. It wasn't going to hurt anyone if they celebrated Christmas a few days late.
Lex could hear Martha and Jonathan talking and clattering around in the kitchen, but neither of them had come in yet. He wondered if they had decided to give him and Clark a bit of time first.
"Daddy?" Clark asked again.
"Yes, son?"
Clark up at Lex, his bright blue eyes piercing Lex's soul. "Why didn't you come save me?"
Once again, Lex was at a loss at what to say, but this time a pang of guilt also filled him.
"I came as soon as I could, bubba," he said. It was true.
Clark nodded, but Lex wasn't sure that his child fully believed what he had said.
They sat in silence for a few moments before Clark spoke up again. "Daddy?"
"Yes, Clark?"
"Do you still love me?" Clark asked.
Lex felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. Clark didn't think that he still loved him? He felt the instant need to reassure the child. "Of course I do!" He said. "Why would you think that?"
"Because I was bad…" Clark whimpered.
"Hey," Lex soothed as he held Clark tighter. "We can talk about all of that later, okay? But I will always love you."
Clark nodded. "Okay…"
They sat in silence for a few more moments as they held each other tight, then Clark's eyes closed as he fell into a peaceful sleep.
He's awake! It took soooo long for me to write it, but he's awake!
Thanks for reading! Love y'all!