Chapter 23 [St. Matthias Hospital, Metropolis—12:45 PM Next Afternoon]
[A/N: And now, we get another twist. The Muse seems to be in the egg nog again. Lol!]
Morning passed smoothly enough. Sol broke through Overcast's doldrums. Holiday Cheer brightened Moods and Lights across the Kansas countryside. Shoppers filled last minute spots on their lists. Preparations commenced for Following Week's Celebrations.
Some events were about to get underway….
Clark and Lana awaited their cue in a nondescript office on the hospital's second floor. Cheer brightened their morning. They enjoyed Miranda's response to her surprise pizza. Talon coffee and a scenic ride from Smallville created the right mood. Lex got them through hospital security and up to that room. There, they'd changed into Santa and Elf. Now they waited….
She adjusted his beard, wig and hat. She made sure the belt buckle aligned with the top's center. Then she stepped back and nodded. "I think you'll do, Clark."
"I'll do? That's it?" His eyebrow arched. "I'd hope I'd bring out more of a reaction than 'I'll do.'"
A smirk and a shrug served as her replies. Amor sparkled in her eyes. "There will be a day when we'll both want to hear those words. Kind of have to wait on that for now. Trust me, Clark. There's no one else I'd want to team up with."
"Nobody?" Hopeful smile creased his nerves and anxious features. Assurance lifted his spirits especially after their visit to the Smallville Home. He stretched his arms. Previous Night's study of Frosty and Rudolph had filled in some details. He let Jonathan and Martha deal with their issues. Discussions between Judge Ross, the adoption agency and them would commence that afternoon for Melissa's custody. Disbelief and Joy, however, still raised him to Cloud 9 over Lana's residency at the farm….
…He literally sleep floated all night in his bed….
"I think that's what being committed is. Kind of goes with the territory, Clark." Her lips pressed Affirmation's seal across his cheek. "We'll figure out what that means together. Let's just get through today. Okay?" She pointed at her hat. "How's it look?"
"It's great." He adjusted her hat a touch. "There." He looked her over. "Got to say you're the best-looking Elf at the North Pole. Pete would say you're hot. I…"
She coughed. "It's okay, Clark. I appreciate that. Thanks for not looking at me like some of the guys at school or in the Talon do."
"You're my best friend first. The girlfriend stuff is on top of that." He looked her firmly in the eye as he said the words. His heart skipped several beats on that note. "I'd go further but I don't want to start floating or do anything else."
"Good idea, Clark. Glad you're thinking about that." She bowed her head. "You're a really good example for me. Now we just have to figure out what to do with my abilities." She paced back and forth a few times.
"Lana, I'm here. So are my parents. Lex will help us to find your relatives. I'm sure they'll help you with your abilities." He leaned against a polished oak desk. "You're in a good place where you don't have to hide who and what you are. Believe me. I was sick of lying and hiding who and what I am from you."
"Thanks, Clark. I am so relieved, especially after the last six months. I just want to be happy and grow together. Just think! We can help Melissa too if everything goes right! I'm so psyched to be part of the family." Her eyes rolled. "Well, I know I'm just the boarder but…."
"Lana, my parents have known how I feel about you since we were five years old. Trust me. You're not 'just the boarder'. You're family now." He squeezed her hands in hers. "A year and a half and we can say those words for real?"
"For real." She gazed into his eyes. "Is that what I think it is?" Surprise gave way to Elation. An enthusiastic squeal came from her. She pumped her arms.
"I can't exactly kneel in this thing, Lana. But yeah. One thing I learned this year…I need you with me. I need to be making you happy and supporting you. I guess this is an early Christmas present. We'll talk with my parents about the details and timing, I guess." Nerves flared within himself. Arid Parch claimed his mouth. "I want to get married when we're out of school and everything."
She sucked in several deep breaths. Disbelief overwhelmed her. Doubt weighed down on her heart and soul for months. Now, Truth burned through all of that. She knew and understood. "We still follow your parents' rules, Clark. We can respect them and ourselves." She squeezed his hands too. "Signor said it last night. Your feelings practically rose from those boards in that pizza place. I know." She nodded. She rolled his glove up to expose his knuckles and raised his hand to her lips. "Yes, Clark. I will marry you. We'll have that understanding. I don't need a ring right now. But we'll plan something special. We'll be the role models for Melissa. Thank you." Her lips affixed Affirmation's seal across those knuckles. "Right now, we have a group of kids to entertain."
He sucked in a deep composing breath. "Right. Those kids. I can't believe you said yes. After everything I've done to you over this past…."
She shook her head. "Clark, I know you didn't mean to hurt me. A lot has changed in just the last three days. I only care about you being open and honest with me. Anything that can come between us is now gone. We can respect your parents and have a good life. That's all that matters." She allowed him another smile.
"Thank you, Lana."
They turned to see Martha standing there. A few questions peppered their minds. Panic momentarily flared in their minds. Their eyes went wide.
"Mom, I…." Clark forced those words through labored tongue. His heart clenched. He grabbed for Lana's hand. "We were going to talk with Dad and you."
Martha nodded. "I heard you both talking about an understanding. You talked about being a family with us and potentially Melissa. You talked about growing into these issues. You want to deal with your abilities. Your Dad will want to talk with us about this. You're not sneaking around behind our backs. Lana, you have proven yourself to us. That means a lot. As you said, we get through today. Then we'll talk. But, Lana, as Clark said, you are part of our family now."
"Thanks, Mrs. Kent." Lana's breath caught in her throat. Mist clouded her eyes. "That's all I want right now. I'm thinking of those kids. I am so hopeful about Melissa. I'm kind of hoping for another friend…unofficial little sister. I've always looked up to Mr. Kent and you too." She held her arms out. "Kind of weird to be saying this in an Elf suit."
"It's a costume and role. You're still you underneath it. And it's going to be all right." Martha embraced her. Then she hugged him as well. "That thanks is for you too, Clark."
"Sorry to bring this up but what happened last summer really taught me a lot." A profound sigh escaped from his lips. "This week was just a reminder. Look at Jor-El and Louise. Look at Dad and you. Lana asked me to be honest. I want that."
"I'm really proud of you both. That's all that your Dad and I have ever wanted. Let's make those kids' day." Martha led them toward the gala at large.
Transitions underway….
