As the group stepped out of the bustling terminal into the warm embrace of the Hawaiian air, they were immediately met with the vibrant sights and scents of paradise. The golden sun hung high in a brilliantly blue sky, painting everything it touched in a golden hue. The gentle hum of ukuleles played nearby, blending with the sound of waves crashing faintly in the distance. A soft breeze carried the scent of plumeria and saltwater, wrapping around them like a tropical hug.
Ella's eyes widened in wonder as she tugged on Kara's hand, her little legs bouncing with excitement. "Mommy, look at the trees! They're so big and… and fluffy!" She pointed enthusiastically at the towering palm trees that lined the entrance, their fronds swaying lazily in the breeze.
"Those are palm trees, sweetie," Kara said with a fond smile, crouching beside her. "And you're right, they're huge." She gently brushed a strand of hair from Ella's face, her eyes soft with affection.
Nearby, Alex stretched her arms above her head, inhaling deeply. "This is it," she said, exhaling with a grin. "This is exactly what I needed. Sunshine, ocean air, and no more wedding checklists for at least twenty-four hours."
"Who are you kidding?" Maggie teased, nudging her fiancée with her shoulder. "You're going to pull up the seating chart as soon as we get to the hotel."
Alex shot her a playful glare but didn't deny it. "Maybe. But first, I'm getting a mai tai."
Eliza smiled at her daughters, her maternal warmth grounding the group. "This is going to be a beautiful week," she said, adjusting her sunhat. Her gaze drifted to Ella, who was now darting between the adults, chasing an imaginary butterfly. "And I think someone's already making the most of it."
The Hawaiian sun was warm on their skin as Kara stepped out of the airport, Ella perched on her hip. The little girl's face lit up with pure joy as she took in the scene around her—tall palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, vibrant flowers framed every corner, and the scent of the ocean hung in the air.
"Mommy, look!" Ella squealed, pointing excitedly at a nearby fountain decorated with tropical fish. "It's so pretty!"
"It sure is," Kara replied with a soft smile, adjusting Ella's weight as they moved toward the shuttle.
Behind them, Alex and Maggie were deep in conversation about last-minute wedding details, their voices carrying a mix of excitement and nervous energy. Alex clutched a clipboard tightly, while Maggie teased her about the obsessive level of detail. "Babe, I promise you, nothing is going to catch fire, and the cake is not going to sprout legs and walk away."
"I'm just making sure everything is perfect," Alex countered, though her shoulders eased when Maggie kissed her cheek.
Eliza walked beside them, her calm demeanor grounding the group. "The wedding will be beautiful," she said warmly, a reassuring hand on Alex's shoulder. "Everything is coming together exactly as it should."
As they approached the shuttle, Ella wriggled in Kara's arms. "Are we going to the beach now?"
Kara laughed. "Not yet, kiddo. We have to check into the hotel first."
"But soon?" Ella pressed, her wide eyes pleading.
"Soon," Kara promised, planting a kiss on her daughter's forehead.
The resort was breathtaking. A sprawling haven of luxury and natural beauty, it was nestled between lush green cliffs and the endless expanse of turquoise ocean. The group was greeted with leis and cool drinks as they checked in, the scent of hibiscus and plumeria filling the air. Ella was practically vibrating with excitement, pointing out every detail from the sparkling pool to the towering palm trees.
Once they'd divided up the rooms, everyone went their separate ways to settle in. Kara and Ella made their way to their suite, where the toddler immediately began bouncing on the bed. "Ella, stop jumping," Kara scolded lightly as she unpacked their bags.
"But it's so bouncy!" Ella protested, her giggles echoing through the room.
"Come help me unpack, and maybe we can explore the pool later," Kara bargained, though she knew she'd be the one doing most of the work.
Across the hall, Alex and Maggie were having their own moment of chaos. Alex was meticulously hanging her outfits in the closet while Maggie shook her head in mock disbelief. "You do realize this is a vacation, not a mission, right?"
"Some of us like to be prepared," Alex shot back, though her grin softened the jab.
Eliza, meanwhile, stood on her balcony, marveling at the ocean view. She took a deep breath, letting the peace of the island settle into her bones.
Later, the group reconvened at the resort's outdoor café for a late lunch. The tables overlooked the beach, where waves lapped gently at the shore. Tropical drinks and colorful platters of food were brought out, the air filled with laughter and conversation. Ella sat on Kara's lap, munching happily on fresh pineapple while the adults bantered.
"So," Alex said, raising an eyebrow at Kara, "are you ready for all the madness later when everyone else gets here?"
"I think I'm ready," Kara replied with a small laugh. "Ella might be another story, though. She's already plotting a takeover of the pool."
"I am not!" Ella piped up, though her mischievous grin betrayed her.
As the meal wound down, Kara felt a rare sense of ease wash over her. Surrounded by her family, with the promise of celebration and love in the days ahead, it was hard not to feel content.
Later that day, Kara stood near the lobby entrance, Ella tugging on her sleeve as the shuttle pulled up. The doors opened, and out spilled J'onn, Winn, James, and Nia, their laughter and chatter filling the space.
"Finally!" Winn exclaimed, dropping his bag and rushing over to Kara. He crouched down to Ella's level, grinning. "Look at you! Bigger and cuter every time I see you."
Ella giggled, her eyes lighting up. "Uncle Winn! Did you bring me a present?"
"Always," Winn replied, pulling a small stuffed dolphin from his bag. "Meet your new friend."
James followed, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Almost missed the flight," he admitted. "But I made it, so no judgment."
Alex smirked from her seat nearby. "You know, you run a media empire. You'd think you could keep track of time zones."
"Let it go, Danvers," James shot back good-naturedly.
Nia entered last, her face lighting up when she saw Ella. "Ella! Do you want me to teach you some dream tricks later?"
Ella's jaw dropped. "You mean magic?"
"Exactly like magic," Nia replied with a wink.
J'onn brought up the rear, his steady presence grounding the chaos. He and Kara exchanged a warm hug, their bond evident in the way they didn't need words to express their happiness at seeing each other.
The lobby buzzed with energy as the group caught up, the excitement building for the wedding to come. Kara felt a deep sense of gratitude as she looked around at her family, knowing how lucky she was to have them all here.
Growing impatient, Ella tugged insistently on Kara's sleeve. "Mommy, can we go to the pool now? Pleeeaaase?"
Kara hesitated. "Ella, we just got here. Don't you want to settle in first?"
Ella shook her head. "Nope! Pool now!"
With a sigh and a laugh, Kara gave in. Back in their room, she hurriedly packed a pool bag, wrestling Ella into her swimsuit while the toddler bounced with excitement.
At the pool, Kara couldn't help but smile as Ella splashed and laughed in the shallow end. She leaned back in a lounge chair, watching her daughter's joy and letting the peace of the moment wash over her.
For now, she thought, this was all she needed.
The sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of the resort, its glossy exterior reflecting the brilliant Hawaiian sunlight. Lena Luthor stepped out, the very picture of calm confidence. Her tailored white jumpsuit clung perfectly to her frame, the gold accents at her belt and heels catching the light. Her dark hair was tied back into a loose yet elegant bun, and a pair of oversized sunglasses shielded her from both the sun and the emotions threatening to rise. As the valet took her luggage—sleek black suitcases embossed with her initials—Lena paused to take in the view.
The resort was stunning. Lush greenery framed the pristine white walls of the building, and beyond that, the ocean sparkled in endless shades of blue. She took a deep breath, the tropical air rich with the scent of salt and hibiscus, and steeled herself for the week ahead.
This trip wasn't about her. It was about Alex and Maggie. A celebration of love. But even as she adjusted the strap of her handbag on her shoulder, she couldn't suppress the unease curling in her chest. She hadn't been sure about coming, not with everything that had happened, but James had insisted.
And now here she was.
Inside the airy, sunlit lobby, Lena spotted James almost immediately. He was leaning against the concierge desk, chatting amiably with one of the staff. As her heels clicked across the marble floor, James turned, his expression shifting from casual to surprised as recognition dawned.
"Lena," he said, pushing off the desk with a grin. "You made it."
She gave a small, polite smile, tugging her sunglasses off and slipping them into her bag. "Of course. I wouldn't miss it."
James stepped closer, his grin softening. "I'll admit, I wasn't sure you'd come."
Lena arched an eyebrow, her poise firmly in place. "Why wouldn't I? Alex and Maggie deserve my support."
James hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "No reason," he said, though his tone betrayed him. There was an unspoken reference lingering between them—everything that had happened, everything she had left behind.
Lena's expression didn't falter, but her fingers tightened slightly on her bag. "Well," she said briskly, "it's good to see you, James."
Before he could respond, a burst of laughter echoed through the lobby. Both of them turned to see a small figure sprinting toward them, her damp curls bouncing wildly.
"Mommy! Mommy said I could get ice cream!"
The child—no more than four years old—darted toward Lena, giggling as she nearly barreled into her. Without hesitation, she wrapped her small arms around Lena's leg, peering up at her with bright blue eyes that stopped Lena's heart.
"Ella!" a familiar voice called from across the room.
Lena froze, her mind blanking as the child's laughter filled her ears. Slowly, almost unwillingly, her gaze traveled down to the little girl. Ella looked up at her with an expression of pure joy, her face framed by damp curls that clung to her cheeks. She looked…
No. It couldn't be.
"Ella, I told you to wait for me," the voice continued, closer now.
Lena's breath caught as Kara Danvers stepped into view. She wore a light sundress, her golden hair catching the sunlight streaming in from the high windows. Her expression was one of gentle exasperation as she hurried toward them, carrying a towel and a pair of tiny sandals.
Kara's eyes lifted—and locked with Lena's.
For a moment, the world seemed to stop.
Neither woman spoke, the air between them heavy with years of silence and unresolved feelings. Kara's lips parted slightly, her confident, maternal demeanor faltering as she took in the sight of Lena standing there.
Lena's composure, so carefully constructed, wavered. Her gaze darted back to the child still clinging to her leg, then up to Kara.
"Lena…" Kara said finally, her voice soft, unsure.
Lena opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe. All she could see was the little girl's blue eyes and the way they mirrored Kara's.
Ella, oblivious to the tension, released Lena's leg and ran to Kara. "Mommy, I made a new friend!"
Kara knelt down to scoop Ella up, but her eyes never left Lena's. Her expression was a mixture of shock, hope, and something else Lena couldn't quite name.
"I see that," Kara murmured, brushing a curl away from Ella's face.
The silence between them stretched, unbearable and charged. James shifted awkwardly beside Lena, but neither she nor Kara acknowledged him.
Lena's throat felt tight. She wanted to speak, to say something—anything—but her thoughts were a whirlwind. She had spent years convincing herself that she didn't need this, that she didn't need her. And now here she was, standing in front of the one person who had always managed to undo her, with the proof of Kara's new life cradled in her arms.
The weight of it all threatened to crush her.
Kara took a tentative step forward. "Lena…" she began again, her voice laced with emotion.