Nature Instincts
Diana Kent sung one of her daughter's favorite songs as she got herself ready for a last minute meeting at the Embassy. She looked down in the mirror at her daughter sitting on the sink counter playing with her baby hair brush trying to mimic Diana.
Astrea looked up at Diana and smiled. "MaMa, I do rair."
"Good job, little Love! You're learning fast."
Diana finished putting her hair up in a ponytail then picked up Astrea to go downstairs.
"Mommy's all ready now."
"Go to wok?"
"Yes, Love."
Diana smiled seeing Her husband, Kal, engrossed in typing on his laptop.
"Darling, you've been working on this report nonstop for a week."
"Almost done, Di. We are now so close to finding a pure antibiotic for illnesses using the otherworldly plants. We can possibly even find more herbs that can completely prevent most of it if not all."
Diana smiled, proud of him. She was overjoyed with Kal completely embracing his abilities of delving more into his scientist roots.
She leaned down and kissed his cheek. "This is amazing, Love."
Kal smiled and nodded. "Everything we've wanted is coming together slowly but surely. It won't be a utopia or anything like that but we've always just wanted better and inspire others to strive for better on their own."
Diana nodded. "You've been an inspiration to the entire galaxy, Love."
"Not just me, Di. You most of all. You are the one that lead the end of the war and created the treaties."
"I had the man I love right by my side and an entire team of amazing friends." She kissed Astrea on her forehead before placing her in Kal's arms. "Darling, how about you take a break for the day and take Astrea to the zoo?"
"I thought we were all going?"
"It's fine. We'll plan another family outing going to one of the exotic planets."
"You sure?"
"Yes, and we can even have a picnic."
"Alright. We'll do it that way."
Diana's cellphone started ringing. "Oh, time for me to go."
A portal opened in the middle of the living room.
"Love you, my Darlings."
"Love you, too, Di."
Diana kissed Kal sweetly and kissed Astrea on her forehead once more.
As Diana was stepping to the portal, Astrea teleported to her.
"Astrea?" Kal questioned standing up.
"I go, MaMa."
Diana smiled and embraced her. "Not this time, little love."
Astrea looked at Diana with the saddest expression.
"You will have fun at the zoo with Daddy today. Going to see lots of animals."
"Aminas. No wok?"
"Mommy has to go to work but you and Daddy will go see the animals. Mommy will be home later, okay?" She kissed all over her face.
Trying to mimic her mother, Astrea held Diana's face with her tiny hands and kissed all over Diana's face. Diana laughed.
"Thank you, sweet baby. Mommy loves you so much."
"Loove yoou!"
Kal smiled walking over to Diana and wrapped his arm around her waist embracing her.
"We're going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss both of you, too."
They leaned in for a kiss. Kal couldn't help but deepen it loving his wife's soft luscious lips.
"More when I get home," Diana whispered with a seductive smirk.
Kal grinned. "Already can't wait."
"Bye you two. Be good," she said.
Astrea waved. "Bye, MaMa..."
Diana's heart fluttered. "Aw...bye, sweetheart. Mommy will be back home before you know it."
Kal and Astrea continued to wave Diana walked through the portal and until it disappeared.
Astrea laid her head on Kal's shoulder.
"Don't worry, Princess. I promise to make this a fun day," he said as he rubbed her back soothingly.
This wasn't the first time Diana had to leave Astrea for the day but every time was still so hard. Carrying her little bundle of joy for 9 months, their bond forming every second of the day. After Astrea recovered from her time staying in the fortress for 3 months, Diana, even more so, felt as if she couldn't last a minute away from her daughter let alone even not being able to hold her. Now she understood her own mother's separation anxiety.
Diana sighed as she walked through the door of the Embassy.
"Hi, Diana!" Councilwoman Stacy Bennett greeted. "How are you? Mini-me isn't with you today?"
"Hi, Stacy! I'm fine. And no, not today. She's with her father."
"Oh, how nice! Father, daughter time is always so special. I'm sure Clark spoils her."
Diana smiled. "Yes, he does."
"I'm sure you do as well. I can see it already. Listen, Diana, after 3 little birds of my own, I know the feeling. I was a stay at home mom for a while, but when deciding to go back to school, I put the kids in day care. I was a wreck for the first few months trying to make sure the caretakers knew every little thing but once everything was settled, the anxiety started to fade. I still missed them terribly but I knew they were all safe. My husband and I have been quite the team as well. We disagreed on a lot of things but somehow, still made it work. You, however, you and Clark are a match made in heaven. A super dream team. It's going to be okay."
Diana took a deep breath. "Thank you, Stacy."
Diana and Stacy continued talking about their home life as they walked into the conference room.
"Alright, Princess, we're ready to go," Kal said putting on her tiny sandal.
"See the aminas, Da da!"
"Yep! We'll see the lions, the monkeys, the birds!"
"Famigos!"
"Yep! Yep!" Clark then picked her up, holding her in the air and spinning around.
Astrea giggled. "Fy! Fy, Da da!"
"Want to fly to the zoo?"
Astrea kept giggling. "Fy!"
"It's a nice sunny day, cool breeze. Yeah! Let's go flying!"
Kal and Astrea left the house, taking off to the skies. Kal watched with a proud smile as Astrea happily flew in front of him.
"Soon, Da da! Bight light!"
He smiled wider. Astrea was truly the embodiment of him and Diana. She loved flying, loved nature, loved life.
"Big billings!"
"That's called a skyscraper, Princess. Your mom and I used to sit on top of the tallest ones watching the sunset, looking over the cities or just talking. We had a lot of good times up here being able to just be free and be ourselves. Now it's your turn."
"I see, Dada! Aminas!" Astrea pointed. "Aminas! Graffe satue!
Kal and Astrea flew down to the front entrance of the zoo by the giant giraffe statue. Kal placed Astrea to sit on top of his shoulders.
As he walked over to the ticket booth, he was met with stares, mumbles, and pictures taken.
"One adult ticket."
"That's Supes and his kid with Wonder Woman," a teenaged boy, no younger than 17 whispered to his friends.
"Man, this is so awesome to be a few feet from the big man! But what I would've give to be up close to Wonder Woman."
Kal couldn't help but smile.
Since their identity reveals, it had its pros and cons. Of course they came across plenty who turned against them even after all they've done, some only used this as a reason to hate them more but others, they understood, shocked, but understood and still accepted them. It's been challenging yet better days, especially since Astrea had been born. Kal was slowly but surely becoming more comfortable with being just himself in the public eye. It's like the weight of 5 earths had been lifted off his shoulders. He gives all thanks to his best friend, partner and wife, Diana.
"Let's send mommy a quick picture."
Kal took a selfie of him and Astrea by the zoo sign.
Diana felt her phone vibrate. She smiled opening the message from Kal. Her husband and daughter brought her complete joy.
My Love: We're here...but still miss you and wish you were here, too.
Queen Wifey: I miss you both and wish I was there, too. But have fun, my Loves! Take lots more pictures ;)
"What did you want to see first, Princess?" Kal asked Astrea walking in.
"Famigos and turles! Dolphies! Otich and otter!"
"Ok, so we'll just make a big circle around then."
They stopped at the rail in front of the flamingoes that were right next to the entrance.
The zoo was separated into different sections. The first section they came to was the Africa one which housed Meerkats, Giraffes, Zebras, Cheetahs, Rhinos, Lemurs, and several others. The first exhibit they came to was the Meerkats.
There was a little cave-like hidy hole to see the meerkats up close and it had clear tubes that they could run through and allow whoever was in the tunnel to see them as they did.
"Look, Astrea," Kal pointed as he walked into the cave and saw one run through the tube.
"Runny!"
"Yep! There it goes into the tube."
After watching the Meerkats play, Kal and Astrea continued on through Expedition Africa. They went down some stairs to the underground Cheetah viewing that had facts about the animal posted on boards with games to help the kids learn.
Next was the Zebras and Rhinos, and finally got to the Giraffe exhibit.
"Graffe!" Astrea squealed as she flew to the railing where one was currently being fed.
Then a water slide caught her attention. Flying up to the glass, she watched as otters seemed to be playing tag chasing each other down the slide.
"Da Da, wim and play!"
"You found the otters!"
Astrea giggled and clapped amazed. She then flew back to Kal sitting on his shoulders.
"Ready to see the next?"
"Jaggers!"
Kal chuckled. "Alrighty!"
They moved from one showcase to the next. With each new animal they get to see, Kal adored his daughter's fearless excitement. It's enough to remind him just how lucky he is to have a happy child who is so thrilled to learn.
Administration Office
"Are we all in positions?"
"Yes, Ranger Zero, all are in position and ready."
"Good. On my mark..." he paused for the clock to strike at exactly noon. "Release them...release them all in the name of Dr. Sven Larsen."
"Hey Princess, how about we see what's in the gift shop? Want to get mommy something?"
"MaMa picher eegal."
"That's right! Mommy's spirit animal is the eagle. Let's see what they have."
Going inside, Astrea immediately spotted the small stuffed toys.
"Fooffies, Da Da."
Kal walked over to the basket. "So looking for an eagle. Do you see one? "What's this?" He asked picking up one.
"Mookey!"
"That's right! How about this?"
"Ag...agulater. Algater."
Kal chuckled and nodded. "And last one. What's this?"
Astrea gasped and happily clapped. "MaMa eegal!"
"Really nice one, too. She'll love it!"
Kal handed Astrea the stuffed toy as he walked to the register.
The cashiers did a double take and gasped.
"Oh wow! You're Superman! Wow! I'm a big fan of you and Wonder Woman...well the entire Justice League was awesome!" One said.
"Thanks!"
"Your daughter resembles both you and Wonder Woman. She's so cute!"
"Say thank you, Astrea."
"Tank you!"
"Aw! Precious!"
"Da Da, mookey."
"You want the monkey, too?"
Astrea pointing to the window. "Mookey out."
Kal and the cashiers gave a look of bewilderment then looked out the window.
"What the-?!" The cashiers gasped seeing a monkey out it's cage.
"Toe-can, Da Da!"
Seeing a toucan flying by, Kal zeroed in, hearing locks becoming unlatched.
"Call someone. Something very wrong is happening. We need to get everybody out here."
"Yes, sir!"
Kal ran out of the gift shop with Astrea and flew up to get a better view. He saw more animals coming out of their cages and civilians either frozen with amazement or running.
"Birdies!" Astrea tried whistling catching the attention of the birds. "MaMa make birdy musi!"
"Keep doing that, Princess. We need them back in their cages."
Kal flew the bird exhibit with the birds following behind to the sound of Astrea.
"Ok, Princess, please stay here for Daddy."
She frowned.
"Daddy needs to help quickly. I need you to stay safe. You have mommy's eagle. Hold it tight." Kal kissed her forehead. "Be back as soon as I can."
Kal ran out quickly and using his heat vision to seal the door back.
He had to get to the more dangerous animals that were loose first. And as he swooped them up putting the back where they belonged, he called Cyborg.
"Yo, Coach Stone, here?"
"Hey, Vic, sorry for interrupting practice."
"Sup, Big Blue? And it's cool. On break."
"How many portals can you get open at once?"
"Uhh? As needed why?"
"I'll need at least 20 set."
"Now?"
"Yeah, got a problem at the zoo and need to get these people in the parking lot fast."
"Alright. Locking into your location. Portals should start opening in a few seconds."
"Thanks, man."
Kal flew up. "Go into the portals now! Tell every one you see to follow!"
Scanning the area he saw one suspicious looking fellow walking way too calmly, whispering into a walkie talkie. He frowned and swooped towards him.
"Hey! Hey! Put me down!"
"Let's have a quick chat..." Kal asked looking down at him with his eyes blazing red.
"Oh...shit..."
Back with Astrea, she could hear people screaming for help.
She looked out through the fence. She gasped seeing a white tiger slowly trying to inch close to a group of people, only seconds away from pouncing.
"Tiger kitty!" Astrea said happily as she teleported in front of the tiger.
"Kitty?!" The group of civilians questioned.
"RAWR!"
Rawwwr," Astrea growls in response, lifting both hands up and making claws with them.
"RRRRAAAAWWWWWRR
"No! Bad kitty!" her eyes blazed. "No meanie!"
The tiger was confused at first then whimpered and bowed to her. Astrea flew closer and patted the top of its head.
"Be good tiger kitty," she smiled still rubbing the top of its head.
"That's Superman and Wonder Woman's kid alright. Never thought I'd meet her this way."
"Yeah?! Mind blown! Getting saved by a superbaby."
Even still shaking of fright, they snapped pictures of Astrea with the tiger before running off to find a portal.
With Kal
"Your leader, Zero and the others, are just waiting for you?"
"Ye...yes, sir."
Kal dropped him in front of the administration door.
"Go inside now."
He nodded nervously and ran in, then shut the door quickly. Kal sealed the door completely shut so none of the suspects can get out until authorities came.
"What?! What's going on?!"
"It's... it's Superman."
"Dammit!"
Kal smirked and quickly flew off to now gather the rest of the animals putting the back in their cages. Just about all the civilians were safely in the parking lot.
Thinking he had all the animals back and cages sealed, Kal went back to the bird exhibit for Astrea.
"Astrea?"
He didn't see nor hear her.
"Princess?! Where are you?" His heart dropped to his feet as he yanked opened the door and only saw the stuffed eagle on the ground. He picked it up. "Astrea?!" He flew back out. "Your mother is going to kill me."
"Da Da!" He heard her giggling.
He then heard an elephant trumpet sound.
"Astrea!"
He quickly followed the sound and was met with a large Elephant.
"Astrea?"
She peeked from the top of the elephant's head.
"Elphant! Elphant!"
Kal sighed out of relief. "Just glad you're safe. Sometimes, I forget about your teleporting. Got curious, huh?"
"Baby kitty!"
Kal frowned and tilted his head. He flew up to Astrea to see a tiger cub.
He shook his head laughing. "You really are just like your mom."
Astrea giggled hugging the cub.
"Come on, Princess. Let's get it back to its family and this big guy."
Kal led the elephant back.
"Ok, big fella."
The elephant made another trumpet sound then gently wrapped his trunk around Astrea as to hug her.
"Bye, Elphant!"
Tiger Sanctuary
"Kitty! Kitty!"
Astrea and the cub ran to the mother tiger.
"Hi, tiger kitty! Here baby tiger kitty." Astrea hugged the cub again then patted the mother tiger. "Bye, kitty! Be good!"
Kal smiled and picked up Astrea.
"Come on, Princess. We gotta go take care of one more thing and then we can go home."
"MaMa eegal."
"Right here."
Astrea smiled and grabbed it from him holding it tightly then embraced Kal.
Embassy
Diana walked out of the break room with her cup of coffee heading back to the conference room until she heard Councilman Garrett Timble call for her.
"Diana, come quickly!"
"What's wrong, Garrett?"
"Isn't that Clark and Astrea?" Stacy said.
"What?!"
BREAKING NEWS: Zoo animals released by Mad Scientist's followers. Superman and daughter swoop into action!
"Oh by the Gods!" Diana gasped.
"We were being chased by a big tiger! The little super kid wasn't even afraid. She saved our lives."
"The tiger seemed more afraid of her. And then she was even petting it."
Video of people running away from animals into the portal and Superman flying to help was shown as well as pictures of Astrea petting the tiger.
"And there's Superman with his daughter, right behind are the culprits in custody." The reporter ran over to Kal.
"Superman!? Superman! Please a word."
"Uhh...yeah..sure."
Diana smiled and shook her head. He still had it in him to be a bit shy speaking with press.
"Pretty sure you weren't expecting this."
"No, not at all. Just wanted a day out with my daughter but glad that we were here to help and get everyone out safely. And all the animals are back in their areas safely as well."
"And how about the little wondergirl? Incredibly brave for her age taming a tiger?"
"Big kitty rawr!" Astrea said making the reporter laugh.
"She gets her bravery and ability to communicate and befriend all animals from her mother."
"Oh, how precious!"
Astrea yawned laying her head on Kal's shoulder.
"Mama home..."
"Aww..." the reporter said.
"Well my little Princess has had an eventful day so we must get going."
"Thank you, Superman, for your time."
Kal nodded and flew off.
"Reporting live as from Downtown Metropolis Zoo, I'm Makenzie Gilbert for Metropolis news. We will be back with more developments soon."
Everyone turned and looked at Diana shocked and amazed.
Diana smiled proudly.
"Did you need to get home, Diana?"
"Clark has it handled, though I am very thrilled to know everything once I do get home."
Kent Residence
"Let's get you a bath, Princess and then I'll make you mashed potatoes!"
Astrea giggled and clapped excited. "Mama home?"
"Not yet, will be soon. We will tell her all about the day and give her, her new eagle." He kissed her forehead. "I miss her, too."
Kal gave Astrea her bath. As always she enjoyed splashing water all over the place and playing with bath toys. She waved her arms around, going through the bubbles and pretending they were clouds.
"I play otters, Da Da!" She giggled.
Kal laughed "You're an otter, huh?"
"Fishy!"
She splashed around a bit more then when she was ready to get out.
"Da da." She said raising her arms for Kal to pick her up.
He wrapped her in a large soft towel to dry her off.
"Now with all your hair, you look like a little lion."
"Lion rawr! Rawr!"
Kal put her on her pull up, toddler tees, and socks
"You can be anything you want but you will always be my Princess!" Kal said picking her up and placing her in the middle of the bed surrounded by pillows. "Now it's my turn to get cleaned up then ready to eat."
"Mashtatoes!"
Kal chuckled. "Yeah mashed potatoes!"
Embassy
"Oh gosh! I'm so glad the meetings are over. I'm all for getting things done but when Councilwoman Hayes or the Governor gets to babbling nonsense and repeating it's too much," Stacy said and sighed dramatically.
"I just want to make was that our funding for the children was on the right track. We've worked too hard to get back what we lost after the scandal with counselman Phillips. What a snake," Councilwoman Nicole Gavin said.
Diana giggled. "Nicole, everything is fine. I'll be sure of it."
"Oh well I know for sure you will, Diana. You've been the biggest support with these projects and you are Wonder Woman, after all."
"Yes. Even though I might not wear the Wonder Woman uniform anymore, my job still remains."
"As well saw today with your handsome super-husband and adorable daughter. Will Astrea follow in her parents foot steps?"
Diana couldn't help but smile. "We don't want to put any expectations on her. She's just our curious social butterfly. We want her to find her own path and we will support her with any and everything she does."
"Aww! So sweet, Diana. Well I know you are ready to get home after seeing what occurred at the zoo. We will see at the Women's Day summit next weekend."
"Yes, right! Have a good evening, ladies."
Diana walked through the portal in the front foyer of her home. She sighed relieved to be home putting her tote bag down.
"Kal? Astrea? Mommy's home," she called.
When she didn't get an answer but heard the TV on, she walked into the living room.
"Aw...my loves," she gushed seeing Kal sprawled out on the sofa with Astrea laying on his chest, both asleep.
She smiled and quietly walked over to them. She gently placed a kiss on their foreheads before sitting on the edge of the sofa and caressed Astrea's little cheek gently.
Astrea inhaled deeply smelling the scent of her mother's perfume and moved a bit.
"MaMa..." she mumbled.
"I'm here, little Love," Diana whispered ever so quietly.
Astrea then moved a bit more opening her eyes. "MaMa?" She questioned sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"Astrea."
She looked back and grinned. "MaMa! Hi, MaMa! Hi! Hi, MaMa!" She jumped into Diana's arms embracing her.
"Hey, my sweet baby! I missed you so much!"
"I wait but go seep."
"I know you had an exciting but tiring day. Thank you for waiting for me."
"Di?"
She looked up and smiled seeing Kal waking up.
"Hi, Love."
Kal sat up and leaned forward cupping Diana cheek before capturing her lips in a soft kiss.
"Missed you, Beautiful."
"Missed you, too. I couldn't wait to get home so you can tell me everything that happened. I saw the news report on TV in one of the conference rooms."
"MaMa eegal!" Astrea said happily showing her the stuffed eagle. "For MaMa!"
"For me? Thank you, sweetheart!"
"We were in the gift shop paying for it when Astrea first saw a monkey then we both saw a tuscan fly by. I figured something was wrong hearing locks being unlatched. She also showed a neat trick you taught her with bird whistling."
"Yes, we have lots of birds visiting our backyard garden. When we sit out there from time to time I tell Astrea stories of when I was younger and we sing with the birds."
"That came quite in handy. She befriended a tiger and her cub as well as an elephant." Kal showed her pictures he took on his phone.
"Oh! This is so adorable!" Diana gushed looking through all the pictures.
Kal pulled Diana to sit in his lap with her still holding Astrea
"I know that face. What is it, Love?"
"The group that caused the chaos were copy cats. You remember Dr. Sven Larsen?"
"Yes, I do."
"Well it seems that's the thing now. Groups or individuals following either the good guys or the bad guys trying to be copy cats. As one said, keep the legacy alive." Kal caressed Diana's cheek then looked down at Astrea. "We've accomplished so much. We've fought for so long to get where we are now. We don't need copy cats trying to destroy all of that and progress we've made go backwards."
"No, my Love, that won't happen. You've said it yourself, this morning. The world isn't perfect, it's not a utopia, but it's better and we will continue to do better. No harm came of today and my loves still had a great time. That's all that matters."
Kal grinned. "Damn. How did I get so lucky?"
Diana smiled and kissed him. "For it is fate. For us, for our daughter." Diana looked down to see Astrea cuddling more within her arms as she cradled her.
"I love you, Di."
"I love you, too, my sexy super zoo keeper!"
Kal chuckled, holding her tighter as they kissed again.