Nine Months

By Leslie Cohen

Chapter 1

Time: Close to Lois and Clark's three-year anniversary. They are
just getting home after winning some big journalism award.

"I can't believe we won again," Lois exclaims as they walk
through the door. "However, I will always accept an award."

Clark enters and closes the door. "Yes, I know, Lois, you were
never shy in that category."

Lois gives him a gentle punch. Clark comes over and they start
kissing.

"What do you say, Lois, we go celebrate our victory," he
whispers.

Suddenly they are caught up in the passion of the moment. Clark's
suit and Lois' dress are soon on the floor.

"There is something I am forgetting," Lois thinks briefly but
then the passion of the moment lets all thoughts leave her mind.

"Clark, I love you so much!!"

"I love you too, Lois," Clark says as he carries her into the
bedroom.

The next morning as Lois is getting ready for work she remembers
what it was that was bugging her last night. She forgot her birth
control pills. Oh well, she thinks, it is only one night.

Chapter 2

A few weeks later. It is the middle of the night and Clark rolls
over in bed to find Lois gone. He hears her in the bathroom
getting sick. He rushes in. "Are you OK?"

Lois stops for a moment to give him a dirty look. "Do I look OK?
No, I think I caught that stomach flu going around."

"Lois, is there anything I can get you?"

"Yes, maybe some ginger ale and crackers."

Before she is even finished Clark has changed into Superman and
rushes to the nearest store.

The store clerk, surprised to see Superman buying groceries at 3
a.m. gives him a weird look. "Superman, you sick?" he asks,
concern on his face.

"No," he says, "these are for a, ah, ah, sick friend," he
stutters. He quickly pays for the groceries and rushes back to
Lois.

Clark finds her in bed, looking a little better. "Here, honey, I
hope this helps."

Lois takes the ginger ale and takes a slow swallow. "You know, if
I didn't love you so much I could hate you for never getting
sick."

Clark just smiles and gets into bed where Lois snuggles up and
falls asleep in his arms. "You know," he whispers, "you have to
be better tomorrow. I have big plans for our anniversary."

The next morning finds Lois sick again in the bathroom. Clark
comes over. "So you want me to call mom and dad and tell them we
can't come tonight? I am sure they will understand."

"No, Clark, tomorrow is our anniversary and they have been
looking forward to this. However, I think you can tell Perry I
won't be in today."

Clark does a double take on that comment. "Lois, what is wrong?
You wouldn't miss work for anything."

Clark looks very worried and Lois cleans up and then goes over to
reassure him. "Look, honey, I will be fine. I just need to rest
and get over this bug. I want to be in fine shape for our
anniversary," she says with a wicked gleam in her eyes.

Clark smiles at that thought. He gently picks up Lois and takes
her to bed. "Feel better for me," he says as he heads out the
door. "I love you."

"Love you too," Lois says as the door closes.

As soon as he leaves Lois calls her doctor. She didn't want Clark
to know that she had not been feeling well for almost a week. She
was tired and lately her stomach had been acting up. "Better safe
than sorry," she says, dialing the phone.

At the doctor's office, Lois is getting dressed after her exam.
"So, doctor, you have some new wonder drug I can report on to end
my flu bug?"

Dr. James has been Lois' doctor for quite a few years and knew
her reputation as a hard-nosed reporter. "Lois," he says, "what
is the first thing you do when you think you have a story?"

Lois looks at the doctor a little strangely and says, "Well,
first I get the facts and then I double check them and then I sit
down and see what I have got."

"OK," Dr. James says, "let's try this scenario." He sits Lois in
a chair. "Lois, I know you are a great reporter, so let's look at
the facts here. Fact one, you have been tired lately, not a lot
of energy, right?"

"Right," Lois says, trying to understand where this story is
heading.

"Fact two, you have been getting sick and not been able to keep
things down, right?"

"Right," Lois replies, still confused.

"Lastly, I have one question. Lois when was your last time of the
month?"

Lois thinks and replies, "Oh, I don't know, I am always so busy I
never pay much attention. Just do what comes naturally and go on
with things. You know how it is."

Suddenly Lois stops and the thought hits her like a ton of
bricks. Dr. James smiles as he sees Lois' reaction. Lois suddenly
stands up and starts pacing the room. "How could this happen?"
she says. Dr. James gives her a funny look. "What I mean," she
continues, "is that, well, we have been careful."

She starts thinking out loud, "Except for that one night after
that awards dinner." She blushes as she realizes Dr. James is
still here.

"Lois, I would say you are about six weeks along."

Lois stops and smiles and whispers, "I am having Superman's
baby."

Dr. James had been writing something and turns to her. "What did
you say?"

Lois realizes her mistake. "I am having a super man's baby. Wait
until I tell Clark. We have talked about a baby, but ... "

"Look, Lois, a baby is a big adjustment. There are some changes
you are going to have to make".

Lois thinks of something and quickly asks the doctor, "Can I
fly?"

"Sure," Dr. James replies, "airline travel is OK until you get
closer to your due date."

"NO, what I mean is that Superman is a good friend of ours and he
offered to fly me and Clark away for our anniversary." Lois says,
trying not to give anything away, yet knowing that she needs an
answer.

Dr. James stops and looks up at Lois, "You know, Lois, in all my
years of practice, I don't think I have ever had anybody ask me
that question. I think I will have to get back to you on that."

Lois gives him a nervous smile and turns to leave.

"Lois, you will need to make an appointment to come see me in a
few weeks for a checkup."

Lois thanks the doctor.

"You're welcome, Lois, and congrats."

Some time later Lois is sitting at home still letting the concept
sink in. Clark comes home bearing roses and a bottle of wine. He
sees Lois and comes over to her.

"Feeling better?" he asks, a concerned look on his face.

"Yes," she says, still somewhat in a daze.

"Good, because I told mom and dad we would be over early so that
we could make our Paris reservations." He looks around the room
and pulls out their suitcase. "Perry and the gang hope you are
feeling better and wish us the best. They got us a great card."

"Good," Lois says, having not moved from her spot.

Clark comes over, "Are you sure you are OK?"

"Yes."

"Good, I got us a bottle of wine to celebrate."

He goes over, pops the cork, and pours two glasses. Clark makes a
toast, "Lois, for three years you have made me the happiest man
alive. I love you more today than ever. Happy anniversary."

Lois smiles and cries at the same time. However, she sets her
glass down without taking any. Clark notices this. "Oh, I am
sorry, maybe your stomach isn't ready for wine. Well, Mom's home
cooking should cure what is ailing you. I will just go and grab a
few last-minute items. Sit there and relax, I will be right
back."

A few minutes later, dressed as Superman, he comes in. "Well are
you ready to go?"

Lois looks up at Clark. "Maybe you better put the suitcases down.
We need to talk."

Looking concerned he sets the cases down and moves over to the
couch. "Lois, what is it? First, you won't toast with me and now
you don't want to fly? Is everything OK? Did I do something
wrong?"

Lois looks over and her eyes shine with more love than ever
before. "Clark, I went to the doctor today." She quickly
reassures him, "No, I am not really sick. Well technically, I
guess I am. I mean, it is a temporary situation and ... "

"Lois," Clark almost yells, "will you please get to the point?
You have me worried."

The look of concern and care in his eyes make Lois cry again.
"Clark, the reason I didn't drink and the reason I can't fly is
that ... " She hesitates, and Clark motions her to go on. "The
reason is, well, I don't think these things would be good for the
baby."

There is stunned silence in the room as the idea hits Clark.
"Lois, you don't mean ... "

"Clark, remember the night of the awards dinner?"

He smiles, remembering the night well. Then it hits him. "Lois,
we're going to have a baby?"

"Happy anniversary, Clark," she smiles slowly, waiting for the
reaction.

Clark quickly picks her up and twirls her around, then
remembering her condition gingerly places her back on the couch.
"Lois, until today I never thought I could love you any more but
I do." He sits down and holds her close, "We're going to have a
baby," he says, smiling to himself.

"I know this wasn't exactly planned, Clark, I mean we have talked
about it but ... We also talked about waiting and ... this wasn't
exactly on our schedule ... I mean Clark, Clark, why are you
smiling at me?"

"Because I love it when you babble. I know this wasn't planned,
but ... I can't tell you how happy it has made me. You are happy
about this too, aren't you?"

"Oh, Clark, I am happy ... To think that there is this little
life growing inside me ... I never expected to feel this way,
Clark. I am excited, and nervous and scared, but mostly happy."

"Then it's unanimous!!! Lois, I love you and we are going to make
a great family."

The two cuddle and let the idea sink in. They sit on the couch
just holding each other, enjoying the moment. Suddenly Clark sits
up. "Lois, I almost forgot about my parents. They are expecting
us. Listen, if it's OK with you I will get them and fly them over
here and we can tell them the news."

"Sure, Clark, but let's tell them together. And what about my
parents?"

Over the past year it seemed that Lois' parents had been spending
more time together, maybe working their way back to a
relationship.

"Well," Clark replies, "I'll get them too."

"Look, Clark," Lois replies, "I think we need to tell them."

"We will, Lois, isn't that what I just said?"

"No, Clark. I mean we need to TELL THEM. I mean, it will be their
grandchild too and I think that they have a right to know it's
going to be half alien."

Lois lets this slip out without really thinking, then cringes
when she sees the look on Clark's face. "Oh, honey, I'm sorry. It
is just that, well, you know I love you more than anything in the
world, and I would do anything for you, but I guess the idea of a
baby, your baby, also scares me a little. I mean, there has never
been a half-human, half- Kryptonian baby before."

Lois stops when she realizes she is rambling again. "Look, Lois,
whatever happens we will deal with it together, the three of us."
He smiles, patting her stomach. "We will be a family. Now, I am
going to get Mom and Dad. You just sit and relax. And yes, I
guess it is about time your parents knew. I mean, what if they
went to the nursery and saw their grandchild floating?"

Superman dashes out the window, leaving Lois to ponder that
thought.

"Martha," Jonathan yells from the kitchen, "I think the pie is
done. I will take it out of the oven."

Suddenly a breeze comes through the open window and Superman
appears beside his dad as Martha enters the kitchen. "Clark,
you're late, we were starting to worry. It's not like you to be
late for homemade peach pie. Where's Lois?"

"Mom, Dad, Lois stayed back at the apartment. I came because I
was wondering if you would mind moving the party to our place."

"Clark, is everything OK?" Martha and Jonathan ask in unison.

"Yes, but listen, I don't want to waste time, so is it OK?

"Sure, Clark, just let me grab the pie."

"Mom, don't worry about the pie. I will come back later for it."

"Clark, now I know there is something wrong. Tell me what it
is."

"Listen," Superman says, scooping his parents up in his arms,
"All will be explained shortly."

Meanwhile, back at the apartment, Lois is calling her parents.
"Hello, Mom, how are you? Yes, thank you for the congrats. Yes,
all is well here. Well, actually, that is the reason I called.
Clark and I aren't going to Paris. There has been a little
change. No, Mom, slow down, Mom, Mom ... MOM. Just listen. Is Dad
there? Good. I have a favor to ask. The Kents are coming over
tonight and I was wondering if you and daddy could join us here
at the apartment for a little family celebration. Yes, well I
know you are two hundred miles away, but, ah, Superman offered to
pick you up. Yes, it is important ... Listen, MOM, is that OK or
not? Fine, then he will be there shortly. GOODBYE, MOM."

Lois turns as she sees Clark and his parents come through the
window. They gently land and Martha rushes over to Lois. "Lois,
are you OK? Clark wouldn't tell us anything and ... "

"Yes, Martha, I am OK." Turning to Clark, "I called my parents
and they said you could pick them up."

Jonathan and Martha shot each other a quick look of surprise.
"OK, I'm off. By the way, what did you tell them?"

"I just invited them over and told them that Superman was doing
us a favor. I figured we would wait until everyone is together
before we drop the bomb."

With that comment Clark flies off leaving Lois to deal with his
parents. Lois turns to her in-laws. "Can I offer you something to
drink?" she asks casually, trying to pass the time until Clark
returns.

"Look, Lois, whatever it is you can tell us. We have been through
everything with Clark and with you, and I know we can help you
both get through whatever this is."

"Trust me, Martha, your help will soon be appreciated."

"So tell us," Jonathan says taking a glass of tea from her. "What
is it?"

"Listen, I promised Clark I would wait, and speak of the devil
... "

Superman flies in carrying Lois' parents. He lands gently, and
Ellen Lane, repeating many of the motions made by Martha a few
minutes earlier, rushes over to her daughter.

"For heaven's sake, Lois, what's going on? Superman wouldn't tell
us anything."

Lois' father, on the other hand, demonstrates some patience.
"Thank you, Superman, we appreciate the lift."

"No problem. Now if you will excuse me I think I hear somebody
calling."

Quickly flying out the window, he disappears.

"OK. Now that we are all here, can you please tell us?" Ellen
asks. "Wait, we're not all here. Where is your husband?"

Lois tries to stall. "Gee, Mom, I'm not sure -- he just ran to
the corner store to buy ... "

As if on cue Clark walks through the door. "Sorry, honey, the
store was all out of ... milk?" he asks hesitantly, making sure
he has the right excuse.

"Right, milk, well that's OK, we can get some later."

"Well," they say in unison turning to each other, "how do we do
this?"

They are standing by themselves in a corner trying to think of
the best approach. The parents are huddled in the other corner.

"Martha, what do you think?" asks Ellen, "They're being so
secretive."

"Honestly, Ellen, I thought I knew my son but this one has me
stumped," replies Martha.

The men stand quietly by, letting the women gossip. Finally Lois
and Clark approach.

"OK, everybody," commands Lois, "sit down on the couch."

The parents sit down and look up with apprehension. Lois starts,
"Clark and I have decided that we all have spent too much time
away from our parents lately and we also decided that our
respective in-laws have spent too much time away from each other.
I think re-introductions are in order."

"LOIS," Ellen screams, "have you lost your mind!! You've been
married for three years, I think I know the Kents pretty well!!"

"For once I agree," says Jonathan, speaking for the first time.
"Son, what is this all about?"

"Patience, Dad, patience. Here, let me start the introductions."
Clark pauses for a moment letting the tension build. "Mom, Dad, I
want you to meet your new in- laws, Grandpa and Grandma-to-be
Lane."

"Yes," Lois jumps in, "Mom, Dad, I want you to meet YOUR new
in-laws, Grandpa and Grandma-to-be Kent."

Both sets of parents look at each other and then look at Lois and
Clark. Slowly, the impact of the moment hits.

Lois," her mother says starting to cry, "You don't mean ... ?"

Sam Lane interrupts. Jumping to his feet, he embraces Lois
crying, "My baby is going to have a baby!!"

Suddenly the room is electric as both sets of parents hug their
children.

"Son," Jonathan says with great emotion in his voice, "I hope you
have as great a kid as we did."

"Thanks," Clark says, emotion matching his father's, "I hope your
grandchild has parents as great as mine."

Martha hugs her son and turns to Lois. "Lois, you have made my
son so happy. You have made Jonathan and me happy too. How could
I ever thank you?"

Well, a few hundred free hours of babysitting will probably cover
it," Lois says, smiling as she wipes the tears from her eyes.

"Listen," Lois says, leading her parents back to the couch, "We
have more news."

"Oh God," says Ellen. "Don't tell me it's twins."

Lois, having never thought of that idea, suddenly gets a scared
look on her face. Clark comes to her rescue. "No, Ellen, not
twins, at least not as far as we know," he laughs.

Martha and Jonathan have also come back to the couch. Lois,
having recovered from the twins idea continues hesitantly.
"Martha, Jonathan, before we start, I want you to know that Clark
and I discussed this idea first, and we feel it's time my parents
know."

Jonathan and Martha look at each other and nod. "You're right,
Lois," Martha says and they sit back to wait.

"Know what, honey?" Sam Lane asks his daughter.

"Yes, for god's sake, Lois, what more could there be?" adds
Ellen.

Clark steps back letting Lois handle her parents. "Mom, do you
remember about five years ago I called you and I was all excited.
I said that I had met the man of my dreams. He was gorgeous,
honest, strong, and yet gentle. Not only that, he could fly!!"

"Yes, Lois, I remember you called and talked for hours about
Superman. There were days I thought I would go crazy if I heard
his name again," replies her mother.

Clark, standing in the corner, laughs at that. "Well," Lois goes
on, "He was my fantasy. I guess I never had many in high school,
so when Superman came he was my Hollywood idol, rock star, poster
pin up, all in one. He was and is any girl's ultimate fantasy."

"Yes," Ellen states. "But what is your point?"

Lois continues, "Well, it took me long enough but I finally
realized just that ... he was a fantasy, not really real. I mean
he was real, but unattainable. Clark made me realize what was
real. I fell in love with Clark and I put my fantasies away."

With that comment Clark walks over to Lois. Both parents smile at
them together. Lois steps closer to Clark for support. "See, Mom,
Dad, with Clark I could see a real future, a home, a, a, a,
family," she says stopping for a moment. She starts to cry,
almost unable to continue.

"Lois, this is all fine and dandy, but you are wearing my
patience!!" Ellen almost yells.

"OK, OK," Lois continues. "Well, I did as I said. I fell in love
with CLARK, I wanted to marry CLARK. Then I found something out.
I found out that I was the luckiest woman in the world because I
got them both."

Lois stops, waiting for a reaction. Her parents, not quite
catching on, urge her to continue. "You see, when I married
Clark, I didn't just marry Clark. I also got my fantasy."

The realization finally starts to sink in and Lois hastily
finishes her speech. "Look, don't be mad. We didn't tell you
because of your safety. I mean, what if somebody kidnapped you or
tried to kill you or ... "

Lois stops, having just thought of something. She turns to Clark.
"You know your secret must go in three year cycles," thinking
back to the first time Clark had discussed his secret. Lois then
turns back to her parents.

Sam asks hesitantly, "Lois, exactly what are you saying? Are you
saying ... " He is unable to finish his sentence.

"Mom, Dad, meet your son-in-law ... Superman," Lois says as Clark
does his quick change routine.

Sam just stares and Ellen faints dead away.

Chapter 3

A few hours later, after having recovered from the shock of all
of the introductions, Clark flies both sets of parents back home
and Lois and Clark are left to themselves.

"Well, Clark, I guess that went pretty well ... I mean, after you
promised my mom and dad you would fly them away for a trip
together to recover from all of their news, I guess they adapted
pretty well."

"Well, Lois, it's not every day that you find out your daughter
is having a baby AND she actually married an alien all within an
hour. I'd say overall it was a pretty successful day. How are you
feeling? You must be tired. Here, lie down on the couch and I'll
get you something to drink. Juice, or perhaps, milk?"

"Actually, 'I could use a scotch,' to quote my mother, but I
guess cow juice will suffice."

Clark brings her the milk and she sits up to drink. "Now, how do
we tell Perry and the gang?" Clark asks.

"Clark, I really don't know. I'm sure we'll think of something.
Right now all I want to do is curl up and take a nap," Lois
replies wearily.

With that comment Clark gently lifts Lois and carries her to the
bedroom. He sets her in bed. Lois looks into Clark's face and
realizes how much she loves him, and their baby.

"Clark, have I told you lately how much I love you? When I was
growing up, I never imagined that I would get married, let alone
have a baby. I always just thought my work would be my only
company. Then I met you and everything changed. You changed me
and kept me from being alone. You are giving me the greatest gift
of all: your baby."

"Lois, it is you I should be thanking. I always thought my
powers, who I was, would isolate me, keep me apart from most
people. I never imagined I could be this happy, that I could have
a family. I always had my parents and that was family, but this
is different. I hope that one day in the future our child finds a
person that makes him as happy and as fulfilled as you have made
me."

They kiss a long passionate kiss. Slowly they break away. "Now
Lois, please try to rest, OK? I want you to come with me to the
office tomorrow to break the news."

"OK, Clark," she agrees, "but there is just one thing. Your
comments before made me cry and I love you very much. Now I
realize that you have tremendous powers, but even you can't
predict whether it is a boy or a girl. You said 'him.' How do you
know it won't be a girl?"

"Lois Lane Kent," says Clark in mock exasperation, "Just go to
sleep. You know that whatever we have I will love because it will
be a part of us."

With that comment he closes the door and lets Lois sleep.

The next morning, Lois wakes up and hears Clark in the kitchen.
She isn't quite as queasy as she has been so she gets out of bed
and heads for the kitchen.

"Hi, sleepyhead, I thought I would let you rest. Your nap lasted
all night."

"Clark, I'm sorry."

"Lois, don't be sorry. I love watching you sleep. Oh, I also
helped save a town from a mud slide, but that's another story.
Here, sit down. What can I get you for breakfast?"

"You know, I have the strangest craving for pickles and ice
cream."

With that comment Clark gives her a weird look, but heads for the
freezer.

Lois gets up, "Clark, I was kidding, I am not having any strange
cravings, at least not yet. Some juice and toast will be fine.
Actually bacon and eggs sound good too and maybe a doughnut. I'm
pretty hungry."

She goes to sit back at the table and Clark laughs as he prepares
breakfast.

After breakfast they design a plan of attack for telling the
Planet their news and then get ready for work.

Lois and Clark enter the Planet hand in hand, clearly enjoying
the morning. Perry comes out of his office and looks up and
smiles at the happy couple, then frowns remembering they are
supposed to be in Paris.

"Lois, Clark, in my office, now," Perry barks.

Lois and Clark look at each other and smile and head into the
office. They come in and close the door. Perry starts, "I thought
you two were in Paris?" A note of concern enters his voice.

"Actually, Perry, there has been a little change in plans," Lois
says. "Actually not so little when you think of it, well, little
now but later --"

Perry interrupts Lois' babbling. "Lois, Clark, what in tarnation
is going on?"

"Well, Perry, we have some news but we would like to share it
with everybody in the office. Mind if we call an impromptu
conference?" Clark asks.

"Well ... I guess, it's a slow news day. Whatever it is, though,
I hope it was important enough to keep you from Paris."

"It was, Perry, trust us." Lois says.

The three of them walk out to the Main Lobby.

"Excuse me, everyone, could I have your attention, please." Clark
says, trying to be heard over the din and clatter of the
newsroom. However, he does not seem to be heard.

Finally Perry yells in that voice of his, "Stop the presses!"
Turning to Lois and Clark, "I love saying that."

With that comment everyone stops what they are doing and looks up
at the trio. The room becomes quiet. "Lois and Clark have
something they want everybody to hear."

"Thanks, Perry," says Clark. "Actually, Lois wants me to talk.
For a change."

The newsroom laughs appreciatively. Clark continues, "Some of you
were here five years ago when I first came to this office. I met
this wonderful woman," he says, smiling down at Lois, "And slowly
we became friends. You all got to know us as Lane and Kent, the
great reporting team. And most of you were here three years ago
when we changed from Lane and Kent to Kent and Kent. We became
more than just a reporting duo, more than just friends, we became
husband and wife."

Many in the newsroom smile remembering all the trials and
tribulations the couple had and how they finally got married.
"Well," Clark continues, "We're changing again. We will no longer
be Kent and Kent. We will be Kent and Kent and ... "

Clark stops and turns to Lois. "What? ... we haven't even
discussed names and ... " he stops when he realizes the newsroom
is still listening.

"Clark!" Perry interrupts. "The news?"

Some are smiling, having figured it out. Sheepishly, Clark
continues, "As I was saying, we will be changing, well, not
really changing, just adding on. Well, yeah, I guess you could
say changing ... "

Perry interrupts again, "Clark, will you please finish your
speech!!"

"Sorry, Perry. Lois and I will soon be Kent and Kent and ...
baby! We are having a baby!"

With that comment the newsroom explodes, people clapping, yelling
congrats, etc. Perry turns to the couple. "Lois, Clark, I am so
happy for you." He gives Lois a gentle hug.

"Thanks, Perry," Lois says, speaking for the first time since
Clark started his speech.

Jimmy comes up to the couple. "Well, Lois, I guess it wasn't the
stomach flu?" He laughs and goes to hug her.

"No, Jimmy, it wasn't the stomach flu."

Jimmy turns to Clark, "CK, you are going to be a dad. That's
really cool."

"Yeah, Jimmy," Clark responds. "Real cool."

Lois is suddenly surrounded by friends all wanting to know the
details and Clark talks to Perry and Jimmy. Lois and Clark spend
the afternoon hanging around the newsroom and talking to all of
their friends. Finally, after five o'clock they tear themselves
away and head for home.

As they sit stuck in traffic they discuss the day. "You know,
Clark," sighs Lois, "I never realized until today just how much
we have ahead of us. Jennifer was telling me about all of these
nurseries we should start looking at, and Sandra pulled out a
catalog she kept after Josh was born and showed me all this
furniture."

"I know what you mean, Lois. Jimmy was trying to sell me on
learning parenting skills through the Internet! And Perry ...
well, you know Perry -- always ready and willing with advice."

They both laugh at that comment. "Just wait, Clark, my mother
still needs a few days to recover but I guarantee you she will
out-advise everybody."

Lois isn't sure she really likes that idea. Suddenly the car
stops. Lois comes out of her thoughts and looks around. They sre
at the front of the apartment. "Clark, why did you stop? You know
we can't park here."

"I know, Lois; I'm dropping you off. I don't know how hard it
might be to find a space in this traffic and I don't want you
walking."

"Clark Kent, I am not, repeat not, an invalid. I can certainly
walk a few measly blocks. Now go park the car!"

Reluctantly, Clark drives around and after a few minutes finds a
space though almost a quarter of a mile away. "Lois, are you sure
about this? I mean, I could go back and drop you off -- "

Lois cuts in. "Clark, quit worrying; this is fine."

They slowly walk back to the apartment, each lost in their own
thoughts. They enter the apartment and Lois heads for the couch,
exhausted. Clark, seeing her on the couch gives her one of his
I-told-you-so looks. He goes over to the couch.

"Here, Lois. Sit up a minute."

Lois sits up and he gently pushes some pillows behind her and
then puts more pillows under her feet. Reluctantly, Lois allows
herself to be taken care of.

"Lois, we need to talk. I know you think that you are
Ultrawoman," he says with a sly grin, "but you're not."

"Clark, I may not be Ultrawoman, but I still need my
independence. That's a part of who I am. You can't ask me to
change that."

"Lois, I would never ask you to change. I love your independent
spirit too much to see you lose it. It is just that ... " Clark
pauses, trying to think of the best way to approach things.
"Look, Lois, this baby -- our baby -- is going to be an
adjustment for both of us. You just need to realize that well ...
maybe, just for a little while you may have to ... slow down," he
says hesitantly, waiting for her reaction.

"OK, Clark, I will admit that maybe right now I don't have my
usual energy and vigor. I know there are going to be changes but
... well ... it is going to take time ... OK? Look, I will
promise not to walk ten blocks and I will 'think' three times
instead of twice before jumping into any scenarios. Agreed? ...
"

She looks up at him, smiling sweetly. Clark, never being able to
resist that smile, nods his head. "For now, Lois."

They kiss and start to kiss more . The kisses become deeper and
Lois feels Clark wanting more. She does too but stops for a
moment.

"Clark, I thought you said I had to slow down," she says with a
coy smile.

"Well, Lois, you didn't have to take me literally." They start
kissing again and then he stops. "Lois, this is OK, isn't it? I
mean we can't hurt the baby or anything?" he says with concern.

"This is OK. FOR NOW," she says, mocking his earlier expression.

"Just OK?" He whispers huskily as they fall into each other.

Chapter 4

It is now almost three months into Lois' pregnancy. So far things
have progressed rather normally. Lois goes to the doctor on a
regular basis and he has not spotted any differences. Lois and
Clark have agreed to see her doctor and keep a normal routine. If
something changes, Clark's parents have a very close friend who
has promised to "help" with any problems which might arise.

It is night and Lois and Clark are sleeping. Suddenly Lois awakes
because she feels something. "The baby," she thinks, "I'm feeling
the baby. Clark, Clark, wake up!"

She nudges Clark awake. Drowsily Clark rolls over to face Lois.

"Lois, what is it? Are you OK? Is everything all right?"

As he slowly wakes up he pays Lois more attention. Lois leans
over and kisses him.

"What was that for?" Clark asks as they end the kiss.

"Just this," Lois says as she takes his hand and places it over
her stomach.

Suddenly Clark's hand jumps as the baby kicks again. The look on
Clark's face cannot be described. He looks down at his hand and
then looks at Lois. "Lois, was that ... ?"

"Clark, that was our baby. And a super baby it will be if that
kick was any indication."

Lois is crying and laughing at the same time. Clark continues to
stare at Lois. He seems speechless. Suddenly Lois is worried by
his silence. "Clark, what is it? What is wrong?"

Clark finally speaks, "Lois, in all my years on earth ... I
thought I had superpowers, but this ... this ... " he says
staring at her stomach, "This is more amazing than ANYTHING I can
do!!"

Just as he says that the baby kicks again. They laugh together at
the miracle they are experiencing. "Lois, what does it feel
like?"

"Well, it is hard to describe, especially to you," she laughs.
"Actually, it's rather pleasant. I was beginning to wonder if he
would ever make his presence known."

"There you go, Lois; now you're doing it, calling this baby a he.
If we have a girl she might be pretty upset to know her mother
was calling her a he."

They had agreed that Clark would refrain from using his x-ray
vision to determine the sex of the baby. There were times when
Clark had been tempted but they had both agreed to wait.

Suddenly Clark sits up in bed. He turns to Lois, "Honey, I've got
to run. Be back as soon as I can."

Quicker than Lois could shake her head he changes and dashes out
the window. Lois sits alone in bed. "Well, I guess it's just you
and me, kid," she says out loud.

Lois lies down and slowly falls back to sleep. She tries not to
be angry at Clark for leaving, but sometimes it is hard,
especially now with the baby. They had been sharing a real moment
and then he has to dash off!

"Well," Lois says out loud as she is falling asleep, "I guess he
is out making the world a safer place for you and me."

And with that she falls asleep.

It is the next morning. Lois slowly wakes up and does not turn
over but just begins talking. "Clark, wasn't last night great? I
mean I felt it -- our baby!! Well, you felt it too, but, wow!
What an experience!! Clark, last night was so special and ...
well, I just want you to know that I forgive you for dashing out
last night. I just wish that ... well ... Clark, don't you have
anything to say?"

Lois had been half talking in her sleep but now she is fully
awake and turns over to realize she has been talking to an empty
space. Clark had apparently not come home last night.

Talking out loud she says, "Well, Clark, I hope it was
important."

Repeating her comments from last night she says, "It's still just
you and me, kid. Let's see if we can find out what kind of
trouble your daddy is into this morning."

The baby starts kicking Lois again as if agreeing with her. Lois
smiles and then gets up and goes over and turns on the news,
flipping through various channels to see if there is any news of
a disaster or any other situation which could require her
husband's attention. Nothing.

Talking aloud again she says, "You would think after three years
I would be used to this."

Lois grimaces as the baby kicks again. What had last night been
cute and wonderful is becoming a bit painful and bothersome.
"Look, kid," Lois says talking to her stomach, "I want him here,
too, but how about you give us both a break and let me get ready
for work. I'm sure he'll be here to walk us to work."

As if listening, the baby settles down and Lois gets ready for
work. However, almost an hour later, as Lois is preparing to
leave there is still no sign of Clark. Lois checks the news
again, even calls the Kents but there is no answer.

"Mister, you better have a damn good excuse when I see you." Lois
sounds angry, but beneath the anger there is also worry. It isn't
like Clark to be gone for so long.

Reluctantly, Lois drives to work. As she stops into the Planet
she looks at Clark's desk hoping maybe he has gone directly to
work. No luck. Lois heads for her desk trying to keep her worry
and anger in check.

Jimmy wanders over noticing she doesn't look like herself. "Hey,
Lois, what's up?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" She snaps, nearly biting his head
off.

"Whoa, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to -- well, I noticed you over
here and I haven't seen CK. What, a fight in lover's paradise?"

Jimmy is only kidding but Lois isn't in the mood. "Look, Jimmy,
everything's fine, Clark just had to ... run errands. OK??!!"

"Sure, Lois; hey, no problem." Jimmy starts to walk away and Lois
stops him. "Look, Jimmy, I'm sorry. It's just ... well, the baby
started kicking last night and I didn't sleep well and yes, I
guess you could say I'm a little angry at Clark, but it's nothing
out of the norm. Sorry I bit your head off."

"It's OK, Lois, and hey, congrats on the baby. That must be
really cool. Let me know if I can get you anything."

"Thanks, Jimmy." Lois tries to concentrate on some research she
is doing but she finds herself reading the same line over and
over. She calls the Kents again and still no answer. Just as Lois
is starting to reach the panic stage Clark enters the Planet. As
he heads for Lois' desk he passes Jimmy.

"Warning, CK. Your missus is not in the best of moods. What did
you do anyway?"

"Long story, Jimmy." Clark heads for her desk.

Lois looks up. "Oh, hi," she says in one her best sarcastic
tones. "I see you decided to grace us with your presence."

"Look, Lois, I'm really sorry about being away for so long but --
well there was this tidal wave in China followed by a typhoon in
Japan followed by a mild quake in California and then ... well, I
flew to the farm to see Mom and Dad. I thought you would be
sleeping. Well, then Dad's mare started having her baby and
things got complicated and I had to fly in a specialist and ...
well, here I am."

"Yes, here you are. Let me understand this. I have been worrying
myself sick checking the news every ten minutes thinking the
worst and you were out helping A HORSE!!!!!!!!"

Lois has started to really scream at Clark and some in the
newsroom have turned to stare. "Lois," Clark urges, "Lower your
voice. Do you want everyone to know?"

"Clark, how could you be so inconsiderate!! It was bad enough
that you had to leave last night in the middle of that very
special moment, but this!!"

Lois has lowered her voice some and most in the newsroom have
gone back to work. Perry steps out of his office, but for once,
decides to keep his nose out of it. He knows whatever problem
Lois and Clark have they will work it out -- they always do.

"For over three years, Clark, three years, I have put up with you
leaving. I understand what you have to do. But stop for a moment
and look it from my point of view. You weren't there when I
wanted you and I accepted that. I accept that sometimes my bed
might be empty in the morning. After three years, I have learned
to accept a lot. But you always call or communicate and when you
didn't, well ... And now this baby. Clark, I need to know you are
going to be there when I need you, when the baby needs you, and
this stunt this morning, well ... "

"Stunt?! Lois, this was not a stunt. I was out helping people and
yes, I'm sorry I didn't call, but it was an accident. I just lost
track of time. I'm sorry."

"Look, Clark, this isn't like the doctor who comes home late from
the hospital and says 'oh, honey, sorry I didn't call I was busy
at the hospital.' At least she knew where he was!!! You could
have been at the ends of the earth and for all I know ... "

Lois quit ranting when she notices the distracted look on his
face. "Clark, are you listening to me? Clark?"

"Look, Lois, I hear something. Can we finish this discussion at
home tonight?"

"Clark, don't you dare walk out in the middle of this!"

"Look, Lois, I know this is important but so are the people being
held up at Metropolis National right now. I gotta run." He leans
over, kisses her cheek and dashes.

"Clark Jerome Kent, don't you think this fight is over. I know
you can hear me so don't think this is the end."

Lois continues to yell as he dashes out the door. Many in the
newsroom turn to look at Lois and then they get back to their
work. Perry having seen that Clark has left again heads over
towards Lois. "Lois, is everything all right? Where is Clark
going?"

"Out to save the world," Lois mutters, not really caring whether
Perry hears or not.

"What does that mean, Lois?" questions Perry.

"Nothing, Chief, nothing." Lois is exasperated and after her
fight with Clark she wants to get some air. "Hey Jimmy, want to
go to lunch? The baby and I just got very hungry."

"Sure, Lois, let's go. How about spicy Chinese?"

"Jimmy, that sounds like heaven." The baby kicks and Lois smiles.
"Looks like somebody else likes your idea, Jimmy."

They head out the door. Lois and Jimmy are in Lois' Jeep headed
for lunch. Jimmy is driving and Lois is talking about some recent
story. "So you see, Jimmy, what really happened was ... "

Lois' comments are cut short as a gray truck runs a stop sign and
hits the Jeep broadside. Jimmy tries to maintain control of the
Jeep, but it is impossible. The impact of the truck pushes the
Jeep into a wall and a head-on collision. This all happens within
a matter of minutes. No time for Lois to do anything, not even
scream for help.

Although Lois is wearing her seatbelt, the impact hit her side
hardest, and she has been pushed almost out of her seat and into
the windshield. She is knocked unconscious (don't worry, no head
traumas here. I promise!!). Jimmy is also knocked unconscious and
the driver of the truck is also out cold. Luckily a passing
motorist has witnessed the accident and calls for help on her car
phone.

Meanwhile, after the bank heist, Superman has headed out west to
help stop a raging forest fire. Suddenly, almost at the exact
moment of the crash, he feels something. Somehow he knows
something is wrong. He quickly extinguishes the fire and heads
for Metropolis.

Lois, Jimmy, and the truck driver were admitted to the hospital.
Jimmy awakens and after an examination it has been discovered he
has sustained only some minor cuts and bruises and a broken
wrist. As quickly as he can he phones the Planet to let Perry
know what is going on. Then he goes to check on Lois.

Perry is just hanging up the phone when Clark rushes in. His
superhearing catching the tail end of the conversation, but he
wants to check with Perry to see if there areany other details
before he panicks. Jimmy hadn't said anything about Lois. Maybe
that is a good sign.

Perry hangs up the phone and sees Clark enter his office. Slowly
he walks over and closes the door behind Clark. "Chief, what is
it? I know something is wrong. Where's Lois?"

The tension and angst in Clark's voice is obvious and Perry tries
to calm him as best he can. "Clark, why don't you sit down."

"Chief, just tell me; I know that something happened."

"After you and Lois had your little um ... discussion shall we
say, and you left, Lois and Jimmy decided to go to lunch
together."

Clark decides he better sit because he doesn't like the way this
is sounding.

"Apparently, Clark, as they were driving down Park Avenue a truck
ran a stop sign and hit Lois' jeep. Jimmy believes it was a drunk
driver."

Before Perry has even finished Clark is standing up prepared to
dash out. "How are they, Chief?" Clark askes, wondering if he
really wanted the answer.

"Jimmy seems to be OK, just a broken wrist."

Clark asks hesitantly, "And Lois?"

The Chief doesn't answer. "PERRY, HOW IS LOIS?!"

"The doctors don't know, Clark. The truck hit her side of the
Jeep and she was wearing her seatbelt, but ... "

That is all Clark needs to hear. He will find out the rest
himself. He almost SUPER dashes out of Perry's office, it takes
all his restraint not to. He waits only as long as necessary and
then changes and flies over to the hospital.

Chapter 5

Clark quickly lands at the hospital, changes and enters through
the emergency entrance. He quickly goes to the admitting station.
Trying to get a nurse's attention, he says, "Excuse me, I believe
my wife was brought in here. She has been in a car accident and
... " Clark tries not to let the panic he feels show in his
voice.

The nurse turnes to him. The nurse doesn't even look up but says,
"Name?"

"Clark Kent." That catches the nurse's attention. "Oh, Mr. Kent,
I'm sorry; I didn't realize it was you. We all read your and your
wife's columns. You two are just the best."

"About my wife," Clark says, trying not to sound exasperated.

"Oh, yes, I'm sorry; just let me check my records." With that she
turns to some charts sitting on her desk. She finds the one she
is looking for and as she opens the folder and reads the file,
the expression on her face changes. She becomes noticeably upset.
Clark notices the change and by this time is almost at the panic
stage.

The nurse sets the file down. "Mr. Kent, why don't you go sit
down. The doctors are in with your wife now and I'm sure as soon
as they know anything they will tell you."

"What are you not telling me?" Clark almost yells.

"Please, Mr. Kent, I can't say anything more, you will just have
to wait for the doctor."

The nurse is obviously uncomfortable and doesn't want to continue
her conversation. Clark has a thought and says to the nurse, "IF
the doctor comes, tell him he can page me at 555-1213. I have to
go get something. I will be back in about twenty minutes."

With that he dashes out the door and heads for Smallville. Within
five minutes he is at the farm. He runs in the house screaming,.
"Mom, Dad, where are you?"

He quickly scans the house and sees them upstairs. He dashes up
the stairs. Martha and Jonathan are playing a game of Scrabble.
The second he enters the room his parents can tell something is
wrong and they quickly get up from the table.

"Clark, what is it?" Martha asks. She knows just by one look at
her son that something is obviously wrong.

"Mom, Dad, I need you to come with me now. There's been an
accident, a drunk driver and Lois and ... "

Clark is too upset to continue. He breaks down in his parents'
arms. Both of his parents hold him for a moment. Clark regains
his composure. "Will you fly with me to the hospital? The doctors
and nurses won't tell me anything and I'm so upset. I thought
maybe you could help me handle this better."

"Son, you know we are always there for you. Let's go," both
parents say in unison. All three are back at the hospital in five
minutes and still waiting on the doctor.

"Mom, this is driving me crazy. I feel so useless. If anything
happens to Lois or the baby, I don't know what I am going to do."
Clark is on the verge of breaking down again.

Jonathan comes over. "Son, this is not your fault. Accidents
happen. Now we have to be strong for Lois and the baby. Remember
how strong she was when that Christmas bug almost killed you and
then again when you left for New Krypton. Well, now it's your
turn to be strong for her."

Father and son share a quiet moment. Suddenly, out of the corner
of his eye, Clark sees Jimmy. He has a cast on his wrist and a
few bruises. He cautiously approaches the Kents and Clark.

He just stands in front of Clark not knowing what to say. Finally
Jimmy gets the nerve to speak. "CK, I am so sorry. I didn't even
see the truck coming, I swear. I tried so hard, and -- oh God, if
anything happens to Lois or your baby, I will never forgive
myself." Jimmy starts crying.

"Jimmy, it wasn't your fault. I know you would never hurt Lois or
the baby. I can't count how many times I have told Lois what a
great friend you have been to us. I don't blame you for the
accident and I know Lois wouldn't either."

Jonathan steps into the conversation, "Why don't Martha and I go
down to the cafeteria and get us all some coffee. Jimmy, why
don't you wait with Clark for the doctor."

"Thanks, Dad."

Jonathan and Martha leave.

"Jimmy, I feel so bad. Lois and I had this fight and I left and
now ... " Clark is unable to continue.

"CK, Lois knows how much you love her. Everybody has a fight
sometimes. You can't expect it to be perfect all the time." Jimmy
acts as if he wants to continue the conversation but suddenly
tenses up.

The driver of the truck that had hit them is approaching them.
Clark had checked with the police and found that the driver's
blood alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit when he had
been driving the truck. The driver has been released from the
hospital and is waiting to go to police headquarters. He sees
Jimmy and Clark talking and wants to go over and say something.
He starts to head their way but then he loses his nerve and
quickly turns around. Not quickly enough however, because Jimmy
spots him.

Clark notices Jimmy's abrupt change. "Jimmy, what is it?"

"CK, that's the guy that was driving the truck that hit Lois and
me." Jimmy points to the man walking down the hall.

Without really thinking Clark gets up and chased after him. He
grabs the man and pushes him against a nearby wall. "Where do you
think you're going? Do you think you can just walk away? Do you
know what you have done?" Clark is practically screaming.

Jimmy had run after them, worried what Clark might do. Clark
continues to pin the man against the wall. The man attempts to
speak, "Mr. Kent, I am so sorry! I don't know what happened! That
stop sign came out of nowhere and ... "

"What do you mean, 'you don't know what happened'? I'll tell you
what happened. You decided to have a few mid- afternoon drinks
and then you decided to get in your truck and drive and then you
decided to run a stop sign. Do you know what you have done?!! My
wife and unborn child were in that car, along with another
innocent person. Your stupid recklessness might have cost them
their lives."

While Clark is saying all of this he is almost choking the man
with his grip. He has lost almost all sense of control. The only
other time he had been this way was with Lex when he had found
him in his apartment after the wedding fiasco.

Jonathan and Martha had returned from the cafeteria and looked
around for Clark and Jimmy. They find them in the back corner of
the hospital waiting room. Jimmy is trying to calm Clark down.

"CK, let him go!"

"Jimmy, how can you say that, after what he has done?"

Clark's grip tightens on the driver and he is obviously having
trouble breathing. Martha and Jonathan rush over. Jonathan talks
first, "Son, Jimmy's right. Put him down. This isn't going to
solve anything."

"Dad, he hurt Lois and the baby." Clark says, sounding like a mix
between a scared little boy and a very angry young man. Martha
tries to reason with him.

"Clark, is this what Lois would want? This man has suffered, and
he is going to suffer for the rest of his life, knowing what he
has done. Hurting him further is not going to help Lois heal. You
need to save your strength to help you and Lois and the baby get
through this. Don't waste your energy on him."

Martha is slowly making an impact and Clark lets the man go. He
gasps for breath and tries to talk. "Mr. Kent, I am so sorry and
... "

Clark gives him an extremely scary stare and says, "You better be
out of my face in two seconds or I am not going to be responsible
for my actions."

With that comment the man quickly darts out of the room. Clark
turns to his parents and Jimmy. "Thanks, guys; I don't know what
would have happened if you hadn't been here. I think I really
might have killed him."

Jonathan pats his shoulder, "Son, I can only imagine how you must
feel, but I know you would have done the right thing. We just
helped you do it faster."

"I don't know. I don't think I have ever been that angry."

Martha gives him a hug and says, "Well, I know my son is not a
killer, no matter how angry he gets."

The group has been so busy talking out the situation that they
don't see the doctor approaching. Finally he steps in.

"Clark Kent?"

Clark turns around. "I'm Clark Kent."

"I'm Dr. Keller. I'm the ER doctor who has been treating your
wife."

"How is she?" Clark asks anxiously.

The tension and emotion is obvious in Clark's voice. Jimmy and
Clark's parents are also gathered around waiting for the news.

"Mr. Kent, your wife was very lucky. I believe the fact that she
was wearing a seat belt saved her life. She sustained a mild
concussion and some cuts and bruises."

The relief that shows in Clark's face is evident to everyone.

Clark asks anxiously, "Can I see her. Is she OK? You see, my wife
has sort of a history with, shall we say, bumps on the head and
... "

"Yes," the doctor replies, "I reviewed your wife's medical
background but this incident seems to have caused no major head
trauma for you to worry about. However ... "

The doctor seems reluctant to continue. Clark can tell the doctor
is holding something back. He is almost afraid to ask.

His father jumps in, "Doctor, is there something more we should
know?"

The doctor continues hesitantly, "As you may know, a woman's body
can be a very precarious thing during a pregnancy. The baby
reacts to whatever experiences the mother goes through. It
appears that the accident has caused Lois to go into premature
labor. We have given her drugs to try to stop the contractions
but the next few hours are vital."

"Doctor," Clark almost yells, "My wife is only three months
along. A baby that young can't survive." Clark is almost near the
point of tears.

"Mr. Kent, we are doing all we can here. As I said, the next few
hours should tell us something. Now if you will excuse me I have
to check on another patient. Mr. Kent, you can visit briefly but
be aware that your wife has been through a traumatic experience
and she needs to rest and relax and give the medicine a chance to
work."

"I'm sorry, doctor, I didn't mean to yell ... it is just so ... "
Clark doesn't finish his sentence.

The doctor softens some. "It's OK, Mr. Kent, I understand. Your
wife is strong and healthy and she seems like a real fighter. I
wouldn't give up on your baby just yet."

The Kents thank the doctor and he leaves them to themselves.

Jimmy is the first to speak. "I am going to call the Chief and
update him on the situation." Turning directly to Clark he says,
"CK, you know what a fighter she is." They both grin. "Lois won't
give up this baby without a fight, and boy she can really be
stubborn."

"You're right, Jimmy, and I have to be supportive for Lois.
Thanks for being here, Jimmy. I don't know how I could have
gotten through this without you."

"Always glad to be of service. Just tell Lois that next time
she's driving."

With that comment Jimmy walks away to go find a phone. Clark and
his parents are alone. Clark is obviously fighting a lot of
emotions. Relief that Lois is OK, yet concern about the baby.

"I'm scared. I mean, what if something happens to the baby? This
baby is such an unknown. What if it can't survive the trauma? How
do we know how this half-human, half- Kryptonian baby will react
to anything? I don't know how to go in and face Lois."

"Son," Jonathan replies, "Because it is your baby it will be
strong. Stronger than most maybe. And don't leave Lois out of the
equation."

"That's right, Clark," Martha jumps in, "You have got one strong
,gutsy lady in there. I can't promise you that everything will
turn out the way you want. But you and Lois have enough strength
and love to face whatever might come next. Just do it together.
Go in there and be with your wife."

"You're right, mom, as usual. I just don't want to lose our
baby."

"I know, son," both parents say in unison. They give Clark a hug
and he heads off down the hall to see Lois.

Clark quickly finds her room and enters slowly. Lois appears to
be resting in the hospital bed. He comes over to her side. There
are obvious black and blue marks on her and a small bandage
wrapped around her head. Clark just stands there for a moment and
looks at her. Lois awakens and looks up at him.

She smiles weakly, "What, no cows to save?" She says, referring
to their last discussion.

Clark tries to talk, "Lois, I am so sorry. I should have been
there ... I should have stopped this ... I never should have left
... " Clark is near tears.

"Clark, I am sorry about our fight this morning. I knew a long
time ago that you had responsibilities. That is one of the
reasons I love you so much. Your dedication and your sense of
right and wrong. You can't be everywhere all the time. This was
an accident."

"Yes, I know, but I still feel responsible. Lois, I love you more
than anything in this world. I want to protect you from
everything bad the world has to offer. I want to always keep you
out of harm's way."

"Clark Kent, we had this discussion years ago. You can't always
protect me. You can try but nobody is perfect, not even Superman.
I love you and I know you will be there when I need you. I guess
I just get jealous having to share you with the world. It is just
my selfish nature, but I know in my heart that what you do is
important. You are making this place a better world for us and
... our baby."

With that comment Lois grimaces in pain, obviously experiencing a
contraction.

Clark gets a look of almost panic on his face. "Lois, should I
call the doctor?"

"No, Clark, they told me what was happening."

There is an uncomfortable silence in the room for a few moments.
Clark doesn't know what to say.

Lois speaks. "Clark," she says, emotion obvious in her voice,
"That's our son, trying to make an early entrance into this
world." Clark just stares speechless. "The nurse was in doing an
ultrasound and I asked her and she told me. She thought it might
make me fight a little harder if I knew exactly what I was
fighting for. Clark, I don't want this baby to die."

Lois is crying now too. Clark has overcome his momentary
speechlessness and comforts Lois.

"Lois, we have to believe that the baby ... our son ... is going
to be OK. He has to be. A boy, I can't believe it."

Clark looks down at Lois in bed. Slowly, gently, he leans over
and kisses her. They share a quiet moment together.

Then Lois speaks, "Clark, I want to name him after his
grandfathers. I like Samuel Jonathan Jor-El Kent. What do you
think?"

Clark is again overcome with emotion. "Lois, it sounds like a
great name. I think our fathers will be happy.

"You hear that, kid? You have a name, but you are going to have
to wait a few months before you can claim it, OK? No early
entrances. You hear me?"

Clark leans into Lois' stomach, "Don't know if you have super
hearing yet or not but this is your father and as my first
fatherly order I am telling you to stay put for a few more
months. OK? Don't be giving your Mom and me a hard time just yet.
You have years to do that."

Lois smiles at the image of this grown man, Superman, leaning
over and talking to her stomach. Suddenly the contractions stop.

"Clark, you did it. The contractions stopped."

"See, Lois, what did I tell you. I got this parenting thing down
pat. Now listen, I am going to sit over here in the corner and
let you sleep. You and Sam need all the rest you can get. I love
you, Lois."

"I love you too, Clark."

Clark leans over and gives Lois a quick kiss as she drifts off to
sleep. Clark settles into the chair in the corner and waits and
hopes and prays that everything will be all right. He is also
still getting used to the idea of having a son.

Jonathan and Martha take a quick peek in the room to check on
Lois and Clark. Jonathan goes over to Lois, and Martha, seeing
Clark in the chair, grabs a blanket and covers him up.

Clark turns to his parents. "Mom, Dad, it's a boy. Lois and I are
going to have a son." Clark refuses to think otherwise.

Both parents are very emotional. Martha starts to cry and so does
Jonathan.

"Son, I know you will make a great father."

"You're right, dad, because I learned from the best."

Martha gives her son a kiss on the cheek and both parents prepare
to leave.

"Your mother and I will be right outside, Clark, if you need
anything."

Clark drifts off to sleep with hopes and prayers that his son
will make it through the night. He realizes that even though he
is Superman, Lois' pregnancy has proven to him that there were
some things even he couldn't control. He could only wait and hope
for the best.

He smiles slightly as he is falling asleep, dreaming of all the
games of catch he has yet to play with Sam.

Chapter 6

Clark stays by Lois side throughout the whole ordeal. After a
touch-and-go night at the hospital, it seems as if Sam was
listening to his parents and staying put for a while longer.

Lois' contractions stop and after a few days she is released from
the hospital with a strict warning to get plenty of bed rest and
not to overdo things. Clark laughed when the doctor had told Lois
that.

"Mrs. Kent, I suggest you cut down on your workload a bit. I'm
not sure what another trauma or stress might do to the baby. You
and your son have been through quite an ordeal."

"I understand, doctor," Lois replies.

Clark just stares, amazed that Lois is offering no resistance.
Lois and Clark thank the doctor and leave the hospital. Clark
brings the car around and picks up Lois. They drive home in
relative silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Clark carries Lois' bags into the house and Lois Follows closely
behind.

"I really missed this place," Lois sighs.

"Well it missed your woman's touch. The place wasn't the same
without you," Clark says as he comes up behind her. Clark
continues, "Listen, Lois, sit down and stretch out here on the
couch. Can I get you anything?"

"Iced tea would be fine. Thanks, Clark."

Clark brings the tea over.

"So," he starts, "do you want to talk first or should I?"

"Clark, what more is there to say? You think I didn't take the
doctor seriously? I heard what he said."

"Yes, Lois, but I know you and I know how you like to be
consistently busy, working. I can't really recall you ever taking
it easy for more than a few days at a time."

Lois is quiet for a minute and then she replies, "That was before
... "

"Before what?"

"Before I almost lost Sam. Before I really realized how much you
and this baby really mean to me. Clark, I don't ever want to be
that scared again. I promise, if I have to tie myself to a bed,
I'll do what the doctor said. It may not be easy, but I'll try.
With your help."

"Lois, you will have my help for now and forever. I love you and
Sam more than I can ever say."

With that the two cuddle on the couch and Lois falls asleep in
Clark's arms.

The next three months passed rather quietly. Lois goes in for
regular check-ups and her pregnancy is progressing normally.
Clark is right though, it is very difficult for Lois not to stay
busy. She works out an arrangement with Perry to work in the
office three or four days a week and to tries to do some of her
work at home. She adaptes rather quickly to the new schedule but
she misses her old self, the tireless reporter always first on
the scene.

She also stays busy with other tasks. She and Clark have taken up
house hunting and Lamaze classes and that keeps them both busy.
Clark's Superman duties have also kept him busy, but he tries his
best to scale back a little, letting the police handle things
more often.

Together, they both try to change and adapt to their new
lifestyle. Lois becomes so involved with her new life that there
are times when it is hard for her to remember what life was like
before Clark and the baby. Clark's love and the baby have really
changed Lois but it isn't until the day he walks into the office
that Lois finally realizes just how much she has changed ...

Lois comes into the office and sits down. Lois is showing her
pregnancy by this time but she still always looks like she
stepped off a fashion catwalk. However, nothing could hide her
growing stomach. It had bothered her at first, but now she really
doesn't mind. It even gets her more sympathy around the office,
why, she almost never has to get her own coffee or lunch or
anything for that matter.

"Well," she thinks to herself, "I guess there are some benefits
to looking like a beached whale."

This morning the office is relatively quiet. There is a new copy
boy, Gerald, and Jimmy is showing him around the office. Jimmy
and Gerald walk over to her desk.

Jimmy starts the introductions. "Lois, I want you to meet our new
copy boy, Gerald. Gerald, this is Lois Lane- Kent, formerly star
reporter Lois Lane, now mother-to-be Mrs. Kent."

"Thanks, Jimmy. I think," says Lois, slowly getting up from
behind her desk. "Nice to meet you, Gerald. And contrary to
popular belief I am still the best reporter in this place, baby
or no baby.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Kent. Let me know if I can help you with
anything. I'm new but I learn the ropes pretty quickly."

The boys walk away and Lois goes back to work.

A few hours later ... the elevator door to the office opens and a
handsome stranger walks into the office. He is over six feet
tall, lean and muscular with blond hair and piercing blue eyes.
He looks around the office, obviously looking for someone or
something. About that time Gerald walks by and the stranger stops
him.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for someone. Could you help me?"

"Well, mister, I'm new here but I'll try."

"I'm looking for Lois Lane." Gerald had a puzzles look on his
face. The stranger continues, "You know Lois Lane, brunette,
great body, legs out to here, star reporter."

That last comment jars Gerald's memory. "You must mean Mrs.
Kent."

The stranger has been looking around the room but his head snaps
back at that comment. "Mrs. Kent?"

"Yeah," Gerald replied, "Your last comment about a star reporter
reminded me I met her this morning. However, I don't know about
the great body part," he laughs.

"What do you mean?" the stranger questions.

"Well," Gerald replies, finally pointing the stranger to Lois.
"It is hard to have a great body when you are six months
pregnant."

Gerald walks away laughing and the stranger finally catches sight
of Lois as she is getting up from her desk to get some papers.
The sight of her very obviously pregnant figure shocks the
stranger, and he stands in the hall for a few moments to gather
his thoughts.

Slowly, he makes his way over to her desk. Lois has gone back to
her desk and become involved in some research she is doing. It is
several minutes before she realizes that someone is near her
desk. She looks up and almost falls out of her seat in shock.

She would know those blue eyes anywhere. The hairstyle has
changed a little, the face looks a bit older, more weathered, but
those eyes, she would always remember his eyes. There is a few
moments of awkward silence before Lois speaks.

"Josh ... Josh Langston ... I don't believe it ... It has been
such a long time ... I thought you disappeared off the face of
the planet ... "

Lois attempts to get up but Josh makes her sit back down.

"No need to get up on my account ... Mrs. Kent ... "

"Oh hush," Lois says, getting up anyway and going over and
hugging Josh. Then she sits back down. "What have you been up
to?"

"I could ask you the same question, Lois, but I think the answer
is kind of obvious." Again there is awkward silence but this time
Josh speaks. "I never thought I would see the day ... Lois Lane
married and pregnant. Lois Lane, the eternal biting at your heels
for a quote, going to back alleys for sources, staying up till
all hours on a stakeout just for a story ... Is this the same
Lois Lane? Can't be. I just can't believe it ... "

"What can't you believe, Josh? That I'm married and pregnant or
that I'm married to someone other than yourself." That comment
hits home and Josh takes a step back. Lois realizes her comment
is un-called for. "Josh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. It's the
baby. You know how pregnant women can be, mood changes and all."

"No, Lois, you're right. I guess I deserved that. It has been a
long time, hasn't it. I guess things change. I also guess I liked
thinking I was going to be the only man in your life."

"Josh, that was almost ten years ago. I did care for you but we
weren't going in the same direction. You wanted to explore the
world and I was content staying here. It never would have
worked."

"So," Josh says carefully changing the subject. "Where is your
husband? I would like to meet the man that finally caught you
between stories."

Lois laughs at that comment and the tension disappears.
"Actually, he is out with our Realtor checking on a house."

"Whoa, a house. This can't be the same woman that said, 'I never
want more than three rooms and a kitchen and I really don't need
a kitchen because I hate to clean and I can't cook."

Again Lois laughs. During their exchange Clark has come back in
the office. Lois has not seen him and Clark having accidentally
overheard their conversation stops short. Who was this stranger?
How did he know Lois and why hadn't Lois mentioned him before.
His curiosity gets the best of him and he wanders over. Hearing
Josh's last comment he can't help but laugh also.

"Well," Lois says catching sight of her husband, "Here's the
house hunter now."

Clark comes over and kisses Lois on the cheek and stands beside
her in an almost defensive, possessive position.

"Clark, this is an old friend of mine, Josh. Josh, this is my
husband Clark." The two men shake hands. Lois continuee, "Josh
and I started here together as cub reporters. Worked really well
for a while until Josh decided the Planet was too small. He had
to go and what was it ... explore the world ... Earned two
Pulitzers along the way if I recall."

"Actually, Lois, it's three now," he says laughing, "That's one
of the reasons I'm here, passing through to pick up my latest
award."

"How long are you in town?" Lois asks.

"A few days."

"Well," she says, turning to Clark. "We will just have to have
you for dinner, although my husband will be cooking. Some things
never change."

Lois nudges Clark and he nods, "Yes, Josh, Lois and I would love
to have you for dinner," he says with a forced smile.

"Thanks. Let me go talk to Perry and I'll see what I can work
out. It was great seeing you, Lois," he says, leaning over and
giving her a kiss on the cheek. "And nice meeting you, Clark. You
got yourself a good one there."

"Don't think I don't know it," he says with a little bite to his
comment.

As Josh walks away, Clark turns to Lois. "OK, Lois, you have some
explaining to do. Do you mind telling me who that was?"

"Oh, Josh. He is just an old friend. Someone I haven't seen in a
very long time." Lois is avoiding eye contact with Clark.

"Ten years, right?"

That gets her attention. "Clark, how could you? I hate it when
you eavesdrop!"

Lois gets angry and starts to walk away, but Clark gets her and
turns her around. "I'm sorry, Lois. I didn't mean to, it's just
that, well, I saw him talking to you and the two of you seemed so
intense, I guess I couldn't help but overhear."

"Clark Kent, this is me you are talking to. Don't try any of your
lame excuses. I'm mad!"

"Look, Lois, don't you think I should be the one who is mad? We
have been married for over three years, known each other longer
than that and in all this time I have never heard his name. Why
didn't you tell me?"

The hurt expression on Clark's face changes Lois' attitude.
"Clark, there is nothing to tell, it was all a long time ago,
OK."

Lois leans over to kisses him and Clark has every intention of
finishing the conversation when he hears someone calling for
help.

He gives her one of those "this isn't over yet" looks and then
says, "I gotta run, we will finish this at home."

He dashes off and Lois whisperes, "There is nothing to finish and
don't forget we are having company for dinner."

Clark looks at her from across the room and then dashes off.
Perry and Josh come out of Perry's office laughing and chatting
like two long lost friends.

"Well, it has been great seeing you. I thought for sure one day I
would see your name in the obits, having been shot by some
sniper's bullet in some backwater country and getting the story
of a lifetime out of some front-line soldier. Glad to see that
bullets bounce off you pretty well."

"Actually, Perry, a few stray bullets did find their way to me
but nothing seems to keep me down for long."

Lois looks at him from across the room and she remembers all of
the great times they had shared. For one moment she is lost in
memories until Sam kicks, bringing her back to reality. Sam kicks
again harder and Lois in obvious discomfort makes her way to the
nearest seat. Both Perry and Josh see her and rush over to help.

"Here, Lois," Perry says, giving her a hand to sit down. Lois
gratefully accepts.

"Thanks, Perry. I guess Sam is being a little feisty this
afternoon."

"Sam?" Josh questions.

"Sam," Lois says and pats her stomach. Josh still seems a little
confused. "See, Josh, Clark and I already know the baby is a boy
so we have named him Sam after my father."

"Lois, I'll say it again. Some things have really changed,
especially if you are on talking terms with your father."

"Yeah well, we mended our relationship before the wedding. I
think my marriage plus impending grand-fatherhood has changed him
some."

Perry steps back and looks at the two young people. He had
forgotten how well Josh and Lois interacted with each other. He
had only been editor a short time when two wet- behind-the-ears
college graduates applied for the job of reporter.

He had liked them both on the spot and hiring them had been one
of his best decisions. He had hated to see Josh leave but he
understood a young man's yearnings. Lois had seemed to be upset
with Josh's leaving as well but he never broached the subject
with her, and hell, that had been a long time ago. A lot of
things had changed since then.

Perry interrupts their conversation. "Look, folks, feel free to
carry on but I have work to do." Turning to Josh, "Good to see
you again, son, and stay away from those bullets!"

Josh shakes Perry's outstretched hand. "Thanks, Perry, I'll try.
At least for a little while." Turning to Lois, Josh finishs their
conversation. "So, Lois, where did your husband disappear to? I
was interested in learning more about this mystery man."

Lois takes Josh's hand and gets up out of her seat. Together they
walk over to her desk. "He had some last- minute errands to run,
but he was just as anxious to talk to you. So ... will you come
to dinner tonight? I promise I won't cook."

Josh laughs. "Sure, Lois, I would love to have dinner with you
and Clark. What time is good?"

Chapter 7

Evening finds Lois and Clark back at their apartment. Lois is
setting the table and Clark is tidying up the apartment. Clark
still has a lot of questions about Josh.

"So, tell me again, Lois, who Josh is and why I haven't heard
about him."

"Clark, I keep telling you, Josh is just an old friend. We
started out at the Planet together. We both had just graduated
college and we were both rookie reporters; I guess we had some
things in common. We helped each other on our first few stories
and I guess our friendship grew out of that.

"Gradually, as we got more experienced, we started working more
on our own. Somehow, though, I think this made the friendship
stronger."

Lois finishes setting the table and sits down on the couch. Clark
comes over to her.

"Lois, I can tell there's more to this story. In the three years
we have been married, even longer than that really, we have had
no secrets, yet I can tell you are hiding something."

Lois gets a hurt look on her face. "Clark, how could you think
such a thing!! We were friends, nothing more ... unless ... "

"Lois?" Clark questions.

"OK, OK! So maybe ... just maybe we became a little more than
friends, and maybe, just maybe, he asked me to marry him and run
away to God knows what forsaken country ... It was a long time
ago, Clark, a time I would almost like to forget."

Clark sits on the couch, listening. He doesn't interrupt Lois. He
just listens. Somehow he knows Lois needs to tell her story.

She continues, "I was alone in the big city. Dad was, well, you
know. Mom was buried in a bottle half the time and Lucy was away
at school. I was lonely, and scared, just starting out on my own.
Josh was on his own too ... no family ... His parents were killed
in a car wreck when he was in high school and he had been on his
own ever since.

"I guess you could say we shared a common bond. We connected and
we cared about each other, but when he came to me that day and
asked me to run away I knew whatever we had was over. I really
did care about Josh, but I couldn't do what he was asking.

"The Planet, Metropolis, the life I had built here was the first
steady thing I could really remember having in my life for a long
time. It was comfortable and it was stable and I needed that.
Josh couldn't seem to understand that, so we had this HUGE
argument, and then he left.

"Until today, that was really it. Oh, I got a few postcards from
time to time and I guess I kept up with him a little through the
media, but that is it, Clark."

Clark had been silent through this whole thing. He is trying to
absorb everything Lois had said. Finally he speaks. "Lois, why
haven't you told me this all before?"

"Because it never came up; because that is a part of my life I
would like to forget. I don't ever talk much about my life back
then."

Clark looks over at his wife and feels mixed emotions. Anger at
having been kept in the dark about this part of her life, yet
mostly sadness and regret at the kind of life Lois had to endure.
He moves over and sits closer to Lois.

"So." Lois looks up at him, "Are you mad?"

Clark pauses for a moment. "Lois, I am not mad; just
disappointed, a little. I wish you had told me sooner."

Clark looks at his wife and realizes with sadness, once again,
how tough her growing up must have been. He was the lucky one
with supportive parents to help him through. In a way, maybe he
was glad Josh had been there to make things a little easier for
her; yet also maybe, he was a little jealous that somebody
besides himself had been there for Lois.

Lois continues. "What Josh and I shared was a friendship and
companionship. Two lonely people trying to help each other, make
things a little brighter sometimes, but that was my past, Clark.
I almost feel like that was another person who lived through
those years."

She smiles up at Clark. "My real life didn't start until I met
you! You and Sam are my life now, Clark, and that is all that
matters."

Lois tears up and she snuggles closer to Clark. She needs his
reassurance that everything is going to be OK. This successful,
beautiful mother-to-be could still be haunted by her past
experiences, could still feel some insecurities.

Clark looks down at Lois and sees the emotions in her face.
Instead of saying anything, he leans over and kisses her. That is
all she needed. His kisses, his warm touch, that is all Lois
needs to put her insecurities to rest, at least for this time.
(Well, what pregnant woman doesn't get insecure, right??)

They continue to snuggle on the couch until Clark's expression
changes.

"Clark, you've got that look."

"What look?" he asks innocently.

"You know very well what look."

Clark looks over at her again.

"Clark, we have company coming for dinner!! Can't it wait?"

"No, Lois, it can't, but I will be back as soon as I can. There
are people in California right now trapped in a wildfire!!"

And with that he is up from the couch and out the window.

"Yeah, great excuse," Lois mumbles to herself.

She pats her stomach and says her favorite phrase, "Well, kid, it
looks like it's just you and me again. Daddy's flown off to save
the world."

Lois goes back to tidying up the kitchen and a few minutes later
the doorbell rings. Lois goes to the door and opens it to find
Josh standing there bearing a bouquet of flowers in one hand and
a bottle of wine in the other.

"Hi, Lois. Can I come in?"

"Josh, come in, please," Lois says, laughing as Josh makes his
way into the apartment, trying to balance the wine and the
flowers.

"Thanks. Here, these are for you, still like flowers, right?"

"Right, of course," Lois says taking the flowers. "I'll go put
these in some water. Sit down and make yourself comfortable, I'll
just be a minute."

Josh sits for a moment and then realizes he still has the bottle
of wine in his hands. Lois enters the room.

"Here, I brought this for the dinner tonight, non- alcoholic of
course. I didn't know what kind you and Clark might like and ...
speaking of which, where is your husband?"

"Oh, he's uh ... out chasing down a lead ... for a story we are
working on. Not exactly like I'm in any condition to go out."
Lois laughs nervously.

"Lois, I know you too well -- there's more, isn't there?"

"Oh, OK. Clark thought we might like some time alone, to, you
know, catch up and all. I'm sure he will be back soon. While we
are waiting, why don't I go get the appetizers."

As Lois leaves for the kitchen; Josh starts wandering around the
apartment, not really being nosy, just the reporter's instinct in
him. He comes to a table with quite a lot of photographs on it.
He picks up their wedding picture and stares at it. A million
thoughts run through his head as he stares at the picture.

She was so beautiful and she looked so happy. Josh could only
hope that Lois was as happy as she appeared. He realized a long
time ago what a jerk he had been to leave the way he did, but
that was in the past, and if Lois was truly happy then he could
do nothing but be happy for her. He quickly put the picture down
and composes himself as Lois comes over with a tray of food.

"Chinese dumpling, Josh?"

"Lois, you remembered," Josh says laughing as he popped the food
in his mouth.

It was Josh who had first introduced Lois to spicy Chinese food.
Josh takes the drink Lois offers and continues. "You know I think
I can still taste the grease from that god-awful Chinese place we
ate during that stakeout."

"Josh, it wasn't that bad."

"Lois!!"

"OK, maybe it was bad, so these will make up for it, OK?"

They make their way to the couch.

"So, tell me more about you, Josh. I heard you swapping some
stories with Perry as you left. What have you been up to for the
last ten years? How did you get all those Pulitzers? What's the
secret?"

"No secret, Lois, just happened to be in the right place at the
right time. Got a good story. Period. That's all."

"Josh, it couldn't have been that simple. Tell me about where you
went, the people you saw. Did you meet anyone special?"

Lois' last question catches Josh off guard. Lois sees a look and
continues to pry. "Tell me, Josh, I can tell, there WAS someone,
wasn't there?"

"Why, Lois? Are you jealous?"

Josh is teasing her but Lois blushes just the same. "For God
sake, Josh! Look at me," she says, referring to her bulging
stomach. "I'm a very pregnant married woman. Me? Jealous? Ha. I
just want to hear one of those Pulitzer stories straight from the
horse's mouth, so spill."

Josh looks a bit uncomfortable. "Lois, shouldn't Clark be coming
home any minute? Maybe I will wait and tell you both."

"Josh, you're stalling, I can tell. Don't forget who taught you
the tricks of the trade."

"Who taught who?" Josh says, looking over at Lois.

They both laugh. When their laughter subsides, Lois continues.

"Seriously, Josh, I am interested. It must have been exciting and
fascinating to see all of the places you have been, not like I'm
an amateur, but you've gone into places even I've never been."

"Well thank you for that compliment, Lois."

"You're welcome, and you are still stalling. Tell me about your
last place, where did you win your latest Pulitzer?"

"Bosnia."

Josh doesn't say anything else for a moment. Lois senses that he
needs to talk.

Quietly she askes, "Do you want to tell me about it?"

"It was a war, Lois, what is there to tell?"

Josh has this look in his eyes. Lois recognizes it. She had seen
the same look on Clark's face when he had first returned from his
own war. They had seen and experienced too many things, things
which could never be fully described, things that could still
haunt you late into the night.

Clark's eyes had gradually softened after his return home, but
sometimes, when a gruesome news story came up, or when Clark had
a bad day trying to save the unsavable, that look returned to his
eyes. It is the same look Josh has.

Lois can only imagine what Josh must have seen. There is silence
in the room for a moment and then Josh speaks.

"You were right earlier, Lois."

"About what?"

"There was a woman. In fact she reminded me a lot of you. I was
sent to cover that civil war -- God, what a sight to see ...
landing in that war-torn country ... I don't think I will ever
forget ... "

Josh drifts off for a moment and Lois for once is quiet.

Josh continues. "Anyway, I landed in Bosnia just as the war was
heating up and there seemed to be no end in sight. A bunch of us,
freelance reporters all of us, found a place to stay. It wasn't
much but ... Anyway, about my third or fourth day there I am out
at this market place trying to buy some bread when the next thing
I know I was flat on the ground. I don't know if you remember
that market massacre but I was a part of that hell."

Lois remembers seeing the pictures on TV and remembers the
outrage and frustration she had felt. It pains her to think of
Josh in the middle of that.

"Anyway, I woke up a few days later and I was in the hospital and
I saw this Red Cross woman and ... well, needless to say, she
helped nurse me back to health, when she wasn't bringing other
wounded in or facing snipers alley to get food for us all.

She was amazing. One of the most fearless women I have ever
met."

Josh stalls for a moment and then continues. "I left the hospital
a few days later but ... Beth was her name, she was an American
volunteer and well ... when I got back to the hotel I couldn't
stop thinking about her, so I went back a few days later and
found her and asked her out.

We didn't have much of a date really, nothing much to do in that
place, but we sat and talked and talked and talked. She was like
me, alone, no family. She just wanted to help people. We fell in
love over there. Me telling stories, her saving lives. We just
clicked, you know."

Indeed Lois did know, in fact Josh's tale of his circumstances
reminds her of herself and Clark at times; her writing the
stories, him saving lives.

"So what happened, Josh?"

"What do you think, Lois? It was a war, things happen!"

Josh got up from the couch, and Lois, taken aback by his harsh
comment, says nothing. Finally Josh breaks the uncomfortable
silence.

"I'm sorry, Lois, that was uncalled-for. It's well ... this is
the first time I have really talked about all of it."

Lois walks over and comforts Josh, yet she also pushes because
somehow she knows he needs to get the rest of the story out. She
remembers one of Clark's first nights back. He had flown over to
her and woken her up and cried for what seemed like hours and
then he talked for hours more. It helped, he had said, to talk
about it. It made it a little easier to bear.

Lois knows Josh needs the same thing right now, so she listens.

Josh continues. "It was one of the final days of the war. We had
been together for over a year, and we made plans to come back to
the States together ... maybe get married.

Beth had gone out to try to get supplies for the hospital. I
tried to stop her but she was so stubborn, she insisted that it
would only take a minute and she would be right back. Then she
kissed me and walked out the door.

I guess the peace and quiet we had felt over the past few days,
the promise for peace, had lulled us into a false sense of
security. Anyway, she was caught by a sniper's bullet. They found
her in the street with scattered medical supplies around her."

All this time Josh had been talking to Lois with his back
turned.

"I tried to stop her, I really did, Lois. Maybe if I had been
more insistent ... maybe ... "

Josh can't continue. He turns around and Lois can see that he has
been crying. She comes over to him to reassure him like the many
times she had reassured Clark when he had been unable to save
someone.

"Josh, I am so sorry, but you know it's not your fault."

"I just wish I could have done something more."

"It sounds to me, Josh, that you did the best you could. In that
place, under those circumstances, there wasn't a lot anybody
could do."

They comfort each other for a moment and then Josh speaks again.
"That's why I came back, Lois."

Lois steps away, surprised by his comment. "What do you mean?"

"Lois, after everything I saw and experienced I wanted to come
back to a place that held good memories. I wanted to come back
and see that the world wasn't as mean and sick and twisted as I
had begun to think it was."

Suddenly Clark's comments rang through Lois' head. "Lois, I had
to come back to earth, I needed you and my parents. I needed
reassurances that the world wasn't as bad as I had begun to think
it was."

It hit Lois how much alike these two men were. Both had been
through the horrors of war, both men carried scars from their own
private battlefields. It was just that Clark was a little luckier
than Josh. Clark still had Lois while Josh had lost his Beth.

The pair comfort each other for a few minutes then Josh pulls
away and composes himself again.

"All right, Lois, enough about me," he says, attempting to
brighten the mood. "I want to hear all about you. Are you
happy?"

They continue this conversation while making their way over to
the couch. They both proceed to sit on the couch.

"Yes, Josh, I'm very happy."

Just then Sam kicks and Lois laughs.

"OK, Sam, WE'RE very happy. Happier than I thought I could be.
Clark is everything I wanted in a husband, and more ... " Lois
smiles to herself.

"Lois, as long as you are happy that is all I ever wanted."

They sit in a peaceful silence for a few moments.

"OK, so tell me the story of you two. And, I want to know one
thing. Why," he says, picking up the wedding picture, "wasn't I
invited to the wedding? And you have to start from the beginning,
although I would like to hear Clark's side of the story. If I
hear it from you I may be here all night."

"And what," Lois says, hands on her hips, "exactly, are you
implying? Are you saying I babble?"

"No ... Lois, I would never say that ... " Lois rolls her eyes.
"It's just that I would like a male perspective. By the way,
where is your husband, wasn't he due in awhile ago?"

Lois and Josh had lost track of the time as they had been
talking. Clark had been gone for over an hour.

"Yes, he should have. And it was just a fire and ... " Lois
catches herself.

"Lois, I thought you said he was tracking a lead."

"Right, to a, uh, an arson story. Checking down a lead about a
local firebug, causing big problems ... you know."

Lois turns from Josh and is heading for the TV to check the news.
Josh can tell something is up but he doesn't push it. Just as
Lois leans over to turn on the TV, the phone rings.

"Josh, can you get that?"

"Sure, Lois. Hello, Kent residence. Yes, just a moment. Lois,
it's for you," Josh says, handing the phone to Lois.

"Thanks," she whispers, hand over the phone and then continues to
speak.

She had turned the TV on mute and is concentrating on the phone
conversation.

"Hi, Martha. Who was that? Just an old friend, and ...

Lois doesn't finish her end of the conversation and Josh turns
his attention to the TV. Something is being said about Superman.
Josh turns as he hears the phone drop and sees Lois standing in a
state of shock staring at the television.

Chapter 8

Josh turns as he sees Lois drop the phone and stare at the
television. Then Lois starts to whisper, "No, no, NO, CLARK!!!!"

Her whispering has gradually gotten louder and her last comment
has almost turned into a scream. Lois goes weak in the knees and
almost faints. Josh runs over to catch her.

He helps her to the couch, laid her down, and then goes back to
the phone. "Hello? Hello?"

Martha Kent is on the other line. "Hello, who is this please?"

"My name is Josh. I am an old friend of Lois'. Who is this?"

"This is her mother-in-law. Can you please stay with Lois? She
needs a friend right now."

"Yes, I will stay, but can you please tell me what is going on?"

"I can't. Just please help Lois. I have to go. Thank you for
being there."

"You're welcome," Josh says to a dead phone line.

He hangs up the phone and goes to check Lois. She has calmed down
a bit but is now glued to the television. She has turned up the
volume and sits entranced by the newscaster's voice.

"It appears that Superman has been caught in a cave-in. A mine
shaft had collapsed here in West Virginia and Superman had flown
in to rescue the trapped miners. He brought them all to safety
and says he was going down for one last inspection, to make sure
there were no hidden dangers. However, that was almost twenty
minutes ago and nobody has heard from him as of yet. The miners,
all of us here, and many around the world wait anxiously for
Superman to reappear. For now, this is Todd Breaker reporting for
LNN."

Lois has been eerily quiet during this whole story. Suddenly the
phone rings again and Lois snaps out of her daze to answer it.

"Hello? Perry. Yes, I just saw the story. No, I know I am in no
condition to do the story."

During the conversation Lois has somewhat regained her composure.
She knows she has to be strong for many reasons. She continues
the conversation.

"Yes, Perry. Clark just dashed out of here a few minutes ago to
get a jump on the story."

Josh has been watching the television but is keeping one ear on
her conversation. Lois' last comment makes him stare at her.

"What is she talking about? Clark hasn't been here all night. Why
is she lying to Perry and what is she hiding?"

All of these thoughts rush through Josh's mind as Lois ends her
conversation.

"No, Perry, he was in such a rush he forgot his beeper, but I
promise you, he will have the exclusive as soon as Superman
surfaces. How do I know? Call it a woman's intuition. Yes, Josh
is here, so I'll be fine. Talk to you later."

With that Lois hangs up the phone and returns to the couch. Josh
confronts her.

"LOIS," he demands, "WHAT IS GOING ON? First your mother-in-law
tells me to help you and then you lie to Perry and then ... "

Josh stops as he realizes something is wrong with Lois. She is
acting as if she is in pain.

"Lois, what is it? Is it the baby?"

"Yes, Josh, I'm having some labor pains. Sam, you promised to
stay put."

Lois is trying to keep a brave face but she is in obvious pain.

"Lois, is there anything I can do? Has this happened before?"
There is a note of panic in his voice.

"Yes, Josh, in the cabinet over there is some medication; could
you get it please?"

Josh gets up, retrieves the medicine and gets Lois a glass of
water to swallow it. Lois takes the pill and waits, hoping the
labor will stop.

"This happened once before about three months ago after the car
accident."

"Car accident, what car accident?"

"Jimmy and I were hit by a drunk driver on our way to lunch. The
stress of the accident caused me to go into premature labor."

"So, you're saying this labor is stress-induced? OK, LOIS. WHAT
is going on to make you this stressed out?! First you freak out
over a phone conversation and then you just stare at the TV and
then to top it all off you LIE -- to PERRY!"

Josh is exasperated and confused and he wants answers. "And one
more thing, where is your husband? Shouldn't he be here to help
you cope with whatever it is that is wrong?"

That comment is the straw that breaks the camel's back. All of
Lois' emotion burst forth and she starts to sob and ramble
incoherently.

"Oh, Josh, Clark can't leave me. He promised to always be with
me, he can't die!!!"

Josh goes over to hold Lois and try to make sense of her
comments. "Lois, what are you talking about? You told me he was
on a story. I'm sure he will be back soon."

Josh is beginning to think that Lois' ramblings are just the
overwrought emotions of a pregnant woman. Yet there are still
pieces missing.

"Josh, you don't understand."

"Lois, I am trying but you're making it rather difficult. Why
don't you tell me what's really got you worried and why you had
to cover for your husband and lie to Perry."

Lois finally stops crying and looks at Josh. She studies him for
a moment, staring into his intense blue eyes. Then she whispers,
"I can trust you."

It is a comment, not a question. Lois has to make a judgment
call, one of the most important calls of her life. But she knows
the moment she had made the statement she was right.

Once, a long time ago, she had trusted him with her life. They
had both been working undercover on their first big story, about
some local drug smugglers. They were hiding in an alley when
something, some noise had exposed their hiding place. Next thing
they knew they were being chased and shot at. Those were the days
before you could simply yell, 'Help, Superman!'

Lois was scared and she didn't know what to do, but Josh had led
her to a safe place and they had hidden until they were safe. It
was only when they finally came out that Lois realized Josh had
been shot. He had literally taken a bullet probably intended for
her.

It was a minor wound, but the point was made. Josh could be
trusted with her life. Lois is about to test that trust again.
She is going to trust Josh with the biggest secret of her life.
She needs him now and she knows she has to tell him the truth.

"Josh, you deserve the truth."

Josh looks at Lois and suddenly he isn't sure he wants the truth.
Lois continues to wince in pain but she knows she has to tell
Josh. Josh can tell Lois is in obvious pain and he realizes how
rough he has been. His attitude softens.

"Look, Lois, just relax a minute. This isn't doing you or the
baby any good. I'm sorry I was so rough earlier. Just relax, OK?
Why don't you wait until Clark comes home and then all three of
us can talk this through."

Lois wants to cry again but she maintains her composure. "Josh,
Clark might not be coming home." And with that comment Lois lets
forth again and cries.

"Lois, what are you talking about? Clark will probably be home
any minute."

"God, Josh, I hope you are right, but I just don't know."

"OK, Lois, I give up. Why won't Clark be home. Is he a spy? A
secret agent sent out on a dangerous mission? Who is your
husband?"

Josh is trying to be humorous, trying to lighten the tension, but
Lois' next comment sobers him up quickly.

"That," Lois says pointing to a picture of Superman on TV, "THAT
is my husband."

"What? Lois, the baby must be doing strange things to you. The
news report is talking about Superman. What's going on, Lois? Why
isn't Clark here?" Josh is quickly losing patience.

"According to the news report, Clark isn't here because he is
trapped in a cave-in. Oh, Josh, what am I going to do?"

Lois starts to cry again and Josh sits in a state of shock trying
to absorb Lois' last statements.

Chapter 9

"OK, OK," Josh thinks, "this woman has lost it. I mean something
is wrong but to think that Superman is her husband ... must be
the baby, yeah, that's it. I will just sit here and play along
until Clark comes home and we can straighten this out. That is
the only reasonable explanation for this."

Josh is thinking this while trying to comfort Lois. Lois stops
crying and is trying to compose herself, which isn't easy.
Finally Josh speaks.

"Lois, everything will be OK. I just know Clark will be home
soon. Listen, why don't you tell me about how the two of you got
together, it will help pass the time."

Slowly Lois starts. "It was about five years ago when Clark came
to the Planet and Perry teamed us up."

"Teamed you up? Lois, you hated the idea of being a team. Even
when we worked together you never called it a team. You said it
was just two people working toward a mutual goal."

"I know, Josh. I hated the idea of this 'hack from nowhereville'
working with me, but Perry insisted, and, well, I wasn't in a
position to argue. Eventually Clark's skills began to match my
own and ... " Lois smiles and Josh rolls his eyes. "OK, Clark was
good, even from the beginning, I just never wanted to admit it."

"Imagine that," Josh says sarcastically.

"May I continue?"

"By all means, Lois, don't let me interrupt."

"Clark and I did become partners, then friends, then more than
friends. It took me a long time to admit my feelings for Clark.
After you left I had one disastrous affair and an almost marriage
to a lunatic and ... needless to say, I didn't have a great track
record and I was scared."

Josh interrupts. "Listen, Lois, about us ... I was a real jerk to
leave the way I did. I was just so hurt and angry and sad that I
didn't know what to do so I just left. I hope you know how much I
regretted that decision."

"I know, Josh, we all make mistakes. I almost made a huge mistake
by not allowing Clark to become a part of my life. I pushed him
away but he always came back and eventually I quit pushing. We
decided to get married and then ... well, let me quickly bypass
the kidnapping, cloning, frog-eating impostors, trips to another
galaxy, and get to the important part, we got married!!"

"Sounds exciting, Lois, though I'm not quite sure I got all the
details. But what matters is now and ... Lois, are you listening
to me?"

In fact, Lois isn't listening to Josh because she hears another
voice. Clark had discovered when he got back from New Krypton
that his powers of telepathy had stayed with him; however, unlike
all of his other powers, he wasn't as comfortable with this gift
and it took a lot of effort on his part so he very rarely used
it. But as Josh drones on Lois can swear she hears him.

"Lois, I'm OK and I'm coming home."

Lois quickly jumps off the couch and rushes over to the
television just in time to see Superman dart out of the tunnel
and streak skyward.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it appears as if Superman is going to be
OK. He has darted out of here rather quickly but I am sure an
explanation will soon be forthcoming. For now the world sighs a
big sigh of relief because Superman is safe and sound. LNN
reporting."

"Clark's coming home."

Josh looks at Lois, then at the TV then back to Lois. This whole
situation is spooking him so he decides to break the tension.

"Lois, why don't I go run down to the store and pick up some of
your favorite ice cream. That always seemed to help."

"Huh? Oh, OK, Josh, whatever."

Lois wanders over to the window and is not really paying Josh
much attention. Josh takes one last look at Lois and then heads
out the door. A few minutes later Clark flies in the window and
into Lois outstretched arms. Lois collapses in tears of joy and
Clark just stands and holds her. Finally she stopscrying.

"Clark, I thought I had lost you again. I was so afraid. I
couldn't lose you, not again ... "

"Shh, Lois, it's OK. I'm here, see? Everything is going to be
OK."

They hold each other for a few more minutes, then Lois finally
lets go and really looks at her husband. He is covered from head
to foot with soot and dirt and his cape is torn and tattered, but
to her he has never looked better.

"Oh, Clark, I was so worried. Your mom called, and then I saw the
news and then ... "

"Lois, we should call my parents."

"We can in a minute. Let me hold you just a little longer to make
sure you are real."

"Lois, the whole time I was down there the only thing that kept
me going was thoughts of you and Sam. I just couldn't imagine not
being able to see you, not being able to see Sam grow up. I had
to make it through. You saved me, Lois, you and Sam."

"Clark, what did happen?"

"Lois, it is a long story, one I would prefer to tell in clean
clothes. OK?"

"OK, just one more minute. I want to hold you again."

Lois again holds onto Clark, reassuring herself that everything
is really going to be OK. Then she hears a noise.

"Lois, they didn't have your favorite ice cream so I got vanilla
and chocolate sauce and ... "

Josh doesn't finish his statement. Lois turns and sees Josh drop
the groceries and stare at the scene in front of him. Lois is
covered in soot and dirt wrapped in a passionate embrace with ...
Superman. All he can do was stare speechlessly. Clark tries to
quickly cover.

"This isn't what it looks like. I mean ... "

Actually, Clark doesn't know what he means. He just knows he
needs to do something fast. However, Lois' next statement at once
defuses the tension, yet also adds to it at the same time.

"Its OK, Clark. He knows. He was here when all this happened and
I had to tell him. I was going crazy with worry."

"LOIS, YOU DID WHAT!!? How could you..?"

"Clark, we can trust him. I wouldn't have told him otherwise. I
needed a friend, someone to confide in, and he was here."

"Lois, I'm sorry. I can only imagine what you must have gone
through. How is the baby?"

"Well, now that you mention it, I was having some labor pains,
but now that Daddy is home," Lois says speaking to her stomach,
"everything is going to be OK. Right, Sam?"

Clark knelt down to Lois' stomach. "Hey, kid, listen to your mom.
You still got a few more months, OK. Now stay put and that's an
order."

Lois' contractions stopped. "Well, once again father saves the
day. I hope he listens to you that well after he's actually
born."

"Yeah, me too. Now I am going to change and you might want to
check on your friend. He seems to be in a state of shock."

They kiss briefly and Clark heads for the shower and Lois goes
over to Josh. The whole time Josh has stayed on the couch,
staring at Lois and Clark not saying anything.

"Here, Josh, let me take the ice-cream and groceries before they
melt."

"What? Oh, the groceries. Right, OK."

Lois takes the groceries to the kitchen and puts them away and
then returns.

"Josh, are you OK?"

"You weren't kidding, were you? You really are married to
Superman."

"Yes, Josh, that IS what I said."

"I know, Lois, it's just that well ... " he gets this sheepish
look on his face, "I kind of chalked up your rantings to the
delusions of a pregnant woman. I didn't actually take you
seriously ... I mean who could have imagined."

"Well," Lois says sarcastically, "it's nice to know you have such
faith in me."

"Lois, I will NEVER, repeat NEVER, doubt you again. WOW!! You're
married to Superman. What a story that would be."

Lois gets a very worried look on her face. Josh quickly reassures
her.

"Lois, I would never betray your trust, not even for a fourth
Pulitzer." They both laugh. "You know, Lois, in all my living I
never thought I could be more shocked than seeing you this
afternoon at the Planet, married and pregnant. Tonight proved me
wrong. I think I have had enough shock to last me three
lifetimes."

Clark has entered the room and speaks to Josh. "Thank you, Josh,
for being here to help take care of my wife."

Lois walks over to Clark and Josh can't help but smile.

"Anytime. Listen, I am just glad to be here for her. I owed Lois
big time and now I guess I have helped to pay back some of my
debt to her."

Lois walks over to Josh.

"That was a long time ago, Josh, and what is important is that
you were here now, when I needed you. Sam and I both thank you."

"Hey, how is the baby?"

Lois smiles and walks back to Clark.

"Now that Clark's back, the baby and I are just fine."

Josh gets up from the couch.

"Lois, I am glad to hear that. Look, it has been a long night.
I'm sure you two would like some time alone. I will be in town a
few more days. Maybe we can reschedule a lunch or dinner?"

"Josh, I would like that very much. I would like to hear more
about your adventures with Lois."

Lois looks at the two men and smiles. She is very glad both of
them are a part of her life.

"I will call you. I still have to get that male perspective I was
telling Lois about. Gotta share some of your secrets, OK?"

Josh stops for a moment and realizes what he has just said. Lois
and Clark just smile and then they all laugh. Josh leaves and
Lois and Clark make their way over to the couch. They snuggle.
Finally Lois speaks.

"So, Clark, what did happen?"

"You know, Lois, I think there must have been a small amount of
Kryptonite in that mine because when I went down the last time,
as I got near the final shaft, I started to feel dizzy and I must
have blacked out for a short time. I was still tunneling through
the mine when I blacked out and when I came to I guess I got a
little lost. It took me a few minutes to figure out which way was
out."

"Clark, Kryptonite, are you OK?"

"Yes, you know Zara and Ching told me that when I came back from
New Krypton that the force of my ship leaving the planet might
take some meteorites with it. They said the meteors from New
Krypton would not hurt me as much as true Kryptonite but they
might make me a little weaker. I haven't worried about it because
in the three years since I have been back, there haven't been any
problems. That must have been what was in the mine."

"Well, whatever it was I'm just glad you are safe." They cuddle a
few more minutes and then Lois asks, "Did you call your folks?"

"Yep, and I called yours too."

"Oh my God, my mother."

Lois had been standing at the window waiting for Clark when her
mother called but she had let the machine take it.

"Yes, Lois, I calmed your mother down, which is no easy task,
even for a superhero." They both laugh.

"Clark, one more thing."

"Yes, dear."

"Remind me to give you a compass the next time you go out."

They both laugh again and head for bed. They get into bed and
hold each other, maybe a little tighter than usual, and fall
asleep in each other's arms."

Chapter 10

The last three months of Lois' pregnancy go along fairly well.
She continues her prenatal checkups and she and Clark continue
with their birthing classes. As Lois gets closer to her due date,
her mother and father temporarily move to Metropolis so they can
be near for the actual birth. Granted, Superman could always get
them but the Lanes are still a little uncomfortable with that
idea so they decide on conventional wisdom. Lois tries to cut
back on work, but ... well, we all know Lois.

Finally, two weeks before her due date, Perry, Jimmy, and Clark
convince Lois to go home and stay home. Lois leaves this day in a
huff.

"Honey, Jimmy, Perry, and I are just looking out for your best
interests. I mean, really, Lois, do you want to have the baby on
the newsroom floor?"

"No, of course not, Clark, but still ... "

"You know, Lois, come to think of it, if you did have the baby in
the newsroom, Jimmy might just beat us to a Pulitzer with THOSE
pictures."

Lois shoots Clark a dirty look and remains silent for the rest of
the ride home.

This evening Lois and Clark are enjoying a quiet dinner at home.
They know moments such as this are soon going to be very hard to
have so they treasure their time alone.

Clark cooks (of course) and Lois enjoys being pampered. She is
quiet, though, and Clark knows something is on her mind.

"Lois? Lois, honey, is something wrong? Was dinner OK? Are you
feeling OK?"

"Oh, Clark, I'm sorry. I know I have been quiet tonight, I've
just been thinking."

"About ... ?"

"About how different our lives are going to be once the baby gets
here. No more impromptu trips to Paris, no more midnight flights
around the city, no more ... "

"Lois, aren't you stretching things a bit? I mean, sure, things
will change, but our parents will be around to help. We'll still
have time for just the two of us."

"I know, Clark, but after the baby things will never be the
same."

"That's right, Lois, they won't; after the baby we will be a
family. A real family."

"I know; it's just that ... "

"What, Lois?"

"You are so confident you are going to be the best father, and I
am sure you will. You had a great role model. But me ... I mean
what if I can't change diapers, what if I make the bottle too
hot, what if he hates my lullabies ... what if you love the baby
more than you love me?" Lois' last statement catches Clark
completely off guard.

"Lois, how could you say such a thing?"

"Well, it's just that this baby will be a part of you, more than
I ever could be. You are going to teach him all the things I
can't do. How can I compete with father-son races around the
world?"

Clark laughs at that last statement and then realizes Lois is
serious.

"Lois, this isn't a competition. No one could ever take away the
love I have for you, never, and you know that. Besides, Sam and I
will need a referee for our races."

"Clark, I'm serious, I feel as though I might get left behind.
You are going to be a great father, but what kind of mother am I
going to be?"

"Lois, you are going to be a great mother!! You are never going
to be left behind. We are partners, aren't we? Fifty-fifty ... "
Clark smiles referring to one of their very first conversations.

Lois smiles, too, and her anxiety disappears.

"Oh, Clark, I love you so much. I can't believe we are going to
be parents in just a little while. You are right as usual, except
for one thing.."

"Yes?"

"Seeing as I am going to be the one in labor, I don't think this
partnership is exactly fifty-fifty. More like 80-20."

"Whatever you say, honey." And with that they go off to bed.

Chapter 11

The next day, Clark goes to the Planet and Lois, being in a good
mood, calls her mom to see if she wants to do some last-minute
shopping. She and Clark have decided to keep their townhome for
the time being and have decorated the spare bedroom as the
nursery, but there are still a few items they need, mainly a
crib. They held off on that purchase wanting to make sure to get
a sturdy and especially STRONG one. Lois told Clark that if Sam's
kicks were any indication, a steel crib might be the only thing
able to hold him. Ellen picks up Lois and they head for the local
baby store.

Once inside the store the manager recognizes Lois as she and
Clark have come here several times before.

"Mrs. Kent, nice to see you again, although I thought you would
have had the baby by now."

"I wish! No, the doctor says about two more weeks. I brought my
mom along to look at cribs. You said you had some new ones come
in this week?"

"Right this way. Here they are," he says, pointing to a few
cribs. "Oh, and here is the one you asked for. The manufacturer
didn't have anything in steel but he promised this one to be just
about as strong. I'll let you ladies look around. Let me know if
I can help."

Lois gives him a nervous smile and then turns her attention to
the crib. Ellen had gone to inspect the crib.

"Mom, what are you looking for?"

"Straps."

"Straps?"

"Yes, Lois, how do you intend to keep Sam from floating out of
his crib?"

Lois smiles, remembering Clark's early statement to her about the
baby. Then she speaks to her mom.

"Mom, keep your voice down," Lois admonishes. "Besides," Lois
whispers, "we don't know if Sam will even float. I mean, Clark
didn't have powers until he was a teenager, really, and he didn't
fly until he was 18. For all we know, Sam will be a perfectly
normal boy."

Ellen gives Lois one of her famous looks ...

"All right, so Sam might not be 'normal' well, we just don't
know."

"That's right, Lois, you don't know, so better to be safe than
sorry. Besides, aren't you the one who asked for a steel crib?"

Ellen had a point there and Lois ends the conversation. They buy
the crib and take it home. They decide that if any "adjustments"
need to be made, Clark and his dad could probably fix it ...

Chapter 12

Two weeks pass and Lois tries to stay occupied. However, it is
hard to see Clark go to work and hear about stories from the
office and not be a part of them. She threatens to go into work
one day and Clark threatens to pull out the ropes she had once
mentioned to tie her down.

However, as the third week starts and there is no sign of labor,
Lois starts going a little stir crazy. The Kents are calling
every day and it seems as if her mother is calling every two
hours.

"No, mother, nothing yet. Yes, I know I am late ... Yes, the
doctor said not to worry, that some first babies are late ...
Yes, mother, the minute anything happens, Clark and I will let
you know. NO, Mother, you don't need to come over, I am fine.
Yes, Mother, I have Clark's beeper number. Mother, please ... I
will talk to you later."

Lois gets off the phone and makes herself some tea.

"You know, Sam, for nine months you have been kicking to come
out, being very persistent at times, I might say, and now, now
that it is time, you've stopped. Want to tell me what's going
on?"

Lois feels nothing.

"Great, the silent treatment. Well I can't just sit here; what
say we pay your daddy a visit?"

It is then that she feels a big kick but she chooses to ignore
it.

"I know, I know, but this isn't work, just ... a visit. I can't
sit here just waiting any longer."

Lois calls a cab to take her to the Planet.

"Lady," the cab driver says, taking in her appearance, "Sure you
wouldn't rather go the hospital?"

Lois gives him a dirty look.

"Just take me to the Daily Planet, please."

"Whatever you say." The cab drops her off at the Planet and Lois
heads inside.

"God, how I've missed this place," she thinks. She sits down at
her desk and enjoys a moment of silence. However, that is quickly
shattered as Perry spots her.

"Judas Priest, Lois, you aren't supposed to be here. How did you
get here? ... Well, never mind, I am sending you right home ...
"

"Chief, please don't send me home. I didn't come to work, just to
visit. I promise not to do anything strenuous." Perry raises his
eyebrows at that statement.

"Look, Lois, you need to be resting, in bed or something. Now
where is Clark so he can take you home?"

Jimmy, overhearing the conversation, steps in.

"Chief, Clark said he had to, uh, what was it ... oh yeah, make
sure the car was ready for their impending ride to the
hospital."

"Good excuse Clark," thinks Lois.

"Look, Perry, I am sure Clark will be back soon and then I will
go home, OK? Let me stay here until then."

"OK, Lois, but Jimmy, you keep a close eye on her."

"Yes sir."

Perry walks back to his office. Jimmy sits next to Lois.

"You know, Lois, the chief is right, you should be home."

"I am going to wait for Clark, he wouldn't mind my being here."

Jimmy chokes on that comment knowing just how mad Clark is going
to be when he sees Lois.

"Oh, OK, he might be a little mad, but I just couldn't sit in
that apartment one more minute and ... "

Lois grimaces.

"Lois, Lois, are you OK?"

"Yes, Jimmy, I'm just fine and ... ouch."

"Lois," Jimmy's voice takes on a panicked tone. "Chief I think
you better come out here."

"What in tarnation is it, Jimmy? I was right in the middle of ...
"

Perry's comments stop the minute he sees Lois almost doubled over
in pain.

"Lois, honey."

"I think Sam has finally decided to make his appearance. I felt
something earlier this morning and later in the cab ride over,
but ... " Lois stops again as another pain hit her.

The newsroom virtually stops as they realize what is happening.

"OK, everybody, give her room." Perry is trying not to panic.
"OK, Lois, let's get you to the hospital."

"No, Perry, I can't go without Clark." And with that statement
another pain hit and she screamed "CLARK!!"

Clark is on his way back from a plane crash in Europe when he
hears the scream. For some reason he has been thinking about Lois
and Sam all morning and now he knows why. He focuses on the
source of the sound and is surprised to find it coming from the
Daily Planet. As he flies in the window he sees Lois doubled over
with pain and it takes all his restraint not to act as Clark.
Instead he runs over to Lois.

"Superman, thank goodness you are here." Perry seems suddenly
relieved, now that someone else can be in charge.

"Superman," Lois gasps, "have you seen Clark?"

"I just saw him Lois. I told him I heard you scream, and he is
headed for the hospital. He figured I could get there a little
faster so ... we can meet up with him there." Superman gently
picks her up. Lois goes limp in his arms.

"Superman," Perry says, "tell Clark that Jimmy and I will be
there shortly."

"Sure, Perry." And with that he and Lois fly out the window.
Superman looks down at his wife. The labor has subsided a little
and Lois is finally able to talk.

"Thank god you heard me."

"Half the world heard you, Lois! And what, may I ask, were you
doing at the Planet? I thought we had an agreement."

"Clark, now is not exactly the best time for an argument. I am
about to have your baby, OK? Let's say we get to the hospital,
and we can have this conversation later."

"For once, Lois, I won't argue." He gently kisses her and they
fly to the hospital. As they enter the hospital, the sight of
Superman flying with a very pregnant woman takes some of the
nurses by surprise. Superman gently lands and one nurse,
realizing Lois is in labor, runs to get a wheelchair.

"Superman?" one of the nurses questions.

"This is Lois Lane-Kent. Her husband Clark is on his way. She has
been in labor all morning. Make sure you take good care of her."

"Thank you, Superman," Lois manages to say. He smiles and flies
away. Lois is taken to admitting and Clark appears a few seconds
later.

Chapter 13

"Hello, ... hello. "

"Yes, can I help you?" a nurse says without looking up."

"Yes, I believe that Superman just brought my wife in -- Lois
Kent."

That comment catches the nurse's attention and she looks up.

"Oh, Mr. Kent." The nurse quickly checks her records. "Yes, right
this way."

The nurse leads Clark to Lois' room.

"Well, Lois, it looks like Jimmy almost had that Pulitzer, huh?"
He can't help laughing remembering Lois at the Planet. However,
he then gets serious and leans over and kisses Lois on the
forehead.

"Lois, how are you feeling?"

"Clark, I'm about to have your baby, how do you think I'm
feeling?" And with that she winces in pain as a another
contraction hit.

"Here, Lois, take my hand, you can't do it any damage." Clark
puts his hand in Lois' and she squeezes. "Man," Clark thinks. "Am
I glad I can't feel that!" Clark continues to comfort Lois and
tries to help her through the labor.

"Clark, remind me again why I wanted natural childbirth."

"It's the reporter in you, Lois, always wanting the most out of
every experience, wanting to understand and experience everything
to the fullest."

"I must have been crazy!!!! If we ever do this again, Clark, I am
definitely not going natural!!"

During this conversation the doctor walks in the room and he
laughs at that statement.

"Lois, what say we get you through this one first, before you
start planning another? Uh ... Clark, could I see you a minute
please? ... Outside."

"Sure, doctor. Lois, honey, I will be right back." Clark kisses
Lois' cheek and the two men step outside. "How is she, doctor?"

"She seems to be doing fine, Clark, but the labor is going
slowly. I know how impatient Lois can be ... " Clark smiles at
that statement, "But I think this baby is going to be awhile
yet."

"Is that anything to worry about?"

"No, as I said, everything seems to be fine. If anything changes
I'll let you know. Now, I think I will let you break the news to
her about the labor. I saw that hand squeeze earlier, and I think
you can take Lois' reaction better than I could."

"Thanks, doctor."

"Sure, Clark. I'll be back shortly."

Clark walks back into the room.

"Well, Clark, what did the doctor say? How much longer is this
going to be? Not long, right?"

No reaction from Clark.

"Clark ... Clark, what did the doctor say?"

"Well, Lois, um ... "

"Clark, you're stalling. Is something wrong? Is the baby OK?"

"Yes, Lois, everything is fine. It just seems that Sam wants to
take his time coming into the world. The doctor thinks it might
be awhile."

"How long is awhile, Clark? Clark!"

"He doesn't know, Lois. It's not like babies are predictable."

"Great. I'm going to be here for the next year."

"Really, Lois, I don't think it will be that long. Just think,
within the next few hours, you are going to become a new
mother."

"HOURS, did he really say hours?!!"

"No, Lois, calm down, I was just trying to make the point that
motherhood is worth the wait and ... " Lois interrupts.

"Motherhood ... oh, my god, Clark, my mother! I promised I would
call her first and ... " Lois stops as another pain hit.

"Lois, you are in no condition to call. I'll call them and my
folks and let them know we are here." Clark quickly picks up the
phone next to Lois' bed and calls her parents.

"Hello, Sam, it's Clark. Yeah, it's time. Lois and I are at the
hospital. Well, the doctor doesn't know, though he seems to think
it is going to be awhile yet. Uhhhh ... do you want to come,"
Clark lowers his voice, "Superman express? OK, I see. I will see
you shortly then. Goodbye. Clark hangs up and then dials another
number. "Mom, it's time. Lois went into labor this morning and we
are at the hospital now. The doctor seems to think it is going to
be awhile yet. Well, you and dad get your things together and
I'll come get you in just a few minutes. See you soon. Love you
too. Bye.

Lois, I am going to get my folks and I'll be right back. Will you
be OK?"

"I'll be fine, Clark. But what about my parents?"

"They said they would catch a cab. I think they are still
uncomfortable with the whole, you know ... " Clark makes a flying
motion.

Lois can tell there is some hurt in Clark's voice. He really
wants Lois' parents to accept him but they seem to be having a
hard time with it, especially Sam. Clark can tell that Sam isn't
always completely comfortable with the idea that his daughter
married an alien.

"Clark, they'll come around. Just give them time."

"Lois, it has been nine months."

"I know, Clark, but you know my parents, especially my Dad. Look
how long it took him to come back to his family. But he'll be all
right. Wasn't he thrilled that we named the baby after him? And
hey, didn't mom go shopping with me the other day? They will be
fine. You have to realize, Clark, that there is a lot to adjust
to. They thought one thing for three years and suddenly that
changed. They just need time to get used to that change. And this
one too," she says referring to her stomach. "You know, this is
the first time they are going to be grandparents. They might be a
little nervous. I know I am."

"You're right, Lois, I guess I am nervous too. I am sure your
parents will be OK. Now, will you be OK if I leave for a few
minutes?"

"Yes, I will be fine ... Go get your parents, they need to be
here with us." With that Clark gently kisses Lois and goes to get
his parents.

Clark picks up his parents and takes them to the hospital. They
enter Lois' room to find Jimmy and Perry talking to her. Perry
stops his conversation with Lois when Clark and his parents enter
the room. There is an awkward moment of silence as Clark tries to
explain the sudden appearance of his parents. Perry talks first.

"Martha, Jonathan, good to see you ... though I thought you were
still in Smallville."

Clark and his parents try to think of something to say, but Lois
steps in and defuses the situation.

"Perry, I was just getting ready to tell Jimmy how after Superman
dropped me off he did us another wonderful favor and went to get
Clark's parents. He knew how important their being here was for
us." The tension in the room eases and Clark gives a silent thank
you that he has such a clever wife.

"Did I hear Superman mentioned?" Lois' father says as he and
Ellen enter the room.

"Daddy, I was just telling everyone how nice Superman was to go
and pick up Clark's parents so they could be here with us. He
really did do us a big favor," Lois looks at her father with
pleading eyes hoping he will catch on and go along with the
story. Sam doesn't say anything but Ellen smooths things over
with her comment.

"You're right, honey, it's a wonderful thing Superman did, isn't
it Sam?" Ellen looks at Sam. Finally he speaks.

"Yeah, that Superman, what a guy," he says, looking directly at
Clark. Martha is the next to speak,

"Enough about Superman, dear, how are you feeling?" Clark looks
over at his mom and smiles gratefully.

"Leave it to Mom to help tide things over," he thinks.

"Martha, I'm OK, just impatient." That comment causes everyone in
the room to laugh.

"Well, Lois, it looks as if the baby has got Clark's disposition.
Taking his sweet time, all the patience in the world."

"Thanks, Jimmy, as if I needed reminding that I am going to be in
... " Lois winces " ... labor for quite awhile yet."

"Sorry, Lois."

"That's OK, Jimmy. Sam will come when he's ready." Another pain
hit. "Sam, you be ready soon. You talk to him, Clark, he seems to
listen to you. Explain to him that his mother would appreciate a
quick arrival."

"Lois, you heard the doctor, you can't rush mother nature. No
matter how much you try."

"Lois, dear, I hate to tell you how long you took. God, I thought
I was going to die."

"Mother!!"

"Well, I did!"

"Lois, you may not believe this, but it's true. Your mother was
about ready to climb the walls and so was I. This was the days
before fathers were allowed in the delivery room and all I could
do was pace and listen to your mother call the doctor every name
in the book. I heard her even though I was at the other end of
the hall." Sam smiles as he looks at Ellen and his daughter.

Ellen walks closer to the bed and takes Lois' hand.

"But I think the wait was worth it, don't you, Sam?"

Sam steps in too.

"Yes, Ellen, the wait was worth it, and your wait will be worth
it, too, Lois. You'll see." Sam looks at Clark. "You'll both
see." Clark smiles at Sam as a silent moment of understanding
passes between them.

Everyone looks on with smiles as Lois shares a moment with her
parents. Clark is especially happy to see them together. He draws
his own parents closer to him and smiles. Perry then speaks.

"Ahem, since it seems as though you are going to be awhile, "
Perry stops as he looks at Lois, "oops, sorry, Lois. Well,
anyway, if you all don't need me here, I am going to put the
paper to bed and then I'll come back. Jimmy, want to help me
close shop?"

"Really, Chief?" Perry had never asked for Jimmy's help before.
It is a big offer.

"Yes, Jimmy, really. I mean, Lois and Clark are occupied so they
can't help, so ... "

"Oh, I see," Jimmy looks hurt and Perry realizes what he had just
said.

"What I mean, Jimmy, is that YOUR help would be greatly
appreciated, OK?"

"Sure, Chief, thanks. Bye Lois, bye CK, call us the moment ... "

"We will, Jimmy." Jimmy leaves and Perry exits the room with
Clark close on his tail.

"That was nice, Chief."

"What are you talking about, Clark?"

"What you did for Jimmy. The chance you are giving him."

"Well, the boy has got to learn sometime. Besides, he's cheap
labor."

Clark just smiles.

"Clark, you take care of her and call us the moment anything
happens."

"We will, Chief, don't worry." Perry leaves and Clark enters the
room again. Lois' parents are standing over in the corner and
Clark's parents are fussing over Lois.

Clark walks over to Sam.

"Thank you, Sam; you too, Ellen."

"For what?" They both ask in unison.

"For accepting me and Lois and this baby. That really means a
lot. I know you have had some reservations about this whole
situation, but ... "

Sam stops Clark.

"You're right, Clark. It was a little difficult at first, even
now I can't say I am 100% comfortable. However, if Lois can live
with it then I guess we can too."

"What Sam is trying to say, ever so delicately," Ellen gives Sam
a look, "is that we can see how much you love Lois and the baby.
As long as you are both happy, then that's all we can ask for,
isn't it, Sam?"

"Yes, well, Ellen, you always did talk better than I did."

"I promise you both that I do love Lois and this baby more than
you can imagine and I intend to make them both very happy."

"We know you will, Clark." Ellen leans over and gives Clark a
hug. Sam then speaks.

"Don't let us down, ... son." Clark realizes the impact of that
statement.

"I'll do my best, sir."

Chapter 14

It is three hours later and Lois is in the final stages of labor.
She, Clark and the doctor are in the birthing room. Perry, Jimmy,
and both sets of parents are anxiously waiting outside. Sam looks
especially nervous.

"What is taking so long? Lois should have had that baby. I'm a
doctor, I know these things." Sam continues to pace. Martha then
speaks.

"Well, Sam, at least we know where Lois gets her impatience
from." Everyone in the room laughs and Sam relaxes a little.

"You're right, Martha, I'm just anxious I guess."

"We're all anxious, Sam," Jonathan says walking over toward him.

"Yes, Sam, we are all in the same boat here, don't act like
you're the only one," Ellen snaps at her ex-husband. However she
immediately regrets her comment when she sees the look on Sam's
face.

"I'm sorry, Sam, I didn't mean that, I guess I'm anxious too,
huh." Ellen walks over to Sam.

"Just think, Ellen, we're going to be grandparents. I can't
believe it. Seems like yesterday Lois was playing with dolls and
having tea parties."

"I know what you mean," Martha interjects. "It seems like only
yesterday Clark was this little boy who climbed trees and came in
all covered in dirt, a frog in his front pocket."

"I may not have known them as kids but I remember these two on
their first assignment. You should have seen the look on her face
when I told her she had a partner." A scream from Lois is heard.

"Wouldn't exactly want to see her face now, chief."

"Me neither, Jimmy, me neither."

Scene switches to delivery room. Clark is trying to encourage
Lois.

"OK, honey, you're almost there. Remember birthing class.
Breathe, Lois, breathe. Come on, honey. I know you can do this.
Come on just a little harder, I know you're strong, you can do
this."

"Clark, ... " Lois says in between grunts and screams. "You do
this, I quit. You're strong enough for the both of us."

The doctor laughs at that comment.

"While your husband does look strong, Lois, I don't think this is
a feat he could manage."

"You don't know my husband, doctor."

Clark just smiles nervously and concentrates on Lois. A nurse is
on the other side of Lois, and Clark notices Lois grabbing her
hand, the nurse wincing in pain.

"Lois, honey," Clark whispers, "you know everybody's not as
indestructible as me. Maybe you better ease up a little on Nurse
Grant over there."

Lois realizes what she has been doing and lets go of the nurse's
hand.

"Sorry ... about that ... nurse Grant ... been used to ... my
husband's hand."

"Well, if he can take that grip of yours he really must be
something." Clark doesn't have time to think because the baby is
coming.

"OK," the doctor says, "it's time to push, Lois. Come on now with
one big push."

"Clark, I can't do this. I'm not as strong as you." With that
Lois tries to push

"You're wrong, Lois, you're stronger than I am. I told you once
and I'll tell you again this is more than anything I can do. What
you're doing is amazing. Now come on, we're almost there." Lois
and Clark exchange a quick look that speaks volumes. Lois then
gives a push.

"OK, Lois, that was good. Now rest a minute and then we are going
to push again."

"Clark, I love you."

Clark looks down at Lois and casually brushes hair off her
forward. He then takes a damp rag and washes her face.

"I love you too, Lois."

"OK Lois," the doctor interjects," This is it, one more big
push."

Lois pushes and she hears the doctor.

"That's it, Lois, I see his head. Here he comes. Come on, Lois,
just a little more."

Suddenly the room is electric as the sound of a baby's scream
fills the air.

"Well, Lois, Clark, here he is. Here's the little guy who's been
hanging around for nine months." The doctor gently places the
baby on Lois' stomach.

"Clark, would you like to cut the cord?"

Clark is almost speechless, but he nods his head and gently cuts
the cord. Clark and Lois just stare, unable to find words. A
nurse comes and gently takes the baby off Lois' stomach and wraps
him in a blanket and then hands him to Lois.

"Here you are." Lois and Clark are both crying. The baby is
beautiful with big brown eyes and curly dark hair.

"So," Lois says through the tears, "you finally decided to make
an entrance, kid. Your dad and I have been waiting a long time to
see you."

"Hi there, little one, I'm your Dad." Clark smiles through the
tears. "My son, I don't believe it. Lois, he's beautiful ... Just
like his mother ... "

"Clark, he is beautiful, but you're wrong. I think he takes after
you. Look at those beautiful brown eyes."

The doctor comes over. "You know, Lois, I think you're right.
Most babies are born with blue eyes, but he definitely has his
father's eyes. I think this kid is going to be very special." The
doctor walks away.

"If he only knew," Lois and Clark whisper simultaneously. They
continue to stare down at the baby. Lois is then wheeled into a
nearby room with Clark soon on her heels. First he has one stop
to make. He sees the small crowd gathered in the waiting room and
walks toward them, a huge smile on his face. Sam rushes over to
him.

"Clark, we heard the baby scream. Is everything all right? How is
Lois?"

"Why don't you all come and see for yourselves. They are allowing
visitors, though just for a brief time."

Lois' parents, Jimmy and Perry head for her room. Clark stays
back to be with his parents for a moment.

"How are you, son?" Jonathan asks, emotion obvious in his voice.

"I can't remember ever feeling anything like this. You have to
see him."

Clark leads his parents down the hall as Clark continues to gush
about Sam.

"Mom, he's so little, his hands, his feet, everything. He's so
little ... "

"You were that little too once, Clark, don't forget."

"I know, but it's just, I mean ... I have done a lot with my life
and I have had so many different kinds of experiences, but this
... this is one of the most amazing days of my life. And I just
want to say thank you."

"Thank you for what, son?" Jonathan asks.

"Well, Dad, if it were not for you and Mom, I wouldn't be here.
You took me in and you raised me and you helped me to build this
life. I couldn't have done it without the both of you."

He hugs both parents again, everybody being very emotional. Clark
steps away.

Wiping tears from her eyes, Martha then says, "OK enough gushing,
I want to see that grandson of mine."

"Yes, I second that." Jonathan smiles at his son.

"Right this way." Clark leads them into the room.

Everyone is gushing over Lois and the baby. Jimmy and Perry stand
a little off to the corner and Lois' parents stand at her
bedside. Martha and Jonathan come over to Lois' other side to get
a look at the baby. Sam appears to be sleeping in Lois' arms,
tired out by all the day's activities. He looks just like an
angel. As Martha and Jonathan come over he wakes up and looks up
at them with his big brown eyes. The grandparents just melt.
Clark goes over to the corner of Lois' bed and looks over as
well. Lois then speaks.

"Clark, do you want to do the introduction or should I?"

Both grandparents smile, remembering back nine months.

"Lois you look pretty beat. I'll do them. Grandma and Grandpa
Kent, Grandpa and Grandma Lane, Perry and Jimmy, I would like for
you all to meet Samuel Jonathan Jor-El Kent." Baby Sam smiles
almost as if he knows he is being introduced to the world for the
first time.

Sam and Jonathan smile down at their namesake. The women just
smile and cry a little. Then Perry interrupts.

"I hope you both know how much it means that I could be a part of
all of this. You two have become like family to me and, well ...
Sam has a job as copy boy any time he wants it."

"Thanks, Perry," Lois and Clark say in unison.

"Yeah, well, I am going to break the news to the rest of the
Planet. Now you take care of that little one, Lois. I don't want
you in the office for a while yet, you hear me?"

"Yes, Perry, I think I am going to be occupied for a while."

Perry laughs, stops to look at Lois and the baby, kisses them
both gently on the cheek, and heads out the door.

"Coming, Olsen?"

"Be right there, Chief." Jimmy turns to look at the baby. "First
dibs on pictures, OK? And, hey, that's way cool naming him after
Superman's father too. I am sure he will be happy to hear that."

"After all that Superman has done for us, Jimmy, it was the least
we could do, " Lois says, smiling up at her husband.

"Hey, no argument from me, Lois. Congrats, you two, I think this
is your best project yet." Jimmy smiles and heads out the door.

Martha then speaks. "What say we give these kids a chance to bond
with their baby?"

Jonathan agrees. "I think the cafeteria is still open. We can all
go grab some coffee and celebrate."

"Good thinking," both Ellen and Sam say in unison.

Jonathan and Martha stop one more time to look at Lois and Clark
and the baby.

"Thank you, Lois, for making my son so happy, for giving him the
family he's always wanted."

"Yes, Lois," Jonathan interjectes, "may your son make you as
happy as ours has made us." Jonathan and Martha smile at the
happy family.

Lois looks down at Sam. "I'm sure he will." Martha and Jonathan
leave and Lois' parents get ready to leave as well.

"You were right, mom."

"About what, Lois?"

"The wait was worth it."

Ellen starts to tear again and quickly kisses her new grandson
and Lois and then leaves. Sam gets ready to leave as well but
Lois stops him. She reaches for his hand.

"Daddy. Thank you for being here. I know things in the past
haven't always been smooth, but today is a new start for all of
us. I am just very glad that you could be here and I'm proud to
have named my son after you."

Sam, overcome with emotion, is silent for a few moments, then he
speaks.

"Lois, I wouldn't have been anywhere else today. And Clark."

Clark had been looking at the baby but he turns to look at Sam.

"Clark, Clark, I just wanted to say ... Thank you."

"Thank you for what?"

"For this." He waves his hand around the scene. "For giving me a
beautiful grandson and giving me back my daughter."

"You're welcome, Sam. I'm glad you could be here for Lois."

"Well," Sam says, clearing a lump from his throat, "time I left
you two alone. Lois, honey, we all will be just down the hall."

Sam leaves and Lois and Clark are left alone with the baby. Sam
appears to be hungry so Lois starts to nurse. Clark silently
looks on, still in awe of the whole thing.

"My family," he thinks, "I'm looking at my family."

Lois smiles at her son and then at her husband.

Clark steps nearer to them.

"He's perfect Lois."

"Yes he is, Clark. Although we're not biased at all, right?"

Clark laughs through the tears.

"Hey, we're new parents -- we are supposed to be biased. Hey
there, little one, I hope you know how much you are wanted and
loved and adored." Sam finishes nursing and smiles up at them
both.

"Clark, Jimmy was right."

"About what, Lois?"

"This is the best project you and I have ever completed." Clark
leans over and gently kisses Lois and then kisses Sam. Scene
fades as the happy couple continue to enjoy their latest
addition. And to think it only took nine months.

THE END