At Last

By Ladee V

Summary: A story that picks up slightly before where the episode
"Forget Me Not" leaves off, veering off into an altogether more
pleasant direction. Lois has her memory back, she and Clark are
desperate to be married, and Martha in Smallville has a plan.

>>"Lois, how you doing?"

>>"OK...boy for a minute there I felt like we were back covering
that prison riot."

>>"The prison riot?"

>>"Sure you remember, we smuggled ourselves inside to talk to the
leader and the guards panicked and opened fire...and I was
wearing that blue silk blouse with the pin on the lapel...Clark!
Clark I remember! All this craziness must have jogged my memory,
it's like the flood gates opened and it's all coming back! Lois
Lane, Clark Kent!"

>>"There you go!"

>>"We're partners at the Planet!"

>>"Yes!"

>>"I like spicy Chinese food!"

>>"Yes!"

>>"Oh and one more thing..."

Clark looked at her with a joy he hadn't felt in weeks. This time
he could literally *see* the recognition in her eyes. "You are
the man that I love...with all of my heart. I know lately, my
head has had me acting a little crazy..." Clark winced as he
thought of all that had happened to them this past eternity.
"...but my heart...my heart knew." A tear rolled down Lois' face
as she ran her hand over Clark's brow and through those now
familiar again dark waves of hair.

Clark took her face in his hands and brushed her tear way. "No
more tears," he whispered as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
The sensation of once again being able to kiss her overwhelmed
him so that this same gentle kiss grew, and intensified to a
level of passion that surprised even him. Educated, award-winning
journalist, and yet he knew he would never find the words to tell
her all the things he felt in that one kiss. Finally. *Finally*.
Everything was right in the world again.

As Dr. Deter returned from speaking to the police, Lois and Clark
were exchanging soft -spoken "I love you's" and not so soft
kisses, much to his dismay. He watched them for a moment.
Realizing that anything he *thought* *could* *possibly* have
developed between himself and Lois was simply and quite
emphatically beaten out of existence with each kiss. He knew they
were engaged before Lois' memory loss, but now, now it was
crushingly obvious they were completely in love with each other.

"Ex...excuse me" he stammered. "I take it we have had a major
breakthrough in your recovery, Lois." The doctor managed a weak,
insincere smile neither Lois or Clark noticed. They finished
their kiss and stood, gazing lovingly into each other's eyes.

"Yes...yes, Dr. Deter, we have." Lois kissed Clark again and went
straight to babble mode as her attention turned to the doctor. "I
remember my job, my family and friends, Superman, where I live,
when I was born, where I was born...blah blah blah...oh uhhmm...I
remember...exactly how many fat grams are in one Double Fudge
Crunch bar, one million and one *really* lame excuses for
skipping out on somebody," she winked at Clark, who folded his
arms in mock indignation, "...and this...wonderful man."
Instantly her voice softened as her gaze shifted to Clark. "This
is Clark Kent. Award winning investigative reporter for the Daily
Planet, one half of that infamous investigative reporting *team*
of "Lane & Kent", and my fiance. The man I never thought I would
meet."

Clark couldn't keep the smile from his face as he stood there,
basking in *Lois'* memory of their pre-wedding toasts to each
other. Without taking an eye off of her, he quite confidently
pronounced her no longer in need of medical attention. "Dr.
Deter, I do believe *I* will be able to handle Miss Lane's
recovery from here." ****

In what was literally a *few* minutes, Lois was packed, checked
out of the Metropolis Neuroscience Center, and home in Clark's
arms where she belonged. For the first time in weeks she felt
complete. Perry, as expected, had given Clark the rest of the day
off and as far as he was concerned, Lois was not *allowed* back
to work for at least a week. As much as she wanted to get back to
*her* life, she was grateful for the time off. She had no
intention of taking it all, but she *was* grateful for it. She
and Clark had a lot to deal with, and sort out and decide on
concerning their future, but right now, all that mattered was the
present.

In between kisses Clark shared the nightmare that was his life
since "their wedding day". "She said she was just exhausted, but
I really don't think she was very attracted to me." His face
first conveying the relief he felt when he realized she was not
really *his* Lois, and then the hurt he felt when he thought it
was her, rejecting him on their wedding night. Lois, sensing the
latter, smiled.

"She wasn't attracted to you? She wasn't attracted to you!!??"
Her voice getting louder and more incredulous. "Well, was she
*blind* or just galactically stupid?" Clark laughed and pulled
her into a huge bear hug.

"I don't know and I don't care! I'm just glad she
was...whichever!" They both laughed until their eyes met.

"Me too."

The gentle kiss they shared quickly became more passionate than
either of them had intended. Clark had to admit to himself that
he was partly relieved to hear that urgent cry for help. He alone
knew how readily he would have surrendered his "patience" if time
had allowed. He had to smile as he thought to himself. "And in
the middle of the afternoon, no less."

With Clark gone Lois occupied her time by going through the
clothes the Clone bought. Martha had been careful to fold and
store them neatly in a big box for her perusal. After coming
quickly to the end of the box, she was quite surprised to find
there were a *few* things she actually liked enough to keep. With
that done she set her sights on the huge stack of mail forwarded
to her new address by the ever efficient United States Postal
Service. *Forwarding order: 344 Clinton* The place that was
suppose to be her new home as Mrs. Clark Kent. Clark had not only
bundled, unopened, all her mail, but anything that came addressed
to 'Mr. & Mrs. Clark Kent' as well.

Lois was just about to tackle the stack of bills when a loud
knock startled her into a slight gasp. "Get a grip, Lois!" she
thought to herself. As she looked out the window and saw the
familiar brown truck and uniformed delivery person, her heartbeat
returned to a steady rhythm.

"Mr. or Mrs. Clark Kent?" The kind looking woman asked.

"Well,..." Lois stammered as she took the pen and signed her name
in exchange for the large brown parcel.

"Have a nice day, mam".

Lois only half-heard the woman's cheery goodbye. She was too
distracted by the return address. "Wedded Bliss Photography? It
can't be." Aahh but it was, and the stinging slap of reality hit
her firmly across the face.

There she was. Almost. It was her beautiful gown the woman on
Clark's arm was wearing. It was her headpiece. It was even her
face. For a moment, Lois was amazed at just how real it all
looked. She flipped each page of the album, seeing "herself" with
her parents, "herself" with the Kents, "herself" with Cindy,
Jimmy...and Clark. Of course, it wasn't her. On *her* wedding
day, she never even got to put her dress on. No walking down the
aisle on Daddy's arm. No exchanging rings and I do's. No "I now
pronounce you...". Not only did she not get to do it, but
someone, or something, else did it for her. As disbelief, turned
to heartache, and heartache to fury, Lois found herself quietly,
methodically and quite forcefully, mutilating photo after
sickening photo until there were none.

Clark returned to find her on the floor in front of his couch
sobbing uncontrollably. "Lois! Lois, what happened?" When she
felt his touch she threw the tattered album aside and wrapped her
arms around him. Clark didn't need to ask again. He rocked her
gently back and forth and listened painfully as she softly
repeated the same sentence over and over. "I want...my wedding".

"She made you do what, son?" Jonathan Kent asked as if he thought
he heard Clark wrong.

"Burn it, Dad. I mean, she had already destroyed it beyond any
possible recognition, but...she just couldn't stop crying until
she saw the charred remains with her own two eyes." Clark looked
down at Lois, now sleeping peacefully in his bed. Her face so
relaxed, so innocent and sweet looking. You would never suspect
the tirade she had just been on.

"You can't blame her, honey. I think you both have a right to be
angry, and even to blow off steam. It was suppose to be the
happiest day of her life *and* the beginning of a lifetime of
wedded bliss." Clark cringed at his Mom's inadvertent reference
to their wedding photographers.

"I know, Mom. I want her to have that day...I want *us* to have
it. I just...well, we've been through so much. I think we're both
afraid to try again."

Martha's voice only slightly masked her alarm at his statement.
"Clark, you two aren't considering not getting married, are you?
I mean, you still *want* to be husband and wife, don't you?"

Clark was staring at Lois again. Thankfully, she had managed to
change into her pajamas herself. After the crying. After trying,
unsuccessfully in Clark's opinion, to get some food in her
stomach. After taking two extra strength Excedrin. Before falling
asleep on his lap.

"Clark??"

Clark realized his long pause was giving his Mom an incorrect
impression. "Yes...Mom, of course we do. We both...*desperately*
want to be husband and wife. I guess we're just a little gun shy
about the actual wedding part." Clark tried to inject some humor
to lighten the mood. "You know Mom, her last two weddings...well,
they weren't exactly storybook fairy tales."

"Son," Jonathan intervened, "that is all behind you now. You and
Lois belong together. You belong to each other. No one would
dispute that you've been through a lot, but you've been *through*
it. If none of that stopped you, don't let fear do it either." A
smile came to Clark's face when he realized how truly wise his
parents are.

"Thank you...Dad, Mom."

Martha knew her husband's words had eased her son's worries, if
only slightly. "You're welcome, honey. We love you. Both of you.
And, we are determined to see you happy!"

Clark laughed at his mother's familiar "Now listen here young
man" tone of voice. "Well then I guess I'm just gonna be happy!"

As they hung up the phone with their son, Martha already had the
beginnings of a great plan hatched in her mind.

"Marrthaaa...I know that look. What are you planning and...can I
play too?" Jonathan asked. Martha laughed and led him to the
kitchen table. While she made a list of people to call, she had
Jonathan make a list of people to see. ************

Lois woke early the next morning to the most beautiful
arrangement of long stem red roses she had ever seen. The card
simply said "I love you". Lois pulled a rose from the vase and
gently inhaled as she left the bedroom in search of Clark. She
found him on the couch reading a book.

"Thank you for the roses. They're beautiful." Clark sat up and
held his hand out to her as she joined him. "You know, you didn't
have to sleep on the couch last night."

Clark's mind raced back to the afternoon before. "Yes...actually,
I did. And I think we need to talk about some things...just so
we're still clear, where we stand." Lois agreed. She knew their
playful necking had almost escalated into serious foreplay and
she wasn't at all sure it would have ended there if it hadn't
been for that distant S.O.S.

"Lois, yesterday...afternoon...on the floor...things between us
got a little...heated." Lois smiled at the memory of it.

"I know."

"Well, I wanted to apologize if I pressured you, or rushed you in
any way." Lois turned to look Clark in the face, surprised at his
apology.

"Clark, believe me, nothing feels as right to me as being with
you. Somehow, I knew that, even when I didn't know it. If that
makes any sense. Even when I thought I was Wanda, and Lex kissed
me..."

Lois noticed Clark cringe at the mention of Lex's name. Or maybe
it was the realization that he had indeed kissed her. He looked
away and she felt his overwhelming sadness. Holding his face in
her hands, she continued. "Nothing more than a couple of kisses
happened between us...no, between *Wanda* and Lex. It
just...never felt right. And surprisingly, Lex was very
understanding, even gentlemanly about it."

Clark smiled a warm smile that washed over Lois. Even though he
knew she truly believed she was a woman named Wanda Detroit at
the time and would have forgiven anything that might have
happened, he was eternally grateful for that "something" that
kept Wanda from giving herself to Lex.

"Lois, I need you to know...that...none of the things that we've
been through, not one moment of what has happened, has changed
our relationship in my eyes. Not how I feel, or...what I want.
You *are* my wife...in *almost* every way that counts. In my
heart, and my mind. No ceremony could make my love deeper, no
rings could make my commitment stronger. But somehow, I know,
those things will make our...intimate relationship
special...perfect...right.

Lois wrapped her arms around Clark's neck. "I think I needed to
hear that, as much as you needed to say it. Thank you." Clark
smiled as he held her and soaked up the affection she bestowed
upon him. They would wait until their wedding night and at some
point in the near future, they would decide when that would be.
****

Lois was back at the Planet after exactly two and one half days
off. Perry of course protested her rapid return to the daily
grind, but both he and Clark had to admit she never missed a
beat. For Lois Lane, a juicy story *was* her most beneficial
therapy. She *needed* to work and it didn't hurt that there had
been a steady stream of news to cover in Metropolis lately.
Superman was as busy as ever, and Lois got a first hand glimpse
of what life would be like as her own secret alter ego, "Mrs.
Superman".

Clark was always mindful of how inconvenient it could be to have
your husband literally "on call" 24 hours a day. He made it up to
her as best he could in both word and deed. Lois had grown
particularly fond of his peculiar new habit of "charging" her for
his services. Re-heating her coffee - 4 kisses. Croissants from
France - 25 kisses and a hug. Laundry - 50 kisses per load, but
that included superspeed folding. Dreamily she wondered how his
"prices" would increase once they were married. ***

"Lois! Clark! Can I see you two in my office?" Perry had been on
the phone all day, making plans of some sort, and sending Jimmy
on hundreds of errands that he seemed to enjoy running. Now it
appeared it was Lois and Clark's turn to be drafted into service
. Quickly Perry explained to them that an "important situation"
had come up and that he would be out of the office tomorrow. He
wanted to make sure that Lois and Clark would be able to put the
Friday evening edition to bed for him. He knew of their plans to
head to Kansas for the weekend, but Clark assured him they could
take a later "flight" and still be at his parent's by 9:00. With
his two prize reporters back at their desks, Perry placed a call
to Smallville. "Mrs. Kent? Everything in Metropolis is on
schedule." *********

Around 8:30 Friday night Martha and Jonathan Kent stepped out on
to their porch with their guests. "Jonathan will walk you three
down to Maisie's and I'll wait here in case they show up early."
Jonathan pecked his wife on the cheek and said, "You're an
amazing woman, Martha. I think we are actually going to pull this
off."

Ellen Lane stepped up on the porch. "Yes she is, Jonathan. And I
*know* we are going to pull this off." Martha gave Ellen a hug
and watched as Jonathan led her, Sam Lane and Lucy down the
road.

Lois and Clark arrived shortly after Jonathan returned. His
parents were sitting on the porch, enjoying the unseasonably warm
night. Lois and Clark sat down with them and were immediately
engaged in conversation. In a matter of minutes, Lois had her
future in-laws completely enthralled as she gave them the inside
track on a piece they were writing about a recent string of
supposed suicides in the inner city homeless shelters.

"And," Clark interjected when Lois finally came up for air, "just
so you don't think we are *all* work and no play, we made some
decisions about getting married. We want to tell you about them
but, is there any reason we're aren't going inside?" Clark smiled
as he grabbed their bags and headed for the door.

Martha tugged his arm and temporarily distracted him. "It's a
beautiful night! First tell us about these marriage decisions."
Clark gave his mom his best "raised eye-brow" look which she gave
right back, which gave Lois more than enough time to reload.

"Well, basically, we want to give this wedding thing one more
shot. Nothing fancy or crazy, in fact the words small, cozy and
barely-bigger-than-a-breadbox-intimate come rushing to mind.
And...we'd like to have it here in Smallville...as soon as we can
get my family here - I know, can you imagine *my mother* in
Smallville - well if *she* can't imagine it, she'll just miss it.
In fact the whole Lane clan is only getting about two or three
weeks to *find* the time to get here or...we'll just send them a
picture. Although I have no idea what kind of wedding I could
plan in such a short time, but, we made up our minds. We need to
get on with our lives and the wedding is the first step in our
plan and we-"

Clark reached over and kissed Lois square on the lips. It was a
long tender kiss and when he broke from it, both seemed to blush
a little as Clark smiled at his parents. "It's not the *only* way
to stop her babbling, but it is my favorite."

They laughed as Clark again picked up their bags to go in.
"There, now that you've heard the "Reader's Digest" version of
our life-long decisions, can we go inside? I'm hungry!" Clark was
beginning to think his parents didn't want them to go inside the
house.

"Clark, you don't get hungry!" Martha took Lois' bag from him,
put her arm around him and gently led him off the porch. Jonathan
took his bag, put a protective arm around Lois and followed.

"Well what I *mean* is that I would like to eat again *Mom*! And
where exactly are we going?"

Martha rolled her eyes up into her head and smiled at Lois. "He
always was such an inquisitive child."

As they walked down the road toward a very dark looking
"Maisie's" restaurant, Clark continued questioning his parents
and they continued evading him. Clark was tempted to use his
visual prowess to get his own answers but he resisted. He knew
his parents were up to *something* they obviously wanted to
surprise him with so he relaxed and obediently followed their
lead. **********'

When they walked into Maisie's and the lights came on, neither
Lois or Clark were prepared for what they saw. Maisie's was all
decked out in streamers and balloons, and a giant banner across
the entire length of the place read, "Congratulations, Lois and
Clark!". Lois and Clark stood momentarily stunned at the number
of people in the room! All friends and loved ones. All smiling
warmly, genuinely glad to see them. All in Smallville, just for
them.

"Mom? Dad? Oh my...what are you guys doing here? Not that I'm not
glad to see you but..." Lois gave her Mom and Dad a huge hug
which they enthusiastically returned. When she felt a gentle tap
on her shoulder, the last face she expected to see when she
turned around was her sister's.

"Lucy!"

Lois gave her baby sister a long, warm hug that clearly unveiled
the joy in her heart. Lucy had been given the honor of filling
the clueless couple in. With the same velocity Clark had seen in
Lois thousands of times, Lucy informed them that this was indeed
their official surprise engagement party/rehearsal dinner and
that all the plans were in place for a small, intimate wedding
tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 and basically all *they* had to do was
show up, and say " I do".

Lois and Clark looked stunned as they realized the depths of love
and friendship that surrounded them. Everyone they would have
wanted was there. Lois' parents and Lucy. A small contingency of
Lane relatives that Lois was actually fond of. Perry. Jimmy. Of
course a large group of Smallville supporters who, Lois realized
for the first time, were not there just for Clark. They had truly
accepted this city girl that had stolen their farm boy's heart.
Lois knew in that moment, she *would* become Mrs. Clark Kent
tomorrow afternoon.

After greeting all their guests and spending some time mingling,
Lois and Clark settled into a quiet corner with Lucy. "I can't
believe you are actually here." Lois marveled, brown eyes wide
and glued to Lucy's image, the party in full swing behind them.

"Would I miss my only sister's wedding?"

Lois gave her, her best shocked expression. "Well, actually, yes!
In fact you did miss the first two!"

Clark, amazed that Lois was actually able to joke about it, threw
a "your turn" look at Lucy.

"Those weren't the *real* weddings! They were just...practice
runs! To get the kinks out. Now you can write a "how to" book on
weddings, you know, who not to marry, what not to let
happen...that sort of thing."

Clark couldn't help but interject as he threw an arm around his
now apparently in the even nearer future, sister-in- law. "Well
then I guess it would have to be a "how *not* to" book!" The
sisters laughed and Lois gave Clark a nudge in the ribs that he
pretended to feel pain from. **********

As the party came to a close, the actual rehearsing began.
Minister Hawkins from the First Church of Smallville spoke to
Lois and Clark about their ceremony. Much to their relief he
counseled them with scriptural wisdom and a heartfelt belief in
the sanctity of marriage. The conversation soothed their spirits,
enlightened their minds, and prepared their hearts for their life
together. Beyond the "I do's" and the first dance. This, the
couple who thought they had seen everything, were reminded of the
little things that make or break a marriage.

For Lois, the wedding she had only recently realized she wanted
was unfolding before her eyes. Amazingly enough, she had
absolutely nothing to do with it. Lois was about to go off on a
perfectly wonderful daydream when she realized the Minister was
looking at her, anticipating an answer. "I'm sorry, what did you
say?"

Minister Hawkins smiled at her, realizing where her mind had
probably just been. "This is going to be a double- ring ceremony,
right?"

Lois looked at Clark who looked at Lois who looked like she had
just been handed a blindfold and a cigarette.

"We...don't...have rings." Clark stammered. It was the truth
after all. He couldn't exactly say, "well we *had* rings, but I
crushed mine and hurled it into space when I found out I wasn't
*really* married to the *real* Lois, and her ring is under about
a ton of concrete from a section of subway that collapsed and
buried the clone that was wearing it at the time, because I
married her by mistake on our last wedding day."

Lois was about to frown for the first time all day when Martha
and Jonathan stepped forward. "Lois, Clark...these may not be the
fanciest, or the most expensive..."

Clark tried to interrupt as he watched his parents remove their
wedding rings for the first time he could ever remember in his
life. Martha silenced him with one soft look. "...but they are
real. They've been a enduring symbol of our love and commitment
to each other for 35 years."

She placed her ring in Clark's hand and Jonathan placed his in
Lois'. "I'm sure you'll eventually end up buying each other
something real special when you get back to the city but...we'd
be honored...if you wore these."

Lois looked at Martha and Jonathan and was instantly overwhelmed
by the significance of their gift. "I don't think there are rings
more special than these...they're beautiful." Lois looked at
Clark and smiled. "*We* would be honored."

Just to be sure, Lois tried Jonathan's ring on Clark and Clark
tried Martha's ring on Lois. Lois smiled at the gleaming bands of
gold on their fingers. "Perfect fit!"

Jimmy grabbed Lois' left hand and held it up as he bowed in front
of her. "I do believe I'm the *best man* to safely guard this. He
kissed her hand as he slid the ring off her finger, stopping just
below her knuckle and glancing up at Clark. "I am...still the
best man...right, CK?"

Clark laughed at Jimmy's sudden uncertainty. "Yes Jimmy, you
are!" Lucy slid her arm around Clark's and cleared her throat.
Getting the message, he held up his left hand. "I guess you'll be
relieving me of this?"

"Only until tomorrow, Mr. Kent." ******

With the party over, the men folk, Clark, Jonathan, Sam, Perry,
and Jimmy, went off to Wayne Irig's for the night. They laughed
and talked sports, and farm equipment. City life and country
life. And of course, Lois.

Lois, Martha, Ellen and Lucy went upstairs to Maisie's for the
night. They all took turns filling Lois in on the plans they
made. Practically all of Smallville had done their part to make
sure Lois and Clark had a beautiful wedding. From food, to
decorations, to music and flowers. Every question Lois could
think of was answered and much to her surprise, to her complete
satisfaction.

The ceremony would be outside at the church's gazebo. The
reception would be on the church grounds as well, down by the
stream and the giant oak tree. A large open tent had been set up
complete with a small parquet floor for dancing. Lois was
enchanted listening to her mother and Martha finishing each
other's sentences like they were using the same brain. They had
gotten together to give their children a wedding to remember, the
friends they had become in the process was the best of fringe
benefits. ******

After everyone had settled down for the night, Lois found herself
unable to sleep. Restless, she picked up a pair of binoculars she
found hanging in Maisie's hall closet and climbed out the bedroom
window to the roof.

"Clark! Clark!" She whispered as loud as she could without anyone
inside hearing. "Clark I don't want to have to throw myself of
this roof to get your attention...but I will! If you can hear me,
come to the window."

Clark heard her quite clearly before she even called him. He had
been tuned in to the sound of her heartbeat, trying to lull
himself to sleep. He wasn't nervous. Just anxious. He remembered
being a little boy and getting so excited the night before a
fishing trip or some other special day with his folks, that he
just could not go to sleep. Martha would sit with him on her lap
and rock him. He would listen to her heart beat slow and steady
and she would always say, "If you don't go to sleep, tomorrow
can't come."

After checking to make sure Jimmy was indeed sleep in the bed
across from him, he floated quietly to the window and climbed out
onto the roof. Seeing her with the binoculars, and confident she
could see him, he blew her a kiss.

"I just wanted to see you...and say goodnight. I love you."

Not wanting to be heard, Clark mouthed the words "I love you
more."

"What? Did you say you love me *more*?

Clark shook his head fervently.

"More than I love you?" She watched as Clark shook his head
again. "Well, I don't think so."

Clark just kept smiling and shaking his head "yes".

"Really? Well if you're so sure why don't you come-"

Before she could say "over here and prove it," Clark was on the
roof in front of her. Slowly, she lowered the binoculars from her
face. Clark wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply. He
wanted to send her a message. He wanted her to *feel* just how
much he loved her and wanted her. He wanted her to feel that he
would love her this strongly forever, and that by this time
tomorrow, they *would* be husband and wife in *every* sense of
the word.

When Clark felt his message was clear, he gently ended the kiss.
Lois was literally too weak in the knees to stand on her own, and
he was quite amused to see the "moony- eyed cheerleader" had made
a special guest appearance. Lois was speechless as Clark steadied
her and gently guided her back through the window.

"Good night, Lois".

As he flew back across the field to Wayne Irig's his eyes never
left her, nor her's him. When she could see him no longer, she
lowered herself gently down on the bed and sighed. "Wow..."
**********

Saturday was a beautiful day. Warm and sunny, Lois woke up half
expecting it all to be a dream. The smell of the fresh-brewed
coffee and the feel of the warm down comforter brought a smile to
her face. "This is too good to be a dream."

Once she got up and started the day she was pampered from head to
toe. She soaked in a luxurious bath and washed her hair. Lucy set
it for her as they tested make-up colors on their hands and
cheekbones. Shelby, the local beautician, worked on manicures,
pedicures and facials. The whole experience was like something
out of a Beverly Hills health spa. This was the wedding day Lois
imagined having. Her sister, her mom, Martha, all around her
chatting and laughing as they got all dressed for the big day.

As time rolled on the excitement grew. Ellen looked elegant in a
cream colored suit, and Martha was radiant in a pale pink.
Kristen Hall, a senior Daily Planet photographer, had been
commissioned by Perry to be the official photographer of the
blessed event. Lois liked Kristen because she reminded her so
much of herself. After snapping some "getting ready" shots of
Clark and the guys, she turned her attention to Lois and the
ladies. She snapped serious, proper, portrait pictures as well as
zany, candid, "Lois-in-her-gown- and-fuzzy-slippers" pictures.

At precisely 2:45, two horse-drawn carriages showed up in front
of Maisie's house to pick up Ellen, Martha, Lois and Lucy. The
horses were beautiful camel colored mares draped in ivory
blankets with a delicate emerald green trim. Kristen snapped away
as Lucy stepped out of the doorway into the brilliant sunlight.
Her figure hugging emerald gown and long ivory gloves made her
feel every bit the movie star.

Lois stood in front of the mirror trying to calm the flurry of
nerves that gentle knock on the door had caused. Maisie softly
called to her, "Lois...are you ready?"

"Just one more minute." In her mind she ran over her wedding day
checklist.

Something old. Her grandmother's pearl drop earrings. Her mom had
actually shed a tear when she presented them to her this morning.
"I don't know why I didn't give them to you before. I guess, this
time is definitely the right time. I just wish she were here to
see you in them."

Something new. Lucy had done a fabulous job with that. Lois'
wedding dress was absolutely stunning. It was long and lean and
embraced her curves. The train was full and swept gently across
the floor when she walked. Lois definitely felt like the belle of
the ball and Lucy knew she had done her part well.

Something borrowed. Maisie had provided that. Her
great-grandmother's pearl and diamond dinner ring. "For your
right hand." This morning as Lois sat under her revitalizing mud
mask, Maisie relayed the story of how her great grandmother Helen
was so nervous on her wedding day that she held out her right
hand instead of her left during the ring exchange. On her
daughter's wedding day, she gave her that pearl and diamond
dinner ring to wear on right hand, just in case. It had been a
tradition handed down through the generations ever since. "In
fact, the only woman to not wear that ring on her wedding day was
my Aunt Leona and what do you think happened?" Lois finished her
story with her, "She held out the wrong hand!"

Something blue. Bright, electric, unmistakable blue. A blue that
Lois recognized instantly. Martha had of course, hand-made a
beautiful, blue garter with just a hint of red around it's
delicate edges. Lois smiled as Martha explained. "This one is for
waaay up here on the thigh...for Clark to find...later." She
winked at Lois as she pulled another white garter, this one with
the green wedding color trim, out of the box. "This one is for
tossing to the hungry bachelors!"

As Lois drifted back from the memories of this morning, she gave
herself a final look. "Lois Lane...Kent." With the words barely
out of her mouth she felt an overwhelming sense of calm and
headed for the door. **********

At the altar, Clark was struck by the sheer beauty of her. It
never ceased to amaze him how easily she could take his breath
away. Now as she made her way down the aisle on her father's arm,
all he saw was her, all he heard was her heart beating. A strong,
steady rhythm, perfectly synchronized with his own.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and
this woman in holy matrimony." As birds chirped softly, Minister
Hawkins began to expound briefly on the sacredness of their
union. "Who gives this woman, to be so joined with this man?"
"Her mother and I." Sam Lane replied. Softly he kissed his
daughter's cheek, placed her hand in Clark's, and took his seat
next to her mother, who was already crying silently.

Time seemed to stand still for Lois and Clark as they recited
their vows and inched closer and closer to being lawfully wedded.
There was no fear. No nervousness. No mishaps. Just a beautiful
day, a gorgeous couple, and a wedding.

"By the power vested in me by God and the State of Kansas, I now
pronounce you...husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Clark took Lois in his arms and placed the gentlest, most
passionate kiss on her that Smallville had ever seen. A full 15
seconds later when they still had not emerged from each other's
embrace, light-hearted whistles erupted from the teary- eyed
onlookers. Clark blushed as he reluctantly pulled back from Lois'
lips. "I guess I lost myself in you." **********

While Lois and Clark were receiving their guests, Lois began to
notice how truly beautiful everything was, and how much work
everyone had put into their day. She made it a point to hug and
kiss everyone there and must have said a very sincere "I can't
thank you enough" a million times. To which she always got an
equally sincere version of the same response. "They were glad to
do it."

Lois and Clark took what would be their last trip around the
dance floor to Mariah Carey's "Vision of Love".

Treated me kind
Sweet Destiny
Carried me through desperation
To the one that was waiting for me

Lois looked up into Clark's brown eyes and wondered how she got
so lucky. She had all but written him off the first time she met
him and now here she was. More in love with him than she could
have ever imagined.

It took so long
Still I believed
Somehow the one that I needed
Would find me eventually

As Clark gazed back at her, he knew almost every thought she had.
He could almost see the memories of their lives together unfold
in her eyes. Her initial resistance to him and adoration of his
alter ego paled in comparison to the love she was now expressing
just by looking at him. Unable to tear himself from her gaze, he
mouthed the next few lines of the song.

I had a vision of love
And it was all that you've given to me.

Martha, Ellen and Lucy watched in silence as the pair floated
across the floor. Lucy silently hoping she would find a "super
guy" someday soon. Ellen was quietly debating whether or not to
ask Sam to dance.

Prayed through the nights
Felt so alone
Suffered from alienation
Carried the weight on my own

Martha listened intently to the music and focused on Clark. She
knew from the first mention of her name that Clark was smitten
with "Lois Lane" like no other woman before her. Not wanting to
take he eyes off the happy couple, she gently tapped Jonathan on
the shoulder and whispered to him to call the carriage over. By
the time Mariah hit her last note, Lois and Clark would
definitely be ready for the next phase of the plan.

I realized a dream
And I visualized the love that came to be
Feels so alive
I'm so thankful that I received
The answer that heaven had sent down to me

You treated me kind
Sweet destiny
And I'll be eternally grateful
Holding you so close to me

By this time Lois and Clark were more wrapped in each other's
arms than actually dancing. Lois had begun to cry softly. Tears
of absolute happiness and gratitude that Clark was more than
happy to kiss away.

I had a vision of love
And it was all that you turned out to be

It took a few moments for them to realize the music had stopped
and that almost all eyes were upon them. Clark smiled as he led
Lois off the dance floor.

"Time for you two to get going, dontcha think?" Perry announced
in his unmistakable Memphis drawl. After seeing Clark's slightly
confused look, he pointed to the edge of the grounds where one of
the horse-drawn carriages waited to whisk them away. Clark smiled
and admitted to himself he was quite happy and more than ready to
be *alone* with Lois as her husband.

Lois laughed as she and Clark said their good-bye's and once
again thanked everyone for their contributions. "We don't look
like we're in too much of a hurry to leave now do we?" she
whispered to Clark. Clark flashed his brown eyes at her and
whispered back, "I really don't care if we do, Mrs. Kent!"

As Clark helped Lois into the carriage she turned her back to the
crowd and tossed her bouquet high into the air and straight into
the arms of her baby sister. Lucy let out a playful scream and
waived at her sister. Clark looked back as they pulled away from
the reception and saw Lucy and Jimmy, hand in hand, heading to
the dance floor.

"I don't know, Lois, Jimmy caught the garter...Lucy caught the
bouquet..." Both laughed at Clark's inference, as they snuggled
together in the back of the carriage. The horse trotted down the
road as Lois and Clark gazed up into the night sky. It was a
chilly evening, but neither noticed.

Lois felt Clark's gaze shift to her neck and she tipped her head
back to allow maximum exposure. Unable to resist, and realizing
he no longer had to, Clark began placing gentle kisses along her
graceful neckline. Lois responded by running her fingers through
his hair at the back of his neck and pulling him closer, harder
into her .

Lois let out a soft moan as Clark's hands began to wander
intently over the bodice of her lovely gown. Neither noticed that
the carriage had come to a stop and the polite carriage driver
had cleared his throat for the second time.

The driver peeked over his shoulder at the couple and decided he
would try once more to get their attention discreetly. As loud as
he possibly could, he cleared his throat again and stepped down
from his seat. It worked. By the time he had lowered the step,
both Lois and Clark had composed themselves and stood ready to
exit the carriage. He smiled at Lois as he took her hand and
helped her down. Clark stepped out behind her.

"Good evening," the driver said as he replaced the step and
hurried on his way. "Thank you!" Lois called after him. Clark
looked up and realized that they were back at his parent's
farmhouse.

"I think I'm beginning to understand why they didn't want us in
the house yesterday." Clark wrapped his arms around Lois and
lifted her off the ground. "I know this is not exactly *our*
place but, do you mind if I carry you?"

Once inside, Clark gently deposited Lois on the couch. After
starting a fire in the fireplace he sat down next to Lois. "You
look so beautiful. Your hair, your dress. I almost don't want you
to take it off."

Lois giggled at the thought. "Oh *really*??"

"I said I *almost* don't want you to take it off!! *Almost*,
being the key word!" Clark began to laugh as he reiterated his
point.

Lois slid her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I guess our
bags are in your room. I didn't bring anything even remotely
special enough for *this* evening with me. When we left
Metropolis last night, I had no idea we would be husband and wife
tonight." She didn't really care. She hadn't planned on wearing
anything much longer anyway.

"Lois, I don't care if you're wearing a Smallville U tee-shirt, I
just...really...want...you."

Lois smiled and took Clark's hand. As they came to his bedroom
door Clark notice a small note taped to it. "What's it say?"

Clark looked at her inquisitively, "It says, 'Hope you like what
we've done to your room. Love Mom & Dad". Clark turned the knob
and pushed the door open. Practically before his eyes the once
sparsely decorated "room he slept in" had turned into a bedroom.
A room that he could share with the woman he loved. A room that
he would never again be lonely in.

There was a fresh paint job, and new carpet. Clark was amazed to
see that Jonathan had actually knocked down a wall, pushed it
back a few feet and in that space, added a full bath and enlarged
his closet. A small oak writing desk sat in one corner with a
picture of Lois and Clark at the Kerth Awards ceremony on it.
Then there was the bed. A big bed. A bed more than big enough to
share. It was perfectly made up and extremely inviting. Two hand
embroidered throw pillows, one with each of their names on it,
rested at the head.

Of course there was still a few shelves with memorabilia from
Clark's high school and college days. Yet somehow, Martha and
Jonathan had managed to take what was once completely Clark's and
make it "theirs".

One of them, his father Clark guessed, had refinished his old
dresser. It looked like new and Lois noticed what looked like a
gift wrapped shoe box sitting on top of it.

"What do you suppose is in here?" Lois lifted the box off the
dresser and took it to Clark. He was still standing in the center
of "their" room mesmerized by it's appearance.

"I don't know...open it"

Lois took the lid off the box and a puzzled look crossed her
face.

"What? What is it?"

"Looks like...Christmas tree lights..."

Lois could only watch as Clark's faced burst into a smile. He
took the box from her and plugged them into an outlet next to the
bed. As expected, every bulb in what had to be at least 5 strings
of lights lit up and began twinkling in a slow, wave pattern.
Clark stretched the lights out across the floor and turned the
lamp next to the bed off.

The soft glow of the white lights more than intensified the
electricity in the room. Lois had found a CD already in the CD
player that sat on the desk and pushed play. Etta James began to
croon softly in the background.

At last
My love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song

Oh yeah, yeah, at last
The skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clover
The night I looked at you

"Would you mind telling me what the Christmas tree lights are all
about?" Lois had begun undressing him as she asked the question.
He smiled and initiated a long, probing kiss during which Lois'
gown managed to fall to the floor. It was met quickly with
Clark's shirt and pants.

I found a dream that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known

Lois moaned as Clark picked her up and carried her to their bed.
He had waited long enough to surrender his patience. "How about
if I just show you?"

You smiled, you smiled, oh and then the spell was cast
And here we are in heaven
For you are mine....At last.

THE END