Rated: T (Teen--some language)

Pairing: Chlex

Notes: Smallville belongs to DC and the CW. Any original characters are mine. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com.

Dedication: This one’s for Peggy as an early birthday present. She requested this theme during an earlier chat conversation. This is what the Muse came up with. Enjoy!


Chapter 1 [Luthor Mansion—Monday before Easter]

After an especially harsh winter, spring arrived right just in the nick of time for Kansas residents. They were glad to see the buds on the trees and birds flying overhead, calling to each other while on the trek north. Planters (including Martha Kent of course) planned their flower beds and the next crop of blooms.

In his study, Lex engrossed himself in such a creative enterprise. As it turned out, the following Sunday represented a conjoining of different occasions in one. Besides being Easter Sunday, March 23rd was his second wedding anniversary.

It was also the day when the baby she carried was due to make his or her appearance.

He sighed, feeling his own fears and moods. Chloe had encouraged him at every step, letting him know he was better than the Big Bad Lionel in terms of personal character and fortitude. He knew she’d be the perfect partner.

Still he recalled how his father had treated him. What if I’m like him? He turned to his mother’s portrait.

Much like a British beefeater, Lillian’s image kept a sharp eye over the space and her son’s activity. On several occasions, people swore the portrait was staring at them or a glimmer shone in her eyes.

On this day, however, he saw none of this. He only wanted to feel his mother’s reassuring presence. She’d tell you not to overwhelm Chloe but to find something from the heart. He steepled his fingers while browsing through the latest in a string of online shopping sites. What to get. What to get.

The casualty list of potential gifts included chocolates, a year’s supply of coffee and standard floral arrangements. None of those things would satisfy Smallville’s Most Inquiring Mind and he knew it.

One thing he knew…whatever he did get, Martha’s tulips would frame the arrangement. Just the previous week, she’d grown a few blooms in the house, knowing how much Chloe would like them.

In addition to the special gift, he had a coffee urn ready for the following Sunday as well. While she’d drain the town’s coffee reserves dry with it, he wanted to have a jab at her. Besides if it kept her happy in the long run, he didn’t care.

He powered down his computer and paced across the room, wracking his brain for other options. Why is it that I can deal with multimillionaires with no effort but Chloe does this to me? He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

As he did, a beam of sunlight poured through, reflecting off the brass rail underneath the window. It appeared almost like gold with the reflected light.

That’s it! Lex jumped on the phone and waited for an answer. Maybe Samson’s will have something! Several times in the past, he and his family had turned to Granville’s best jewelry store for inspiring pieces. Perhaps the elderly master craftsman could strike pay dirt again.

“Samson’s Jewelers. Clive Samson speaking,” Samson greeted.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Samson, this is Lex Luthor. How are you?” Lex replied, managing to compose himself.

“Lex, it’s great to hear from you. Thank you for the donation to the town’s art fund! We’re going to be able to do that summer music series now,” Samson informed him.

The billionaire nodded, feeling a burst of pride for a minute. Granville’s project was something that both he and Chloe had identified and worked on as a team. “I’ll let my wife know. You realize that she’s going to want to do a spread for the Ledger, right?”

“As if I’d be brazen enough to try and deny her that? I’d rather jump into a pit full of rattlesnakes,” Samson assured him.

Lex chuckled. “That would be about the size of it.” He went silent for a second, letting his mind shift back to the main issue at hand. “Speaking of jumping into the pit, I have a situation.”

“Oh?” The jeweler asked. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain wedding anniversary, would it?”

“Only you would remember that,” Lex declared.

“I’m a businessman, Lex. Certainly remembering the important dates in my best clients’ lives is a priority. Wouldn’t you say?”

“Touché,” Lex conceded. “Between that and the baby, I was hoping you could work the Samson magic again.”

“As a matter of fact, I may just have something to interest you,” Samson informed him. “There are two pieces: a necklace and a bracelet. Either one will fit the bill, I think. I’d be happy to hold them for you.”

“I’ll be right over. Thanks,” Lex concluded before hanging up. He walked out of the study and grabbed his overcoat. As he descended the staircase, Rollins walked over. “Shall I keep dinner waiting, Master Luthor?”

“I should be back in time.” He glanced at his watch. “Hopefully I won’t keep Chloe waiting too long.”

“I’ll make sure to have her favorite coffee going. You’re on an important mission, Sir. I’d be honored to assist in any way possible,” the butler concurred.

While he knew the other man didn’t eavesdrop on his conversations, Lex never ceased to be amazed by Rollins’ instinctive understanding of these situations and his reactions to them. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Rollins. Thanks.” With that, he headed out toward the garage and drove off toward Granville.

Miss Chloe knows you love her, Master. Trust in that. Your mother always did. The manservant headed down the hall toward his other tasks, feeling good about the mood at large.





Chapter 2 [Talon—A half hour later]

Even as Lex rushed toward his prize, Chloe marched through the café’s front door with her favorite weapon in hand: the quart-sized coffee mug. For most of that afternoon, she had wrapped up the Ledger’s latest feature column due to appear three days later. Fiona should love the stuff on Edge City. Still she felt relieved that part of the ordeal was over.

She rubbed her stomach. While she felt conspicuous about the expanded bulge, she’d learned to put up with Lex’s good natured fat cracks as well as their neighbors’ gossiping about her. She’d in fact beamed with pride over her impending status as a mother. I am having Lex’s and my child, Folks! Deal with it! And this kid’s going to be different than his grandfather!

Miranda watched her walk up to the counter. “Hey, Chloe, how’s the column?”

“Just finished!” She grinned at Smallville’s female answer to Bruce Lee wrapped up in the guise of coffee connoisseur. At least she hasn’t changed her views of me. “Hit me!”

Miranda quirked an eyebrow. “Somehow I don’t think Lex or the Boss would want me doing that.” She saucily grabbed the green handle to the decaf pot. “I had this brewing especially for you.”

Chloe frowned. She definitely missed the caffeinated rush from her usual stuff. For the past few months, she’d felt half awake due to the low test. When the baby’s born, I can go back to it!

“You’re taking this well,” Miranda assumed.

“The baby’s most important right now. I won’t hurt it,” the reporter vowed.

“Even if the caffeine addiction’s already in the rug rat’s genes?”

“Hush, you!” Chloe swatted at the air between them despite knowing that her friend was kidding. “Hey, speaking of Lana, where is she?”

“Clark and I talked her into taking the afternoon off. I think he’s got something going,” Miranda supposed.

That tidbit definitely got Chloe’s Inner Reporter going. “Clark doing something romantic? Yeah right.”

“I told him if he didn’t, I’d have to kill him.” Miranda pulled the mini-tanker toward her and started filling it.

“That sounds more like it,” Chloe retorted wryly, stifling a chuckle. “Any other little bits you might know about the Farm Boy’s thinking?”

“He wouldn’t tell me. Even if I knew, sorry, Chloe, I couldn’t share. Confidentiality and all that,” Miranda indicated. “I’m just glad he’s finally making a move.”

“If he does it,” Chloe doubted. “This is Clark Kent and Lana Lang we’re talking about.”

“Oh he knows what’s waiting for him if he doesn’t.” Miranda hinted, letting the words (and implied threat) hang heavily in the air.

Chloe winced. While Clark was Smallville’s resident hero, she doubted he’d be able to deal with the flying fists of fury behind the counter. Especially where Lana was concerned, Miranda would defend her friend to the death if needed. That will was backed up by a twelfth degree black belt and weaponry mastery galore. “You know, as much as Mr. Plaid waffles on things, I’d still like him around.”

“I know. There are other ways to get the point across.” Miranda shrugged. “So anyhow, when do we find out about the baby? Did you and Lex ever get that test done?”

Chloe shook her head. “Lex and I decided not to do the ultrasound. We wanted the baby to tell us when he or she comes.”

“I like it. You’re showing remarkable patience. My sensei would have praised you for it,” the waitress complimented. “You won’t keep us waiting too long when you find out.”

“Once the kid’s born, the Ledger gets the exclusive. After that, all bets are off,” Chloe informed the other while sipping on the coffee. “This is great! You sure this is decaf?”

“I thought you’d like it.” Miranda smiled. “Lana and I found a supplier in Metropolis with connections to Europe and the Far East. That’s a Javanese-Sumatran blend. The buyer said even you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.” She giggled. “You’re world infamous!”

Chloe rolled her eyes at the smart aleck. “Wonder how long it’s going to take Lex to start teasing me about that too?” She sipped on the coffee, savoring the flavor.

As she did however, she doubled over in pain. “AHH!” The coffee mug dropped from her hand and spilled all over the floor.

Everyone turned to face the two women at the front counter.

“Chloe, what’s wrong?” Miranda asked although she had a good idea.

“Miranda, crap….it’s time. It’s coming!” Chloe huffed. “Oh wow!” She tensed as another contraction stabbed through her midsection. “The med center. Get me there. Now!”

Miranda nodded and threw her coat on. “Sandra! Take over. I’ll let Mr. Luthor know.” She turned to her friend. “Come on, Chloe. I’ll take you in my blazer.”

“Th…thanks,” Chloe accepted while accompanying her friend with as much dignity as she could muster toward the vehicle.




Chapter 3 [Granville—Samson’s Jewelers]

Lex parked the Lexus in front of the jewelry store and smiled. Judging from the shop owner’s tone on the phone, he’d have everything pretty much wrapped up within the next few minutes. Hope she’s going to like it! He got out of the car and entered the store.

Behind the counter, a white haired man with a white shirt, blue vest and a matching bow tie looked up expectantly. “Ah! Lex! Glad you could come! I have what we talked about.”

“It’s always a pleasure, Mr. Samson,” the billionaire responded as he walked over and shook the other man’s hand. “You’ve always come through. Let’s see what you’ve got this time.”

“Of course.” Samson produced two cases from under the glass and set them on top of it. “I thought of your wife when I first saw them.” He opened them for the customer’s consideration.

The first case held an exquisite necklace made of fourteen karat gold with a sapphire pendant at its front.

The other case had a fourteen karat gold bracelet inlaid with six diamonds.

Lex exhaled longingly at the two precious items. His first instinct was to take both of them. However, he knew Chloe would never accept both items. “You’re right. Chloe would like either one.”

“Seems you have a choice to make, don’t you?” Samson inquired knowingly.

“Yeah.” Lex rubbed his chin for a few minutes before coming to a decision. “I’ll take the necklace.”

“Excellent choice, Lex,” Samson agreed. “I’m sure Mrs. Luthor will concur.”

“Let’s hope so,” Lex hoped while taking out his credit card and handing it to the merchant. As he did so, his cell phone buzzed at him. “Run it. I’ll sign.” He answered it. “Lex Luthor.”

“Lex, it’s Miranda Arighatto. I’m at Smallville Regional with Chloe. She’s in labor,” Miranda informed him. “Where are you?”

“Granville. I’m on my way,” he declared.

“YOU’D BETTER BE! LUTHOR, MOVE IT!” Chloe barked into the cell.

“I’ll be right there. Hang in there, Sullivan,” he assured her before scribbling his signature on the credit slip’s dotted line and handing it back to Samson. “I’ll take it as is. Sorry, got to run. Chloe’s in labor. Figures that the kid’s as impatient as she is!” He carried the case out to the car, gunned the motor and burned rubber down the main state road back to Smallville.

Samson shook his head and smiled, recalling his friend’s birth. You were in a hurry too, Lex. Like father and mother, like child. He whistled a contented tune, knowing the family’s next generation would not be long in coming.