Chapter 3
[Saturday morning—Sullivan House]

Lana rose early and looked out the window. Inhaling from the cool backdrop, she enjoyed the sunshine and birds chirping back at her. “This is nice.” She put on a sweatshirt and an old pair of jeans before heading downstairs.

There, she made a couple of turkey and swiss sandwiches. Reaching into the fridge, she took out the container of potato salad which she had made the night before. I’m going to make sure this is going to be a great lunch! Placing everything into her cooler, she smiled to herself. Maybe we can get something from town to drink with this. Picking up the cooler, she sped out the door and toward the Kent Farm.


****

[Kent Farm—Ten minutes earlier]

Clark poured himself a glass of orange juice and looked out at the pinks and magentas coloring the early morning March sky. All night, he had tossed and turned, feeling anxious and yet excited about spending a whole day with his fiancée. “It’s a beautiful morning at least.”

“It is that,” Miranda concurred while coming down the stairs. “Ready to enjoy today?”

“I’ve waited for a long time to do this,” he indicated.

“Don’t I know it?” She admired the flowers wrapped in newspaper next to him. “That doesn’t look like it came from Auntie’s.”

He shrugged. “It didn’t. They’re from New Mexico.”

“New Mexico? Let me guess. You zipped down there last night?” she supposed. “She’ll love them. Now remember, no problems today.”

“No problems.”

“I mean it. If the Boss says otherwise, I’m going to have to hurt you. Got it?” she clarified.

He smiled, not putting it past her. “I promise.”

“Well good. Sorry, Clark, I just want her to enjoy today.”

“I know, Miri. She will,” he affirmed.

“Good. Have a great day,” she declared before taking off for her vehicle.

Let’s hope nothing happens…. He sighed.

[“Have confidence, Kal-El. Nothing will happen. At least, nothing that will interfere with you and Lana’s courtship,” his father indicated.]

Even Jor-El’s getting in on this? Terrific.

[“That is a father’s job too. I leave you both to a fine day.”] With that, he went silent.

He walked outside to the soft caress of the wind against his face. “It’s a great day.” Then he saw a familiar blur approaching the house and stopping in front of him. “And it just got better.”

“That was the correct response, Clark,” Lana teased while kissing him. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” he concurred. “I see you’ve been busy.”

“Where you’re concerned, always.” She giggled, feeling completely at ease. “Just a bit of lunch for later.” She looked curiously at him. “And what have you been up to?”

“Me?”

She glanced at him knowingly. “You’ve got the shy blush thing going. What have you been up to, Clark?”

“Nothing as much as that,” he revealed, leading her into the house. “I just got something for you.” Holding up the flowers, he added, “For you.”

“Clark, that was so sweet,” she declared. “These aren’t from around here. Where did you get them?”

“I went out for a run to work off nerves. I found these somewhere in western New Mexico,” he reported.

She took a whiff, savoring the perfume. “I love them. I can’t believe you’d go so far to get something for me.”

“Believe it. I want today to be good for both of us,” he indicated. “Maybe we could start things with some exercise?” He smirked. “Race to Dallas and back?”

“Feeling your oats, aren’t we?” she cracked. “Fine. Catch me if you can!” She took off toward the south in a blur.

He sighed. After putting the cooler in the fridge, he rushed after her. Using their link, he tracked her path, catching up to her just before the Oklahoma-Texas line where she had stopped to smell some early spring blooms.

“You’re getting faster, Slowpoke,” she gibed before putting on another burst of speed.

“Slowpoke? Yeah right,” he retorted before heading after her again.


****

[Chandler’s Field—Two hours later]

After losing a close race (yet again) to her, he suggested that they walk around Chandler’s Field. As they went, they enjoyed the natural backdrop around them.

“So where did you hit?” she wondered.

“Mom and Dad say it was right over here,” he indicated, pointing to the spot by the side of the road.

“Hard to believe that your folks literally found you here. Makes you think of storks, doesn’t it?” she remarked.

He grinned at her. “We aren’t going to need a stork, Lana.”

Her eyes sparkled at him. “I would hope not, Clark. Imagine explaining that one to Jor-El?”

“No thanks,” he agreed. “Look, any kid of ours is going to have a great home.”

“Absolutely,” she concurred; her eyes watering as she said it. “And, we’re looking at kids not kid.”

“You think so?” he asked.

“I know so. You’re a natural father,” she assessed.

“Glad you think so,” he replied. “I’ll do my best.”

“And so will I,” she indicated. “Let’s go by the stables. Mind taking a ride on Max and Sam?”

“Sounds great!”


****

[1:30 PM—Windmill]

After a brisk ride on their horses through the woods and across the prairie, the two teens headed for their favorite raised spot: the windmill.

With their lunch in hand, he beat her to the platform by an eyelash.

“I let you win,” she informed him while sitting down next to him. “I hope you like turkey.”

“Love it,” he indicated while accepting one from her.

“Somehow I knew you would. Glad your Mom had some lemonade on hand.” She poured them each a glass before handing him one. “I love this spot.”

“Remember how this was your biggest ambition in Chloe’s freshman poll?” he reminded her.

She winced. “Big aims—that’s me. Did you ever answer it?”

“Nope.”

She arched her eyebrow. “And I don’t suppose I would have been involved with your answer?”

“Probably,” he retorted.

“Like what? Getting me away from Whitney? Going for a date? Or even sharing a coffee at the Beanery without getting sick from my necklace?” she supposed.

“Any of the above. I felt so frustrated in those days seeing you with him.” He bit into his sandwich.

“I can imagine. I felt the same watching you and Chloe at the dance,” she admitted. “We did need help, didn’t we?”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “Lana, we’re together now. Everyone approves.” He squeezed her hand gently. “That’s all that matters.”

“Right. How are we going to repay them for letting us take today?” she wondered.

“Don’t start,” he advised.

“It’s just a question, Clark.”

He rolled his eyes. “Your bodyguard vowed to kick my tail if you started worrying about anything today.”

She chuckled. “That’s Miri for you. She means well.”

“She does. Right now though, I want to focus on us,” he indicated, hugging her shoulders with his left arm. “How’s that?”

“I can deal with that,” she indicated warmly. “I hope we can spend a lifetime together like this.”

“I know,” he realized, thinking of the potential threats out there. “One day, we can settle here and raise those kids you were talking about?”

She looked at him curiously. “You mean that? Clark, I know we have these gifts and abilities but some day, I just want to return and live quietly with our family.”

“That’s my dream too, Lana,” he agreed as they gazed out onto the area around them, taking in the Metropolis skyline far in the distance. “Some day, we’ll do that. There’s something to be said about being raised on a farm.”

Recalling her own experiences living with Nell, she mentioned, “You sure get a routine. Besides, you see what life’s really like.”

“And riding horses isn’t bad either, right?” he jabbed, grinning at her.

She rolled her eyes. “Neither is looking through a telescope from one’s loft.”

“Right,” he admitted, conceding defeat. Still he knew that they agreed on the base premise. “Want to stay up here for a while?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” she replied, leaning against his strong left shoulder. While they both liked to stay busy, he had to admit that this afternoon was Paradise.



Chapter 4 [That night—Loft]

After having dinner with his parents, Clark and Lana retired to the Loft to wrap up their day with some star gazing and quality time together. The sky was clear with stars shining on them. The moon cast them both in its gentle sheen. The air held a chill.

She gazed through the telescope, studying the stars far away. “There are so many out there!”

“You could spend a lifetime studying them all and never scratch the surface,” he told her. “Krypton’s sun is long gone now. I wish I could show it to you.”

“That’s okay. Between your natural parents and the caves, I feel like I know so much about Krypton as it is. And I have the most important part of it anyhow.”

He quirked his eyebrow. “You do?”

She grinned; her eyes sparkling at him. “You, Clark. Thank you for sharing this with me. My flowers, the race, the horseback ride and the windmill were great!”

“So was your picnic lunch. You make one mean turkey sandwich, Miss Lang,” he quipped.

“I do, don’t I?” She giggled. “We do need to spend more quality time together like this.”

“Hey. You know where to find me,” he replied, grinning at her. “Somehow I think I’d be able to squeeze you in.”

“Somehow I know you’re right,” she concurred; letting her eyes shine at him.



Conclusion
[Monday—Torch]

After their day of bliss, everyone noticed how refreshed the super teens were. Classes flew by even in the most difficult of circumstances. The positive reinforcement of their shared love propelled them through everything.


****

Right after their last class, they found Chloe typing away on her computer. As always, pictures and proofs lay by her right arm. The familiar large coffee cup stood guard by the left.

“Hey, guys,” the reporter greeted, turning around to greet them. “Sorry I haven’t been around much the last three days. How did it go?”

“Terrific,” he replied, glancing warmly at his fiancée.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better day, Chloe. We really owe you and Lex for that,” Lana added.

Chloe smiled warmly. “Hey, we members of the wedding party need to watch out for our couple, right? Besides you two have been so busy lately. Some day you have to tell me what happened in that other place you went to.”

“Once we figure it all out, you’ll be the first to know,” he indicated.

“When we figure it out,” the former cheerleader noted. “Did you have anything for us?”

Chloe arched an eyebrow. “I may have something on the Talon later. I was thinking of writing a piece on Miranda’s aunt and uncle and their ties to Smallville.”

“We might want to be careful of that one,” Lana indicated. “Maybe Dr. Dubois will talk to us at some point. Why don’t we let him get settled first?”

“He’s been here for a few months now,” Chloe argued.

“Maybe longer,” Clark hedged, not wanting to risk an encounter with the Protector over something like that. “Besides, we had a great weekend. I want to enjoy that feeling as long as I can.”

“No argument here,” Lana agreed.

“Clark Kent, a romantic? There is something under that plaid after all!” Chloe teased.

He smiled. “I like to keep you guessing.”

“There is definitely a lot more to you both than meets the eye,” Chloe agreed.

“Well, I need to get to the Talon. Clark, I’ll meet you later?” Lana concluded. After he nodded, they kissed and she headed out the door.

“It went that well, huh?” Chloe probed.

“What do you think?” he replied, deftly reflecting her inquiry. “Thanks, Chloe, for the suggestion. It was a fabulous day.” He flashed the Kent smile. “See you later.”

“Glad to see you so chipper,” she agreed as he left. She sighed. “Mission definitely accomplished.”


****

[Cowache Caves]

After wading through the rush with Miri, Lana supersped over to the Caves where she knew Clark waited for her. At least Miri was happy. I wish we could find someone for her! [“Clark?”]

[“We’re in the central chamber,” he declared.]

You should know that! Come on, Lana! She headed for the main cavern and through the hole in the wall. At that point, she ran into Clark and his birth parents. [“Hi, Everyone. Sorry to keep you.”]

[“Kal-El explained that you were occupied,” Lara assured her. “It is good to see you.”]

[“There is more to life than dealing with adversity,” Jor-El indicated. “One needs to have companionship and cooperation between partners if a marriage is to last.”]

[“Do tell, Jor-El,” his wife teased. “I’m glad to see you took in something from our time together.”]

[“I always did,” her husband retorted. “I’m just glad that we can still be a part of their lives.”]

[“And that Lana can be in our lives,” Lara added.]

[“And that her parents can be that too,” Clark chimed in.]

[“Everyone can be included,” Lana concluded. “I’m afraid to ask but are they any more threats on the horizon?”]

[“None that we can tell,” her soon to be father-in-law indicated. “Just enjoy yourselves as we all work together to plan your joining.”]

[“It will be a proud moment for us all,” Lara indicated. “I will finally get to meet the ones who raised you, Kal-El.”]

[“You’ll really like them, Lara,” Lana assured her.]

[“I’m sure I will,” the female spirit agreed. “Meantime, it is getting toward the middle of your night. Go on now.”]

[“Yes, Mom,” Clark sighed, not really wanting to leave his parents’ side. “Thanks.”]

[“It’s our pleasure, Kal-El,” Jor-El indicated.]

After they walked back through the light into the main cavern, they studied the symbols again. While they had seen them so many times before, each visit seemed to bring out something new in them.

“Still think I’m the only piece of Krypton left?” he asked.

She shot him a sarcastic glance. “I said you were the best of what’s left. I love having your parents around and deciphering these walls to know more about our civilization.” Seeing his surprise, she affirmed, “When I agreed to marry you, this became mine as well as yours.” She winced. “I guess that’s how it works.”

“Believe me; I’m glad to have someone to share it with,” he told her gently before brushing her lips with his own. “No more secrets, remember?”

“No more secrets,” she agreed. “I’m glad your father wants me around.”

“You won him over. Hey, not everyone stands up to him. Well, Mom does.” He chuckled. “I think that’s why they like you so much.”

“I’m glad I have their seal of approval as well as yours, Clark,” she teased. “See me home?”

“Of course. Race you!” he concurred before speeding off and leaving her behind for a change.

“You’ll need to do better than that!” she noted before taking off in hot pursuit into the night.

Perhaps, the next few months would have their plans—Prom, wedding preparations, graduation among other key events. Still for the super teens, life allowed them to slow down and enjoy their time together every so often. Even as one needed to defend friends and neighbors against those who infringed on their rights, that person could enjoy one’s self too.

And that is what Clark and Lana decided to do as often as they could.



THE END (for now)



Back to the Super Lana Series Page