Think Before You Speak

By Jennifer Allen (tmallen@iolinc.net)

Summary: A slice of Lois and Clark's life at their fifth wedding anniversary -- heated arguments, happy news, dramatic moments, and WAFFs.

***

(Lois and Clark's Brownstone)

It was Lois and Clark's fifth anniversary, and they were planning an evening of dinner and were also going to see a play. Martha and Jonathan would be arriving in Metropolis for a visit and would be staying for two weeks. Lois and Clark were planning on leaving at 6:00pm, so Martha and Jonathan had agreed to be at the house at 5:30pm to babysit Johnny.

At 5:00pm Lois was in the shower, and Clark was getting dressed. He was only wearing his dress pants and was putting on his socks. Then he heard the doorbell ring and ran down the stairs, putting his shirt on at the same time. He x- rayed the door and saw his mother and father standing behind it. He opened the door.

"Clark, aren't you ready to go yet?" Martha asked, noticing that Clark was only half dressed.

"Well, mom, you are a half hour early." Clark replied.

"Oh," Jonathan said looking at his watch. "Our plane got in early, and we were just so excited about seeing Johnny."

Just then a four-year-old boy with dark curly hair came running down the stairs. "Grandpa Kent!" He yelled as he jumped into Jonathan's arms.

"Hey buddy!" Jonathan said chuckling as he gave Johnny a hug.

"What about me?" Martha asked, tickling Johnny.

"Hi, grandma!" He said as he kissed Martha on the cheek.

"As much as I would love to stay and watch this wonderful reunion between grandparents and grandchild, I really have to go finish getting ready." Clark said as he headed back up the stairs.

***

At 6:00pm, Lois and Clark were both ready to go. Lois was wearing a burgundy dress that hung to the floor. It was form fitting and made of silk. Clark was wearing a black suit, a white shirt, and a tie with black, white, and burgundy zigzag.

"Have I told you lately how beautiful you look?" Clark whispered in Lois' ear as they walked down the steps.

"Oh ... not in the last two minutes." Lois said as she planted a kiss on Clark's cheek.

As they walked to the door to get their coats, Johnny looked up from where he was playing with his Superman action figures on the floor in front of the couch. Martha and Jonathan, who were sitting on the couch, did the same.

"Wow, mommy, you look pretty." Johnny said with a smile on his face.

"Well, thank you!" Lois said smiling. "Now come here and give mommy and daddy a hug before we go."

Johnny walked to where his parents were standing and Clark picked him up. "It will be late when we get back, so you will probably already be asleep, but Grandpa and Grandma Kent are going to stay here with you." Clark said as he put his son back down on the floor.

Lois loved to see how her husband and her son communicated with each other. They were so much alike, and every time she saw them together, she could see the pride that was evident on Clark's face. Lois bent over and gave Johnny a hug and kissed him on the cheek. Lois and Clark then walked out the door.

***

(At the Restaurant)

Lois and Clark were seated at a table in a secluded part of the restaurant. Soft music was playing and there was a candle on the table.

"Lois, there are no words to describe how you make me feel. The past five years have been the greatest of my life, and I hope we will have many, many more. You have given me everything that I could have possibly imagined." Clark said. Lois squeezed his hand and just smiled at him. She saw him reach inside his jacket and pull out a rectangular box.

"Here," he said. "I want you to open this now."

"Oh, Clark, you didn't have to buy me anything." Lois said as she took the box. Clark just smiled and motioned for her to open her gift.

After she had the paper torn off it, she hesitated before she opened it up. As she did, she saw the shimmering of gold. "Oh, Clark! It's beautiful."

She lifted the gold chain from the box and looked at the charms on it. There were two hearts intertwined and a smaller heart dangling beside the two larger ones. Clark started to explain the significance of the necklace.

"See. These two hearts represent yours and mine." He said as he pointed to the two larger hearts. "Then this smaller one represents Johnny's."

"Clark I love it. It's gorgeous." Lois said looking from the necklace to Clark.

"The lady at the jewelry store told me that we could add more to it, if we have any more children." Clark said as he walked behind Lois and put the necklace on her.

As Clark sat back down, Lois cleared her throat. "Well then. We are just going to have to add another heart to it." Lois said as she smiled at Clark.

"Well, yeah. If we have more ... " Clark's voice trailed off as he realized the meaning of what Lois had just told him. Clark had a stunned look on his face.

"Clark? Are you all right?" Lois asked as she took his hand in hers. Clark smiled and squeezed her hand.

"Lois ... you are saying that we are going to have another baby, aren't you?" Clark asked with a stunned look still on his face.

"Yes, Clark. We are going to have another baby. I'm two months pregnant. Isn't that great?" Lois asked.

"Oh, Lois, this is wonderful." Clark said as he leaned over the table and kissed her deeply. As the kiss ended, both began to laugh.

***

(Lois and Clark's Brownstone)

It was midnight when they got back home, but neither of them was very tired.

"Clark, I had a wonderful time tonight," Lois said to Clark as they walked up the stairs.

"Well, it's not over yet," Clark said as he took Lois in his arms and began to kiss her passionately. Lois moaned softly with delight and pulled his body closer to hers. They reached their bedroom door, but didn't make it any farther. They were still kissing in the doorway, when Clark felt something wrap around his leg. He broke the kiss and looked down. It was Johnny.

"I guess he's not very tired tonight either." Lois said smiling at Clark. Clark bent down and picked him up and all three walked into the bedroom. Lois went to the bathroom to change her clothes and wipe off her make-up, while Clark changed in the bedroom.

When Lois came out of the bathroom, both Clark and Johnny were sitting on the bed under the covers. Every time she looked at them, she was amazed by how much they looked alike. Lois then crawled into the bed next to Johnny, who was sitting in the middle.

"Should we tell him now?" Clark asked.

"Sure, why not." Lois responded to Clark's question. "Johnny," Lois started. "Do you remember a while ago when you told me that you wanted a baby brother or sister?" Johnny nodded. "Well, you are going to get one. I'm going to have a baby."

"Wow! Is it gonna be a brother or sister? When do we get to go get it?" Johnny asked with a bright smile on his face.

"No, Johnny. You don't go get it. Right now it is growing inside mommy's belly." Clark said as he placed his hand on Lois' stomach.

"And we don't know whether it is a boy or girl yet. We will find that out when the baby is born." Lois added.

Johnny then gently placed his hand on Lois' stomach. "Well, why can't I see it?" Johnny asked.

"Right now, the baby is just really, really tiny, but it will grow and then will be ready to be born. Just like you were." Clark tried to explain.

Johnny then started laughing which caused Lois and Clark to start laughing also. Martha and Jonathan, who were sleeping in the next room, were awakened by this and went into Lois and Clark's bedroom. "I assume you told them." Martha said looking at Lois.

"Yeah. They both seem to be enjoying the idea." Lois said grinning.

"Wait a minute. You told my mom and dad before you told me." Clark said.

"Clark, I've known for two weeks and I wanted this to be your anniversary present. So, I had to wait to tell you, and I was just dying to tell someone. I just had to." Lois said smiling. Clark then kissed her on the cheek.

"Well, we'll leave you two alone." Jonathan said. "Come on, Johnny, let's get you back to bed."

"Oh, mommy, can I sleep in here tonight?" Johnny asked as he hugged Lois tightly.

"Sure, honey, you can stay in here." Lois replied.

At that Martha and Jonathan said goodnight and headed back to bed. Johnny snuggled between his two parents and was soon fast asleep. Lois then leaned over and kissed Clark on the forehead. "Thank you for my present, honey. I will wear it always." She said.

"Well, thank you for mine. It is the greatest gift you could have ever given to me." Clark said as he stared into her eyes.

"Well, I couldn't have gotten it for you without your help." Lois said giggling. Clark laughed also and soon they too fell asleep.

***

(Three Weeks Later: Daily Planet)

Clark was sitting at his desk putting the finishing touches on a story when he felt her hands run along his back. He stopped what he was doing and leaned back in his chair. Lois put her arms around his neck.

"Are you almost finished with that story?" Lois asked.

"Yeah, just adding a few finishing touches." Clark said.

"Well, I'm going to go pick Johnny up from preschool, so I'll meet you at home." Lois said as she kissed Clark on the cheek and started to walk away.

"Hey! Come here a minute." Clark said motioning to Lois. When she got close to him, he pulled her down onto his lap and kissed her passionately.

Their kiss continued until Lois finally broke away. Breathlessly she asked, "What was that for?"

"Oh, I don't know. I just felt like kissing you." Clark said with a grin on his face.

Lois just looked at him, and then resumed their kiss. Perry walked by and stopped by Clark's desk. Neither of them was even aware that Perry was standing right beside them.

Perry cleared his throat several time before he finally got their attention. "Judas Priest! After five years, one child, and another one on the way, you two are still acting like you did when you were first engaged. Kent, you have that story done yet." Perry asked.

"Uh ... yeah Chief. Right here." Clark said handing it to Perry. Perry just walked away with his eyebrows raised.

Lois, who was still sitting on Clark's lap, smiled as she watched Clark blush.

"Well, I have to go get Johnny. I'll see you at home." Lois said and walked to the elevator.

***

(Lois' Jeep)

"How was your day today?" Lois asked Johnny as she drove.

"Great. I built a castle with blocks. Then I colored, and then we did our ABC's, and then ... " Johnny was interrupted by the ringing of Lois' cell phone.

"Hold on just a minute while I answer this." Lois said to Johnny. "Hello ... Yeah Perry, I'm on my way home ..Where? ... Okay, I'm on my way." Lois said.

Perry had told Lois that at that very moment the New Troy Bank was being robbed. Lois was on her way to get her story. When she arrived in front of the bank, she saw two men, wearing black masks run out of the bank and get into a car. Without thinking, Lois started to follow them, followed by two police cars. The robbers led her on a chase through the city and then onto a windy road. All Lois was thinking about was getting the story and forgot about the safety of herself, Johnny, and her unborn child. On the windy road, Lois lost control of the car and ran off the road, hitting a tree.

"Are you all right, sweetie?" Lois asked Johnny as she unbuckled and climbed into the back seat.

"Yeah, mommy." Johnny said.

Just then, Lois heard a knock on the window. One police officer had stopped to make sure that everything was all right.

"Ma'am, are you all right?" The officer asked.

"Yeah, we're fine." Lois answered.

"Well, I'm going to take you to the hospital just to make sure." The officer said. Lois protested, but the officer wouldn't take no for an answer. Lois and Johnny got into the police car, and the officer drove them to the hospital.

***

When Clark got to the hospital, he saw Lois sitting in the waiting room with Johnny sitting on her lap.

"Are you all right?" Clark asked with a worried look on her face.

"We're fine, all three of us." Lois said. "It wasn't that bad of an accident."

When Clark found out that they were all right, his worries turned into anger. Lois stood up and Johnny leapt into his father's arms. They then walked out of the hospital.

***

(Lois and Clark's Brownstone)

They didn't talk much on the way home (in their rental car), or even when they got home. Clark put Johnny to bed and then went into the bedroom where Lois was changing her clothes. He closed the door and walked over to her.

"What in the name of God was going through your head?" Clark asked angrily. "What were you thinking? No. I take that back. You weren't thinking."

"Clark, we didn't get hurt. Everything is fine." Lois said.

"But you could have. Lois, you have so much more that you are responsible for now. If it was just you, I still would be going crazy, but you had Johnny with you too. Not to mention the baby. I think Perry is right, you do still act like you did when we were engaged." Clark said. He was so angry at Lois that he just wanted to scream.

Lois was angry now also. "So what are you saying? Are you saying that I'm not responsible? That I'm not a good mother? What Clark? What the hell are you trying to say?" Lois shot back at him.

"Lois, I'm not saying any of those things. You are very responsible, and you are the best mother a child could have. But ... sometimes, you just don't think." Clark said.

Lois sat on the bed and put her head in her hands. Clark could tell that she was crying and sat down beside her. He took her in his arms and started rocking her.

Lois then looked up at Clark and said, "I'm sorry, Clark. I don't know what I was doing. You are right, I just wasn't thinking. If anything had happened to Johnny or the baby, I would have never been able to forgive myself." Lois then began to cry more and pulled Clark close to her.

"Shhh. Shhh. It's all right. Don't cry." Clark said trying to reassure her. "Lois, just by saying that, it shows how great a mother you are. You would go to the end of the Earth for our children. Sometimes, you just get a little excited, and all of your good judgment just flies right out the window. You just have to learn to be a little more cautious."

Lois lifted her head from Clark's shoulder and wiped her eyes. "Clark ... you are so great. I don't know anyone in the world who is as understanding as you. I don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to you. I'm sorry." Lois said.

"Well, Lois ... I'm not going anywhere. I'm here to stay." Clark said as he kissed Lois on the forehead. He then pulled down the covers on the bed, and Lois crawled in. Clark did the same, and Lois snuggled next to him with her head resting on his chest.

"I love you, Clark." Lois said.

"I love you, too." Clark replied.

***

(Five Months Later: Daily Planet)

Lois was now seven months pregnant and was very moody. She had mood swings constantly, and Clark had to be very careful about what he said to her. She had never been like this when she was pregnant with Johnny. It was around 3:00pm, and Lois and Clark were sitting in the Conference Room with Jimmy and Perry. Clark could tell that Lois hadn't been feeling well the entire day and had tried to get her to go home and rest, but she would not listen.

"Jimmy, did you get the photographs of Superman for Lois and Clark's story?" Perry asked.

"Uh ... yeah, chief. I got a lot of them. Here they are." Jimmy said as he handed them to Perry.

"Here, Perry. The story is all finished." Lois said, handing the story to Perry.

"Lois, are you feeling all right? You look kind of pale." Perry replied.

"I really wish you guys would quit asking me. I feel fine." Lois said angrily. She started to stand up to leave the Conference Room, when all of the sudden she doubled over in pain. "Clark!" She screamed.

Clark ran to her side and sat her back down. "What's the matter, honey? Lois?" Clark practically yelled. Lois was in so much pain that she didn't answer him. "Lois, answer me!" When she didn't, Clark was frantic. "Jimmy, call an ambulance!" Clark shouted.

By the time the ambulance got there, tears were streaming down Lois' face. The pain had subsided a little, but she was still hurting terribly. Clark got into the ambulance with her. He had asked Perry and Jimmy to pick Johnny up from preschool and then follow them to the hospital. They had agreed.

***

(Metropolis General)

Clark was sitting in the waiting room, when Perry, Jimmy, and Johnny arrived.

"Any news yet, CK?" Jimmy asked.

"No, not yet." Clark answered as Johnny climbed up onto his lap.

"Where is mommy?" Johnny asked.

Clark had a nervous look on his face. He didn't know what he would do, or tell Johnny if anything happened to Lois. "Well, she is in that room over there, and some doctors are helping mommy right now." Clark said.

"Is the baby coming?" Johnny asked with a happy grin on his face.

"Uh ... no, not yet." Clark replied. Just then Lois' doctor came down the hall toward them. Clark stood up and set Johnny down in a chair.

"Mr. Kent, your wife went into premature labor. Everything is fine now, we think that we have stopped the contractions. She and your child are two very lucky people. For a while, we didn't think we could save either of them. I want Lois to stay off work for the rest of her pregnancy and just take it easy." Doctor Lipsitz said.

Clark nodded at the doctor and then asked, "Can I see her?"

"Sure, but just one at a time. She is really tired right now." Dr. Lipsitz said. Perry told Clark that he and Jimmy would take care of Johnny while he went to see Lois.

Clark walked down the hall to Lois' room, where he saw her sitting up in bed. He walked over to her and sat in the chair beside her bed. "How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Much better. Clark, thank you for being there for me. I don't know what I would do without you." Lois said as a tear trickled down her face.

"Lois, I didn't do much." Clark said with a grin on his face.

"Yeah, but you were just there for me ... you are always there for me." Lois said.

"Lois, I will always be there for you. No matter what." Clark replied.

"I'm so tired." Lois said.

"Uh, that reminds me. Dr. Lipsitz said that he wants you to stay off work for the rest of your pregnancy." Clark said.

"But ... that's two months." Lois protested.

"Lois! Remember to THINK before you speak." Clark said.

Lois paused and then said, "Oh ... I know. That will be the best thing to do." Lois kissed Clark and then asked, "Where is Johnny? I want to see him."

"Oh, he is out in the waiting room with Perry and Jimmy. I'll go get him." Clark said. He went out to the waiting room and took Johnny from Perry. He told Jimmy and Perry that Lois was fine, and that they could go back to the Planet.

When Clark carried Johnny into Lois' room, he jumped down from Clark's arms and ran to Lois.

"Mommy!" He yelled as he hugged her tightly.

Another tear fell down Lois' cheek. "Hey, buddy!" She said squeezing him like she would never let go.

***

(Three Weeks Later: Lois and Clark's Brownstone)

Lois was sitting on the couch reading a magazine when she heard the phone ring.

"Hello." She answered.

"Hi, sweetheart, how are you feeling?" Clark asked.

"Clark! I'm fine. Why is it that you insist on checking on me every hour? I promise I won't do anything stupid. Besides, I have been staying home like this for almost a month now." Lois said.

"Lois, that was a little bit of exaggeration there. I don't call you every hour." Clark said.

"Oh, I know. I just hate sitting here like an invalid. I want to do something." Lois said.

"Read a book." Clark replied.

"Clark, I have read six books in the past three weeks. I'm tired of reading." Lois replied.

"OK, why don't you go pick Johnny up from preschool, and then meet me somewhere for dinner." Clark said.

"Oh, that sounds great. Where do you want to go?" Lois said happily.

"I don't care. It is your choice." Clark said.

"Good, because I want Chinese." Lois said.

"OK, I'll meet you at that new Chinese restaurant at 5:00pm." Clark said.

"OK. I love you." Lois responded.

"I love you, too. Bye." Clark said and then hung up the phone.

***

(Johnny's Preschool)

Lois walked into the school and was greeted by Johnny's teacher. "Hi, Lois, how are you feeling?" Mrs. Haney asked.

"Oh, I am feeling a lot better." Lois said.

"That's good. Just wait here, and I'll go get Johnny for you. He is out on the playground with the children and the other teacher." Mrs. Haney said.

"Thank you." Lois replied.

Minutes later, Johnny came running inside, followed by Mrs. Haney. "Mommy!" Johnny exclaimed. "I thought daddy was going to get me."

"Oh, we had a little change of plans. Now, go get your things." Lois said. Johnny went over to his desk and retrieved his book bag and lunch box and came back smiling. "Are you ready to go?" Lois asked.

"Yep." Johnny said.

"OK, say goodbye to Mrs. Haney." Lois said.

"Bye, Mrs. Haney. See you tomorrow." Johnny said waving.

"Goodbye, Johnny." Mrs. Haney replied.

Lois waved to Mrs. Haney, and she waved back. Lois and Johnny then walked outside and got into their Jeep.

"Where are we going, mommy?" Johnny asked.

"Well, first we are going to go home, and I am going to take a shower and change my clothes. Then we are going to meet daddy for dinner. How does that sound?" Lois asked.

"That sounds great." Johnny replied as they pulled out of the preschool parking lot.

***

(Peking Restaurant)

Lois and Johnny arrived at the restaurant at exactly 5:00pm. Lois figured that Clark would be waiting for them, since he was always in the habit of being early. She was wrong. The host showed them to their table, and Lois and Johnny sat waiting for Clark. They waited ... and they waited. Finally at 6:00pm, Lois decided to leave.

"Where is daddy?" Johnny asked.

"I don't know, honey. I don't know." Lois replied.

***

(Lois and Clark's Brownstone)

When they walked in the door, the phone rang. Lois figured that it would be Clark, with some excuse for being late. Again, she was wrong. It was Dr. Klein.

"Hello." Lois answered.

"Lois, this is Dr. Klein." Said the voice on the other end.

"Yes, Dr. Klein, what is it?" Lois asked.

"Well, I have some bad news. I don't really want to tell you over the phone, so will you please hurry down to Star Labs as soon as possible." Dr. Klein said urgently.

Lois' heart dropped. She knew that there was something wrong with Clark. Dr. Klein had known for about five years that Clark was Superman and always kept it a secret. Lois could tell that it was very urgent and hung up the phone.

"Johnny, come on." Lois said as she ran to the door.

***

(Star Labs)

When Lois and Johnny entered Star Labs, they could not find Dr. Klein or Clark. Finally she found them in a back room where she had never been. Lois saw Clark lying on an examination table in his Superman outfit and Dr. Klein standing beside him.

"What's wrong? What happened to Clark?" Lois asked frantically.

"Lois, first I need you to calm down. I know that you don't need to get all stressed out with the baby and everything." Dr. Klein said.

"Damn it, tell me what is wrong." Lois yelled.

"Well, Clark has been exposed to some Kryptonite. Not just exposed, some of it has become lodged in his body. The police have already captured the men who are responsible." Dr. Klein explained.

"Can't you do anything?" Lois asked. She knew that the longer the Krypronite was in his body the shorter time he had to live. "Can't you take it out?"

"Well, that is why I needed you here. Do you give me permission to operate on him?" Dr. Klein asked.

"Of course I do. Why would you even need to ask a question like that?" Lois said.

"Well, I have no idea what the inside of his body is like. If something should go wrong, and with the Kryptonite inside him, he could die instantly." Dr. Klein explained.

Before Lois could answer, she heard Johnny crying. She had completely forgotten that he was standing there. "Mommy, it hurts." He said.

"What, Johnny. What hurts?" Lois asked.

"My body." Johnny said. Tears were now flowing down his face. Just then it occurred to Lois that Johnny was being affected by the Kryptonite that was inside Clark. She quickly took him out of the room and asked one of the Star Labs' nurses if she could take care of him for a while. The nurse agreed.

Lois then went back to Clark and Dr. Klein. "Do it." Lois replied. Dr. Klein nodded and then went out of the room to get the items necessary for the surgery. Lois walked over to Clark and gently kissed him on the forehead. "You're going to be all right. You have to be. I can't do this all alone. I need you here to help me with our children. Clark ... I love you so much." Again she kissed his head, and then walked out of the room and back to Johnny.

***

(Star Labs)

Lois had waited and waited for Doctor Klein to come out and give her some news. It was 2:00am when he finally did. Lois and Johnny had fallen asleep on a couch in Dr. Klein's office. Dr. Klein gently shook her to wake her.

"Lois. Lois, wake up." He said softly trying not to wake up Johnny.

"Hmm ... oh, Dr. Klein. Is everything all right?" Lois asked, hopping up from the couch as quickly as she could, considering she was almost eight months pregnant.

"I think everything is going to be fine. He won't heal as quickly, because the Kryptonite was inside his body for so long. He really needs to take some time off work and rest." Dr. Klein replied.

"Oh ... thank you." Lois said and then hugged Dr. Klein.

"Oh, no thanks is necessary. I was just doing my job." Dr. Klein said.

"Can I go see him?" Lois asked.

"Sure." Dr. Klein said.

Lois walked into the room, where Clark was now lying on a bed. She walked over to him and placed her hand on his forehead. He had a temperature. "I love you, Clark." Lois said. She just stood there staring into his face for a long time. She pulled a chair over beside him and then fell asleep.

The next morning, Johnny came running into the room where his parents were sleeping. Dr. Klein had told him to be quiet, because his father was very sick. He gently climbed up onto Clark's bed and laid his head on Clark's chest. This awakened Clark, and he smiled.

Clark then squeezed Lois' hand. This woke her up. "Oh ... Clark. I love you so much." Lois said.

"I love you, too." Clark replied weakly.

"Dr. Klein said that you need to take some time off work to regain your strength." Lois told him.

"Lois, I can't do that. What will Perry do with both of us gone?" Clark protested.

"Clark ... you have to THINK before you speak." Lois said giggling.

"Oh ... me and my big mouth." Clark said.

"Seriously ... Clark. You need to take some of your own advice." Lois said as she pulled Johnny from Clark's chest.

"Daddy, I'm glad you feel better." Johnny said.

"Me too." Clark replied.

"Clark, I think we should go to your parents' house for a while. We both need to relax, and they are the two best babysitters I know." Lois said.

"You are right," Clark said and then sighed.

"I'll go call Perry and your parents right now." Lois said. She kissed Clark and then walked out of the room.

***

(The Kent Farm)

Clark had told Lois to only ask Perry if he could have a week off work. Lois had protested, but then agreed. They both were enjoying the week they had off, and Lois was enjoying the time that she got to spend with Clark.

Lois and Clark were sitting on the front porch when Johnny came running outside.

"Guess what! Grandma and Grandpa are going to take me to the fair," Johnny said happily.

"Oh ... they are." Clark said lifting Johnny onto his lap.

"Do you want to come?" Johnny asked his mother and father.

Lois looked at Clark and then said, "Not this time, honey. Daddy and I are just going to sit here and relax." Lois knew that Clark wanted to go, but she wanted him to relax. She also wanted him for herself for an evening.

Martha and Jonathan then came out the door. "Are you ready to go?" Martha asked Johnny.

"Yeah! Mommy and daddy aren't going, though." Johnny said.

"Oh, that's OK. They need some time to relax." Jonathan said. "Well, we'll see you two later."

"Bye." Lois and Clark said, waving as they all got into the car.

They both sat in silence as they watched the car pull away. Lois noticed that Clark was feeling a little uptight about something and asked, "Clark, is there something wrong?"

"Hmm ... oh, no. Everything is fine." Clark said squeezing her hand.

"Come on, Clark. I know you, and I know when something is wrong." Lois replied.

"I was just thinking. That s all." Clark said.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Lois asked.

"It's not important, Lois. I was just thinking!" Clark said. He stood up from his chair and walked down the steps of the front porch. He sat on the bottom step.

Lois was very confused by this action and followed him. She didn't sit on the step, but stood in front of him. "Clark, tell me what is wrong." She said.

"I'm not ready to talk about it! I just need to think on my own!" Clark snapped back. He stood up and walked away.

Lois watched as he walked down the path that led to the pond. She didn't follow him, but just stood in the same spot just staring. She had never seen Clark act like this and was so confused. She walked back up the stairs and into the house. She sat down on the couch and sat there quietly. 'So much for our quiet evening together,' she thought.

Three hours later, Clark still hadn't come back. Lois was in the kitchen making some tea when she heard Jonathan, Martha, and Johnny pull up in the car. Martha walked into the kitchen and saw Lois sitting at the table alone.

"Where is Johnny?" Lois asked.

"He fell asleep in the car. Jonathan is upstairs putting him in bed. It's really late. We figured that you would be in bed by now." Martha said. "Where is Clark?"

"I have no idea. He left right after you did. I haven't seen him since," Lois said, her voice quivering.

"Did you two have a fight?" Martha asked. She then sat beside Lois.

"No ... I don't know what happened. He was acting a little uptight, and I asked him what was wrong. He said he didn't want to talk about it and then just walked away." Lois said. A tear then dropped down her cheek. "I don't even know what I did wrong."

"I'm sure everything will be just fine," Martha said, trying to comfort Lois.

"I don't know. He never wants to be near me any more and won't even sit beside me." Lois said.

"Lois ... listen to me. Clark loves you more than anything in this world. Sometimes he just gets so stubborn and tries to handle everything on his own," Martha said.

"I know that. I just worry about him." Lois replied.

"Why don't you go up and try to get some rest? I'm sure he'll be back soon." Martha said.

"OK. I hope he comes back soon. I won't be able to sleep not knowing where he is." Lois said. She stood up and walked out of the kitchen and then up the stairs.

A half hour later, Lois was sitting in bed reading a 'Baby Name' book, when she heard Clark come up the stairs. She was happy because she knew that he was all right, but also very angry at him for leaving her.

Clark gently opened the door. He didn't want to wake Lois, if she were sleeping. To his surprise, he saw her sitting on the bed just staring at him. He wasn't sure what he should do. He knew that she would be angry with him. Without saying a word, he walked across the room and changed his clothes. He put on his pajama pants and climbed into the bed with Lois. She was still just staring at him.

"What are you reading?" Clark asked.

"Oh ... it's just a 'Baby Name' book. I'm having a hard time finding anything I like." Lois replied.

"Lois ... I'm sorry. I know I should have talked to you before, but I just didn't know what to say." Clark said as he inched closer to Lois.

"Well, are you ready to talk now?" Lois asked.

"Yeah ... I had a lot of time to think," Clark said and then paused.

"Well, talk!" Lois said impatiently.

"Lois ... I could have died the other day. If I had, I would have left you alone with our child. You would have had to take care of him alone, and also give birth to our other child, alone. I never want you to be alone," Clark said.

"So ... what are you saying?" Lois asked.

"Even though I have all my super powers, it seems like someone is always finding a way to hurt or kill me. Therefore, every time I go out as Superman, I risk *my* life for others. I don't know if I should do that any more." Clark said.

"Clark! Are you saying that you want to give up being Superman?" Lois asked with a shocked look on her face.

"Lois, it's not a matter of what I want, it's a matter of what is best for you and our children," Clark said.

"Forget about us ... what about you. I see how being Superman makes you feel. You can't hide it, Clark. It makes you so happy. You can't just give it up. It's part of who you are, and I love who you are," Lois said.

"You're right. It does make me happy, but not as happy as you make me," Clark said, smiling. "I would rather spend my life with you than give up my life for Superman."

"Clark ... you really have thought about this, haven't you," Lois said.

"Yes I have." Clark replied.

"I think it will be so hard for you. You won't be able to just sit around and watch people die. Your heart is too big. I love you for who you are, and if you give up being Superman, everything about you will change. I don't want you to do it, Clark," Lois said and then kissed him on the cheek.

"Are you sure, Lois? I would be doing it for you." Clark responded.

"I am absolutely sure. I know that if I asked you to give up being Superman, you would. I'm not asking though," Lois said, smiling.

"I love you, Lois," Clark said and then kissed her passionately on the lips.

When their kiss ended, Lois said, "I would like you to do one thing, though."

"What? I'll do anything for you." Clark said grinning at her.

"I need your help in choosing a name for our baby. You know, he or she will be coming in about three weeks," Lois said, handing Clark the name book.

"Mmm ... let me see. Have you found any names that you like yet?" Clark asked.

"Only one. I do like the name Megan." She said.

"I guess you do need some help, because if it is a boy, we are not naming him Megan," Clark said laughing. Lois laughed too, and they continued to search through the book.

Finally at around 1:00am, they had found the perfect names. "OK ... if it's a girl, her name will be, Megan Elayne Kent," Clark said.

"And if it is a boy, his name will be Christopher Lane Kent," Lois said smiling.

"I like those a lot," Clark said as he sank under the covers.

"Me, too." Lois said stifling a yawn. She then lay down beside Clark, wrapped her arm around his waist, and rested her head on his chest. "Good night Clark," Lois replied.

"Good night, Lois," Clark said and then reached over and turned out the light.

***

(Three weeks Later: Lois and Clark's Brownstone)

"UNO!" Johnny shouted.

Lois, Clark, Martha, Jonathan, Ellen, Sam and Johnny were all sitting around the table playing UNO. Johnny had beaten them in the last three games. It was now Lois' turn.

"Johnny, before you were born and then started playing this game, I always won. How did you get so ... OW!" Lois was saying and then she had a sharp pain in her back.

"Lois, are you all right?" Clark asked.

"Clark ... I just had a contraction. We need to go to the hospital," Lois said, squeezing his hand.

Everyone who was sitting at the table immediately stood up and ran to the door. Clark helped Lois out of her chair and carefully led her to the door.

"Is the baby coming?" Johnny asked Clark.

"Yes ... the baby is coming," Clark replied. "Johnny, get the bag we packed out of the closet."

Johnny got the bag and then joined the rest of his family. He then kissed Lois' belly and said, "I love you, baby."

***

(Metropolis General: 8:00pm)

Forty-five minutes later, Lois was in a room with Clark by her side. "Ok, Lois. The contractions are about six minutes apart now," Clark said. "Do you need me to get you anything?" He asked.

"No ... all I need is you," Lois said smiling.

Clark gently kissed her on the cheek and then whispered 'I love you' in her ear. He leaned back and stared at her.

"What are you staring at, Clark?" Lois asked.

"You. Lois, you are so beautiful," Clark replied.

"Oh, yeah. I'm sure I look really beautiful right about now. Clark ... don't lie," Lois said jokingly.

"No, Lois, really. Somehow, no matter what the circumstance is, you always look beautiful. You always find a way to be happy. I guess you are perfect," Clark responded.

"Well ... you make me feel beautiful, and you make me feel happy," Lois said and then squeezed Clark's hand.

"Is another one coming?" Clark asked.

"Yes ... OW." Lois managed to say.

"Remember your breathing, Lois." Clark said.

***

(Metropolis General: 6:00am)

Johnny had fallen asleep in the waiting room, but Jonathan, Martha, Sam, and Ellen were all still awake. Perry and Jimmy had joined them, and they were all waiting for some news.

Just then, they saw Clark come walking down the hall with a smile on his face. They all stood up from where they were sitting. "It's a girl!" Clark said happily.

"Can we see her yet?" Ellen asked.

"No, not yet. They want Lois to get some rest and they have to weigh the baby and put her in the nursery. You can see her through the nursery window, though." Clark replied.

Just then Johnny woke up and looked around. He wasn't sure where he was, but when Clark walked over to him, he remembered. Clark kneeled down in front of the chair in which Johnny had been sleeping.

"Is the baby here?" Johnny asked.

"Yep, the baby just got here," Clark replied and then got up and picked Johnny up.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" Johnny asked.

"It's a beautiful little girl," Clark said. "Do you want to go see her?" Clark asked.

"Yes," Johnny replied.

The entire group followed Clark to the nursery. Johnny laughed when Clark pointed out which baby was his sister. "She kind of looks like me," Johnny replied.

***

At noon, Lois woke up to an empty room. She looked around and then heard someone laughing outside. Just then, Clark peeked in the room and saw that she was awake. "Are you up for some visitors?" Clark asked.

"Yeah sure." Lois responded with a smile on her face.

Sam, Ellen, Jonathan, Martha, Perry, and Jimmy entered, followed by Clark who was carrying a pink bundle. Then, Johnny peeked around the door and Lois saw him.

"What's the matter, Johnny? Aren't you going to come in?" Lois asked.

"He's afraid he will hurt the baby," Clark said as he handed the baby to Lois.

"Johnny, come sit by me," Lois replied.

Johnny slowly walked through the door and gently climbed up onto the bed beside Lois. "Did you know that when you were born, your daddy was afraid that he was going to hurt you," Lois said.

"Daddy was afraid?" Johnny asked.

"Yes he was," Lois replied. "You just have to be very gentle with the baby, but you aren't going to hurt her." Lois said.

Johnny gently ran his finger through the baby's hair and then asked, "Can I hold her?"

"Sure ... but remember you have to be very gentle." Lois said and then gently placed the baby in Johnny's waiting arms.

While Johnny held her, Lois and Clark talked to their parents and Perry and Jimmy.

"Hey ... what's her name?" Johnny asked.

"Her name is Megan Elayne Kent," Clark told everyone.

The entire family got their turn at holding Megan. Everyone gave the same response, 'oh how beautiful she is' or 'Lois, she looks like you.' About an hour later, everyone left the room so that Lois could get some rest. Clark returned the baby to the nursery and then went back to see Lois. She was still sitting up in her bed and Johnny was sitting beside her.

Clark didn't enter the room, but heard Lois and Johnny talking. "So ... daddy was really afraid," Johnny asked.

"Yep. He didn't show it around anyone else, but when we would be at home alone with you, he never wanted to hold you. It took me about a week to figure out why. Finally after about two months, he started to hold you. Then he would never let go of you," Lois said.

"Daddy is funny," Johnny said, laughing.

"Yes he is, isn't he. But we love him anyway," Lois said grinning.

Clark then entered the room with a smile on his face. He sat in a chair beside Lois' bed and said, "And I love you, too."

THE END

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