Chp 29 – Epilogue
-- Metropolis – December 2010 --
Clark couldn't help but wonder if he was the only one feeling the tension in the room. Lois had been serious about canceling the benefits portion of their relationship. She still allowed him to share her bed, but she was surprisingly resistant to all of his charms. He was starting to think that she was the one made of steel.
"I think it's time I move into Cole's room," he announced. They had finally bought a twin bed for Cole's room like the one in his room on the farm.
Lois was sitting at the computer typing up some notes for their latest investigation. She turned to face him with an arched eyebrow. "Why is that?"
Clark shrugged. "Until it's official," he replied, cryptically.
Lois frowned. "I don't get it."
"Well, then, you're the only one. I get it. Cole gets it."
Lois glanced at her son. He was sitting on the floor with his father, giving her a grin that was an identical copy of Clark's. "So what is it that you guys know that I don't?"
Clark leaned down and conspiratorially whispered into the boy's ear, sending him into peals of laughter. Lois narrowed her eyes, suspiciously.
"Uh oh," Clark said, teasingly, at her look. "I think you better tell her, Cole."
Cole grinned and brought her the old plastic coffee container that was used to hold his blocks. Lois took it from him and looked inside. On top of the stack sat a velvet ring box.
Lois pulled the box out, reaching over to ruffle Cole's hair. She leaned down to kiss him on the nose. "Thank you, honey."
"Welcome, honey!" he replied, scrambling back to his father.
Lois opened the velvet box and took the ring out. "Official, huh?" She held it against her lips in a thoughtful pose. "Why can't we just go on like we are? People still think we're married."
"There are things we can do when it's official," Clark hinted.
Lois pretended to not understand his allusion. "Like what?"
"Like sleep in the same be at my parent's house."
Lois was unmoved. "We already do that."
"We can do it without sneaking!"
Lois laughed and returned the ring to the box. "I don't think we're fooling your parents with that." She turned back to the computer and began typing.
Clark stood, picking Cole up as he did so. "Time for bed, Buddy."
After Cole had gotten his mandatory kiss and belly rub from Lois, Clark deposited him in his crib and turned on his musical lamp.
He walked back into the living area and started straightening Cole's toys. "We could skinny dip," he offered.
"Nah," Lois returned without turning around. "You don't leave much to the imagination with that suit you wear."
Clark stepped up and kissed her on her neck. "We could do a lot more of this…" He kissed her again, and moved a hand to her stomach.
She moaned but pushed his hand away. "If that's the only reason you've got, then I'm going to have to decline." She moved a hand to the computer's mouse and focused on the screen. "I'm holding out for man who loves me for my mind, and not my body."
Clark quickly spun the chair around, causing her to yelp.
"I do love your mind. Your body…" He let his eyes roam. "Your moods… well, in spite of your moods, that is."
"Hey!"
"But how about, just because I love you?"
Lois smirked and wrapped her arms around his neck. "In that case… I say, name the date."
Smiling, he pulled her from the chair and wrapped her legs around his waist, kissing her deeply as he carried her to the bedroom. Laying her on the bed, he placed a kiss on neck, and ran a hand under her shirt, lightly grazing her stomach. Lois reached for him, but he stepped away from the bed, and walked to the door.
"Sorry. Not until it's official." With a wink, Clark left the room.
Lois glared at the ceiling. "You are so going to pay for that," she muttered under her breath. "And payback is a bi…"
"I can hear you, you know," he called.
Lois laughed and rolled onto her stomach, snuggling into her pillow.
In the living area, Clark listened to her low chuckle and fought to control his own libido. He was suffering from his own teasing. She had commented on payback, but she didn't know the half of it. If his current situation was any indication of what he was in for- he didn't think he would make it.
Whatever the future held for Lane, Kent and Co- he knew it would never be dull.
Lying in her bed with a satisfied grin on her face, Lois was thinking the exact same thing.
FIN