Epilogue

Thirteen Months Later

Lois Joanne Lane stood in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection. She had chosen not to wear a veil, but the silk dress and full skirt, heels and white gloves that fit her beautifully. Her light brown hair was down in thick, soft curls. They had opted for a small wedding, getting married in a nearby park in Metropolis, one that had an open garden that Lois and Clark both enjoyed.

Lois had organized the entire event to every minor detail, nearly regretting having it outside, but in the end she enjoyed the idea of marrying Clark in somewhere less sterile than inside a restaurant or hotel.

Lois looked at the table beside the mirror where her bouquet was rested. A knock on the door interrupted her quiet thoughts.

"Lois?"

"Yeah, come on in, Lucy."

"It's me and Chloe, and…the photographer."

Jimmy wasn't hired as the photographer of their wedding, but instead was given the position of best man. Though incredibly honored, it was hard for him to rest and let someone else capture the images that he deemed important.

Chloe, Lucy, and the photographer came into the private room behind the tents set up around the garden.

"Oh, Lois, you look beautiful," Chloe admired.

Lucy smiled at her sister.

"You do."

"Thanks," Lois replied. "I feel like I belong on top of a cake, all dressed in white like this. But a very expensive, beautiful cake, of course."

"You nervous?" Lucy asked.

Lois shook her head.

"No. I have you two. I'm just so glad that you two are here to share it with me."

Chloe reached forward to embrace her cousin. They both ignored the camera flashes going off throughout their entire conversation.

"You're beautiful, Lois. And more important than that, you're happy. I'm glad that I'm here for this. Clark is getting the best person I know."

Oliver knocked on the door.

"Hi," he said softly. "Uh, Chloe, could I speak to you for a minute?"

Chloe dropped Lois's gloved hand.

"Sure."

Chloe quietly left the room as Lois stood in front of Lucy.

"Dad's outside, making the rounds," Lucy commented resignedly.

"I'm sure he hasn't gone near Clark or my kids. He's just here because he has to be."

Lois sighed, stopping herself.

"No, he loves us both, and he always has. Even if he has a truly bullshit way of showing it to us."

Lois took a strand of Lucy's brunette hair in her fingers.

"I'm proud of you. You've come so far and you didn't have to do it."

"Lois…" Lucy said, looking away.

"I'll give you two a minute," the photographer said.

"Thank you," Lois said as she left. Lois returned her eyes to Lucy. "We don't need to dwell on the past, but you need to know that I am proud of you."

"What? For leaving a life of crime, barely graduating because Daddy made some calls and occasionally baby-sitting my niece and nephew and being your bridesmaid?"

"Yes, exactly," Lois grinned widely. "See? Wasn't it all worth it?" Lois asked putting her arm around Lucy and walking towards the door.

Just then the door burst open.

"Chloe!" Lois exclaimed.

"Sorry," she replied breathlessly. "Lucy, can you give us a minute?"

Lucy was only slightly irritated by the dismissal. "Sure. I'll be waiting."

Once Lucy closed the door, Lois questioned Chloe's distress.

"What's got your blood pumping?"

"You are going to either flip out or you won't."

"Could you be any less vague?"

"Lex and Lana just showed up. They're here for the wedding."

"They what? Why? Does Clark know?"

"Yeah, Clark saw them…briefly. He says you should see them if you want to and the decision on whether they stay is up to you."

Lois shook her head in confusion.

"Up to me? I'm supposed to greet them like this is natural? She was the love of his life, Chloe."

"Do you want a glass of water?"

"No, I'd like a tank of vodka."

"I can go with you-"

"No, you'll just be put in the middle. I'll go."

Chloe called after Lois as she headed to the door.

"Uh, Lois? One thing you might want to know."

Lois turned back.

"Lana is about…eight months pregnant."

"With Lex's baby, I hope."

"Lois!"

"That's not what I meant! Not really, nevermind. How did…Clark take it?"

Chloe looked lovingly at her cousin. "Lois, nothing will take today from you, especially that. Clark took it fine. Trust me."

Lois nodded, trying her best to believe that.

"Okay," she breathed.

"You go talk to them, I'll keep Clark and the kids occupied away from you."

"Thanks."

Chloe kindly took Lois's bouquet and touched her back supportively.

XxX

Lois made her way over to the table of presents where a photograph of Clark and her lay embedded with a wide border for people to sign their warm wishes. She saw Lex and Lana reading a few of them and she could see Lana's very pregnant stomach. Lois paused then approached them.

"Hey," she smiled, greeting them awkwardly.

"Lois," Lana replied with a warm smile. "Congratulations. We apologize for just showing up. We really wanted to be here to see you two get married."

Lois didn't quite know how to reply to that. Lex and Lana saw that and there was a small moment of silence before Lana spoke again.

"It was a long flight," she chuckled. "Lex practically brought an entire medical staff on the plane in case I went into labor during the flight."

"Well, then you must be hungry. We'll obviously be eating after the wedding-"

"Oh, don't trouble yourself, please."

"But congratulations to both of you," Lois said.

"Thank you," Lex said warmly.

"Do you know what it is?"

"It's a girl," Lex said happily.

"Oh that's wonderful," Lois smiled. "Girls are so much fun. And it'll help you heal the loss of your mother. Every day when I look at my daughter, it's like I get a piece of my mom back."

"Really?" Lana asked.

Lois nodded. "Yes. So what are you going to name her?"

Lana looked lovingly up at Lex and then back at Lois.

"It's funny you mention mothers because we're naming her 'Laura' after my mother. Laura Alexandra Luthor."

"We wanted her to have our monogram," Lex smiled.

"Is that a rich people thing?" Lois teased, actually getting a small smile from Lex. "Well, don't make my mistake. Take the drugs during labor. Don't wait."

Lana nodded. "Of course I will. There was never a question. You tried not to with twins?"

Lois nodded.

"Honestly, Lois. You?"

Lois exhaled a laugh. "Thanks, Lana."

"No, sorry. But why?"

"I don't know, I thought it was better for them, but honestly the strain it puts on you, I learned it's better to have an easier experience. I about killed myself."

"Lois!" Lucy called, carrying Ellen in her arms.

Lucy approached them, exhausted from holding her niece.

"Here!" she said, handling Lois Ellen.

"Ooh!" Lois groaned as her daughter reached for her. "Tired already?" Lois asked her sister.

"She wanted you," Lucy said, partly as an excuse.

"Wow," Lana said, mesmerized. "She looks just like you," she said looking at the one and a half year old.

"Yeah," Lois sighed, adjusting her against her chest. "But she has Clark's eyes."

"She certainly does," Lex noticed.

"Mr. Luthor," Lucy exclaimed, startled to see the man she'd taken fifty-thousand dollars from years before.

"Hello, Miss Lane," he replied politely.

Ellen's loving arms instantly wrapped around her mother's neck. Lois saw the worry in Lucy's eyes and she put a supportive hand against her sister's back.

"I didn't mean to interrupt," she said.

"You didn't at all," Lex responded. "How are you?"

"She is fabulous," Lois answered instantly. "She has finished college with flying colors and is now looking for internships in Europe. She is adamantly trying to avoid helping me with the children, of course."

"Well, if you need help with the internships in England, contact me," Lana said.

"Thank you," Lucy replied nervously.

"Yes, thank you," Lois said to Lana. "Where's Jonathan?" Lois asked her sister.

"With Clark," Lucy said.

"I see."

"I'm…going to excuse myself."

Lois rolled her eyes slightly at her sister's exit.

"So much for baby-sitting."

Ellen's eyes met up with Lex's and he smiled at her. Giggling a little, she happily looked back at him. Lois didn't miss that.

"Could I hold her?" Lana asked Lois.

"You sure?" Lois asked.

Lana nodded. Lois handed her daughter to Lana cautiously, detaching Ellen's arms from her neck.

"It's okay," she told Ellen. "You're okay," she assured her slightly frightened daughter.

Getting her into Lana's arms, she adjusted her daughter's baby legs around Lana's full belly. Ellen's eyes didn't leave her mother.

"You're fine," Lois told Ellen, caressing her hair.

"Hi Ellen," Lana said to her. "I'm a friend of your Daddy's…and your Mom's."

Lois smiled a little. Lex touched her daughter's hair and she didn't even have the heart to mind. Ellen let them adore her for a moment and then she edged her way back to Lois.

"Okay sweetie, I've got you."

Martha Kent came over to Lois.

"Hi sweetie," she said to Lois, then immediately noticed Lex and Lana. "Lana, hi darling! Hi, Lex."

"Hi, Mrs. Kent," Lana said warmly.

Mrs. Kent embraced a very pregnant Lana and though it was shallow, Lois felt a stab of jealousy.

"Oh my God," Mrs. Kent chuckled. "Congratulations," she gleamed, touching Lana's belly. "You're beautiful, honey."

"Thank you, it's so good to see you again. I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too. We have to catch up after the ceremony." Martha Kent put her hand on Lois's back. "Lois, sweetheart, we're about ready, are you?"

"Actually, could we just have two more minutes?" Lana asked.

"Sure," Mrs. Kent replied.

"Here, if you'd take this little one," Lois groaned, adjusting the weight of her daughter against her body and transferring her to her grandmother. "Let go of mommy, Ellen, she needs to get married."

Ellen grabbed onto Lois's earrings, refusing to let go.

"Let go of mommy's earrings because if you rip my ears off I'm going to bite your face!" she teased, making a funny face at her daughter and causing Ellen to laugh.

Martha Kent laughed at her daughter-in-law.

"We never put it that way at our house."

"Well, if Clark ever pulls your earrings out you let me know!" Lois laughed.

Lois adjusted her glove slightly around her wrist as Ellen let go of her mother and obediently went into her grandmother's willing arms.

"We have a gift for you," Lex said, taking a package off of the gift table beside him and handing it to Lois.

She took it nervously and looked at both of them. Opening it, the box revealed a pair of what looked to be glass slippers, but upon further inspection she noted that they were actually made of crystal, and they were delicately crafted for wearing.

"Wow," she said with amazement. "I'm confused, but they sure are beautiful."

"Can you believe I managed to get Chloe to tell me what size shoe you wore without ever asking her the question directly?"

Lois still looked puzzled.

"You got me glass slippers?"

"I had them specially made for you," Lex replied. "Lana said every woman dreams of being Cinderella on her wedding day."

"It's my peace offering," Lana stated simply.

Lois nodded slowly in disbelief.

"If I move suddenly is there a bomb in these that's going to explode in my face?"

Lana smiled a little.

"No."

Lois smiled, ready to accept the offering. They would probably never be best friends and she would probably never feel comfortable around Lex, but she definitely didn't want bad blood between the four of them for the rest of their lives.

So, full make-up and gown, she took off the heels that she was already wearing and slipped the glass slippers on.

"You sure you're willing to wear ours? You don't have to if you don't want to. You could just keep them as a present."

"No, maybe in some foreign culture it's good luck," Lois laughed. "Who knows?"

Oliver Queen intervened gently.

"Lois? Are you ready?"

Lois nodded. "I am," she said, putting the box down abruptly on the table and took Oliver's arm. "Thanks, you guys. I'll see you after the ceremony."

"Wait," Lana said. "You're having Oliver walk you down the aisle," she stated in a confused voice. "Oliver."

Lois looked at Oliver, then back at Lana.

"Hey, I'm wearing your shoes," she said, amused, sticking her foot out beneath her dress. "It's all Oliver's fault anyway, trust me. This wouldn't be the happiest day of my life if he hadn't been the billionaire hero needing to do the right thing."

"Glad I could help," he laughed, guiding her to the aisle.

Dinah held Jonathan while Martha held Ellen. Lucy and Chloe stood up for Lois and Jimmy and Oliver for Clark. Oliver did walk Lois part of the way down the aisle, after all, her father still wasn't entirely on board with the relationship, and that was the way it was. Lois didn't let that bother her though as she made the rest of the way towards the man she'd come to love more than anything in the world.

She knew that eyes were on her, that pictures were being taken and that her children would never remember this day, but all of that was so blurry to her, and although she knew she should be nervous about everything going perfectly, this all seemed so easy. They already had the house and the kids. This was the reward for all of that, and somehow it was more incredible to do it this way.

His eyes were on her, seeing her, and as she walked closer to him he could see his children, sitting in the laps of Martha and Dinah in the aisle seats, watching wide-eyed and curiously at the quietness of the crowd. He'd thought about this day, remembering his parents telling him over and over that there was someone out there for him. He now knew that their hopes and dreams were completely fulfilled by the woman walking towards him. He wished that his father was here to share this with them, but he'd seen what an incredible person Lois was, and that was what mattered.

Clark reached his hand out to Lois and he gently pulled her to him.

She didn't remember what the minister said. She didn't remember what she said. She just kept looking at Clark. His beautiful mouth, his beautiful eyes…everything about him was perfect, and he was looking at her like she was the one who was perfect. Was that how it was on everyone's wedding day? Even after you've shared years of fighting, driving each other up the wall and not thinking you were perfect for each other? Now she couldn't imagine a night without him.

And she couldn't focus on what the minister was saying. Apparently she answered everything correctly and didn't embarrass herself because he didn't repeat anything to her.

Clark kept looking at her. That look. He loved her. He really did. And that look could literally make her do anything. She wanted him to promise to look at her like that forever. He was promising that but she was too in love with him to focus on his words. Thankfully someone was recording this.

"I now pronounce you married," the minister announced.

Lois looked at the minister, then back at Clark.

"That's all?" she asked and Clark laughed softly.

"Nothing to it, is there?" he said coming into kiss her.

She and everyone else broke into a laugh as his lips touched hers. She kissed him back, her gloved hands reaching around his neck to pull him close. The loud clapping that emerged from the crowd made Ellen yearn for her parents. Martha tried to keep a hold of her but she fussed. Clark pulled free at the noises made by his daughter and she ran into his arms.

"Oh!" he exclaimed.

"Thought you'd be mine today," Lois teased, patting her daughter's back.

Ellen rested her head against Clark's strong shoulder.

"I could take her," Chloe offered.

"No, that's okay," Clark said, rubbing his daughter's back.

"Let's make this a family portrait," Lois said, opening her arms to her son who was still sitting in Dinah's lap.

Dinah pointed to Lois and Jonathan was off running to his mother. Lois scooped up her son and the party was off and running. With the help of family and friends, Clark and Lois managed to cut cake, and then the first dance was between the bride and groom. With his arm around her waist, he swayed her ever so slightly to the music.

"What do you think?"

"I think your mother wants to dance with you next."

She smiled up at him.

"It's like we've met every challenge and we made it through."

He let go of her hand and he touched her face as if feeling for the first time. Leaning in he kissed her tenderly.

A short distance away a pair of eyes watched the happy couple as other partners slowly joined them on the dance floor.

"What are you thinking?" Lex asked her.

She smiled, grabbing his suit lapels and pulling him to her.

"I'm thinking I want to marry you, again. Let's get married this week. You and me, on a beach somewhere, before the baby's born. I want it to be before the baby's born. It doesn't need to be a big deal. It just needs to be you and me. And then afterwards, when she's born, a big party, with everyone we know, celebrating the three of us."

She tipped herself up, consuming him in a kiss and he felt completely enamored by her all over again.

Dances went on and Lana began nibbling her way through the food, Chloe joining her as she began to mingle in her own particular way.

"So what made you show up to this special brand of Clark Kent?" Chloe asked.

"Thanks for that implication," Lana replied warily.

"You know what I mean," Chloe said.

Lois came over to them without intending to and felt a rare sense of imposition.

"Oh, excuse me."

"Lois, you don't have to leave. It's your wedding day," Lana said.

"It's a big park," Lois responded.

"S'okay," Lana assured, chewing. "I think I'm eating all your food."

"Well, I'm not going to have much. It took me a lot to get into this dress after those two kids even after a year-"

"If you could only hear my eyes rolling," Chloe exasperated.

"Hey!" Lois defended.

"Is this the sibling rivalry part I'm not supposed to get in the middle of?" Lana asked.

"No, I mean I think she and I…all three of us actually, having Clark in our lives did a good job of never letting that get between us. 'Cept maybe for that time you tried to kill me with…what was it, a crowbar?" Lois said to Chloe.

"I don't remember that, could we leave that in the past?"

Lana chuckled into her shrimp. "A crowbar, interesting."

"Would you like a photo of the three of you?" the photographer asked.

Lois tried her best not to hesitate.

"I would, if that's alright with you two?"

"Uh, yeah, let me just un-stuff my face here," Lana said, looking for her a place to wipe her sticky hands and face.

"Oh, here," Lois said, grabbing a napkin and wiping Lana's mouth delicately.

"Thank you," Lana said, feeling extremely hot and pregnant and appreciating the help. "Yeah, this is just like when we were possessed, except someone wants our picture, and I'm fat this time."

"Next it'll be Chloe," Lois smiled.

"'K, bride in the middle," the photographer said and Lois moved in the middle, unsure of being the center of attention to them both.

Smiles overcame all three of them as they squeezed together and photos were taken. Afterwards, Lois put her hand on Lana's shoulder.

"Lana," she whispered. "Thank you."

Lana didn't respond with words, but it was enough.

"I'd like to dance with my daughter," Sam Lane said softly, coming up to the three ladies.

"Go," Chloe urged Lois. "I'm going to dance with my fiancé."

"You know what, so am I," Lana agreed. "If I can fit."

Over ten hours later, she stood over the balcony overlooking the Greek waves as the sun set with a glass of champagne in her hand. Clark came out and joined her.

"My mom's enjoying them at the park," he told her.

"I'm sure they're a handful."

"Let's have more kids," he suggested.

"Oh sure!" she exclaimed. "Not in the next ten years, Smallville."

"Ten years! I'll work on lessening that number."

"Do I look like a woman that can be persuaded easily?"

He took the champagne glass from her hand and turned her towards him.

"I hope so, I'm counting on it. But let's stop talking about children."

"Let's, it's turning me off."

"Well, we can't have that."

He gently pushed her against the wall, kissing her mouth as he took hand, putting it on his chest. They slowly made their way back into their room getting lost in their lust along the way. Clark lifted Lois up against him, forcing her legs around his waist as her fingers lightly raked his scalp.

She slipped the buttons through the holes of his blue shirt, pushing it from his body, sending convulsions through him as her soft palms met his burning chest. He laid her down on the bed, moving her nightgown up her tan, glistening body. Throwing it in the direction of his shirt, he looked at her completely naked form.

She let him, not at all minding the view she was getting either, and then she rose up and captured his mouth, kissing him…passionately. Her fingers fumbled with his pants, working the zipper as she felt his erection, her tongue softly meeting his. In seconds his pants were gone and he fell on top her, wild and primal. She felt the dampness between her legs with his full body weight over her, her hands spread over his strong back muscles.

His lips caressed her face, covering her with kisses, nipping her throat, laving her pulsing veins.

"I need to be inside you," he whispered against her neck, positioning himself right at her opening, teasing her.

His fingers dipped into her half-open mouth and he used her own moisture to caress her breasts.

Locking eyes with him, she shifted herself and felt him slide in, both of their breaths quickening instantly at the motion. She enfolded her legs around his waist and moved them so that she was on top.

She needed more.

She took his hand and put it on herself.

Without needing words, his hand instantly went to her, his body thrusting hard. As he rocked her, his fingers soothed and intensified the pleasure at the same time. His thumb pressed against her clit, encircling it mercilessly, while his index finger ran against her labia, collecting her juices and keeping her wet.

She wrapped her legs tighter now, gripping the sheets. Clark sat up, lessening the space between them. Continuing the process, he kissed her, hard, deep, and aggressively, the same as their motions below. She felt it now, fiercely coming up inside her as their movements and actions brought sweat upon them both. The connection between them was so strong that she almost forgot the mission as it trickled up inside of her.

Everything she could think of was coursing through her veins and she didn't want him to stop what he was doing. She was sure he was using his powers on her. No normal man could do what he was doing as fast as he was doing as consistently as he was doing it.

Releasing his hand from her they clutched onto each other, bodies close, clutching each other. The waves came through her, quickly, fast, she shuddered, convulsed, sending him over the edge. He latched onto her, burying his face into her neck, every muscle tightening and releasing, telling her he loved her.

Recovering in the afterglow at the ungodly hour they finally finished, Lois yawned.

"I'm so sleeping in tomorrow. And everyday we're here. I'm going back to the cave man days while we're here. Sleep, eat, sex. The kids are killing me."

"Not to bring them up again-"

"We really are that boring, we're parents, so go ahead," she yawned, about to fall asleep on his chest.

"I'm just amazed at how much you try to balance your life around them. How much you spend time with them while landing the next story."

"Yeah well, yelling at my boss to let me go home every other day has become a sport. Something I'm becoming rather good at. Kind of like you needing an excuse to leave and save someone's life, kind of like that?" she mocked playfully, kissing his mouth.

He kissed her back, pulling up the covers over her naked body to keep her warm.

"Well then take this time off to relax. You've earned it."

"Yeah and I probably won't get another vacation until my next husband."

"I'll find you one tomorrow."

"Good, saves me one more thing to do."

Safe in his arms, Lois slept 'til one in the afternoon the next day.

~~~~~~~~~The End~~~~~~~

Began: Season 7 of Smallville