Conclusion [Three Weeks Later

Despite the protestations of the State Orphanage, a full inquiry launched immediately. Upon closer review of Maggie's records, Kansas social services censured the Metropolis facility, placing it under a strict review. The state director fired Giles and filed charges against him.

Due to Lex's resources, the adoption was a foregone conclusion. The state facilitated the process so as to get her into a stable home as soon as possible.

About a week later, Maggie received another surprise when the Kents adopted her best friend, Jennifer. (Lex, it seems, extended his influence to give his dear friends what they wanted—another child in the family.)

And to make sure that it wasn't swept under the rug, the Ledger and the Daily Planet teamed up on a hard hitting expose series into the situation. After the visit to the orphanage, Chloe swore to take down the garbage single-handedly if she needed to. However, her alliance with her Lois proved more than enough to accomplish the end in question especially when Perry White threw his weight into the arena as well.

[Luthor Mansion

Chloe walked into the castle with Maggie after their long but enjoyable day. The older woman relished her new roles as wife, mother and features editor for the Ledger.

Besides Maggie insisted on keeping up her end. While the staff handled most of the duties around the mansion, the new mistress of the house kept up her own room. In addition, she pitched in over at the Kent Farm, helping Clark and Jennifer with chores. Afterwards, she got to feed her favorite horses.

Due to this assistance, even Jonathan had to admit that the Luthors weren't all bad.

As per her other ritual/agreement, Maggie rushed up the stairs, skidding to a halt right before the closed doors to her father's study. She knocked seriously.

"Enter," he bade.

She slipped into the study and rushed up to the massive oak desk. There she found Lex working away on a report. "Daddy!"

He looked up from the computer with a warm smile on his face. "There's my girl!" He swiveled in his chair away from the computer so that his attention was all on her and nothing else.

She bounded into his lap and hugged him.

He embraced her back. Sure it had been an adjustment having his two leading ladies around the mansion all of the time.

But moments like that one made it all worthwhile.

As he enjoyed the moment, he saw Chloe admiring them from the door. "Now who's spying on whom?"

"I get my proud family moment, Lex. Deal with it," Chloe sassed him.

"GROUP HUG!" Maggie demanded.

"You heard her, Sullivan," he urged his wife.

"Lucky for you, Luthor, I never deny her," Chloe retorted good-naturedly as she shared the moment with them.

And while they would add to the family at some future point, that, they say, was the beginning of better things for the Luthors and their friends on the whole…..

THE END