House of Luthor - Matchmaker Style
Rated PG-13
*Word* is for emphasis
<"word"> is thoughts
/*word*/ audiotape playback
Previously
Lois smiled and turning back to the audience said, "Mom, Martha, Lucy," her voice softened and added, "and Cat, could you all join me in the dressing room. I'll need some help." She used her hands to indicate her gown and said, "This is the wedding gown of Lois Luthor, not Lois Lane-Kent. I need to change."
The four all jumped up and led by Lois they headed for the dressing room. As she passed Clark she gave him a quick kiss and said, "Be right back. Wait for me."
Martha gave him a quick hug in passing.
Jimmy saw that Clark looked ill and moved to the aisle to help his friend and reaching the front stood with him. As they approached the front, Jimmy caught George’s attention and beckoned him to join them at the altar.
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Once inside the dressing room, Lois started giving directions like a general on a battlefield, "Mom and Martha, could you help me out of this monstrosity? Cat, over in that closet you'll find a Bride's Maid's gown. I think it'll fit you. Lucy, do you have yours?"
Lucy smiled and started to loosen her frock as she said, "Right here, Sis." It turned out to be a cover over the Bride's Maid gown that she was already wearing.
Lois smiled and said, "That's my little sis!"
Martha and Ellen quickly finished unbuttoning all of the tiny pearls that fastened the back of the dress and Lois stepped out of it. When she did they could all see the white cotton, utilitarian underwear and thigh high white hose she was wearing. After ripping off the hat with the veil she almost literally skipped over to the closet. She pulled out her garment bag and opened it. The first things she pulled out were two small bits of lace and a silk slip. As she ducked into the bathroom she said, "Be right out."
When she stepped out she was wearing the slip and everyone could see the outlines of the demi bra and thong that she had on underneath. Cat looked at her, gave her the thumbs up signal and said, "Much better attire for a bride."
Lois smiled struck a pose and said, "
This is for Clark. The other was in case something went wrong and Luthor got a peek." She pulled the garment bag out and revealed another wedding gown. Turning to Martha and Ellen she asked, "Can the two of you help me into this?"
Without replying, Martha and Ellen both rushed to comply. This gown was much simpler in design, a fitted top with broad straps like a tank top and at the waist it flared out into billowy chiffon and only fell as far as her ankles.
Ellen started to complain, "I don't know why you couldn't have just worn the other gown to marry Clark. It was so elegant. This thing …"
Martha countered, "Well, I think this is very nice. I think I've gotten to know Lois since she and Clark have been together and I think that this is more to Lois's taste. I know it is Clark's. He grew up on a farm and although he can appreciate the finer things in life, he still has simple tastes."
Lois turned to Ellen and said, "I couldn't wear that to marry Clark! It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. He saw me in that get-up and Martha is right. This is more to my taste. Besides, Luthor picked that thing out. This one I picked out with Lucy's help."
While she worked to button Lois into the gown, Martha said, "It's lovely, sweetheart. I know that Clark will love it, but of course, he'd love anything you wear just because you are wearing it."
Lois smiled and said, "I know. I love that man so."
Martha finished the last button and threw her arms around Lois and said, "I know you do and he loves you." She paused and then picked up her tote. Reaching into a side pocket she brought out a lacy creation. As she handed it to Lois she said, "Here, I made you a garter."
Lois took it from her and there was a tear in the corner of her eye as she did. "Martha, I just don't know what to say. It's lovely."
"Go ahead and put it on."
Lois sat and crossed her left leg over the right. She slipped the garter on and pulled it up so that it rested just below the band of the thigh highs she was wearing. Standing she ruffled her dress to straighten it out and slipped into her pumps.
When she turned around, she saw Lucy helping Cat to finish dressing. Cat looked at her and in a sincere tone she said, "Cat, I'm glad you came."
Cat smiled and said, "I figured that there had to be a good reason for you to ask me to come dance at your wedding. I didn't realize I'd be drafted into being a Bride's Maid."
With a worried expression, Lois asked, "Is that a problem? Was I presuming too much?"
Cat straightened up from putting on her heels and said, "No it isn't a problem. There's just one thing."
"Oh, what's that?"
She smiled and replied; "Now you'll have to return the favor. I'd like you to be Matron of Honor in
my wedding."
Lois threw her arms around her former rival that had so recently become one of her closest friends and in a heartfelt tone, said, "I'd be honored."
Lois looked around and said, "I think we're ready," and stepped to the door.
When she opened the door she was shocked to see Luthor running across the hall and ducking up a set of stairs.
She shouted, "What the …" and dashed off after him.
Martha was behind Lois and seeing her dash off, took off after her.
And now
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Chapter 11
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Lucy and Cat were next out of the dressing room. They saw Martha disappear into the stairwell. Lucy shouted, "Cat, you go for the police."
Cat responded, "What are you going to do?"
"Follow them," and she took off at a run for the stairs.
As Lucy approached it was apparent that this was a concealed stairwell. It was unmarked and if the door hadn't been open it would have blended in with the hallway walls. She looked around and finally settled on a sign on the wall. She broke a nail tearing it from the wall, but she successfully used it to block the door and prevent it from closing so that the police could follow. Having done this, Lucy started running up the stairs.
When Lucy reached the top of the stairs she found a door that she was able to push open. Passing through she found herself in a bedroom. At least it looked like a bedroom, there was a king sized bed occupying the center of the room, but there were no other decorations or furniture. Lois and Martha were not in sight and the gleam of metal caught her attention. She stopped to give it a closer look. She was appalled at what she discovered. There were heavy metal manacles attached at each corner of the bed. Looking at them closely she decided that these weren't just there for kinky sex. They were not the padded kind that wouldn't hurt. These were serious restraints. Anyone locked up in these would be completely helpless. She could just imagine Luthor trapping Lois in them. He would have been able to have his way with her whenever, however and however often he wanted and she wouldn't have been able to do anything about it. She was beyond shocked. The thought that Luthor had this waiting for her sister infuriated her. This had only taken a few seconds and it only fueled her anger at Luthor all the more. She set off in pursuit once again.
Passing through another door she entered an office. When she did, the scene that met her gaze startled her. Luthor was sprawled on the floor. Lois was standing over him holding a huge sword at his throat. Martha was standing over him with her tote, straps in hand, hauled back like she was ready to swing it like a bludgeon.
Groggily, Luthor asked, "What do you have in your purse, lead?"
Martha chuckled and replied, "This isn't my purse, it's my Bible tote. It just has an old, well used, copy of the King James Bible."
Without taking her eyes off of Luthor, Lois quipped, "You laid him out with the Bible?"
Martha chuckled and said, "The Bible is good for lifting up the soul and for smiting evildoers."
Spotting Lucy, Lois ordered, “Go get the police!”
“Cat went for them! They should be right behind me.”
“Good!”
A second later, Bill Henderson and a couple of his MPD men arrived followed closely by Cat Grant. Bill took in the tableau and simply said, "Well, Lane, once again you wound up in the middle of things."
Lois laughed and said, "He's all yours. Think you can hold onto him this time?"
"I don't know what kind of Houdini trick he pulled to get out of those cuffs, but this time we are going to double up. Put the cable ties on him along with the cuffs this time. Somehow he got out of the cuffs and slipped through a secret door which he locked after him so that we couldn’t follow. He’s not going to get away again." He turned to Lois and asked, "Don't you have a wedding to get to? I think your groom is becoming anxious."
Lois dropped Alexander's sword and turned to Martha. They shouted in unison, "Clark!" They turned and retraced their steps, trailed by Lucy and Cat, through the hidden bedroom, down the steps and past the dressing room. When they reached the doors they were all huffing and puffing.
Lois tried to straighten her gown. Luthor had mussed it somewhat when he had grabbed her and tried to drag her along with him as his hostage in his escape.
Cat gasped out, “Lois, your mom already went in.”
Martha leaned against the wall trying to catch her breath. Lucy, being the youngest was in the best shape and said, "I'll go in and get Jimmy. I'll send him out to escort Mrs. Kent."
With a wave of her hand, Martha, corrected her, "Martha, please," showing that she had never lost any of her spunk.
Lucy smiled and amended, "I'll send Jimmy for Martha." Lucy disappeared through the door.
Lois turned to Martha and concern in her voice asked, "Martha, how are you doing?"
"I'll be okay, dear. I'm not ready to be put out to pasture, yet. This has been exciting, but I'm used to hard exercise. A farmer's wife doesn't have an easy life. There's a lot of hard work around a farm." She considered for a moment and then asked, "Is this how all of your investigations go?"
Lois laughed and said, "No, not all of them. Most of them are harder."
Martha looked aghast and said, "Now I see why Clark worries so much about you." Martha straightened her dress and fixed her hat. Once this was done she stood waiting to be escorted in.
A few seconds later, Lucy, followed by Jimmy Olsen came out. Martha took his arm and he escorted her to the front, on the groom's side. Sam Lane left his seat and moved to the back. Once he was through the doors he approached Lois and asked, "Is everything okay?"
Lois smiled and nodded, "This time it is. Sorry about before, Daddy. We couldn't tell anybody for fear that Luthor would get wise."
"I understand. I've had to withhold bad news from a patient's family before. Do you love Clark, Princess?"
"With all my heart, Daddy."
"Does he love you?"
She smiled and said, "As much as I love him, if not more."
"Well then, are you ready to do this?"
"Am I ever? I've been looking forward to this day for almost a year."
He crooked his arm to her and she took it. He turned to Lucy and said, "I guess we’ll do this for real this time. Lead on, Peanut."
Lucy gave Lois one final hug and then smiled, winked and said, "I'm gonna miss my roommate," then she turned and opened the door. As soon as she did the organ started the prelude again. Lucy was first down the aisle followed by Cat.
When Cat reached the front the organ switched to the Wedding March and arm-in-arm, Sam Lane and Lois walked, with measured tread, a little faster than was usual, down the aisle. She moved faster than the first time. The first time she had been dreading the outcome. What if something had happened and their plans had fallen through. It had been Luthor up there waiting for her. Her feet had dragged down the aisle as if she had a lead weight attached to each ankle. Now, all she could see was Clark and her heart sang. Her steps were light, so light she felt like she was floating in Clark's arms. She fairly skipped down the aisle with a wide grin that only got wider as she got closer to the love of her life.
Then she saw that he was receiving some support from Jimmy and George who were standing next to him and a new wave of concern washed over her. He still hadn't recovered from the Kryptonite exposure and was weak. She rushed Sam the rest of the way down the aisle. Sam didn't have to throw back the veil because it was already trailing behind her head revealing the little bow on the crown of her head.
She released Sam's arm, gave him a quick smile and stepping up next to Clark wrapped her right arm with his left, surreptitiously lending her support. As she did, Jimmy and George stepped back. She handed her bouquet to Lucy, looked at the minister and nodded.
He began, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here, in the sight of God and man to join this man and this woman in the bands of Holy Matrimony. Before I do, I must ask if there is anyone here that objects to this union."
This time there was blessed silence and the ceremony proceeded.
When it came time for the vows Clark spoke off the cuff, "Lois, I had been a wanderer, traveling the globe in search of a place, a place to belong. I have always had a wonderful family. My mom and dad are the best, but I wanted to have a family of my own some day. I found that place the day I arrived in Metropolis. The day I interviewed at the Daily Planet I knew that this would be my new home. I was being interviewed by Perry White when this brown haired tornado full of bluff and bluster swirled into my life. From that minute, I knew I was where I belonged. That was the second happiest day of my life. Today is the happiest. Now I also have the family that I wanted … you."
It was then Lois's turn and she said, "Clark, I've always been driven to be the best. The best cheerleader. The best in my class. The best reporter. I've made some mistakes along the way and I almost made the biggest mistake ever by not immediately seeing how great a guy you were. I had been hurt in the past and didn't want it to happen again, but your gentle ways and persistence. Your unfailing kindness and gentleness finally tore down the walls I had built up and allowed me to love you and I do. I can't wait to start the rest of my life by your side."
The minister called for the rings. Lucy and Jimmy handed them to him and addressing the gathering the minister held up the rings and said, "These rings which are to be worn are round … each is a circle. The circle is a symbol of eternity. With a circle there is no beginning and there is no end. That symbol of eternality represents the eternal love of those that wear them. The love that this couple shares has been tried in the crucible and has only been strengthened by that testing.”
He turned to Lois and asked, “Lois, do you take Clark to be your husband, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer till death do you part?”
With a tear at the corner of her eye, Lois responded, “Yes, I do.”
The minister handed Lois the ring and said, “As you place this ring on his finger, please say, ‘With this ring, I thee wed.’”
Lois took the offered ring and holding his left hand in her right, slipped the ring onto Clark’s ring finger as she repeated, “With this ring I thee wed.”
He turned to Clark and asked, “Clark, do you take Lois to be your wife, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer till death do you part?”
With a firm voice, Clark responded, “I do.”
The minister handed Clark the ring and said, “As you place this ring on her finger, please say, ‘With this ring, I thee wed.’”
Clark took the offered ring and holding her left hand in his left, slipped the ring onto Lois’s ring finger as he repeated, “With this ring I thee wed.”
The minister said, "By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Lois and Clark turned toward one another and started a long, slow kiss. As they kissed the minister announced, "I present Mr. and Mrs. Clark Kent."
After a short time there was applause from the guests, they broke from the kiss and turned smiling faces on their guests.
Arm in arm they started to move back down the aisle. Clark was moving a little faster because Lois was lending him some support. As they were nearing the last row they noticed a rather smallish man in a dapper morning coat and wire rimmed glasses holding a derby hat in his lap. They stopped in mid-stride and Clark blurted out, "Herb?"
Herb smiled and nodded in reply, "I just had to be here for the big day. Congratulations."
Lois reached for his hand and said, "Thanks, Herb. For … everything."
Herb patted her hand and said, "My pleasure, my dear. Don't let me hold you up. There will be others that want to wish you congratulations as well." He nodded his head toward the other side of the aisle where they could see Perry White in conversation with Franklin Stern. "I'll stop by later. We'll have a chat."
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After the reception, Lois and Clark returned to the apartment, Clark collapsed onto the couch and Lois collapsed on it with him.
She asked, "How are you?"
He pulled her into his arms and said, "Tired. Tired, but happy. I didn't know that you had planned OUR wedding."
"So, I surprised you?"
"I'll say I was surprised."
"And pleased?"
As he pulled her into a hug, he said, "Very pleased."
Interrupting this private moment there was a knock on the door. Lois said, "Drat. Who is it?"
Clark looked over his glasses, "Sorry, I can't see. My powers haven't returned as yet. Didn't Herb say he would stop by?"
Sighing, Lois said, "Yeah, that's right. I guess I'll have to find out the old fashioned way. I'll go and see who it is."
Standing she moved to the door and peeked through the curtain then as she opened the door she said, "Honey, look who's here. It's Herb."
Clark struggled to stand, but Herb quickly said, "Oh, no, no, no, my boy. Don't stand on my account. I know how weakened you are. Please, sit and rest."
Clark slumped gratefully back onto the sofa.
Lois joined him on the sofa and he pulled her close. Herb crossed to an arm chair nearby and sat down. Taking off his derby he placed it on the coffee table between them.
Sitting back, he said, "Well, it was quite a pleasure to be there for the wedding, I must say."
Lois smiled and said, "It was all thanks to you, Herb. If it hadn't been for my future memories, none of this would have happened, in fact, Clark would probably be dead." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it, hard.
He yelped, "Ouch! Not so hard."
She pulled his hand up and kissed it then said, "Sorry, I forgot. No powers, vulnerable."
He smiled and said, "I'm always vulnerable to you. You are my greatest weakness."
Lois smiled and reached up and kissed him. She said, "That's nice to know."
Herb cleared his throat to get their attention.
Lois and Clark broke from the kiss and Lois said, "Sorry, Herb. We tend to get carried away and forget everything else. So what brings you around?"
"I simply wanted to stop by and proffer my congratulations on your success investigating Lex Luthor and on finally having the church wedding that both of your families desired. It was a lovely affair and very fitting. Most of the other Clark and Lois couples I have met were not married so soon after meeting. Most took time to develop a relationship."
Lois pointed out, "The future memories that you gave me of our married life really short-cut the process. Clark fell in love with me the minute we met. I have no idea how long it would have taken me to fall for him and I guess we'll never know. You say that in most universes it took longer. Not in all?"
"No, we recently discovered a universe where they married early, but I have yet to investigate the circumstances. The couple I am most familiar with is the one in my own universe and it took them approximately three years to finally wed. Actually, since the timelines parallel, that Lois was also involved in a wedding, to Lex Luthor."
Lois interrupted, "Please tell me that she didn't go through with it."
"It pleases me to say that she did not. It was a close thing though. At the very altar there was no one to object to the wedding, but when asked if she took Luthor as her husband, she said, ‘I can't' just as Perry White and the MPD invaded and arrested Luthor."
"How did that work out? With all of the charges we have racked up against him, if he’s lucky he’ll get life and not the death penalty."
"In that universe, as with you, Luthor had trapped Clark in a Kryptonite cage. As a result, Luthor signed his own death warrant. He managed to escape the police as he did with the police here; however, that Lois was not there to stop him …"
Lois chuckled and added, "Or a Martha to lay him out with her Bible."
Herb agreed, "Or a Martha to club him. He was cornered by the police on his balcony and chose to take that fatal leap rather than spend the rest of his life in jail."
Lois's hand flew to her mouth as she choked out, "From the balcony?"
Clark was practical, "Was anyone else hurt?"
Herb shook his head and replied, "No, just him."
Clark nodded and said, "At least he didn't hurt anyone else."
As Herb reached into his pocket he said, "I do have a wedding present for you." When he pulled out his hand he was holding a jewelry box. Handing it to Lois he said, "This is a very special piece of jewelry to celebrate your wedding. I think you'll like it."
Lois took it and when she opened the lid, exclaimed, "Ohhhh, it's beautiful!"
The sight that had greeted her eyes was a silver pendent on a silver chain. The pendent was in the form of Superman's family crest and was studded with very unusual star sapphires.
Herb explained, "Beautiful, indeed and also eminently practical. You are familiar with green Kryptonite."
Clark looked at the pendent askance and said, "I don't feel anything, but why would you give Lois a green Kryptonite pendent, anyway?"
Herb had a shocked expression as then said, "No, my boy. That does not contain green Kryptonite. I was going to explain that there are other forms of Kryptonite out there with which you are unfamiliar. For instance, if you look closely at those star sapphires you will see that they actually have a double star. They are a hitherto unknown variety of Kryptonite and very rare. I hasten to add that the star sapphire Kryptonite will not affect you in any way. There is also a form with a red color whose affects will be unpredictable."
"Unpredictable?"
"Yes, one sample caused the Superman of my universe to simply loose interest in what was going on around him. Another one caused him to lose control of his powers, exacerbating their effects. Any normal movement was exaggerated ten times. Anytime he tried to move he would crash into furniture. He almost wrecked the house."
Lois interrupted, "Speaking of house. Clark, I saw a for sale sign that just went up the last time I was going to the Brightview precinct."
"I don't know, Lois. Right now, we are out of work."
Herb replied, "Please allow me to set your mind at ease on that point. Now that Luthor has been arrested the gentleman that Perry White talked to will in fact buy the Planet. You will be back to work shortly. You will be in temporary quarters until the building is rehabilitated and the printing will be done at another facility, but it will not be long."
Lois released a relieved sigh, and said, "Well, that is certainly good news. Who is … uh, that is who will be the new owner?"
"I think I’ll allow Mr. White the pleasure of informing you of that fact.. Uh. might I ask the address of the house you saw the for sale sign on?"
Lois pulled out her pad and checked, "348 Hyperion Avenue. It's an old brownstone, but it has a lot of character."
Herb smiled and said, "I believe that you will find that it has a secret closet where you can store your spare uniforms."
Lois gasped, "You know the house?"
"It is a funny thing about the parallel universes, so many things are duplicated. Most of the Lois Lane and Clark Kent couples I know live at that address."
Lois looked at Clark and said, "Based on that, I guess we can't go wrong. As soon as you are up to it, let's go see."
Smiling, Clark said, "Sounds like a plan."
Herb interrupted and addressed to Clark, "Now, back to the Kryptonite. Contained in that pendent are two forms of Kryptonite, the star sapphire that I mentioned and a red form that will not affect you." Turning to Lois he said, "It is very important that you carry this on your person at all times from now on."
"Why?"
"Ah, my dear, I must resort to my motto, ‘too much information too soon is not good. Rest assured that when the time comes you will know why I have given you this caution."
“But won’t the shape give away the secret?”
Herb smiled a secret smile and said, “I think you will find that very soon pendants such as that will be sold in stores with the proceeds going to the Superman Foundation. I would imagine that the only difference there will be between this one and those will be the fact that yours is silver and contains the Kryptonite I mentioned.” Herb gave a slight chuckle and finished, “I would imagine that many members of the Superman Fan Club will be wearing them.”
Lois smiled and clasped the chain about her neck.
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