Well, I've just read both parts of your story, Roger, and all I can say is that you are one big softie! Also, this is proof positive, as if there were ever any doubt, that guys can write romance.

The first part is good -- waffy, happy, sentimental -- but it was the second part that left me staring at my computer with a big, soppy smile on my face.

First -- and foremost -- I love what you did with Clark's apartment and the whole holiday thing. That was delightfully original. Then, that last line was so, so perfect.

So, to you for writing this and for Kaethel for inspiring it, thank you both very, very much!

Chris (who still doesn't understand what Arbor Day is)

lol, Happy Arbor Day! This is wonderful, Roger. Lois took care of business with Dan -- for a moment, you had me worried that Clark might have been playing stalker-boy again and would have seen that last kiss and gone into jealous fits... thank goodness you didn't <g> And I love the idea of him giving her the truth as a present, especially as represented by the globe.

You and Kae have to chat more often!

PJ

Very nice Roger! A nice, warm and fuzzy fic on a snowy day!

~Liz

Awww, Roger! That was so sweet!

But in the meantime, I intend to discuss my WIP-related frustrations with you a lot more often if it makes you write things like this lovely fanfic.

Thank you so much for sharing it!

Kaethel

Beautiful story!

But what's "Arbor Day"? The day when one plants trees, says my dictionary, but why is it a holiday?

Happy birthday, Kaethel!

What a delightful story. I thought that the gift of the globe was a perfect one for Clark to give Lois. It also gave him the opportunity for him to tell her more about himself.

Good idea to celebrate trees. We need them.

gerry

Hi,

Beautiful story.

MAF

Wonderful story, Roger!

I loved this from start to finish, but most of all, I loved the revelation. It wasn't a confession, it was a gift. A gift of love to Lois. Now, *that* is romantic! <sigh>

- Vicki

Just finished reading both parts, Roger. What a nice story!

My thoughts exactly, Chris

Back to the story:

LOL!

Very well done!!
Keep writing.
AnnaBtG.

P.S.: I also would like to know what the 'Arbor Day' is.

"Wow", uttered AnKS.

Sweet story. Another instance of modulus revelation

Aw Roger this was very sweet. Your girl/wife whoever she is must be a very lucky girl<g> laura

Roger! What happened?

That wasn't evil. It was, was... sweet; and, and... waffy.

I don't get it.

Tank (who figures that Roger just mentioned Lois' long hair to appease Kae, since it was her birthday fic, and not because he thinks that she looks best that way)

Roger

A wonderful story!
I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Tricia

Aww, Roger, that was very waffy and sweet. The idea to use Arbor Day with Christmas decorations was original. I like it! Even though I'm not completely sure yet I know what Arbor Day is.

I just have one tiny worry. Great, all those waffs, but what happened to you? Do be aware of your reputation.

Saskia

Aww! Lovely Part 2, Roger - not at all what I expected, but WAFFy and romantic all the same. Nice work! We'll have to revoke that evil label of yours now!

Okay, for all of us who simply haven't a clue... what the heck is Arbor Day??


Wendy

Hi all! I'm stopping in briefly because there seems to be a burning question on what Arbor Day is. It is a holiday to celebrate the planting of trees. It's not a major holiday, as seen by Lois' ignorance as to when the holiday actually takes place, which is generally the last Friday of April. Kids don't get the day off and neither do banks (who seem to get everything off). I would put it on par with Groundhog Day in its importance, but more people seem to know when that is than when Arbor Day takes place.

There's actually a National Arbor Day Foundation that tells the history of the holiday and the various ways people celebrate it. And apparently, this holiday is not just confined to the United States.

The link to the National Arbor Day Foundation is at:

The National Arbor Day Foundation

And here's their link for the holiday's history:

This History of Arbor Day

Roger,

As I told you before when I beta read this, I think you have a really cute idea. This story was so sweet and so WAFFy -- you are definitely going to have to lose that Evil label.

This was a beautiful revelation. And what a creative use of the globe!

- Laura

PS: For anyone who doesn't know about Arbor Day, I found this site. Actually, I knew it was a day where people plant trees, but I never knew anything more about it. So please don't get the idea that all Americans go out and celebrate this holiday. I don't even know when Arbor day is! I have always thought that the analogy Lois made to Arbor Day was that it was a holiday she didn't really care about, and Christmas was the same way.

Wow, that went surprisingly smooth

Very sweet and waffy!!

Julia

Awww...too cute 4 words

Roger - what a lovely ending to a great story!

Some of my favorite parts:

I was ROTFLOL on this - thinking of Lois just blurting it out like ripping the bandaid off as fast as she could. Poor Dan!

And this:
What a very lovely outfit You have great taste!!!

Also love the way Lois reacted to Clark's revelation. The stunned "no feeling" at first makes sense, as she allows her brain to digest what he's telling her. And I love that she listens to him rather than going off all crazy mad first. That's my favorite kind of Lois.

And then you give us such a lovely promising ending. All in all, a very satisfying Arbor Day story that had my heart all gooey.

Thanks for sharing,
Lynn

Ah, that's gotta be the best Arbor Day story I've ever read!

Great stuff, Roger!

PJ

Thank you all for such wonderful comments and for reading my story!

First of all, Happy Birthday, Kae, in another few days! I'm glad you liked your present? I think Lois liked hers, too.

Thanks, Chris! I don't know about being a softie, but I mostly wrote this to see if I even could write something waffy and romantic. This probably doesn't indicate a trend since I write whatever seems to come to mind. I have no idea where I got a reputation for evil.

Pam, Jose, Gerry, Vicki, Tricia, and Laura:
I'm glad you liked how the revelation went. Since I was using Arbor Day as a Christmas substitute, it followed that Clark should give Lois a gift. The gift just worked for what he had to tell her. And I think it helped to make the revelation fairly low-angst since it was clear that Clark was giving her this gift out of love. I always thought Lois was a softie, herself, underneath her tough exterior.

For those who asked about what Arbor Day is, I hope the links provided by Laura and me were useful.

Thanks so much to Kaethel for giving me the inspiration for this story by being late with her Christmas story. I just thought it was a great premise given what Lois had said in "Season's Greedings." And it just happens Arbor Day is only in another short month from now.

LauraC wrote:
I certainly hope she thinks so. I know I'm a very lucky guy to have such a wonderful wife.

Tank wrote:
Tank, what made you think I was evil? If anything, I like to do the unexpected, whether it's evil or not. Since you had this reaction, I guess I was successful. Now don't tell me you've never written anything waffy. We all know better.

Wendy wrote:
Now I'm really curious what you were actually expecting.

Lynn wrote:
Writing babbling Lois is one of my favorite things to do in L&C fanfic. Glad you liked it.

Thank you. Of course our conversation on IRC about what Lois should be wearing had absolutely nothing to do with this. NOT!

Pam wrote:
Makes me wonder now how many Arbor Day stories you have read.

Thanks to Chris, Pam, Jose, Liz, Kaethel, Gabriele, Gerry, Maria, Vicki, Anna, AnKS, LauraC, Tank, Tricia, Saskia, Wendy, LauraU, Julia, Crazy_Babe, Lynn, and Pam again for all your wonderful comments!