Clark & Lois – When Worlds and Universes Collide - Matchmaker Chronicles V 8 12/37
By KenJ <ken.janney@kjanney.com>
This version is rated PG-13
Alpha 023 x Gamma 004 x Tau -120 – Canon Lois and Clark universe also called – Prime
Alpha 023 x Gamma 004 x Tau -124 – Alternate Prime - Lori and Clark
Alpha 023 x Gamma 025 x Tau 036 – Alt 1, Alt Clark and Kryptonian Lois – (Alt 1 )
Alpha -120 x Gamma 255 x Tau -190 – Alt 2 Kryptonian Lois' home universe.
Alpha 023 x Gamma 025 x Tau 040 – Alt 1 alternate (Alt 3) Alt Lois and Alt Clark
Previously
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Saturday, September 3, 2039* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
At the appointed time Lara disappeared into the house and reappeared a few minutes later with a justice of the peace that she had scheduled earlier. He performed a civil ceremony for the young couple.
Jimmy had worked to create an Earth persona for Alice so on the marriage license appeared the name Alice Richards which immediately changed to Kent.
As soon as the justice said, “You may kiss the bride,” a cheer went up from all gathered.
The Justice left after receiving his fee.
Shortly after his departure, Clark was about to say something to Sam when there was an interruption.
A few minutes earlier Lara had disappeared into the house as she was escorting the minister out. Now she reappeared in the company of several men who looked like old fashioned monks dressed up in robes. As soon as Lara led them out the back door of the house they, upon seeing Clark, bowed before proceeding into the yard. Clark called Mike over. “Mike, can you take over here for me for a bit? I’ve got something else I need to do.”
“Sure thing, Pop. Go ahead. Lara’s been planning this for weeks.”
“Why that sneaky … She takes after her mother. Don’t let the steaks burn.”
“I’ve got it. Go greet your visitors.”
Clark walked over and the leader of the delegation bowed again as Clark approached. Clark said, “Trey, my old friend. I didn’t know that you were coming.”
Trey said, “Lord Kal-El, it is a pleasure to see you again.” He called a specific individual forward. “I’d like to introduce Gan-Ce, grandfather of Alice. We came to officiate in the ceremony.”
Alice had come over behind Clark, hand in hand with Sam, AKA Ben-El. She broke away from Sam and standing before Gan-Ce placed her closed fist over her heart, gave a small bow and said to Gan-Ce, “I honor you, Grandfather.” Then she lost some of the formality and said exuberantly, “You came! For the joining ceremony?”
Gan-Ce replied, “Yes, Granddaughter. A happy day. The joining of the house of Ce with the house of El.”
Alice held out her hand to Sam and he came forward and took it. She performed the introductions, “Ben-El this is my grandfather Gan-Ce.”
Sam said, “It is an honor to meet you sir.” Sam didn’t know how to appropriately greet him so he proffered his hand. Gan-Ce reached forward and clasped his hand around Sam’s forearm in a forearm shake.
Gan-Ce said, “My granddaughter has chosen well.”
A few minutes later, with the family gathered around, all except the younger children and a couple of the teens who were watching them the ceremony binding Alice and Ben-El in a life bond took place.
After the ceremony Trey and the rest of the Council of Elders joined in the festivities.
Sam and his new wife excused themselves and went into the house. Lara had planned well. Knowing about the Kryptonian bonding ceremony she had prepared Sam's old bedroom so that Sam and Alice could use it to complete the second part, consummating the wedding.
Clark returned to the cooking and Trey drifted over there to talk. It was a pleasant conversation.
And now -
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 12 – Labor Day Picnic
Saturday, September 3, 2039* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Universal Locator designation
Alpha 023 x Gamma 004 x Tau -120 – Prime%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
This had been some party! So far they had had an announcement of a baby on the way from Jimmy and Peg along with their anniversary celebration. There had also been the arrival of a delegation of the Council of Elders from New Krypton who had come to officiate at a Life Bonding Ceremony for Sam and Alice, which had followed an American civil wedding ceremony.
Clark had just had a conversation with Trey, who had gone off to sample the foods that were on the buffet. The conversation with Trey would require some additional thought before Clark actually answered the questions Trey had asked.
In order to buy some time to come up with some good answers, Clark had sent Jon over to talk with the leader of the New Kryptonian Council of Elders.
A few seconds later Lois approached. He heard her heartbeat even before he saw her approaching and a smile lit up his face in response to that knowledge. When he looked up he saw her, his wife of so many years. Still beautiful at age sixty-three, almost sixty-four, he marveled at her grace and beauty. A sprinkling of gray in her hair, a few lines, here and there but still a beautiful woman. Today, in honor of the planned wedding of Sam and Alice she had chosen to wear a modest business suit in peach with a red blouse under the matching jacket. She had allowed her hair in recent years to go longer and it flowed softly around her shoulders.
As she walked up she greeted her husband, “Hi, handsome. Wow, what a day.”
Chuckling he said, “You can say that again. We knew about the Justice of the Peace but that sneaky daughter of yours …”
Laughing, Lois interrupted, “Daughter of *ours*! She’s just as much your daughter as she is mine.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that! Keeping something like inviting a delegation of the Council of Elders, including Gan-Ce, Alice’s grandfather, to officiate at a Bonding Ceremony. I never did anything like that to you.”
With a surprised look Lois retorted, “You *never* what? You never kept it a secret that Clark Kent was Superman? You never lied to me, giving me really lame excuses for why you had to duck out, especially when we were in the middle of a really important conversation? I’d say you bear just as much responsibility for this behavior as I do.”
“Okay, if you put it that way, I guess we have to share the responsibility.” Giving her a very close appraisal up and down he said, “I must say that you are dressed very nicely today. That outfit makes you look almost good enough to eat.”
Lois did a pirouette so that he could see the entire package. “I wanted to look nice for the wedding. You like, huh?”
“Always.”
With a somewhat wonton look she said, “You look kinda good yourself! I always like you in a suit. The only thing is, I catch myself being like Alice White was with Perry when he wore a tux. I can’t wait to get you out of it.”
He started to laugh and said, “The only reason to wear a suit to a party is if there’s going to be a wedding and you’re the father of the groom.”
Lois moved in and put her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a kiss. “I think I’m going to go up and change. This outfit is okay for a mother of the groom at a wedding, but, this is a party and now I aim to get comfortable. I’m going to go in, check on some things and change. See you in a little while.”
“Okay, I plan to go change in a little while myself.”
Lois walked off and Clark observed that Trey had been watching, even as he had been listening to Jon as he told the story about his and Jen’s relationship.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A short time later, Jon finished his story and he and Jen had excused themselves so that Jen could feed George, their sixth child.
Trey returned to enjoying the Earth delicacies that had been provided by Lord Kal-El’s family as Clark returned to mulling over the discussion he had previously had with him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
earlier
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As Clark was still in the process of cooking Trey had approached. As he neared Clark he bowed slightly and said, “My Lord, Kal-El …”
Clark had interrupted him at this point. He said, “Trey, please, this is Earth, not New Krypton and this is a party, a festive occasion. I don’t want all of the bowing and scraping that you feel necessary. You are a guest in my house and I honor you as such. You are also a friend. If it hadn’t been for your courage, bucking Nor, my atoms would have been scattered across the galaxies. Really, I owe you my life.”
With a humble expression Trey replied, “It was my duty. An injustice had been done. Lt. Ching pointed out the law and I was duty bound to act on it. Furthermore, if you hadn’t defeated Nor, we would be suffering under his yoke even today. Besides, the council had been tricked into the judgment that had been handed down. Your defeat of Nor proves that you were in the right.”
Clark was somewhat embarrassed by all of this and replied, “Okay, there were good things done on both sides. This is a party. Why don’t we just relax and have some fun. This gives you an opportunity to meet some of our children.”
Trey replied, “I look forward to doing just that, but, I have some questions. You have a number of children, but, has it been worth it? By staying here on Earth and using your powers, it appears as though you have shortened your expected life span. You appear to be aging at the same rate as Lady Lois, by the way, where is she?”
Clark was caught in a quandary by this line of questioning. He would need some time to think about how to answer. He said, “She’s around being the perfect hostess. Why don’t we resume this conversation when she returns? In the mean time you could go over to the buffet and sample some of the dishes that my children have prepared.”
Trey said, “Thank you, I think I shall. We can talk more later; as you suggest.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Trey watched as Jon and Jen headed to the house so that Jen could feed four month old George in private. As they neared the door a ravishingly beautiful blond came out through the door. She was dressed in a halter top, shorts and sandals which showed off her long shapely legs. Most of her upper body was hidden however by a baby carrier with a four month old infant in it. She stopped and had a short conversation with Jon and Jen before they proceeded into the house and she moved into the yard.
Trey was wondering just who this woman was. He didn’t recognize her as the wife of any of the sons of Lord Kal-El and Lady Lois. She appeared to be the correct age to be the wife of one of them; however, the only blond haired daughter-in-law was Jennifer, whom he had just officially met. He watched her as she moved toward the rest of the party. He was surprised when she moved in the direction of Kal-El. When she neared him he took her in his arms and careful of the infant in the carrier he gave her a hug and a kiss. With a knowing look Trey nodded his head. He arose from his chair and approached Kal-El.
When he was near enough he said, “Ahhh, I see that you have followed at least some of the traditions of New Krypton. Is this one of your concubines?”
Before Clark had a chance to answer a five year old, brown haired whirlwind swirled into their presence. She put a brown smudged hand on the woman’s leg and transferred some of the brown substance to the bare skin as she said, “Mommy, Mommy, tell him I can have another piece of cake.”
The woman looked down. She saw that not only were the hands covered in this brown substance; her face was also smeared from nose to chin. She took all of this in before asking, “Tell who Sweetie?”
“Brother!”
“Which brother, Sweetie?”
The little girl pointed at a brown haired seven year old and said, “Him, CJ.”
Clark leaned down and picking up the girl tossed her into the air to her absolute delight. She was squealing the whole time she was in the air. When he caught her he held her up in front of himself and asked, “Just how many pieces of cake have you had, Pumpkin?”
As Clark had been playing with the little girl a dog had come over, obviously following the girl. The dog spotted the brown stain on the mother’s leg and started licking it off. Startled, she looked down and said, “Shelby, good dog.” She reached down and petted his head as he cleaned her up.
The little girl answered his question, “Three, but they were small pieces.”
Laughing Clark said, “It looks like you got as much on you as you did in you.”
Hurt in her tone she replied, “That was Ben. He tried to grab my cake and he slipped and pushed it into my face. Besides, CJ said that I shouldn’t be eating brown cake cause I’m an olive so I should only eat green cake.”
“Clark Jerome Kent Jr. why are you teasing your sister that way?”
CJ dug his toe into the turf as he looked down. He knew that he was in trouble. Whenever Mom got that tone in her voice and used his full name, the boom was about to be lowered. All he could say was, “Cause.”
His mom reached over and took his ear in her hand and said, “Because? Because is not a reason. Just because her middle name is Olive doesn’t give you leave to tease her about it, and you, young lady, where do you get off eating three pieces of cake?”
“Aw, Mom, it’s chocolate!”
“I know very well that it’s chocolate. Your sisters ordered it that way.” She settled down some as she said, “I know you can’t help it. You all inherited my penchant for chocolate. I guess I really can’t blame you too much. I just wish I could eat some of it.” She looked longingly in the direction of the table where the anniversary cake was placed. Then she looked down at the baby in the carrier and thought better of it. “I’d like to have some too, but it would be a real problem for Martha.” She reached up and stroked the baby’s dark hair.
Trey had been taking all of this in and finally his curiosity got the better of him. Turning to Clark he repeated his question, “Lord Kal-El, is this woman one of your concubines?”
Clark had a smile on his face as he said, “Hold that question for a couple of minutes. I need to go change.” He raised his voice, “Mike, can you take over here for me for a few?”
Mike answered, “Sure Pop. Got it covered.”
When Mike had come over to man the grill, Lara had come over with him so Clark turned to her and asked, “Lara, could you supervise CJ and little Lois for us for a few minutes?”
“Sure Pop, I’d be happy to.”
Little Lois started to object because she knew that she could wrap Clark around her little finger but Lois put a stop to that by saying, “Lois Olive Kent, you obey your sister. She’s in charge till we get back.”
“Aw, okay.” She turned to Lara and asked, “Can I please have another piece of cake?”
Lara laughed and said, “Oh, I suppose so. Let’s all go have a piece.”
Clark handed over the spatula and fork and headed for the house then disappeared through the door. Less than a minute later he reappeared wearing a polo shirt, shorts and sandals and appeared to have dropped a good thirty years in those few seconds. Trey’s jaw dropped. This was Lord Kal-El as he remembered him from over thirty years ago, young and virile. Was this another man?
Clark walked up to Trey and said, “I’m sorry we had to deceive you, but, you see, we weren’t expecting you. We knew of the arrangements for the Justice of the Peace and we had to dress appropriately for his arrival. We had to be the appropriate age. Now, since it’s just family, we can remove our disguises. Trey, this is not my concubine, although she was that once upon a time. This is Lady Lois.”
Trey sputtered, “But Lady Lois has dark hair!”
Laughing at his confusion Lois said, “Not now she doesn’t.”
Clark looked at Mike, and asked, “You got it?”
Smiling, Mike replied, “I’ll try not to burn anything. Go ahead, have a talk.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Clark led the way over to a table and he Lois and Trey all took seats.
Clark reminded Trey of his question, “You asked if I thought it had been worth it to give up my long lifespan to stay here on Earth. As you can see, I really haven’t given that up, but, frankly, even if I had I wouldn’t have traded that for being with Lois. I think you saw thirty years ago, I was willing to give her up for the greater good, the welfare of New Krypton. However, if it was a choice between my first love and aging prematurely, I would choose to spend what time I have with the only woman I have ever really loved.”
“When we found out that Lois’ life had been extended by exposure to the Kryptonian aura we realized that we would have to take steps to prevent the world from discovering just who Superman and Ultra Woman were. We adopted a plan of using makeup to make it appear that we were aging. At the appropriate time we will retire our original personas. As it is we have retired from the Daily Planet in those personas and have assumed new identities. In the new identities we courted and married assuming our original names again thanks to the laws of the state. As the new Clark and the blond Lois Kent we are again a reporting team at the Planet.”
Clark elaborated, “Since Lois is now affecting blond hair, when she goes out on a rescue as Ultra Woman she wears a brown wig which duplicates her original hair in length and style. The apparent fact that Lois and I have aged while Ultra Woman and Superman have not has added to the security of our secret identities. No one associates the now older Lois and Clark with the ever youthful superheroes.”
Trey was blown away. He asked, “So, you will live a normal Kryptonian life span and Lady Lois will also now have the same life expectancy?”
“That is essentially it. I just had a thought. Let me talk with the kids.”
Clark thought specifically of each individual that he wished to communicate with so that it wasn’t a general band communication and sent, /”I have a question …”/
After the communication he turned to Trey and asked, “Trey, would you consider possibly conducting the Kryptonian Life Bonding Ceremony again? At this time the only ones who have gone through it are Sam and Alice. I just had a conference with the rest of the family and we would all like to honor the traditions of Krypton by participating in the ceremony also. There will be eight couples.”
Trey began to smile as Clark had been talking and said, “We would be more than happy to perform the ceremony for you and the rest of your family.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Louise, Lara’s fourteen year old daughter and her twelve year old brother, Greg, were called over and they gathered up the younger children that had all drifted over to the food and herded them down to the play area.
Trey and the other elders that had come stood in the center of a circle formed by the El family, all but Sam and Alice, and conducted the ceremony binding them according to Kryptonian custom as life mates.
At the completion of the ceremony Trey and the other elders departed by going into the house where the Kryptonian teleport transferred them to their ship.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After the Kryptonian elders had left, Jon, who was in the house with Jen heard a knock on the door and answered it.
He was startled by who it was. “Mr. Wells? Mr. Wells, you don’t seem to have aged a day since I last saw you. Won’t you come in? Mom and Dad are in the back yard.”
“Well, well, well, my boy, it pleases me that you remember me. I must say, it has been quite a few years. I do have something very important that I must discuss with you and your siblings. Could we possibly gather them together?”
“What about Mom and Dad?”
“Actually, this time I am here to see you, your brothers and sisters and spouses. Oh, and your cousin and his wife as well.”
“Well, if you’re sure. I’ll call them.”
“Please have them come in, a couple at a time.”
“Okay.”
Seconds later, Jen was there with Jon as were Sean and Heather. The others drifted in a couple at a time until all had come in.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lois and Clark were still in the back yard surrounded by their grandchildren; CJ, little Lois, and Benjamin were enjoying themselves in the play area and baby Martha was in her carrier.
Lois looked around for Lara because she wanted her to take Martha for a few minutes while she prepared some drinks, but she couldn’t see her anywhere.
Looking around it suddenly dawned upon her that all of the children were missing. She moved next to Clark and asked, “Did you see where everyone went?”
“Everyone? Everyone who?”
“All of the kids.”
“No, I’ve been busy cooking and then there’s all of the grandkids.” Looking around, Clark suddenly realized what Lois was getting at. None of the first generation children were in the yard. Even their nephew, Jimmy Olsen Junior, and his wife were missing. He muttered, “That’s strange.” Lowering his glasses, he did a scan of the house and found it to be empty. “Did you hear any take-offs?”
“No, that’s what’s so puzzling. Everybody should be here. Well, I guess maybe they decided to give us some time to spoil the grandkids without them interfering.”
“Let me check,” Clark tried a telepathic call, /”Kids?”/ There was no reply. With a puzzled expression he said, “It’s like they just dropped off the face of the Earth! Where could they be? If I didn’t know better, I’d think that Herb had a hand in this. You haven't seen him have you? I sure haven't.” He looked at Lois.
They both thought about that possibility for a few seconds before they both shook their heads and said, “Naaaah.”
A few seconds later, with a worried look, Lois asked, “It couldn’t be … could it?”
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