Well, it's high time I try to write some FDK on this part, isn't it?
Jon, Zared, and the other two young men all re-appeared in the office at the same time. Zared's face registered shock. Jon was smiling and had tears running down his face. The other two young men dropped to their knees then prostrated themselves in front Clark.
How extremely different the four young men's reactions and behaviour are. I just love the fact that Jon is smiling through his tears. That is undoubtedly his love for his brother that is reasserting itself stronger than ever before, now that he has held Zared as a baby in his arms. But imagine that those two young men, Zared's full brothers, are prostrating themselves in front of Clark. I understand the do it because they were raised that way by their Kryptonian society, but... well, the Kryptonian society doesn't look too good to me, judged by these two young men's almost shockingly self-effacing behaviour.
The oldest, K'al-El was prostrated on Clark's left. His name meant that he was named after his father - similar to calling a child the 'Second' or 'Junior'. Clark was amused as the second twin, Los-El, sneaked a quick peek at his father. His name meant 'A gift', but as Zara had explained this name was also meant to honor Lois. He thought back to Trey's explanation of these children.
But look! The younger son, Los-El, named after Lois, is the slightly "wilder" and more unruly of the two brothers. How appropriate that "Lois" would break a few more rules than "Kal"! He sneaked a quick peek at his father - can you imagine the mischief!
Only one other person on Earth had ever known about the twins. And when Lois had found out, she had been very upset and sad. She had been very dismayed that Clark would never see these children or get to be a father to them. He wondered what Lois would think now. His eyes widened, and he swallowed hard.
I love Lois's reaction. She was not upset that Clark had three sons by another woman, but she was upset that Clark would not get to be a father to two of them. I love that Clark is thinking about Lois in a way that shows he misses her, too.
Jon and Zared both cleared their throats and nodded towards their brothers who had remained politely silent. Clark had an idea that in Kryptonian society, they'd stay in their bowed positions forever if he didn't speak.
How horrible for these two young men to be so subdued and self-effacing. Though I guess that if they came across someone on Krypton who held a lower station in life than them, their behaviour would be quite different.
He turned his hands palms up and said in Kryptonian, "~Brothers in bonds, I greet thee thrice.~" He smiled. "~Now please, Lords El, arise.~" The did so, but they kept their heads bowed. "~You can look at me.~"
Good thing Clark is kind to his sons and encourages them, though he has to start out being "Kryptonian" with them.
They looked up at him with emotion filled faces. "~Father,~" they said together.
This is really moving. Poor boys.
Clark smiled. "~Do you speak~ English?"
K'al answered in very broken English. "The... small time." Then he smiled.
This sounds like very, very,
very broken English to me. I wouldn't expect to be able to carry on any sort of conversation with K'al in English.
Most of the people here do not know who I am, so please don't refer to me as Kal-El or Lord Kal-El. Call me Clark instead. And call Lord Zar-El Zared.~"
Jon looked at Zared and snickered. <Lord Zar-El! I've never heard Dad say that before.>
Zared looked back at him, and answered, <Well, if I'm *Lord* Zar-El, then you must be *Lord* Jonathan Samuel Clark-El, so there!>
So funny!
He walked with K'al-El and Los-El and sat them down in a couple of empty chairs. He put his hands on both of their shoulders in an assuring gesture.
I totally love this little paragraph. I've said it before and I'll say it again, your Clark is such a wonderful, loving, caring, natural father.
Then he walked to the room Jenni was waiting in. He knocked then entered the room. She was on the verge of tears. He smiled at her. "Jenni, your groom awaits. And it's only 45 minutes late."
Much better than expected, eh?
(But poor Jenni, I feel sorry for her. Well, Zared is back now!)
A petite lady with long red hair sat down next to the twins.
This had me totally, totally confused. But you resolved it later, so don't change anything!
"Well, this seat looks available. Is it okay if I sit here?" They both stared at her but didn't answer. They seemed quite perplexed that she had sat beside them. Finally, Los-El nodded yes. She grinned. "What's wrong, cat got your tongue?"
I love it!!! This is Lois to a T!
Los looked at K'al and thought, <~Cat?~>
K'al looked back at him and thought, <~What's a cat?~>
But oh, the poor boys don't know what a cat is....
Meowoof decided to instruct these young men on the virtues of catitude as she jumped up between them.
The virtues of catitude....
And hey, I love it that Lois understands who they are.
"Hmmpphh.... Yeah, that's who you are." At their puzzled looks, she said, "I'm Lois Lane Kent. Glad to make your acquaintance, but I never thought you'd be on Earth. Oh... guess I shouldn't have told you who I am. I'm just here for the wedding then I've got to go back to my own time - the past. Don't mention me, please? Well, you can tell Clark, but no one else."
Oh, I
love her adorable frankness, particularly when she is so nice, too. Thank you for not making Lois mean, Nancy... but then, I guess that after she has been married to Clark for many years and has had several children by him, she really wouldn't be mean anymore.
K'al-El looked at his brother and asked, <~Did you understand what she said?~>
<~Some of it. I understood that she knows who we are, and she is evidently the one Father married.~>
K'al-El nodded his agreement.
And the brothers solemnly comment on the woman they just met.
Jenni was a beautiful bride. She was wearing her grandmother's wedding dress.
I'm glad she looks beautiful - a girl deserves to feel pretty on her wedding day - and she can't look too pregnant, if she still fits into her grandmother's wedding dress. (Unless Granny was expecting, too...?
)
She began walking towards the altar with her father, Danny. Zared turned and looked at her, and the love that shone in her eyes made any anger that Jenni was feeling flee.
Beautiful, but there's a small typo here - the love that shone in *his* eyes.
When she reached his side, he smiled at her and whispered, "It was worth the wait. You are stunningly beautiful. I love you."
I love it!
As Clark was helping K'al and Los get food and explaining what the different items were, Lara ran to him and practically jumped in his arms. He quickly set her on the floor. He squatted down and spoke to her. "Daddy can't hold you right now. Remember?"
"I 'member now. Sorry."
Clark is so sweet....
Then she leaned close and whispered, "I saw my mother."
He smiled. "Yes, I saw you with her, but you mustn't tell anyone. It's our secret. Okay?"
"'kay. 'Cause she died," she said with a child's simplicity. "Right?"
Clark nodded. "Yes."
I love that, 'with a child's simplicity'.
"When did she die? I don't ever 'member seeing anything but pictures or videos before."
Clark took a deep breath and bit his lip. She would have to pick now to ask this question. 'Okay', he reminded himself. 'She probably will be quite content with a simple answer.' He smiled. "Umm... You were just a little baby."
She nodded with wide eyes. "Oh. Okay."
How horrible it's going to be for her to learn the full truth one day. But Clark has not lied to her.
Then she looked up at the two tall young men standing behind her Daddy. "Who're they?"
"That's a long story, baby girl. I'll tell you later, okay?"
"'Kay." She looked up at them and smiled and held out her hand. "I'm Lara." Then excitedly she added, "And I just turned four!"
Clark thought to both of his sons. <~You need to shake her hand and tell her your names and that you are glad to meet her. Only the first part of your name - not the 'El' and speak in English, please.~>
Los bent down to her. "My name.. is.. Los. I be pleased.. to meet.. you." Then he smiled.
I love it!!!
Kal then squatted down. He was a tad bit more hesitant with his English. "Me.. be.. K'al. Meet you... is.. good."
Lara smiled at both of them and didn't even seem to notice their odd English. She took off.
I can't help it, I love that K'al is worse at speaking English than Los. I think you've made these two boys very similar, but subtly, adorably different, too.
K'al-El hung his head, <~Father, I shame you. Please forgive me. Los-El has always had more interest in this language than I. Forgive me.~>
Clark smiled, <~K'al, it isn't an easy language. It's not as hard as Kryptonian, but it still isn't easy.
Not as hard as Kryptonian, but still not an easy language... hilarious!
And you have *not* shamed me!~>
K'al suddenly grabbed his Father in a hug. <~Thank you, father. Ching would have been furious.~>
Los-El hung his head at the mention of Ching. Clark was troubled by all this but said nothing at the time. They would have to have a long talk after the reception.
You don't like Ching, eh, Nancy? I think you made me feel that....
Los smiled lightly then and said softly, "Who.. was that girl? And her name... Lara...."
Clark raised his eyebrows, realizing that they had no idea who she was. He spoke in English and thought in Kryptonian (no small feat), <"That was my youngest daughter Lara. And yes, she is named after... my...um.. Lara.">
They both nodded and K'al said, <~We would not have thought that possible. Hmmm....~>
What? It should not have been possible for Clark to name his youngest daughter after his mother?
After the reception, Zared and Jenni decided to go to quiet little pizza place to talk. Jenni was pretty full, but Zared was always up for pizza. It seemed an odd thing to do - go out to eat after their late evening reception, but considering the circumstances, that's what they had decided to do.
They happily stared at each other. Both of them kept playing with their wedding rings. It was obvious to anyone that saw them that they were deeply in love.
So sweet, so beautiful.
She sighed, "Wow, so you have two big brothers, and they even got to come to your wedding. And you mom... Gosh, I would never have imagined getting to meet her."
"Well, that's Lois Lane for you. She was an amazing woman. I wish you could have known her."
"Yeah, I do, too." She dropped her head and picked at her fingernails. "I tried to contact my mom. I guess she couldn't be bothered to even acknowledge my phone calls." She angrily wiped her tears away.
He took her hands, "I'm sorry, honey. I'm so, so sorry."
Oh, how sad. Zared's very kind stepmother is dead, and he can't see his biological mother. And Jenni's mother refuses to see or talk to her daughter on her wedding day.
Chloe and Claire both knew Trace and considered the sixteen-year-old a friend. It didn't take long before Claire, the Purple Pixie and the Chloe, the Blue Fairy found him. The first one he saw was the Purple Pixie who was dressed all in purple and had purple and pink hair. She had on a cape that was made of a purple translucent fabric. The second one he saw was dressed in a blue top with blue boots and had a little white skirt on. Her cape was red, and her hair was bright blue. They were the most beautiful creatures he had ever seen.
Wonderful! Adorable! Purple Pixie and Blue Fairy! And they are the most beautiful creatures that poor Trace has ever seen!
Not only did the Purple Pixie and the Blue Fairy rescue Trace away from his father, who was intent on making him a 'man', but they rescued six girls that had been forced into under age prostitution. The police showed up and this made the news in a big way.
Go, Pixie and Fairy! Go!!!
Just the break up of the underage prostitution ring was big news. But when The Purple Pixie and Blue Fairy flew away... Well, Chloe and Claire were going to try to do their best to hide from their father for as long as they could. They hadn't expected their 'little' rescue to turn into something so big. Yes, they were definitely going to have to try to hide from Clark Kent - if that was even possible.
Ah, but he's not going to be
that mad at them, is he?
Great, lovely chapter, Nancy. I love it!
(And please... call me Ann. You did before. I miss it, you know?
)
Ann