Well, Nancy, I am, as you know, one of those who are not so glad to see Clark get engaged to Caitlyn. But you know why, too. It is because I'm such an incredibly diehard Lois fan, pure and simple. Basically my impression of your story has not changed: I've always loved your way of writing the Kent kids and their girlfriends, fiancées and now, with Trace, boyfriends, too. Similarly, I've always loved your portrayal of Clark as a father. And I have always loved your vivid imagination, the sense that almost anything can happen in your stories, and I have always loved the warmth that you infuse in your portrayal of your characters, even including the feline ones (Meowoof!). Frankly I have just one big objection to your story, and it is the same one I've always had, namely the absence of Lois. However, Nancy, you've told me that you were inspired to write this story because an aquaintance of yours, a father of many children, is a widower. You haven't said so, but I'm just assuming that your widower friend has found a new love, who is helping him to get on with his life. And how can I say that you should not use what you see around you in the real world as an inspiration for your stories? How can I say that Clark could never become a widower? I can't say that. And how can I say that he wouldn't deserve to find another woman to share his life with if Lois died? I can't say that either, but I'm asking you to understand that ultimately, i can't be happy to see him put his life with Lois definitely behind him by moving on with another woman, no matter how well-deserved such a change of life would be.
But let me say just two more things before I try to give a bit more specific FDK on this chapter: I'm really so glad that you were inspired to write this story in the first place, because it really is so good, and these boards benefit so much from your presence in general and from your story in particular. Second, I'm really glad that SNL has recently discovered your story and found out for herself how good it really is!
Okay, time for some specific FDK on just this chapter (and it's no use I even try to comment on Clark's engagement to Caitlyn, as I'll have nothing useful or helpful to say):
The Purple Pixie was carrying Trace Alderbrant. The twins touched down at the home of Jim Olsen and Catherine Grant-Olsen. Trace's mouth was hanging open, and he said, "Wow!" He smiled then looked directly at the Purple Pixie. "Purple is my favorite color." He had a sappy, silly grin on his face.
Hah!!! I love it when the girl gets to sweep the boy off his feet and carry him off!!!
The Blue Fairy cleared her throat. "Umm... Well, Mr. Alderbrant, I know you need to call your mom and your step-dad, but do you think you could just tell them you're okay? Don't tell them what happened 'til they get home. Okay?"
It was obvious he was love-struck. "Uh-huh. Anything for the two of you." Then he turned to Claire and gave her another sappy smile. "Especially for you, Pixie. Can I call you Pixie?"
Aaaawwww!!!! (Can I call you Pixie, honey?)
By the way, did I thank the two of you for pulling Caitlyn and I out of the water?" Both nodded. "Consid..."
Chloe interrupted. "We feel really bad, Daddy. We should have seen something."
Claire agreed and said, "Yeah."
"No, you did good. You can't see everything. And you can't *do* everything. Remember that, okay?" He sighed, "Now, consider yourselves grounded until I decide what to do with you."
He is thanking them and grounding them at the same time. He is being nice and proud, but I don't
entirely like him here, all the same.
"Lara, honey, I need to tell you something. The rest of the family already knows, and I'd prefer you to be older, but because of the rest of what I have to say, I've decided that you must know this now. Now this is a secret, and it's a dangerous secret. You *mustn't* tell anyone. Do you understand?" She nodded solemnly. "I mean, no one, Lara. Besides the people in this room, there is only a three or four others who know, and you don't need to know who they are right now, okay?"
"'Kay. If this is 'posed to be so important, then why isn't Grandmother Ellen here?"
Clark's eyes got a little wide, but he answered calmly. "Grandmother Ellen doesn't know, and she can't find out. Okay?"
"But Gramma and Grampa Kent are here."
"Well, yes, but they've known longer than anyone. Okay?"
"'Kay."
Sorry about the long quote, but you've got to love this kid.
Clark smiled at her. "Lara, I'm Superman."
"Oh, that." Then she said simply and sweetly, "I know."
Adorable!!! Wonderful!!!!
The entire room erupted in giggles. Clark was trying hard to keep a straight face. "And how do you *know* this, Lara?"
"Don't know. Just know."
"How long have you known?"
"As long as I can 'member. You know when you rescued me that time? When I got lost in the snow?" Clark nodded. She gave him her most charming smile. "At least since then."
Oh, wow.
Clark threw his hands up in the air. That had happened when Lara had been twenty months old. That must surely be her earliest memory. "And you've never told anyone?"
"Nope!" She said matter-of-factly. "Not even Brook. She just found out, you know - last week."
Yes, Brook found out last week, but Lara has known since she was twenty months old, and she has
understood she must keep quiet about it!!! Clark nodded. "Yes, I know." Clark just shook his head. His children would never cease to amaze him.
And I feel sorry for Lois, who never got to see and know this wonderful child.
Jama said, "So you... had... relations with Lady Zara?"
Clark quickly looked at K'al and Los and wondered if they knew the truth. The both nodded to him and told him that they knew the truth. "No, I didn't. I *was* married to her, though, but that was a political solution. You all know about test tube babies. Well, that's basically what these three are."
I'm glad he's telling them this.
Claire was slightly shocked. "He's the ruler of New Krypton?"
"Well, Lady Zara is the regent, but he is the ruler and has been since he was born. If I understand correctly, he will not be the full ruler until he is the age of 25 Earth years." He looked at Los and K'al for confirmation. Both nodded.
K'al-El said, "Yes. But... be you ruler in truth."
So Clark is the ruler of New Krypton, eh?
Clark held his hand up. "Wait... So it seems earlier tonight that Chloe and Claire decided to make a hero appearance." He turned back to the twins and grinned. "Have you two thought about how the names Purple Pixie and Blue Fairy are going to sound when you are older?"
Well, that's a good question. Maybe Chloe and Claire will look young forever.
He looked at Jama, "Don't get any ideas."
"I'm no hurry, Daddy. I can't even fly, yet."
That was funny.
"Good. I like you a lot." Then she whispered in Caitlyn's ear. "I know you aren't my real mother, but can I call you Mommy? I've never really had a Mommy."
This pains me, Nancy, I can't help it. Lara is Lois's child, and she's a wonderful child, and Lois gave up her life for her, but Caitlyn and not Lois will get her love.
Oh, I almost feel tears welling in my eyes now. Isn't there
any way you can make Lois a part of Lara's life, too?
Ann