Lois shuffled into the living room. She’d fallen asleep, waiting for Clark to come home. But when she woke up his side was empty and cold.
It wasn’t the first time she’d woken up alone and she usually didn’t mind. But today, she felt an ache she couldn’t shake, a wish that he’d been there when she opened her eyes.
She pulled her robe tighter against the lingering chill. Clark loved Christmas, the lights, the music, the traditions. Lois struggled to feel the same - not for herself but out of fear she would ruin it for Clark some day.
Her parents’ fights over Christmas dinner, the deafening silence after their divorce and later, the endless parade of commercials promising a happiness that never seemed to come - it was hard to believe in any of it. Even now, she wasn’t sure if the ache she felt came from the past or from missing Clark beside her.
Maybe both.
Rubbing her arms for warmth, she headed toward the kitchen. The faint scent of pine and cinnamon lingered in the air, a reminder of Saturday evening, when Clark had insisted they start decorating. She’d humored him, but the cheer he was so determined to create had barely scratched the surface.
She stopped short when her eyes landed on the small table by the window. Something hadn’t been there yesterday: a basket filled with numbered bags, each intricately painted with festive scenes.
Clark emerged from the kitchen, with two cups of coffee, pausing as his eyes settled on her. His expression softened, the brightness in his greeting tempered by quiet concern. “Good morning! Sleep okay?”
“Morning.“ Lois raised an eyebrow, gesturing toward the table. “What’s this?”
Clark crossed the room, his excitement evident. “It’s an Advent calendar. I thought we could start a little tradition this year.”
Lois sighed, sinking onto the couch. “Clark, you know I’m not exactly Mrs. Christmas Spirit. Why bother?”
He stepped closer, his voice soft and steady. “I know how Christmas hasn’t always been kind to you. And I get it. But it doesn’t have to be that way.”
She glanced at the basket, curiosity fighting with her lingering frustration. “And what’s in these?”
Clark smiled and handed her the basket. “Look for number one and open it.”
She rifled through the bags, quickly finding the first one. Pulling it open, she retrieved a small green ornament shaped like a cucumber. She held it up, her brow furrowed. “A cucumber? Seriously? Who puts a cucumber on their Christmas tree?”
Clark chuckled, holding her gaze as if hoping to spark a flicker of amusement. “The Germans, apparently. Well, sort of - this might be more of an American-German thing. It’s called the Weihnachtsgurke . It’s hidden in the tree and whoever finds it first gets to open the first present.”
Lois raised an eyebrow. “With just the two of us, that’s not much of a contest. And let’s be honest, Clark, you’d win without even trying.”
“I’ll play fair, I promise,” Clark said, grinning. “Besides, it’ll be more fun when our parents join us.”
Lois rolled her eyes but smiled. “Fine.”
Clark’s expression softened. “Advent calendars mark the days leading up to Christmas. It is a way to build anticipation. Each door - or in this case, each bag - has a little surprise.”
Lois sighed. “And today’s surprise is a cucumber.”
Clark laughed. “Today’s about starting small. I thought we could bake together after work.”
Lois groaned. “You know I’m a kitchen disaster, right? Remember that time I tried to make brownies and almost burned down my apartment?”
Clark leaned in, his eyes soft with affection. “Don’t worry, honey. We’ll do it together. And if necessary, I’ll fly to Germany and buy some for you.”
That drew a reluctant laugh from her. “Fine, but if this goes south, you’re cleaning up the mess.”
---
After work they immediately started their task and later, the kitchen smelled like a christmas market. Plates of Lebkuchen, Zimtsterne and Vanillekipferl were spread across the counter, filling the air with the warm, spicy scent of holiday cheer.
Lois stood by the stove, eyeing the last batch of cookies, reaching for a Vanillekipferl. As she took a cautious bite Clark glanced up. “Careful, those are still warm.”
Lois smirked as she waved the half-eaten cookie in his direction. “You think I can’t handle a little heat, Kent?”
Clark chuckled, moving to her side. “Fair enough. So, how do they taste?”
She took another bite, savoring the delicate almond flavor and buttery texture. “Not bad for someone who doesn’t usually bake. I’d even say… edible.”
His eyes sparkling with amusement. “Think we made enough?”
Lois glanced at the mountain of cookies and raised an eyebrow. “Considering we’re not feeding the entire Daily Planet, I’d say we’re set.”
Clark laughed, leaning against the counter beside her. “But you’ll share with me?”
Lois’s smirk softened into a smile as she looked at the spread. “That depends,” she teased, “are you on Santa’s ‘nice’ list?”
He shrugged, his expression warm. “You’re the one to ask. I saw you eyeing the basket earlier - Santa won’t approve if you peek ahead.”
Later, as they curled up on the couch under a blanket, Lois found herself relaxing against Clark. The scent of cookies lingered in the air and the soft glow of the Christmas tree lights cast warm patterns on the walls.
Clark kissed the top of her head. “Thanks for indulging me today.”
Lois tilted her head to look at him, her smirk fading into a warm smile. “I guess I could get used to this… but don’t push your luck, farm-boy.”
His eyes twinkled as he kissed her forehead. “One day at a time.”
Lois found herself humming a Christmas tune and deep inside, she felt a flicker of the joy Clark had been trying to share.
