The next morning, Clark was called away early for Superman duties. Lois awoke to find a short note on his pillow, written in his neat handwriting:
Had to help with a freighter in the Pacific. Don’t wait for me, have a great day at work. Love you.
Smiling softly, she folded the note and set it on her nightstand.
Before leaving for work, she decided to prepare something for Clark, since he often stopped by at home to shower after such a rescue. She filled a plate with his favorite cookies and with a quick note of her own:
For my hero. See you at work. Love, Lois.
She put the plate in the living room before heading out.
---
Half the workday had passed before Clark finally showed up at the Planet. As usual, Lois had covered for him with Perry, claiming he’d been tied up chasing a lead. Spinning excuses for her partner had become second nature, but it still left her slightly on edge every time.
When Clark strolled into the bullpen, his familiar, easy smile instantly put her at ease. He leaned close as he reached her desk and whispered, “All good. Everyone’s fine.”
“Good,” she replied, relief evident in her voice before excitement took over. “Now let’s wrap up this story, because I can’t wait to see what’s in today’s bag.” Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she glanced at him.
---
After work, they returned home together, the weight of the day melting away as they stepped into their warm, familiar space. Lois hung up her coat and immediately made her way to the Advent basket.
Clark followed her, his movements unhurried, and slipped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day,” he murmured, his breath warm against her cheek. “Thanks for the cookies, by the way. They were perfect.”
Lois smiled, savoring his embrace. She paused for a moment to enjoy the closeness before opening the bag. Inside, she found a small music box. Turning the crank, a soft, soothing version of Silent Night began to play, filling the room with its gentle melody.
“This stands for Austria,” Clark whispered, brushing a light kiss against her temple.
Lois glanced up, a hint of recognition in her eyes. “This song… I didn’t know it was Austrian.”
Clark nodded. “It was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818, in a little Austrian village called Oberndorf. It’s one of the most famous Christmas carols in the world now.”
Lois listened to the melody, her expression softening. “It’s beautiful. And peaceful.”
Clark’s smile deepened. “That’s exactly what it’s meant to be, a reminder of peace and stillness during the holiday season.”
He hesitated before adding, “I thought we could visit the winter market around the corner. They’re hosting a charity concert tonight. I heard they let people from the audience join.”
Lois raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin forming. “You? Singing? Clark, I’ve heard you in the shower. Let’s just say you wouldn’t exactly pack a concert hall.”
Clark chuckled, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “I wasn’t planning on joining in, trust me. I’ll leave the singing to you, if you want.” His eyes sparkled with admiration. “You have the kind of voice that could silence a room.”
Lois tilted her head back slightly to look at him, a warm smile spreading over her face. “You can be my backup… in a purely non-musical way.”
Clark grinned. “That’s all I was aiming for.”
Later, as they stood in front of the small stage in Centennial Park, Lois felt the music draw her in. The choir’s voices swelled, and without a second thought, she joined in, her voice effortlessly weaving into the harmonies.
Clark stood beside her, quietly admiring her, his eyes soft as he watched her sing. A middle-aged woman nearby, her scarf wrapped tightly around her neck, stepped forward.
“Your voice is lovely,” she said during a pause between two songs, her gaze lingering on Lois.
Lois was taken aback by the unexpected compliment. “Thank you,” she replied, her voice softer now. “It’s a beautiful song.”
The woman nodded and then turned her gaze on Clark. “You’re lucky to have her.”
Clark smiled, his eyes never leaving Lois. “I know.”
Lois interjected with a teasing smile. “Actually, I’m lucky to have him.”
Clark’s smile deepened, his hand reaching for hers, fingers intertwining. “I think we’re both pretty lucky.”
They stood together in the glow of the concert, the evening air crisp around them. For a moment, time seemed to slow as they soaked in the music and the peace of the season.
When the final notes of the carol drifted away, Lois turned to Clark. “This reminds me of another Christmas... three years ago, when you stayed with me.”
Clark’s lips tugged into a fond smile. “I remember. You’d invited everyone you could think of, but one by one, they canceled… even me. But then I realized I couldn’t leave you alone on Christmas.”
Lois smiled, her voice tender. “You didn’t want me to be lonely.”
“I couldn’t imagine you spending the holidays without family or friends,” he replied gently.
Lois paused, her expression softening. “I remember feeling a gentle breeze, thinking Superman had come. But when you stood in front of my door, it made me even happier. You claimed your plane had been snowed in, I knew you were lying. But I didn’t understand why you would rather be with me than your parents.”
Clark chuckled, a warmth in his eyes. “I don’t regret it for a second. That night is one of my favorite memories.”
Lois wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer, her voice low but full of meaning. “Mine too. You didn’t let me be alone then, and you’ve never let me feel alone since.”
