Hi Kathryn!
December 23rd
Don’t rush! The new Kryptonians are far away and Lord Nor won’t invade today—there’s plenty of time to read later!
/squints suspiciously/
Lois paused just inside the doorway, her coat slipping from her fingers. She stood frozen, her eyes locking on Clark, crouched by the fire.
You changed the pattern!
The golden light caught in his dark hair, softening the exhaustion etched into his features. His broad shoulders, usually so steady, seemed weighed down tonight.
Oh, poor dear. Bad rescue? I was going to say Kryptonite poisoning but you used that spoiler tag yesterday…
“But it wasn’t exactly easy, writing both halves of Lane and Kent today.”
There there! But on the plus side, she had pregnancy hormones emotions to help with the touchy feely side of things?
“You could say that. It’s not every day I cover the aftermath of a collapsing bridge while trying not to panic because my husband is still holding part of it up – knowing someone planted Kryptonite there to hurt him.”
On Christmas?
Kyle Griffin: hey, it comes in red, green, and gold. You can’t get any more Christmasy!
“It wasn’t an accident. That piece of Kryptonite was planted.
You never know. There’s so much kryptonite blasted to shards in and around Metropolis, it could be an accident.
“You were bleeding. Superman doesn’t bleed.”
No, he only blushes heavily.
“I’m sorry! It’s just...” Her voice was muffled against his shoulder. “Sometimes it feels like home is only home because you’re here.”
Yeah…poor dear!
On the table beside the couch she noticed the advent calendar bag, untouched. “We didn’t get to open it this morning.”
Although, they did have a great run!
Lois untied the string with trembling fingers, pulling out a small globe similar to the one yesterday’s bag held, though it held a reddish hue.
Awwww….Krypton!
“You’re a part of who I am, Lois - and I want to share everything with you.”
Awwww…And Lois does, too! Even Kerth Awards for stories they investigated together.
LOIS: Provided he did more than rescue me and edit my copy after.
“Clark, you weren’t left alone. You’re not alone now. You’ve got me.”
And now you got an Earth globe, a Krytponian globe, and now, a baby Krytonian globe, too!
Clark hesitated, his jaw tightening. “That’s why I couldn’t risk anyone else getting it again. So I hid it. I wanted to show it to you so many times, but life got in the way. And then, honestly, I forgot about it until recently.
Also, talking how the globe and the spaceship gives details on his birth wife might also not be the best conversation starter for a newlywed couple.
Clark gave her a sheepish smile. “It went quiet again for a long time, and I didn’t think there was anything left to learn from it. Life got busy.”
He pressed his palm against the globe and it floated into the air, glowing softly. Lois gasped as an image appeared - a tall man with strong features and an air of quiet dignity.
Ah, there he is with the sixth of five messages.
After that, instead of returning to its dormant state it played another message.
“There was a time in Krypton’s history when darkness threatened to divide us - fear, famine and war,” Jor-El continued. “But out of that chaos came the Festival of Light - Tor'Quinta'Rao, a tradition to remind us of the unity and hope that binds us.
Lois swallowed hard, her free hand instinctively brushing against her stomach. “What does it mean?” she whispered, though deep down, a part of her already felt the answer.
It’s the Kryptonian equivalent for two blue lines!
“My son, this message is for you and the one you have chosen to share your life with.”
Oh boy. Does this mean Jor-El is okay with Clark divorcing his birth wife so he can take up with his professional caregiver?
When I recorded the message for you and your birthwife, Krypton stood on the brink of collapse. Pressured by tradition, I signed the bond of your birth marriage, hoping it might preserve unity in the chaos. Yet in my heart, I always wished for you to choose your own way. Now that you have triggered this message, I see that Earth has given you that freedom - the freedom to shape your destiny, guided by love, not obligation.”
Together, you carry the legacy of Krypton - not as a burden, but as a promise. It lives in you - and in those who will follow.”
Awww…Jor-El fully expects there will be more. He must have been the one to share the coordinates with the Council of Elders so they can find a new home when they tire of New Krypton.
Lois blinked, her mind racing. The words “those who will follow” echoed again, and she swallowed hard, her secret pressing against the edges of her resolve. She wasn’t ready to share it - not yet.
Yes, because it’s not yet the final part.
“But maybe Jor-El wasn’t just talking about children. Maybe he meant something more - legacy, love, hope. All the things we build together, the lives we touch.”
And the people of New Krypton. Never forget them!
“Thank you for sharing this with me,” Lois whispered, her voice filled with quiet gratitude.
Clark kissed the top of her head, his voice tender. “Thank you for being my light, Lois.”
Awwwwwwwwwwwwww…
Santa baby, just slip Superman under the tree for me, Been an awful good girl, Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
This was a beautiful chapter!
Michael
