I must start by commenting a little on what Nan and SJH said. Unlike Nan, I think you must accept that Clark can't go back to what he was before. The "old" Clark can't return. But the fundamental truths about him still apply, such as the fact that Clark is a wonderful, sweet, caring man. He is also a tortured and damaged man, but even so, he and Lois and their children can build a new relationship on the foundation of his inner core of kindness and love. This conversation between Clark and his oldest daughter Sara is completely wonderful:
“I'm very happy to be home, Sara... but, I'm sorry.....”
“You don't remember. I know. I've been told.” Sara finished for him. “But it doesn't matter. We can make new memories.”
How had he missed the fact that Sara's eyes were also full of kindness and understanding? “Yes, I'd think I'd like that,” he said, deciding that Sara had her mother's eyes.
And this conversation between Clark and Lois is wonderful:
"Lois?"
She swung towards the sound of his voice, and displayed ingenuously to him the tears that coursed ceaselessly down her cheeks.
"Oh, Lois," he whispered, shaking his head sadly.
Neither knew who took the first step, but, instantly, they were locked in each other's embrace, sharing their tears and their turbulent emotions, and so they remained, until the shrill screech of the kettle broke the spell.
Lois stood back and gave him a teary smile, as she swiped at her damp face with her hands. "Would you look at me, bubbling like a brook. You'll be wishing I never talked you into coming home...."
"No, I never would wish that," Clark reassured her, feeling a twinge of regret that Lois had stepped out of his arms. It seemed his body recognized Lois, if his mind did not. "And, you didn't talk me into coming home. I made that decision myself.... OK, with a little prompting from Mac and Marje, but they just reminded me I was being an eejet!"
This is even better:
His hand came up to cup her cheek, and he tenderly traced the faint lines that the years had etched around her eyes. "I think it will be my greatest pleasure to learn to know you all over again."
Clark's gaze was hypnotic and Lois whispered, almost afraid that sound would destroy this moment of shared wonder. "To fall in love with me all over again?"
"No."
At Lois' wide-opened stare of shock, Clark couldn't help but give a tiny teasing grin. But his face quickly stilled into earnestness.
"It's too late for that. I'm already hopelessly in love with you... all over again.
There is so much love in this story. It's the kind of love that endures, the kind of love that suffers, like the kind of love that Paul speaks about in 1 Corinthians, chapter 13. The kind of love that is patient, the kind of love that is kind.... It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Like SJH, I certainly love to see Lois and Clark make love. But I think this story is too serious for quick fixes. I somehow don't believe that this Lois and this Clark can just go to bed together and reach a glorious peak of pleasure. I think that this, too, will be a slow process of healing.
So instead of looking forward to bedroom scenes, I marvel at your ability to show us deep, heartfelt emotion. This is wonderful:
But Lois' mind was distracted when Martha took a few steps into the room and the lighting revealed her face... pale, drawn... yet awestruck, her gaze totally transfixed on her son.
Martha's hand went to her mouth, muffling the words she repeated over and over, reverently, like a prayer. “My boy... my boy!”
The rest of this "one-sided reunion" is equally moving:
It was Jonathan who brought Martha to Clark's side and who spoke first. “Matt here tells us you've lost your memory, Clark, but you'll always be our son. Nothing can ever change that fact... and we want you to know how proud we are of you... and how good it is... so good it is to see you again. Welcome home, son.” Clearly, Jonathan had run out of steam and he could only stand and stare, his big chest heaving emotionally.
But Jonathan's silence freed Martha from her trance and she raised her hands to grip Clark's arms, almost as if she were checking to make sure he wasn't a mirage. “Oh, Clark, you've made us happier than we ever dreamed possible... you always did. I know we might be strangers to you, but I'd really like to give you a hug... if it wouldn't upset you?”
The ache in his head was easing under this gentle woman's gaze. He couldn't exactly say he recognized her, but as with Lois, he felt a connection....
And this is so beautifully poignant:
“I think I'd like that too,” Clark ventured, and that was the only encouragement Martha needed.
Leaning up, she stretched her arms around Clark's neck and buried her head against his chest. Within seconds, she felt Jonathan's big arms wrap themselves around both herself and Clark. Her body shook with the force of her sobs, yet her heart sang with elation. This was her son's homecoming... this was the best day of her life.
And Clark's reunion with his youngest daughter is wonderful in a completely different way:
Are you my fa...” but for a budding investigative journalist that was perhaps giving too much away. Uncle Perry had told her to always keep the subject 'all shook up', whatever that meant. Uncle Perry was always quoting Elvis when he wanted to make a point... so she decided to be direct. “Are you Clark Kent?” she asked, folding her arms and staring belligerently up into the stranger's face. He looked tired, but she thought she caught a twinkle in his eyes.
The matter-of-fact-ness of Victoria's question, the complete seriousness of an eight-year-old.... Jenni, I love it. And Clark responds to her seriousness:
“I wish I knew the answer to your question, Victoria. I think I might be, but I honestly can't be sure.” Clark felt a stab of dismay as he saw his daughter's face fall. “I wish I could tell you more about myself.” He ended forlornly.
I might have forgotten your name... all of your names.” Clark let his gaze shift over the rest of his family before coming back to rest on Vicky. “But they couldn't make me forget how to love... and I think... no, I know that when I look at you, I love you very, very much.” His voice was full of awe as he raised his hand towards Vicky's face, but didn't allow it to touch her... not yet. “Do you know what I would like a whole lot?”
Vicky shook her head, her bottom lip trembling.
“I'd like a hug from you. I'd like that more than anything in the world. Do you think you could find one for this stupid lunkhead who's forgotten all the most precious people in his life?”
All the members of the Kent family held their breath as they waited for Vicky's reaction. They understood how a rejection would slay Clark to his very soul. Yet they needn't have worried. Vicky was Lois to a tee... with a fiery exterior, but with the bravest, most loyal heart of any of the family.
“I think I could do that,” she said slowly as her arms rose to lie on his shoulders and she stepped into his open arms.
I love the breathless waiting here, and how Victoria comes through for Clark, giving him the answer he needs. Because Clark's love is there in his children, too. And this is wonderful:
So he'd forgotten his special pet-name for her... along with all the other things... but it was just a name. The closer she'd got to his face the more she'd recognized him. There was that little mole just above his lip.... Sara had one just like it. And when he'd asked for a hug, his eyebrows had quirked the way they always had.
Yes, this was definitely her daddy. He stood and hoisted her high, laughing up into her face.... She'd been wrong; he was still strong enough and, once again, she felt she was flying.
It's so beautiful, Jenni. Thank you so much.
Ann
