Sorry this was so late in posting. Things were very crazy around here (still are really). And I had hoped to make it up to you by posting both of the “epilogue” chapters together, but I haven’t had a chance to edit the last one yet. Hopefully soon.
As always, thank you to Carol for all her help!!
From Chapter 52
I took another look at the article, reading through the parts that had been done before, reading the new parts she had written more carefully. Still, I had nearly finished the article before I caught it. It was clear – this was the real reason she hadn’t shown me the article. “Lois,” I said. “I told you. I didn’t want to…”
“I know,” she cut me off. “But you were never going to decide on a name of your own. This one works.”
“But Superman?” I asked, still not sure I could handle the name.
“Yes. And you better get used to it, because with this on the cover of the Daily Planet, it’s only a matter of hours before it catches on.”
I shook my head at her. I shouldn’t have been surprised really. It was just like Lois to do what she wanted, what she knew was right. I chuckled. “I love you,” I told her.
“I know,” she grinned at me. “I love you, too.”
I glanced at her article – our article – again. The Boy in Black was dead. Or maybe he was just all grown up. Regardless of which it was, my new suit wasn’t black, and with Lois by my side, I didn’t feel so lost and like a little boy. I glanced at the article and then at Lois’ smile. Superman was born.
Chapter 53
“She looks beautiful,” Lois said as I spun her around, looking over my head.
I nodded without taking my eyes off of Lois. “She doesn’t even compare to you,” I told her.
Lois scoffed. “I seem to recall that you found Maddie attractive once upon a time,” she reminded me.
“I did. That doesn’t mean I don’t think you are far prettier.”
“Come on, Clark,” Lois said, and although she continued to keep one hand in mine and the other on my waist so as not to interrupt our dance, it was clear she wasn’t going to let me get away with this. Not that I really expected her to. After nearly five years together, I knew Lois as well as I knew myself.
I spun us around so I could see Maddie and answer honestly. “She does have a glow tonight. This may be the best she’s ever looked,” I admitted. “Maybe tonight she could actually hold a candle to you. But she still isn’t quite as pretty,” I told her honestly.
“It’s her wedding!” Lois insisted.
“And I said she looked more attractive than I’ve ever seen her before,” I pointed out.
Lois shook her head at me. “You’re incredibly pig headed. You just have to get the prettiest girl, is that it?”
I shrugged. “I don’t have to. I just did. Lucky me.”
Lois laughed as she leaned in to kiss me. As she pulled away the song ended, and we made our way back to our table.
“What were the two of you fighting about out there?” Alicia asked as we took our seats. She was smiling, though. She loved to tease us about the fact that we fought more than anyone else she knew.
“We weren’t arguing,” I told her. “We were discussing how pretty Maddie looks.”
Chris nodded from his place beside Alicia. “She is glowing,” he said.
“She’s glowing?” Lois asked. “That’s nothing compared to your wife.”
“This isn’t glowing,” Alicia said. “This is sweat. And the faint bluish tint of nausea.”
“Well the tint of nausea is very becoming on you,” I told her.
Alicia rolled her eyes. “Give it up, Clark. I’m pretty well taken.”
I chuckled. “So am I,” I raised my hand – the one that had Lois’ left hand in it, displaying her engagement ring.
Just then the DJ announced the cake cutting ceremony, and we got up to get a better view. Maddie smiled up at Josh sweetly as she smeared cake all over his face, and the group of us laughed. Josh turned to give us a mock glare, but a second later, he leaned over to kiss Maddie, rubbing his cheek against hers to pass some of the frosting off onto her.
“They are so cute together,” Sarah said.
“Who would have guessed?” Alicia asked. “I mean, now that I see them together, they make so much sense, but I never really thought of them together when we were in school.”
“Me neither,” Lois admitted. “But when you think about it, they were both going after such creative jobs, it’s not like they had nothing in common.”
“But isn’t that what kept them apart your last year of college?” Sarah asked. “Didn’t Josh have concerns?”
I nodded. “They were silly, though. He was worried about how they would survive financially since neither of them are in lucrative careers. But given how much they loved each other already at that point…”
“Well, they don’t need to worry about that now,” Lois said. “With Josh’s first book getting published and Maddie’s job at the museum, I think they’re set.”
Steve laughed. “Set may be stretching it. I don’t think Josh is expecting his first book to make the best seller’s list or anything.”
“It will make more than a yearly salary at the Planet,” I pointed out. “No publisher would take it if that wasn’t the case.”
“I can’t believe he has a book published already,” Los said sounding slightly jealous. “Or nearly.”
“What?” Alicia asked her. “Being part of the ‘Hottest Team in Town’ isn’t enough for you?”
Lois shrugged. “No. It’s really not.”
We all laughed as Maddie and Josh came over. “How much of a mess am I?” Maddie asked as she approached.
“You look beautiful,” Steve told her.
Lois leaned over and wiped the remaining dot of whipped cream off her cheek. “You really do.”
“We’re so glad you all could come,” Josh said as Chris stood and offered Josh his seat. Josh sat down gratefully, Maddie sitting on his lap.
“Did you really think any of us would miss this?” Alicia asked.
Maddie gave a pointed look at the bump that was not-so-hidden under Alicia’s dress.
“Oh come on,” Alicia said. “You asked me first. I told you I thought I’d be fine. I’m only six months pregnant.”
“But you didn’t know you’d still be suffering from morning sickness,” Josh pointed out.
“Well, if it was anyone but the two of you, I wouldn’t have done it,” Alicia admitted.
“The food smells are still bothering you?” Lois asked.
Alicia nodded. “Don’t worry,” she told us. “I’m sure in a month I’ll be better.”
“And we’ll be back from Thailand,” Josh said to Lois, “and all ready to celebrate your wedding.”
“You better be,” Lois mock challenged him.
“And what about you two?” Maddie asked Sarah and Steve.
Sarah coughed. “You’re kidding, right? We aren’t anywhere near ready yet.”
“I still can’t believe we’ve managed to stay together for more than a year,” Steve admitted. Like him, Sarah had dated a fair amount in college. They had met on a business trip a year after graduation. Neither of them had really changed their behavior from college yet, and at first their relationship wasn’t supposed to be anything more than a one night stand. To our surprise though, Steve came back from his trip half in love with Sarah.
He flew out to Indiana a week later, pleaded with Sarah to give him a chance, and they had been together ever since.
“We’re still getting used to living in the same state,” Sarah told Maddie. “We should do that before we move on to talk of marriage.”
“Oh, I completely forgot,” Chris announced. “You won’t believe what I heard last week.” No one said anything for a moment. “It’s about Paul,” Chris continued.
“Paul Bender?” Lois asked.
“That’s the one,” Chris told her.
“Did he finally get fired from the Star?” Steve asked. “Or… he was already fired, right?”
Lois nodded. “He was fired from the Star before we finished college. Apparently he was caught stealing someone else’s article.”
Chris nodded. “Well, word has it he’s been fired from the Dirt Digger now.”
“Also for stealing articles?” Josh asked.
Chris shook his head. “Worse. Apparently, he didn’t live up to the high and mighty standards the Dirt Digger has for source verification.”
“The Dirt Digger has standards for that?” I asked.
Chris chuckled. “According to Gordy, Paul was on thin ice for low production. He was trying to steal stories there, too, but, you know, he’s not so young and charming anymore. So he decided to completely fabricate a story. The Dirt Digger’s standards are low, but they do require at least one source, even if it’s not that credible.”
“I wonder what he’ll do now,” Lois said.
“Do you care?” I asked her, surprised.
“Sort of.”
“Lois, he never grew up,” Alicia pointed out. “He was still trying to do what he had done to you back in college. It’s been five years. Don’t think he deserved it?”
Lois nodded. “Still, I’d hate for him to starve.”
“He’s not going to starve,” I told her, squeezing her hand. I loved that despite her intense need for truth and justice she didn’t want Paul to be too downtrodden. “Paul’s the consummate schmoozer. He’ll find something to do.”
Lois nodded her agreement.
“If we can get the bride and groom out on the floor,” the DJ called.
Maddie groaned. “Don’t we get a break? It’s our wedding.”
“And that means everyone wants to see you,” Josh pointed out.
“Us,” Maddie corrected.
“No one wants to see the groom,” he told her. “It’s the bride they want to see. And no wonder, you look more beautiful than I’ve ever seen you.”
Maddie reached up to caress his cheek. “I love you,” she said tenderly, blushing when she realized we were still watching them.
“It’s your wedding,” Lois told her. “You’re allowed.”
“It’s time for the throwing of the bouquet and the garter,” the DJ clarified his call for Maddie and Josh.
Maddie looked at Lois. “I expect to see you front and center,” she declared as she and Josh made their way back to the dance floor.
I kissed Lois on the nose. “I hate catching,” she said.
“Doesn’t matter if you do or don’t. I’m going to marry you in four weeks whether or not you catch the bouquet,” I told her.
“You better,” she kissed me lightly before joining Sarah on the dance floor with the other single women.
************************
“Can you help me?” Maddie asked me a little later. I had just come out of the bathroom and Maddie looked like she was making her way out of the ladies’ room.
“Sure,” I said. “What do you need?”
“The train,” Maddie said, pointing to it. “My sister bustled it for me, but some of the buttons seem to be coming undone.” She turned around and I could see where some of the train was falling. I knelt next to her and moved to button the few places where the train loops had fallen off.
“You look beautiful,” I told her while I worked.
“Thanks,” she said, turning to smile at me.
“All done,” I told her, getting up. “Can I escort you back to the room?” I asked, offering her my elbow.
She took it and we walked in silence for two beats before I said, “You know, I want to thank you.”
“For what?” Maddie asked, stopping to look at me.
“For still being my friend. I know I wasn’t the best boyfriend all those years ago, and I don’t blame you for breaking up with me. I’m not sure I even deserved your friendship after that.”
“I knew that you were going through something,” Maddie told me. “I knew I wasn’t seeing the real you. You were so uncomfortable keeping secrets. Although, I guess you’ve gotten better at that.”
“What do you mean?” I asked her.
Maddie didn’t say anything at first, then when I continued to wait for her to explain, she asked, “Is it tiring having two jobs or do you need less sleep than the rest of us?”
I started to ask what she was talking about, but looking into her eyes I realized there was no point. She knew.
“I don’t need as much sleep as humans,” I told her.
“So you are an alien?” she asked me quietly. “That isn’t something Lois made up when you invented your history?”
I shrugged. “No. We made it up. I don’t know what I am, but I’m pretty sure I’m not human. Too many things for it to all be random mutations.” I looked at her for a second, feeling somewhat ashamed. She was so calm, so matter-of-fact. Like Lois, my mental images of her repulsion were far from reality. “How long have you known?” I asked her.
Maddie shrugged. “I don’t even know anymore. Not long after the article where you came out. It just all fit.”
“Does Josh know?” I asked her.
Maddie shook her head. “At least, I don’t think he does. I haven’t asked. I wouldn’t be able to lie to him if he asked me, so I just haven’t brought it up. And in case you’re wondering, I’d gladly lie to anyone else who asked. Just not Josh.”
“Thank you,” I told her softly. “That’s more than I deserve from you.”
“I’m glad you were able to confide in someone,” she said to me, waving off my comment. “And I’m not upset that it wasn’t me. I cared about you a lot. Still do, but you know what I mean. But it was never the same between us as it is with Josh. Like it is with you and Lois. I’ve never been upset you didn’t tell me.
“Still, I wanted you to know that I know. I guess… since I figured it out, I always thought that perhaps you didn’t tell me less because you can’t have everyone know than because you were scared of how I’d react. I wanted you to know that I wouldn’t have cared. I would have been surprised, but it doesn’t change who you are. You’re still one of the best guys I know.”
“You are the best woman I know. Well, aside from Lois,” I told her, feeling slightly overwhelmed. I hadn’t expected any of this.
“I’m glad I didn’t give up on you so much that we couldn’t be friends afterwards,” Maddie told me. “I’m really glad you’re still in my life.”
I gave her a tight hug. “Me, too, Mads.”
“Hey, as I recall, you had your chance,” Josh said in my ear, smiling at me good naturedly.
************************
“Maddie knows,” I told Lois as I drove to Star’s apartment after the wedding. Lois had moved out of her own place a week ago when the lease expired. I had moved into our new place when my lease expired, but Lois hadn’t wanted to move in with me before the wedding. Not that she had anything against living together, but she felt like it would be too much temptation. We had promised ourselves we’d wait until our wedding night, and while in the previous years Lois had been less committed to that goal than I was, now that we were in the home stretch, she was holding firm.
“I know,” she said. “She told me, too.”
“She did?” I asked.
Lois nodded and I could see her smiling at me out of the corner of my eye. “She told me how glad she was that you and she had never made things work. How much she had been in love with you and still loved you, but how her old feelings for you didn’t even compare with how she felt about Josh.”
I smiled at hearing that. “The same is true for me,” I told Lois.
“What?”
“I was in love with Maddie,” I told her. I don’t know that the issue of love had ever come up, and certainly when we were first dating I hadn’t wanted to say anything as sure as I had been that I wasn’t in love with Lois. “Or at least I definitely thought I was. Sometimes I wondered if being in love with her meant I would have told her. But whether it did or not, my feelings for Maddie never compared to what I felt for you then, let alone what I feel for you now.”
Lois reached over to place a hand in mine. “I don’t think the fact that you wouldn’t tell Maddie your secret means you weren’t in love with her,” she said softly. “You were so unsure of yourself back then.”
“Does it bother you?” I asked her.
“What?” she looked at me confused.
“I don’t know. Any of it. That I was in love with someone else besides you. That Maddie knows about me?”
Lois shook her head. “No. It actually makes me feel good that you were in love with her. It’s like you really know what else is out there and you still chose me, if that makes any sense. It makes me feel lucky to be with you.”
I raised our joined hands to my lips. “Don’t be silly. It’s me who is lucky.”
Lois squeezed my hand tighter as she said, “And I’m not upset she knows. It’s not surprising really given your relationship. Maddie’s not stupid. But I also think she’s completely trustworthy.
“She was sincere,” Lois told me. “She wanted me to know that she was happy that you had confided in me. That she was glad you ended up with someone who pushed you to go public. She wasn’t sure if she would have even considered that, but she said she knew it made you happy.”
“To be public?” I asked. How did Maddie know that?
Lois nodded. “She said that’s how she knew really. She wasn’t sure when it was that she started to suspect, but she thought something sort of clicked when you talked about your internship application. But she knew for sure when Superman appeared. You looked happier, and that sort of clinched it for her.”
I pulled up in front of Star’s, and ran around the car to get Lois’ door. It was mostly open before I got there, of course, but she smiled gratefully at me anyway.
Star had bought a large apartment as she used part of it as an office. Her day job was working as a paralegal for one of the more ethical law offices in town. In fact, her boss had represented Superman once when he had needed a lawyer. But as a side hobby, Star offered fortune telling. She did it for free as she claimed that she didn’t feel right charging for her gift, but wanted a relaxed place to do it in – she claimed it made her predictions more accurate. While I teased her about this assertion all the time, I had come around. Star either really did have a gift or was just really lucky – she had continued to forecast more true things about me and Lois than even she knew.
“Can I ask you a question?” Lois asked as we walked up the walkway.
“Sure.”
“If Maddie had somehow found out back then, would you guys have stayed together? Do you think you’d be married now?” she asked me.
I looked over at her. Was she a little jealous after all? I couldn’t tell from the look on her face.
“I don’t think so,” I told her. “I don’t know for sure, of course. And I do think we would have been together for longer. But it’s not like we only met you and Josh because we were broken up. It seems to me that one of us would have realized we had stronger feelings for someone else at some point.
“It may have been a messy break-up, but I think it still would have happened,” I told her.
“Well, I’m glad that didn’t happen,” Lois said, resting her head on my arm as we stood in Star’s doorway. “I’m glad we’re all still friends.”
“Me, too,” I told her. “Good night, Lois,” I whispered.
She smiled up at me. “I love you, too,” she grinned.
I leaned over to place a soft kiss on her lips. “I’ll be by in the morning?” I asked.
“Just be careful with my car,” Lois said. I had been using her car since she had moved in with Star as there was no place to park it here. I didn’t have a car anyway.
“Hey! That car is going to be mine too in a few weeks,” I reminded her.
“And I’ll want you to be careful with it then, too,” she grinned at me.
I gave her another kiss as I laughed. “Fair enough,” I told her. “I’ll be perfectly careful while I drive it. I just hope I don’t accidentally key it on my way to the door.”
“Don’t you dare!” Lois mock glared at me.
“You’re too easy,” I told her.
She shook her head at me before she turned around to open the door and disappeared from sight.
