***
The sleek black limousine pulled noiselessly up to Lois’ apartment, the driver jumped out, ran around the side, and opened the door. Clark stepped out first and extended his hand to Lois. He held her as she gracefully exited the car and gently into his arms. They began to kiss, completely ignoring the driver, who, taking the hint; merely tipped his cap and began to walk away.
“Wait! H…here’s your tip! Thank you for driving us.” Clark stumbled over his words, totally embarrassed that he forgotten to tip the man.
The driver, seeing the generous amount of money thrust into his hand, again tipped his cap and gave Clark a toothy grin. “My pleasure sir and miss. Have a good evening, uh morning.” Within seconds of him closing the car door, the engine came to life and the vehicle moved down the street.
Lois leaned against Clark, wrapping her slender arms around his waist. “That, was the *best* wedding I’ve been to in a long time. Care to come up for some coffee?”
He looked down at Lois and gently kissed her on the cheek. He pulled back and smiled at her. “Actually it isn’t that late… care to go for a walk?”
“You heard what the driver said, its 1:30 in the morning. Besides, its not exactly summer anymore. Autumn is just around the corner.”
“Is that the voice of Lois Lane, reporter extraordinaire, afraid of a little walk?” He teased.
Lois looked into the deep amber eyes of her boyfriend and smiled confidentially. <No, I’m not afraid of a little walk, especially not with this particular man at my side.> Without another word she slipped her arm into his and with easy strides they walking towards Nayland Heights. The mood between the handsome couple was one a contentment and peace. They had experienced a great deal in the past few months; stakeouts, crazy scientists and politicians who worked to bury their story. Not to mention the occasional argument and misunderstandings, which always led to conversation and making up. Nevertheless, through it all Lois and Clark weathered the storms.
They were stronger together than apart.
They started talking about different events from the wedding, especially Perry’s wonderful rendition of ‘Love Me Tender’. What their boss lacked in vocal ability he more than made up for in style. It did not hurt that while Perry sang his eyes never left Alice’s.
“Funny, after that song, they went home. I wonder why? Lois said with a barely suppressed giggle.
“Perry, as much as he likes to hide it, is a man in love.” Clark spoke with a slight tremor in his voice. He stopped suddenly in front of a newly renovated stately brownstone.
“Whoa Partner!” Lois blurted out as she bumped into him. “Why are we stopping here?
“I want you to see this house. Isn’t the architecture fantastic? It early twentieth century,” Clark said as he gently tugged her arm to walk up the wide steps. One side of the staircase, on each step sat a colorful pot of mums, the unofficial flower of autumn.
“Are you kidding me? In the middle of the night… in our dressiest clothes? This is not like you. I don’t care what century it was built. Besides, Superman does not break into someone’s home in the middle of the night,” she whispered.
“Clark’s eyes twinkled and his smile grew dazzling bright as he reached into his pocket. “We are not breaking in. Besides, I have a key.” He dangled the burnished scrap of metal in front of her.
“What are you doing with a key to this townhouse?” Lois’ voice squeaked in surprise.
Her boyfriend merely continued to grin while fitting the key into the shining brass lock of the impressive glass and oak outer door. With a wave of his outstretched hand, he motioned for Lois to enter step through the vestibule and into the foyer. As she did so, he turned on the entry lights to illuminate the foyer, which was spacious and inviting. On the right side was a wooden old-fashioned coat rack and umbrella stand. Directly opposite sat a solid oak bench with curved legs and a rattan top. The polished wooden floors shone to a high gloss, so much so, Lois was anxious to walk about in fear of ruining the finish. As she entered into the cream-colored living room, her eyes grew wide taking in the space. This room alone could easily contain her entire apartment with room to spare.
The fireplace had a brick surround and white mantle piece. Inside were three huge logs ready to be lit. Just in front of the fireplace lay a carpet and on either side were comfortable couches, the kind of couch that invites a person to sit down and read on a cold winter’s evening.
To the immediate left of the fireplace, were a pair of broad French doors which she thought must lead to a tiny backyard. The darkness outside did not allow her to peek any further.
“What do you think? Care to go for a tour?”
“This place is a dream! Ok buster, you have some explaining to do… after the tour!”
He led her upstairs to the bedrooms, four in all. Currently, two of the large rooms were empty and one room, which served as an office held Clark’s collectibles,sculptures and other mementoes from his global travels. All neatly arranged in his usually organized manner. The final room was the master bedroom suite; Lois peeked to see a stunning bedroom set a classic bungalow design perfect for the young professional in desperate need of a sleeping sanctuary. The king-sized bed was flanked by matching nightstands of polished wood. It was sumptuously covered with crisp blue and cream linens, topped off by four plush pillows.
The rest of the room held a tallboy dresser and a chair placed by the window. In front of the bed was a large wicker chest, which probably stored Martha’s lovely warm knitted afghans and quilts.
They moved onto the master bathroom with bright white tiles and the huge bathtub resting upon claw feet. The room was so clean and white it almost hurt Lois’ eyes.
“Clark, I am speechless.” His partner said as they walked back downstairs. “This place is amazing.”
“How can you say that? What about the kitchen?”
“Why would I be interested in the kitchen?” Lois countered.
“Good point,” he mumbled.
“Hey, I don’t have to have super hearing to hear that!” Lois fired back, slapping him playfully with her purse.
All he could do was smile once more, take her hand and lead Lois into the kitchen on the far right side of the fireplace. Again, the scent of cleanliness and warmth filled her as she entered the space. The eat-in kitchen and desk area were bathed in a classy palette of white, and heavy cream with touches of blue, while a mixture of metal finishes provided additional layers of interest. The white New England–style cabinets were adorned with sleek polished-nickel hardware. The focal point of the room demanding Lois’ attention was a glorious walnut island topped off with dark blue granite.
“Wow", were the only words to escape her mouth.
“I’m glad you like. Now, how about a peek at a very special room?” Clark said as he pushed open the swinging door, leading back into the living room.”
His movements were so quick she missed them, but part of the wall to the immediate left of the fireplace slide back, revealing a deep walk-in closet with shelves, hangers, and drawers.
“What is this?” A secret room?” she asked arching an eyebrow.
“Actually, it used to be a bar. This townhouse was once a speakeasy. All during the renovation I kept imagining Pino 'Pretty Boy' Dragonetti might have been a patron here.”
“I would not doubt it for a second. Oh well, Batman needs a place to hang his cowl. Superman needs space for his cape. Urgh! Did I actually say that?” she groaned.
“This *is* the ideal place to store my spare uniforms. However, this is certainly is not the best part. Wait until you see the crowning piece to this townhouse.”
“There’s more?” Lois squeaked with uncharacteristic meekness as she followed behind.
“Absolutely!” He flung open the French doors, the scent of fresh autumn air tingled her nose. Not gas fumes and the other noxious scents of the city, but real floral garden fragrances. No light escaped from the area beyond the doors. She might as well have been looking into the bottom of a great canyon so inky was the blackness.
“That does it,” she said striding up to Clark tall frame and stared up into his laughing eyes. “Ok Clark, what’s going on around here? Whose house is this? Why are your things here? Are you house sitting? What about your apartment? Come on… spit it out!”
Suddenly a low quiet meow was heard from the top of the steps. Lois turned to see Pepper poking his head between the pickets of the stairwell. The tiny feline was intently observing his humans with gentle, inquisitive green eyes. A thoroughly perplexed Lois turned back to Clark and then turned again to the cat. “Pepper’s here?”
“Well, of course he’s here. He’s mine.”
“What is going on?” She demanded before Clark could utter another word. “I thought he was going back with Mrs. Harper? Not that I have anything against the little furball, he’s a nice addition to your family.”
“Well, Mrs. Harper is moving back to St. Louis in order to take care of her Mother. She couldn’t take Pepper with her so I sort of adopted him. She was so grateful that she – huh… sold me this townhouse at a wonderful price. It belonged to her husband, but after his death, she couldn’t live here, it was so full of happy memories. Well, at least I don’t have to worry about looking for a place to live.” He said all this very fast with a shrug of his shoulders and a sweet lopsided grin.
“Fantastic. A townhouse. So, *that’s* the reason why you have been disappearing so much the past two weeks?”
“Guilty as charged. Mom, Dad and to a lesser extent Pete Ross have been helping me make all kinds of renovations.” Clark took both of Lois’ hands in her and said, “Pepper is great. But you are an even *nicer* addition to my family. Come. Let me show you.”
He led her to the French doors and placed her just in front of them. Than lightly placed his warm hands on her shoulders and spoke softly into her ear. “I want you to close your eyes and count to five than open them. But not until you reach five. OK?”
The beautiful brown-haired woman trembled with barely concealed excitement then nodded her head and closed her eyes. He could hear the resonance of her heart beating rapidly. “Okay, start counting.”
“One.” The whooshing sound of Clark in flight filled her ears.
“Two.” The smell of sulfur and the sweet aroma of wild flowers teased her nostrils.
“Three.” The taste of wickedly delicious Swiss milk chocolate touched her tongue.
“Four.” The touch of a warm metal band circled her left wrist.
“Five!” She felt the darkness ease and opened her eyes to a riot of autumn colors and sights.
The garden was a surprisingly large by city standards, at least fifty feet deep. Sitting on a carpet of fading grass, autumn flowers such as crocus and amaryllis were in large azure earthenware containers. Cyclamens in white and a range of pink shades with glossy green leaves, added a welcome dash of vibrancy. The air were crisp and light, but tinged with a hint of mystery.
Tiny in-ground lights illuminated a slate gray flagstone path which led to a wooden double roof ten-foot high, cedar gazebo. Inside the small structure shone petite lights upon several objects: a black wrought iron table, a striking unlit antique candelabra, a bottle of wine, and two glasses. Nearby lay a colorful bouquet of red and white roses.
“Oh Clark, it’s breathtaking.” She whispered, scarcely able to tear her eyes away from the scene. “A secret garden nestled in Metropolis…”
He took her right hand, the fabric of her sea foam gown rustled as they walked. Upon entering the structure, Clark lit the candelabra with his heat vision. It was than Lois noticed a metal bracelet encircling his left wrist, similar to the one encircling her own.
“Wh…what are these matching gold bracelets Clark? I just noticed them on our wrists.”
The handsome man in front of her bowed his head, took a deep breath, and spoke.
“Remember the globe we found at that warehouse owned by Bureau 39?”
Lois’ eyes lighted up. “Yes, the one that was so important to Super… you.”
“The globe told me a great deal about myself and who I am. Why my parents built a spaceship and launched me into the unknown. But it also taught me a number of customs, chiefly - Kryptonian marriage customs. Men and women of the nobility class wear bracelets in a color variation no other couple is allowed to copy. I placed that solid gold bracelet on your wrist. It is a symbol to all onlookers, our lives are henceforth intertwined.”
“B… but that’s on Krypton,” Lois answered, her eyes brimming with tears and her voice trembling.
“Lois, life is made up of the moments, ever since I met you, you have given me nothing but wonderful moments. Sometimes a little scary, but always full of wonder.” He reached behind the roses and picked up a small black box with gold trim. As the moonlight filtered through the rooftop, he bent down on one knee and took her trembling hand. “Lois Lane, will you marry me? Stay by my side forever?”
“Oh Clark… yes,” she sobs.
Slowly he opened the box and nestled inside on a bed of midnight velvet is one elegant perfect diamond ring. He removed the ring and slipped it onto her finger and than his lips formed a nervous smile. He took her into his arms and whispered. “I look forward to sharing forever with you Lois.”
“Now, always and forever my love”, Lois answered.
