Second Chances (PG-13)- Chlex fic- Chapter 10 (Complete)
SUMMARY: Lex finds himself a widower with two young children.Chloe´s romantic dreams of Clark are shattered. Love turns up in the most unexpected places but will they dare risk their hearts the second time around ? Drama, tragedy and lots of love!
CHAPTERS 1 TO 3
CHAPTERS 4 & 5
CHAPTERS 6 & 7
CHAPTERS 8 & 9
CHAPTER 10: Finishing a Conversation
It was Christmas Eve and Lex had just put the children to bed after a hearty dinner at the Kents'. He had gift-wrapped the books for Alex and the doll he'd promised to Lilly, when there was a knock at the kitchen door. Seeing a worried-looking Gabe Sullivan through the glass quickened Lex's heart rate and reminded him of Lana and that tragic Christmas four years before.
“ I'm sorry to disturb you at this time, Mr Luthor. “
“ What is it, Gabe ? “
“ It's Chloe, Mr Luthor. They can't find her, “ said Gabe chokingly.
“Come in, Gabe. Calm down... . Here, have a glass of water. I'm sorry I haven't got anything stronger but you know I gave up alcoholic drinks when I got married. Now, tell me. Where was Chloe before she disappeared ? “
“ Her boss phoned me this evening. He said she was on an assignment in Saudi Arabia. Something to do with arms dealing. The editor informed me she calls in every day but they haven't heard from her in three days. “
“Let me phone Mrs Kent, Gabe, to see if I can drop the kids at the farm. In the meantime, call Metropolis airport and get me a seat on the first flight to Saudi Arabia. Don't worry, Gabe, we'll find her. “
“ Thanks, Mr Luthor. “
“ You're welcome... If I find your daughter and she has me, you can start calling me by my first name, Gabe. “
A HOSPITAL IN SAUDI ARABIA
Chloe was lying in a hospital bed nursing some minor injuries she had got as a result of a skirmish between two rival dealers. The soldiers that had found her told her she could count herself lucky for she was one of the few survivors- they still couldn't understand what a woman was doing alone in the desert.
It was noon and the sun was blazing but being the only female patient in the ward had its advantages- she had a room all to herself with a window that opened into a courtyard. She could have done worse.
“How's the patient today ? “ asked a masculine voice she knew only too well.
“ Lex ? “whispered Chloe, looking up at his face. “ Is it really you ? “ she added, wondering whether the heat was playing tricks on her eyes.
“ If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, Mohammed must go to the mountain. “
“ What are you doing here ? “
“ I've come to finish a conversation we started on a dance floor a few months ago. “
“ How did you find me, Lex ? “
“ When a Luthor wants something, he won't give up until he gets it, remember ? “
“ I'm so happy to see a friendly face, Lex, “ she answered, accepting his embrace and resisting the urge to read between the lines. “ Who told you I was here ? “
“ Gabe came to see me on Christmas. He got a phone call from your boss, who said you hadn't contacted the newspaper lately. Your father was beside himself with worry and... so was I, “ he finished with a catch in his voice. “ I lost Lana one Christmas, and the only thought that crossed my mind was I could lose you, too, “ he added, leaning forward and placing a kiss on her forehead.
“ Lex ? “ asked Chloe, her eyes brimming with tears.
“ Mm..., “ he answered, boring his eyes into her.
“ Can I ask you something ? “
“ Whatever you want, honey, “ he responded, tenderly wiping a couple of tears that were rolling slowly down her cheeks.
“ Who were you talking about on the dance floor ? “
“ Don't you know ? “
“ Please, Lex, don't toy with me, “ she pleaded, letting the tears run freely.
“ I would never do that, Chloe. I care about you too much. I thought it was clear I was talking about myself. We've been talking about us ever since we shared that cup of cocoa in Metropolis. “
“ Why didn't you speak clearly on that damn dance floor, Lex ? Why do you always have to speak in riddles ? “
“ I thought you loved that about me. Verbal judo, remember ? “
“ I've always enjoyed sparring with you, Lex, but not when we're talking about my romantic life, or lack of it. “
“ I couldn't plunge in there and then, Chloe. Until that night, I still had doubts about your feelings for Clark. The fact that you seemed to avoid meeting me in person gave me hope but... I needed to hear it from you. “
“ How was I supposed to open up to you, Lex ? I had seen what Lana's death had done to you; what you felt for her. There was no place in your heart for me- romantically speaking. I could never mean other than a friend to you, “ she sobbed.
“ Don't do this to yourself, Chloe, “ he said, cupping her face in his hands. “ Lana was a wonderful wife and mother, and I loved her as I had never loved a woman before. My love for her was so big that I thought I'd never feel that way for another woman again, but I do. “
“ You do ? “ she whispered with a small smile.
“ I do. I love you, Chloe. Alex and Lilly love you, too. When I told Alex I was coming for you, he took Lilly's crayons and they both insisted on drawing you a picture, “ said Lex, taking an envelope out of his pocket addressed to Chloe in a childlike handwriting.
“ Oh ! “ she exclaimed, covering her mouth on unfolding the sheet that was inside.
“ My reaction exactly, “ responded Lex, looking at the picture which showed Alex, Lilly, Lex and Chloe walking hand in hand- the picture of a perfect family.
“ I'll frame it, “ said Chloe chokingly.
“ They'll like that. Chloe ? “
“ Yes ? “ she answered, still looking at the drawing mesmerized.
“ Would you do me the honour of being my wife ? “
“ Wh... what ? “ stammered Chloe. “ Lex, I... I don't think... “
“ Don't , “ he interrupted, placing two fingers on her lips. “ I know what you are going to say. You're thinking about the time of the year and what happened four Christmases ago. It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that Lana was gone forever, but this Christmas I decided it was high time I faced the old ghosts. I went to the cemetery to visit her tomb, and I saw her, Chloe . She looked so peaceful... she smiled at me and ... I told her everything. I talked with her as we used to when she was alive. I told her about the Kents and how they'd helped me stand on my own again, “ said an emotional Lex, “ and then, I told her about you and how wonderful you'd been with me and the kids. She loved you, Chloe. You know that, don't you ? “
“ I do. And no matter how hard I tried to dislike her, because she seemed to get the attention of every man I happened to be interested in, I couldn't. We can't choose who we fall in love with. I learnt that along the way. “
“ She knew it, Chloe. Just as she had been aware of your crush on Clark when she had qualms about dating him, she knew about your feelings for me. When I confessed this time your feelings weren't unrequited, she sighed relieved and said it was high time I saw what I had had under my nose for so long, “ he smirked.
“ She said that ? “ asked a surprised Chloe.
“ She did, Chloe. “
“ And she didn't ... doesn't... mind ? “
“ She said it was time I moved on and that I couldn't have chosen better. Christmas was the day I lost my wife, Chloe, but it was also the day the apple of my eyes was born. My daughter's alive. Alex's alive. I am alive and you're here. So... what do you say ? Would you do me the honour of being my wife ? “
“ Oh, Lex ! Shouldn't you ask me on a date first ? “ she said sobbing.
“ Don't you think we've been dancing around each other for too long, Chloe ? “
“ I love romantic dinners, flowers and candlelight like the girl next door, Lex. “
“ I'll give you all that and more. We'll have a lifetime of romantic dinners. Don't make me plead, Chloe, “ he said, grabbing her by her hands, and drawing circles with his thumbs on the inner flesh of her wrists.
“ I think... “
“ We're sometimes too cerebral, sweetheart. That's what's kept us away from each other for so long. Don't think. Just feel. “
“ Well, if you put it so nicely, Mr Luthor, then my answer's ' Yes, Lex, I'll be your lawfully wedded wife, ' “ she responded meeting Lex's lips in a passionate kiss.
“ I'll tell Gabe he can start calling me by my first name, then, “ he said with a smirk before sealing Chloe's mouth with another kiss. “ Alex will be on cloud nine, “ he finally whispered in Chloe's ear.
THE END
CHAPTERS 1 TO 3
CHAPTERS 4 & 5
CHAPTERS 6 & 7
CHAPTERS 8 & 9
CHAPTER 10: Finishing a Conversation
It was Christmas Eve and Lex had just put the children to bed after a hearty dinner at the Kents'. He had gift-wrapped the books for Alex and the doll he'd promised to Lilly, when there was a knock at the kitchen door. Seeing a worried-looking Gabe Sullivan through the glass quickened Lex's heart rate and reminded him of Lana and that tragic Christmas four years before.
“ I'm sorry to disturb you at this time, Mr Luthor. “
“ What is it, Gabe ? “
“ It's Chloe, Mr Luthor. They can't find her, “ said Gabe chokingly.
“Come in, Gabe. Calm down... . Here, have a glass of water. I'm sorry I haven't got anything stronger but you know I gave up alcoholic drinks when I got married. Now, tell me. Where was Chloe before she disappeared ? “
“ Her boss phoned me this evening. He said she was on an assignment in Saudi Arabia. Something to do with arms dealing. The editor informed me she calls in every day but they haven't heard from her in three days. “
“Let me phone Mrs Kent, Gabe, to see if I can drop the kids at the farm. In the meantime, call Metropolis airport and get me a seat on the first flight to Saudi Arabia. Don't worry, Gabe, we'll find her. “
“ Thanks, Mr Luthor. “
“ You're welcome... If I find your daughter and she has me, you can start calling me by my first name, Gabe. “
A HOSPITAL IN SAUDI ARABIA
Chloe was lying in a hospital bed nursing some minor injuries she had got as a result of a skirmish between two rival dealers. The soldiers that had found her told her she could count herself lucky for she was one of the few survivors- they still couldn't understand what a woman was doing alone in the desert.
It was noon and the sun was blazing but being the only female patient in the ward had its advantages- she had a room all to herself with a window that opened into a courtyard. She could have done worse.
“How's the patient today ? “ asked a masculine voice she knew only too well.
“ Lex ? “whispered Chloe, looking up at his face. “ Is it really you ? “ she added, wondering whether the heat was playing tricks on her eyes.
“ If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, Mohammed must go to the mountain. “
“ What are you doing here ? “
“ I've come to finish a conversation we started on a dance floor a few months ago. “
“ How did you find me, Lex ? “
“ When a Luthor wants something, he won't give up until he gets it, remember ? “
“ I'm so happy to see a friendly face, Lex, “ she answered, accepting his embrace and resisting the urge to read between the lines. “ Who told you I was here ? “
“ Gabe came to see me on Christmas. He got a phone call from your boss, who said you hadn't contacted the newspaper lately. Your father was beside himself with worry and... so was I, “ he finished with a catch in his voice. “ I lost Lana one Christmas, and the only thought that crossed my mind was I could lose you, too, “ he added, leaning forward and placing a kiss on her forehead.
“ Lex ? “ asked Chloe, her eyes brimming with tears.
“ Mm..., “ he answered, boring his eyes into her.
“ Can I ask you something ? “
“ Whatever you want, honey, “ he responded, tenderly wiping a couple of tears that were rolling slowly down her cheeks.
“ Who were you talking about on the dance floor ? “
“ Don't you know ? “
“ Please, Lex, don't toy with me, “ she pleaded, letting the tears run freely.
“ I would never do that, Chloe. I care about you too much. I thought it was clear I was talking about myself. We've been talking about us ever since we shared that cup of cocoa in Metropolis. “
“ Why didn't you speak clearly on that damn dance floor, Lex ? Why do you always have to speak in riddles ? “
“ I thought you loved that about me. Verbal judo, remember ? “
“ I've always enjoyed sparring with you, Lex, but not when we're talking about my romantic life, or lack of it. “
“ I couldn't plunge in there and then, Chloe. Until that night, I still had doubts about your feelings for Clark. The fact that you seemed to avoid meeting me in person gave me hope but... I needed to hear it from you. “
“ How was I supposed to open up to you, Lex ? I had seen what Lana's death had done to you; what you felt for her. There was no place in your heart for me- romantically speaking. I could never mean other than a friend to you, “ she sobbed.
“ Don't do this to yourself, Chloe, “ he said, cupping her face in his hands. “ Lana was a wonderful wife and mother, and I loved her as I had never loved a woman before. My love for her was so big that I thought I'd never feel that way for another woman again, but I do. “
“ You do ? “ she whispered with a small smile.
“ I do. I love you, Chloe. Alex and Lilly love you, too. When I told Alex I was coming for you, he took Lilly's crayons and they both insisted on drawing you a picture, “ said Lex, taking an envelope out of his pocket addressed to Chloe in a childlike handwriting.
“ Oh ! “ she exclaimed, covering her mouth on unfolding the sheet that was inside.
“ My reaction exactly, “ responded Lex, looking at the picture which showed Alex, Lilly, Lex and Chloe walking hand in hand- the picture of a perfect family.
“ I'll frame it, “ said Chloe chokingly.
“ They'll like that. Chloe ? “
“ Yes ? “ she answered, still looking at the drawing mesmerized.
“ Would you do me the honour of being my wife ? “
“ Wh... what ? “ stammered Chloe. “ Lex, I... I don't think... “
“ Don't , “ he interrupted, placing two fingers on her lips. “ I know what you are going to say. You're thinking about the time of the year and what happened four Christmases ago. It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that Lana was gone forever, but this Christmas I decided it was high time I faced the old ghosts. I went to the cemetery to visit her tomb, and I saw her, Chloe . She looked so peaceful... she smiled at me and ... I told her everything. I talked with her as we used to when she was alive. I told her about the Kents and how they'd helped me stand on my own again, “ said an emotional Lex, “ and then, I told her about you and how wonderful you'd been with me and the kids. She loved you, Chloe. You know that, don't you ? “
“ I do. And no matter how hard I tried to dislike her, because she seemed to get the attention of every man I happened to be interested in, I couldn't. We can't choose who we fall in love with. I learnt that along the way. “
“ She knew it, Chloe. Just as she had been aware of your crush on Clark when she had qualms about dating him, she knew about your feelings for me. When I confessed this time your feelings weren't unrequited, she sighed relieved and said it was high time I saw what I had had under my nose for so long, “ he smirked.
“ She said that ? “ asked a surprised Chloe.
“ She did, Chloe. “
“ And she didn't ... doesn't... mind ? “
“ She said it was time I moved on and that I couldn't have chosen better. Christmas was the day I lost my wife, Chloe, but it was also the day the apple of my eyes was born. My daughter's alive. Alex's alive. I am alive and you're here. So... what do you say ? Would you do me the honour of being my wife ? “
“ Oh, Lex ! Shouldn't you ask me on a date first ? “ she said sobbing.
“ Don't you think we've been dancing around each other for too long, Chloe ? “
“ I love romantic dinners, flowers and candlelight like the girl next door, Lex. “
“ I'll give you all that and more. We'll have a lifetime of romantic dinners. Don't make me plead, Chloe, “ he said, grabbing her by her hands, and drawing circles with his thumbs on the inner flesh of her wrists.
“ I think... “
“ We're sometimes too cerebral, sweetheart. That's what's kept us away from each other for so long. Don't think. Just feel. “
“ Well, if you put it so nicely, Mr Luthor, then my answer's ' Yes, Lex, I'll be your lawfully wedded wife, ' “ she responded meeting Lex's lips in a passionate kiss.
“ I'll tell Gabe he can start calling me by my first name, then, “ he said with a smirk before sealing Chloe's mouth with another kiss. “ Alex will be on cloud nine, “ he finally whispered in Chloe's ear.
THE END