For legendarytobes: Unconditional Love, Part 12/12
Part Twelve
Chloe thought about how quickly his ninth month arrived as she watched her husband sleep . She ran her fingers through his locks as he mumbled in his sleep. She moved her hand to his abdomen as she determined his problem.
She moved her hand in circles as their baby continued to kick him. She stilled her hand as the punts ceased knowing any further actions would wake her husband.
Chloe wouldn’t normally mind waking Clark but believed he required more sleep as his due date was rapidly approaching. She’d noticed he was a tad more grouchy as his pending labor and delivery inched closer.
She’d attempted to broach the subject but she was always thwarted as her husband found other ways to distract her from continuing their conversation. Her sex life had always been active but his pregnancy increased his sexual apatite.
Chloe quickly discovered her ability to make Clark lose all control wasn’t a one time occurrence. She’d her husband a pool of putty with a simple kiss. It was nice to have the tables switched around.
Her thoughts on Kal had been accurate. Their son was a bit clingy after he was told about the new baby. She’d spent the night consoling her husband as he’d suspected Kal was aware he was the one who carried him to term.
She attempted to explain Jor-El’s theory about how Kal would be their only child who could see through the amulets. Her words had backfired, though.
Chloe saw the guilt deep in her husband from his past transgressions. She’d finally managed to ease his stress as she suggested telling Kal that he was special because he was his first born.
She’d honestly been a tad jealous over how Kal clung to Clark. She was pleasantly surprised when Kal climbed into her lap a couple nights after his conversation with his father. She attempted to find out what Clark said but he’d refused to elaborate.
Chloe supposed Kal being a Klingon was the best experience he’d at the beginning of his pregnancy. She’d tried every method underneath the sun to ease his morning sickness when it reared its ugly head a couple weeks into his pregnancy.
She’d felt so powerless when all she could do was provide comfort. She expected to feel those emotions again very soon. She wasn’t looking forward to the pain her husband would endure. She was more than ready for their new baby, though.
=====
Clark moved his hand to cover Chloe’s as their baby started to kickbox. He swore this baby was ten times more active than their son. It was his reprieve from his first few weeks without morning sickness.
His morning sickness wasn’t as bad as with Kal. He believed Chloe’s theory about stress was correct when he’d gotten sick while worried about their son’s sudden strange behavior. His nerves had been more than rattled when he discovered Kal was aware he was the one pregnant. He’d planned on telling his son when he was older.
Clark sat down with Kal in his lap. “I want you to know how special you are. You made me realize just how much I love mommy.”
He hoped and prayed Kal understood as he continued, “I was afraid to tell mommy about you. Your mommy knew and waited for you to come home. She loves you just as much as I do.”
Clark waited to see if Kal had anything to say before he declared, “Mommy named you. Kal-El was my name when I was born. Your grandma and grandpa name me Clark when I was adopted.”
He needed Kal to know everything he’d mentioned had to remain their secret. “This is our secret. I promised to take you to the fortress of solitude to meet your other grandparents after your brother or sister is born.”
He demonstrated how his eyes changed in color as he explained, “It’s x-ray vision, I used it to see you before you were born. Mommy wouldn’t allow me to peak to see if you’ll have a sister or brother.”
Clark was pleased Kal started to be a Klingon with Chloe as well. A few days later, Kal started acting like his normal self. Clark hoped there wouldn’t be another episode when the new baby arrived.
He was touched by all of her attempts to find ways to reduce his nausea. He understood it was her way of being his supporting partner since she was powerless to end his morning sickness. It ended around his fourth month and was replaced by his never ending sex drive.
Clark was moody and cranky the last few days. He was incredibly horny but didn’t want to be touched; his huge abdomen made him feel unattractive.
He was tired of being pregnant and couldn’t wait for their overactive baby to finally allow rest as he approached his due date. He silently admitted that he’d never be ready for labor and delivery.
Clark huffed as he realized his bladder was full again. He maneuvered around until he finally managed to sit up. It was times this when he really missed his Kryptonian womb.
===
Chloe nibbled on her bottom lip as she wondered if dad should have come to the tree market. She was worried about Clark lifting anything heavier than their son.
She smiled as Kal pointed to the largest one there. It was the Griswald Christmas tree. She attempted to sway Kal toward as she pointed to a couple medium sized Pines.
Chloe couldn’t help bit smiles as she’d really liked the same tree. She started to laugh as Clark realized their son had picked the largest tree in the lot. She wished she’d a camera to capture the expression on his face.
She glanced at his abdomen as her concern increased. She hoped Clark wouldn’t have issues as he wasn’t exactly in prime shape to be using his super strength.
Chloe waited by the tree with Kal as she waited for Clark to come back with the cart. Her hand tightened on her son’s as she saw Lex, Zoe, and Kara walking toward her. She still hadn’t forgiven Kara for kidnapping her son.
====
Clark breathed in deeply as he tried to stop his temper from flaring. He’d caught Chloe nibbling on her bottom lip when he pulled into a parking space. He’d found her protectiveness cute the first couple of times.
He was tempted to casually mention he wasn’t going to get hurt by lifting something larger than their son. He was indestructibly and there was no danger of premature labor as their baby hadn’t slowed her kickboxing tournament.
Clark knew better than voice his choice of sex for their baby. He’d let his opinion slip once and he’d been accused of using his x-ray vision.
He was glad Kal’s smaller feet meant he was require to take smaller steps. He’d waddle less through the lot as they decided on a tree.
Clark couldn’t believe their son picked the biggest tree on the lot. He smirked as Chloe attempted to change his mind. He wasn’t fooled, though.
He understood the real reason Chloe was trying to change their son’s mind. His darling wife didn’t want him hauling it. “Stop worrying.”
Clark returned with the cart to find Lex, Zoe and Kara talking with Chloe and Kal. His heart beat faster as he caught Lex glance at his abdomen. He tried not to panic as Kara blatantly asked why Lex was acting like Clark shouldn’t lift the tree. Chloe’s pregnant.
He used the tree as his distraction as Lex attempt to change the topic by asking Zoe if she’d found a tree. Placing the Griswald tree on the cart, he grabbed the handle as he said, “Lex, Zoe, Kara, it was nice to see you. Hope you can find your own Griswald tree.”
Clark wished everyone a Merry Christmas before he started toward the checkout. He could feel his anxiety rise as he heard Kara accused Lex of acted strangely.
He loaded the bundled tree into the back of his pick-up and climbed into the cab. He wasn’t certain there were enough decorations. His parents had already given all their extra decorations to them. “I’ll stop at Smallville Convenience store.”
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Chloe placed her hand on Clark’s as he went to start the truck. She wasn’t worried about decorating the tree tonight. It was still two weeks till Christmas. “I can pick up more decorations tomorrow when I put in my maternity leave papers.”
She was concerned with his nerves; it was quite apparent Lex knew Clark was pregnant but Kara didn’t. She couldn’t help that she worried about his lifting something so heavy in the last couple weeks of his pregnancy. “Don’t give me that look. It’s not like you’ll let me haul it.”
“I’ll get dad’s help to bring it in the house,” Clark grumbled.
Chloe couldn’t put the tree in the back whether she was pregnant or not. She hadn’t gained his super strength. She attempted to change the subject as she mentioned,“I was going to go Christmas shopping tomorrow.”
She glanced in the back at Kal as she suggested, “You can write your letter to Santa.”
====
Clark jumped out of the truck after he parked in their driveway. He stopped in his tracks when Kal asked, “Can I help bring in the tree?”
He’d been in a semi-argument with Chloe over getting the tree into the house. Their son could probably haul the tree all by himself.
Clark was amazed as his son picked the tree all by himself. He suspected his mom’s emotions were similar to his own except his held pride. “I think our son just ended our argument!”
“Dad is going to go put his feet up if he knows what’s good for him.”
Clark held the door open for Kal as he carried their tree into the house. “Put it right there. We’ll put it in the stand when mommy says we can.”
He sat on the couch and attempted to take off his boots. After several tries, he allowed Chloe to help him. He leaned back against the cushions as Kal came over with paper and crayons.
Clark pushed his thoughts of Lex and Kara away as he focused on writing a letter to Santa with Kal.
=====
Chloe couldn’t believe it was finally Christmas eve. She’d admired their Griswald tree with a ton of presents while she sipped her hot cocoa.
She’d tried to help assemble Kal’s bike but Clark insisted he could do it. She’d wanted to buy the one all assembled and have dad bring it over after Kal went to bed.
Chloe gave Clark a caste kiss before she said, “I’m going to go to bed so Santa can finish his presents.”
“I’ve just a few more in my truck. I shouldn’t be too long.”
She glanced at the clock as she wondered why Clark hadn’t joined her yet. She’d a suspicion the back of his pick-up was filled with toys when a couple nights ago dad helped put the cap on. She was going to ring her husband’s neck if he was hauling a bunch of toys inside by himself.
Chloe decided she would give Clark fifteen more minutes. Her hand was on the covers as he slowly entered their bedroom.
====
Clark slipped under the covers as he tried to ignore the ache in his lower back. He tried to appear innocent as Chloe mentioned his truck contained a few toys. He’d only bought Kal three big toys.
He’d had to assemble the bike and the Tikes BBQ grill set, the biggest one was all assembled a ride on John Deere tractor. He wasn’t about to tell Chloe after he lifted it he’d a contraction. His ears would ring for hours from the lecture he’d receive.
Clark couldn’t determined the time between his contractions as it had been almost two hours since his first. He figured it might have been a false one.
He tried to get comfortable as Chloe snuggled into him. He couldn’t blame his lack of sleep on his kickboxer as she hadn’t moved in hours. He’d another contraction just as Kal came into their bedroom yelling, “Santa brought me a ride-on tractor.”
====
Chloe’d gotta about four hours sleep since Santa only came to be around three am. She glared at Clark before she sweetly smiled at their son, “Did he?”
She wasn’t fooled as Clark pretended to be clueless. “We’ll be out in a minute.”
Chloe slipped on her robe as she noticed how tired Clark looked. She believed he was awake when their son came into their bedroom.“Did you sleep last night?”
=====
Clark fought to sit up and swore his back hurt worse this time around. His timing could be a tad off if his labor was concentrated to his back. He panted for air as he finally managed to sit up.
He refused to remain in the bedroom all day when his labor was only starting. He wanted to watch their son open his presents. “I’m in labor.”
It was their turn to cook Christmas dinner. He couldn’t possible cook. He suspected by lunch time his contractions would be much closer together. “Mom’s going to need to cook dinner.”
====
Chloe stopped dead in her tracks as his words registered. She started back toward the bed as she ordered, “You’re not getting out of bed.”
“Yes, I’m. I was in labor for Kal for ten hours. I’ll wear my big robe.”
Chloe shook her head as she contemplated arguing with him. She counted to ten while she went to get his robe. Handing his robe to him, she asked,“Do you need my help to walk?”
=====
Clark shook his head as he tried to reassure her. “My contractions are five hours apart. I promise I’ll tell you when the living room is too much.”
He slipped on his robe and slowly made his way to the bathroom. He prayed his water wouldn’t break as he went into the bathroom.
Clark massaged his back as he slowly made his way into the living room. He hated the idea of sitting around in his robe all day.Sitting down in the rocker recliner, he blinked in surprise as he saw another ride-on toy.
He bit his tongue to keep from telling Chloe to relax as he felt her watching his every move. He didn’t know whether to be relieved or worried as Chloe declared,“Grandma and Grandpa will be here in a bit. Grandma’s going to cook dinner here.”
====
Chloe decided she’d get dressed after a cup of coffee. She sipped her coffee and tried to use the caffeine to calm her nerves. ‘Five hours means Clark had a contraction last night and didn’t tell me!’
She tried to keep her temper under check as she counted four big unwrapped presents. She was having a hard time as her husband hadn’t mentioned he was in labor till five hours after the fact.“Kal can you read the label on the ride on four wheeler?”
“It’s from Santa!”
Chloe glanced at Clark as he whispered, “I swear that wasn’t there when I went to bed.”
She took the label off the four wheeler and blinked in surprise as she read the fine print, ‘Chloe and Clark: Thanks for all the help Santa.’
She’d talked Clark into distributing gifts for a bunch of children a couple of years ago. She’d talked to a man dressed as Santa before all the gifts disappeared. “No way!”
Chloe gave Clark to label to read and she brushed a kiss against his cheek.“You’re still in the dog house for the tractor. We agreed it was too expensive.”
Her cell rang as she sat down to drink her coffee. She answered, “Merry Christmas Lex.”
She glanced back at Clark as she continued, “Really, Kal got a ride-on four wheeler from Santa. No, I assure you it wasn’t my husband.” ‘It better have not been my husband!’ Shaking her head, she hung up as she declared, “Zoe got a pink two seat dune racer from Santa.”
===
Clark swore the presents he bought for Zoe- a barbie farm vet doll playset, barbie horse, and barbie puppy mobile were with the others under the tree. He shook his head no as Kal asked to ride his tractor. “It’s an outside toy. Same with the four-wheeler and bike.”
“Can I take it outside?”
“No. There is another piece required to be worn when you’re on that.”
Clark smirked as Kal started to unwrap another present. He pointed to the one he wanted Chloe to open. “Can you give mommy that one?”
===
Chloe glanced at the small box. She suspected from the size that it was a ring. Ripping open the paper, she opened the box and gasped.
She slipped the infinity mother’s ring on her finger. She admired the two birthstones as she cried, “It’s beautiful. I love it.”
Chloe showed her ring off to mom and dad a few moments later. She couldn’t help but smile as Mom fused over her son.
She decided it was time to tell Kal his baby sister or brother was going to arrive today. “Kal, Daddy and Mom are going to have to go in the bedroom later. Your baby brother or sister is going to be born today.”
====
Clark suspected Kal was dying to ride his tractor. He figured Dad wouldn’t mind taking Kal outside for a bit after presents were finished.
His dad appeared to be on the same wavelength as he suggested,“Grandpa will help you take out the tractor while Grandma cooks.”
“Now?”
Clark wasn’t certain who Kal had directed his question toward. “Are you asking Grandpa or me?”
“Dad. Me still has presents!”
He hadn’t had another contraction but expected one anytime soon. “I’d say you have several hours before you can meet your sister or brother.”
====
Chloe decided at lunch time Clark was moving into the bedroom whether he wanted to or not. She’d use Mom to usher her stubborn husband into the bedroom.
She was pleasantly surprise when no bullying was required. She helped Clark out of the rocker recliner. She rubbed her hand in circles on his lower back as she slowly walked with him.
Chloe understood Clark had to be ten centimeters dilated before he’d delivered. She believed his water would break before he was fully opened.
She hadn’t been told his contractions were closer together. She wasn’t positive Clark would update her regularly, though.
===
Clark was tired of being uncomfortable and feeling watched by Chloe and his parents. “Kal, I’m going to go in the bedroom.”
He hoped he wasn’t ruining their son’s Christmas. Kal wasn’t thrilled about being a big brother. His contractions appeared to be getting stronger and remained the same distance apart.
Clark smiled as Kal declared he was going to farm with grandpa. He’d his tractors and farm equipment scattered all over the floor.
He sighed as the slight massage of her fingers on his lower back was better than when he attempted to work out the kinks. There was gush of water between his legs after he took a couple of steps. “My water broke.”
Clark continued to walk into the bedroom as his mom declared she’d clean-up. He leaned back against the pillows and bent his knees. His next contraction lasted longer as its intensity increased. He glanced at the clock as it ended.
====
Chloe wasn’t certain how she could help. She held his hand as she sat in the chair next to the bed. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
Clark shook his head as he answered, “My contractions aren’t that bad, yet.”
She brushed his hair out of his eyes with her other hand as she asked, “Is it as bad as with Kal?”
===
Clark couldn’t honestly say yes or no. He was about to answer when he’d another contraction. It was stronger than the last and much longer.
He breathed in and out through the pain. His answer came in a rush as he declared, “Faster this time.”
Clark realized he must have miscalculated as the time was fifteen minutes apart. He didn’t have Jor-El to tell if he was fully dilated. He’d need her to move to be between his legs when his contractions were about five minutes apart.
====
Chloe slipped her hand from his and propped a few more pillows behind his back. She place the specially made shears, umbilical clamp, and suction ball on the tray beside their bed. She’d other items she required to clean their newest edition to their family after its birth already on the delivery cart.
She knelt on the bed when Clark mentioned his contractions were five minutes apart. She saw a notable difference in his life-crease. It was open about the width of three of her fingers with a thin layer of film like lubricant at the edges.
Chloe hoped she didn’t have to touch his feminine fold as she believed he appeared to be a tad redder too. She suspected a touch would cause her husband to endure more pain. “Do you need me to do anything else?”
====
Clark didn’t require Chloe to do anything yet. There wasn’t much she really could do beside support until he delivered. “Just to take our baby when the body comes out.”
He shifted slightly as he tried to ease the discomfort in his lower back. “You’re going to cut the cord too.”
“Clark, I’ll do what ever you need, just concentrate on your breathing.”
Clark continued to do steady breathing in and out as his next contraction started. He associated the pain with high exposure to Kryptonite as he started to feel the familiar added pressure. He couldn’t stop the whimper that escaped as his contraction peaked.
He’d three more hours of steady contractions before he reached the level where he’d begged for the pain to stop. He gripped the sheets during his worst one yet as he was afraid to take her hand she offered. He wondered how he’d been able to see Kal when he couldn’t see anything over his baby bump.
Clark couldn’t stop his curse as the head push against his life-crease. He bared down as he’d an incredibly need to push. It didn’t appear his contraction had even stopped before the next began.
“I see the head.”
He bit his tongue to keep from snapping her head off. He burned as if his skin was being torn in two as he pushed the head through his feminine folds. He’d two many three more pushes before he’d receive his reward.
Clark thought of how he’d hold their baby as he pushed the shoulders free. He breathed a loud sigh as he heard the first cry at the same instant he pushed the shoulders out. “Is …”
“We’ve a baby girl”
He started to cry as Chloe showed their baby girl to him. He cradled their baby girl against his chest a few moments after she was cleaned. He felt a mild contraction as he delivered the placenta. Switching their daughter to his other nipple, he said, “I should be able to move after I feed her.”
====
Chloe took their daughter from Clark after he finished feeding her. She’d admired the tiny bundle in her arms. She’d less hair than Kal and looked more like her with small amounts of Clark. “What was the girl’s name we decided on?
“Lara El Kent”
She handed Lara back to Clark after he sat down in the chair. “I’ll change the sheets and toss them into the container to take to the fortress.”
“I want to get cleaned and I think I can come out in the living room.”
Chloe wondered if Clark was aware he was bleeding. “I’ll have to put some old blankets down and cover you.”
She finished changing the sheets and put several extra old blankets on his side of the bed. She suspected Clark was really tired. He wanted to join everyone for Christmas dinner. “Why don’t you take a nap. We’ll go out and introduce Lara to everyone when she wakes.”
===
Clark wrinkled his nose as Chloe discretely mentioned his period. He’d forgotten about bleeding steadily. He reluctantly laid Lara in her bassinet as he admitted he was beyond tired. Resting his head against the pillows, he could hardly keep his eyes open as he said, “Merry Christmas. I love you.”
Chloe brushed his lip with hers before she said, “Merry Christmas, I love you.”
He’d survived his second pregnancy, labor, and delivery. He’d a beautiful baby girl to add to his family that formed from a little red rock, an alien parasite, and unconditional love.
The End