Fic: I Still Believe (24/25)
Title: I Still Believe (24/25)
Author: babettew54
Category: Superman Returns, Batman Comics
Pairings/Characters: Clark/Lois, Joanne/Samuel, Bruce/Diana, Damian/Kara, Lex Luthor II, Jason, Connor, Martha/Ben
Rating: M
Word Count: 3,600
Summary: This is a story about secrets and lies how they always come out and usually at the worst possible time.
Disclaimer: DC Comics/Warner Bros. Entertainment owns these characters, except for Joanne Kent and Samuel Hamilton; they’re mine. This is strictly for my own amusement.
Author's Notes: In this almost final chapter, the statue ceremony moves ahead, Jo and Sam's wedding gets off to a bit of a rocky start, and later Kara and Damian reach a new level in their relationship. Read on and please review this chapter. Thanks everyone! :D
~o~o~
Previously:
ACT I: All I’ve Ever Wanted
( Chapter 1)( Chapter 2)( Chapter 3)( Chapter 4)( Chapter 5)
( Chapter 6)( Chapter 7)( Chapter 8)( Chapter 9)( Chapter 10)
ACT II: When You Believe
( Chapter 11)( Chapter 12) ( Chapter 13)( Chapter 14)( Chapter 15)
ACT III: A Moment Like This
( Chapter 16)( Chapter 17)( Chapter 18)( Chapter 19)( Chapter 20)
( Chapter 21)( Chapter 22)( Chapter 23)
x-posted to: (AO3); (FFN)
Chapter 24: Epilogue: Home Again, Part 1
Minutes later, Centennial Park, Metropolis:
After that rather emotional meeting with her family, Lois returned to the excited crowd, as everyone welcomed her into the fold. Perry, James, Martha, Ben, Kitty, Emil, Sam, Bruce, Damian, and Diana were all there to support her. She welcomed her family and friends and their welcoming smiles cheered her up in a way, she couldn't help but feel truly blessed for her extended family. They surrounded her and gave her the strength she needed to hold it together for a little while longer.
The Governor came up to the podium and began his speech.
"What a glorious day this is, isn't it?" The crowd was very enthusiastic as they applauded their approval for several minutes.
"How many of you are old enough to remember that amazing night when Superman first appeared in our city?" A few murmurs were heard. "I was a young, eager lawyer back then, and I'll never forget that night. Superman chose our city to call his home, to fight crime and to bring a safer and better world to all of humanity. This statue is our way of saying thank you for all that you have done to protect us, to save us, and most of all to inspire us and to follow your example. Thank you, Superman." He paused for a moment. "And now, let me introduce not only Superman, but his entire family including three of his extraordinary children, Superboy, Wonderboy, SkyGirl and lastly his cousin, Supergirl, who came to us just a few short weeks ago. Ladies and gentlemen I'm proud and honored to introduce Superman and his incredible family!"
The crowd immediately erupted in applause and cheers, and when Superman arrived and approached the grandstand he waved to the crowd and smiled lighting up his face. The rest of his family followed him and waved and smiled to the crowd, as well. Cameras flashed, and the crowd cheered even louder for Superman and his incredible family.
This was the first time that his family had been seen together like this, well since the last time he had introduced them to the world years ago, but that was on Watchtower. This was totally different. The younger family members were still wearing masks, and of course, the crowd was yelling at Superman asking him where was the Mother and who was she. Clark tried to ignore them, and then he saw Lois. Their gazes locked for a heart-stopping moment. Lois did not want to look away, but she managed with considerable difficulty. Martha took her hand tightly inside her own to give her support.
Clark glanced at his wife again out of the corner of his eye, steeled his emotions then began his speech. "Thank you, Governor, for that warm welcome and for this tremendous honor. I'm truly humbled by your acceptance of me and my family. My children and my cousin are also humbled by your acceptance." He paused for a moment. "We're all alike in our own way, but we struggle everyday to be the best that we can be. And what better role than anyone can aspire to than the role of hero." He paused as as crowd cheered. "Before I go, I wanted to tell you a story, a story that has stayed with me for a long time. When my daughter was a little girl, we had a talk about me and how some people were still afraid of me. I tried to make her understand that they had nothing to fear from me or any of my family. I'll never forget what she said to me. She said, 'Daddy, I don't understand. You love them, just like us.' I said, 'That's true sweetie, I do, very much.' Then she said, and I'll never forget it. 'Someday, everyone will know that you love them and not to be afraid, right Daddy?' And I said, 'Yes, someday, they will.' He paused becoming emotional, "And now today, I'm happy to say, that day has come. I love you all. Thank you so much."
Lois could not hold back her tears. Martha held her close her arm around her shoulder. "It's almost over," she whispered to her daughter-in-law.
Jo was also on the verge on tears. Kara took her hand and held it tightly. Jo closed her eyes, took several deep breaths, and nodded her head at her cousin truly grateful.
As everyone applauded his speech, the Governor nodded and the covering was removed from the statue, and there stood Clark in glorious bronze, his cape flowed about his legs, his head held high looking up at the sky, his left arm raised and an Eagle was perched on his arm, also appearing as if it too wanted to take flight.
The crowd cheered their approval. Clark, Kara and his children left the grandstand and came down to the statue as they all looked up at tall handsome man in bronze.
"It's so tall!" That was Jason.
"It's you, Dad!" Jo commented.
"It certainly does look like me!" Clark had to smile.
"It really does look like you!" Conner said then they all laughed.
"Not bad, cuz!" That was Kara, of course.
Smiling, Lois wiped at her eyes and listened to them and shook her head at their silly banter. It truly did look like him, Lois noted.
The Governor then came forward with a portable microphone in his hand, and asked Clark to read the inscription:
"Superman - One Man Can Make a Difference."
The audience loved it. Cameras flashed and then the crowd cheered them once again.
Clark and his family stood side by side, just as they done in the tent and Lois and all her family and friends came forward and took more photographs.
The Governor spoke up then. "I know everyone would love it and I hope you wouldn't mind …" He hesitated.
"What is it, Governor?" Clark asked.
"Well, would you all fly for us?"
The crowd cheered and began to chant and clap their hands … 'fly, fly, fly!'
"We would be honored, Sir." Then Clark took off first then they followed him in turn, Conner, Jason, Kara and lastly, Jo. After a few minutes, they circled back and waved to the crowd, smiling and laughing.
The crowd went insane. Lois was leading the cheers. Tears streamed down her cheeks but she didn't mind these tears, not at all.
~o~o~
Jo and Sam's condo, two years later:
"Megan, are you sure you want peach bridesmaids dresses? I mean …"
"I love that color. Don't you?" Megan was hurt by Jo's reaction to the color she had chosen.
"Yes, of course, I do, but …"
"You don't like it."
Before Jo could answer here, her three month old Son needed a feeding.
"I'll be back in a minute. I'm coming, Sammy."
Megan sighed. She continued to flip through the bride's magazine and suddenly she saw the absolute perfect color for the gowns. She held it up for Kara to see. She had just come into the living room from the kitchen with a glass of iced tea. "Well, what do you think?"
"I like that one, better than peach, that's for sure," Kara replied with a straight face.
Zee chuckled behind her hand.
Megan glared at her friend. "You have the nerve. Your time is coming then you get to decide what color you want." She suddenly felt exhausted by all of it. "This is not easy, Zee. Help me out here."
"There, all fed and changed," Jo said and held her son close to her and kissed his forehead. "He's already nodding off."
"He's growing so fast." Kara and all of her friends gathered around to see Jo's beautiful little boy.
"Of course, he would have red hair," Kara commented.
"Of course," Jo responded as she stroked his hair and kissed his forehead again.
"He's adorable, and he looks more and more like you every day Jo, even with that red hair," Zee commented, as she and Megan both cooed and smiled over the adorable baby.
"Can I hold him?" Kara asked.
"Here you go, just hold his head in the crook of his arm, that's it," Jo instructed.
Jo, Zee and Megan all glanced at Kara as she walked little Sammy around the living room. "How's Damian these days?" Jo asked.
"Busy as always with school, his Father's business, being a superhero, but sometimes he drives me stark raving mad."
"Kara, you know why he avoids you," Jo reminded her.
"I know we made a pact years ago, but now …"
"Are you ready to take that next step? Kara, you have to ask yourself if he's the one, and once you have that answer, then you'll know," Jo asked her cousin but also giving her some sound advice.
"I do know and he knows it too. It's just, everything will change and what if he …" She couldn't finish.
"What if he what …?" Zee asked, knowing what she was going to say. They've all experienced doubts and fears about giving your heart and body to someone for the first time.
As she handed the baby back to Jo, she thought about her answer. "What if he looks at me differently after we … do it?"
"You know Damian loves you, Kara," Zee commented.
"Yeah, it's pretty obvious how much he adores you, but if you're not ready, then don't do it," Jo told her firmly.
Kara suddenly looked at the floor to hide her blush. "I have a confession to make." Taking a deep breath, she continued. "After the incident with Alex that night in the restaurant, Damian took me to the mansion and we came really close to making love, but I stopped him, unsure about my feelings and about having sex. I'll never forget that night. He was so sweet and caring, trying to protect me. I think I fell in love with him that night, and it's just gotten stronger over the past few years. So you see I am ready to take that next step because … I love him."
"Oh, Kara, it appears that you are ready. So, when will you tell him?" Jo asked excited for her.
"Tonight, we have a date for the movies. I love the movies. I never realized how much I love fandoms and movies. I love it."
Jo, Zee, and Megan laughed at her enthusiasm. Fandoms had thrilling highs but sometimes the lowest of lows, but it was all worth it in the end.
"Well, have a wonderful time tonight," Zee said and wished her good luck. They all did.
~o~o~
Later that evening at their favorite movie theater:
"Did you like that one?" Damian asked, as they exited the theater. "The reviews were pretty good, four stars." He wasn't sure if she did enjoy it, because she was being unusually quiet and a bit nervous about something. "Did you hear me Kara?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I guess I was distracted."
"You've been distracted all evening. Has something happened?"
"No, everything is fine," she replied then took his hand. "Let's walk for a while Ok?"
"Sure, it's a nice evening," he replied. Damian was beginning to worry. Their unusual relationship seemed to have worked for the past few years. He kept himself busy but he didn't completely ignore her, and of course, he still remembered their night together and then those urges would strike him in the gut and then he would disappear at a moment's notice, leaving her upset and mad at him.
Kara heart was pounding with dread and hope. Taking a deep breath, she decided to let the pieces fall where they may. "Damian, do you still want me?"
That stopped him in his tracks. "What a question. I've wanted you from the first moment we met."
She had to smile, but she didn't believe him. "Really?"
"Of course, I did. Kara, what's the matter?" Then he thought about it. "Did I do something to hurt you? I know I've been busy with school and …"
She touched his lips. "No, nothing is wrong."
"Then what is it, tell me."
She had to say it. "I love you," she admitted it at last.
"Kara, I … I love you too. You know that."
She went into his arms. "I guess I just needed to hear it."
He stroked her hair. "I have something for you. I want to make you happy Kara, so if you'll indulge me for a minute." He stepped back and smiled. "I think we've gotten to know each other pretty well over the past few years. I remember when you told me about your visit to the Fortress with your cousin." He paused then took a deep breath. "Thank you for telling me about it. I've never felt closer to you." He paused again. "Well, I was going to do this at the mansion surrounded by my ancestors. You remember the spot." He got down on one knee. "I'll been carrying this around for a few months now."
"Damian, what are you doing?" Then she gasped and put her hand over her mouth.
"This is my way of showing my commitment to you, Kara and no one else." He held up a stunning gold and silver bracelet accented with diamonds.
Kara was happily stunned. "Oh, my, it's beautiful. You remembered?"
"Of course, I did. Your heritage and what you've lost still resonates in everything you do, and this one small gesture of what your parents' shared, well, I hope you like it."
"It's lovely. Thank you, Damian." He slipped it on her wrist. "But, where's your bracelet?"
He stood up and took her hands in his. "Well, I was thinking, when you're ready to take that next step, then ...?" He let that hang in the air for a moment as he smiled at her.
"You're amazing, you know that?" She returned his smile then hugged him close.
He pulled back, lifted her chin and kissed her right there in the street, but they only had eyes for each other.
~o~o~
A little while later, at the Mansion:
Damian held Kara's hand as they explained to his Dad what he had given Kara. Bruce was not surprised by this major step in their lives. He was proud of the way they'd handled themselves over the past few years and told them how he felt. Kara glowed with his praise. She impulsively gave Bruce a hug, surprisingly him. He hugged her back for a moment.
"Thank you, Mr. Wayne," Kara said. It appeared to Kara as if he had finally accepted her and Damian as a couple.
"Go on you two!" Bruce said feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Thanks, Dad," Damian said. He also gave him a hug.
As they headed up the stairs, Bruce watched them for a moment and couldn't help but remember when he had first laid eyes on Kara. He also remembered how protective he had been. Shaking his head, he thought, strange how things work out sometimes, strange and wonderful.
~o~o~
Upstairs in Damian's room:
"Your room has changed a bit," Kara commented, feeling nervous for some strange reason.
He sensed her nervousness. "Kara, we've waited this long. We can wait until you're ready. I'm Ok with it."
"I know you are, but we can make love but we don't have to … make love," she said and blushed.
His eyebrows rose. "And you're Ok with that?" Damn, we could have done that years ago.
Kara chuckled. "I know what you're thinking."
It was his turn to blush. "Sorry."
She chuckled at the look on face. "Oh, Damian, we can make love, but I mean go all the way if you want, but I thought a bit of experimenting could heighten the experience."
He groaned to himself. "You know you're killing me again and you haven't even kissed me yet."
They both laughed then and then the laughing stopped.
"I need to remedy that. You should lock the door," she whispered, as she slipped out of her jacket.
He did as she instructed. He took off his leather jacket, his shirt, slacks and there he stood in just his boxers.
She did the same, slipping out of her slacks and blouse and there she stood in her bra and underwear.
They both licked their lips and smiled.
"Come here," he said.
She slowly walked over to him taking her time, looked him up and down slowly. Her heart pounded so hard she couldn't believe how much she still wanted him and after all this time. "I love you, Damian. Thank you for waiting for me."
"Kara, I would wait as long as you need. I'm not going anywhere, not without you." He paused. "I love you too."
Kara's throat closed up. "Oh, Damian, just hold me, don't let go," she whispered.
He did as she asked then he kissed her over and over again never tiring of her sweet mouth. She opened to him freely, kissing him back and spurring him on. He picked her up and laid her down on the bed. He stroked her hair out of her eyes and then his hands and lips worked their magic. Kara was lost, lost in her feelings for him.
Damian was staring at her with an intensity that Kara had never seen before. His hands were everywhere, smoothing over her breasts and tweaking her nipples, down her back, touching her thighs. Kara loved touching him. He was so smooth and hard and so handsome, he took her breath away. She stroked his hair.
And then he took her to an alternate place that only lovers knew the mystery, the place where dreams are fulfilled, where love bloomed, and a place where two people became one, where souls are joined, and where life is formed.
Later, much later, wrapped up in each other's arms, Damian and Kara fell back down to Earth their hope renewed and their faith in love restored.
With both of them coming from a place where only death took its toll, they felt blessed and so very lucky to have found each other, and they would never let go …
Never let go.
~o~o~
Downtown Metropolis, Jo and Sam's apartment:
With little Sammy down for his nap, and Zee and Megan off to work, Jo opened the door to her Mom. Lois had taken a leave of absence for a month to help with the baby but it had turned into three months. She had the time and so she took it.
"Mom, you're early. I told you I only needed a few hours at the office."
"I don't mind coming over early, sweetie. So, is he asleep?" Lois asked heading to the nursery.
"Yes, but he'll be waking up in about an hour. Thanks, Mom. I'll head out now. His bottles are in the fridge and his diapers are …"
"I know where everything is. Go on now. I'm sure Sam is waiting for you at the office."
"Thanks again. I'll call when I'm on my way home." She kissed her Mom's cheek then headed out.
After checking on the baby, cooing at him for a while, Lois headed back into the living room, checked the baby monitor and turned on the television. Switching channels for a few minutes, she happened upon that reality show called 'Bridezilla' and then her mind flashed back to Jo's wedding a little over two years ago.
Pre-wedding jitters was an understatement.
TBC!
~o~o~
A/N: I'm sorry, but the last chapter was pushing 8,000 words, so I decided to split it up. SammyJo's wedding day and all its craziness and romance will be the last part, also a sweet ending for Clois as well. You won't have to wait a week, so it will be posted mid-week! We're almost there. Stay tuned. Please leave a comment for this 'almost' final chapter! Thank you.
Author: babettew54
Category: Superman Returns, Batman Comics
Pairings/Characters: Clark/Lois, Joanne/Samuel, Bruce/Diana, Damian/Kara, Lex Luthor II, Jason, Connor, Martha/Ben
Rating: M
Word Count: 3,600
Summary: This is a story about secrets and lies how they always come out and usually at the worst possible time.
Disclaimer: DC Comics/Warner Bros. Entertainment owns these characters, except for Joanne Kent and Samuel Hamilton; they’re mine. This is strictly for my own amusement.
Author's Notes: In this almost final chapter, the statue ceremony moves ahead, Jo and Sam's wedding gets off to a bit of a rocky start, and later Kara and Damian reach a new level in their relationship. Read on and please review this chapter. Thanks everyone! :D
~o~o~
Previously:
ACT I: All I’ve Ever Wanted
( Chapter 1)( Chapter 2)( Chapter 3)( Chapter 4)( Chapter 5)
( Chapter 6)( Chapter 7)( Chapter 8)( Chapter 9)( Chapter 10)
ACT II: When You Believe
( Chapter 11)( Chapter 12) ( Chapter 13)( Chapter 14)( Chapter 15)
ACT III: A Moment Like This
( Chapter 16)( Chapter 17)( Chapter 18)( Chapter 19)( Chapter 20)
( Chapter 21)( Chapter 22)( Chapter 23)
x-posted to: (AO3); (FFN)
Chapter 24: Epilogue: Home Again, Part 1
Minutes later, Centennial Park, Metropolis:
After that rather emotional meeting with her family, Lois returned to the excited crowd, as everyone welcomed her into the fold. Perry, James, Martha, Ben, Kitty, Emil, Sam, Bruce, Damian, and Diana were all there to support her. She welcomed her family and friends and their welcoming smiles cheered her up in a way, she couldn't help but feel truly blessed for her extended family. They surrounded her and gave her the strength she needed to hold it together for a little while longer.
The Governor came up to the podium and began his speech.
"What a glorious day this is, isn't it?" The crowd was very enthusiastic as they applauded their approval for several minutes.
"How many of you are old enough to remember that amazing night when Superman first appeared in our city?" A few murmurs were heard. "I was a young, eager lawyer back then, and I'll never forget that night. Superman chose our city to call his home, to fight crime and to bring a safer and better world to all of humanity. This statue is our way of saying thank you for all that you have done to protect us, to save us, and most of all to inspire us and to follow your example. Thank you, Superman." He paused for a moment. "And now, let me introduce not only Superman, but his entire family including three of his extraordinary children, Superboy, Wonderboy, SkyGirl and lastly his cousin, Supergirl, who came to us just a few short weeks ago. Ladies and gentlemen I'm proud and honored to introduce Superman and his incredible family!"
The crowd immediately erupted in applause and cheers, and when Superman arrived and approached the grandstand he waved to the crowd and smiled lighting up his face. The rest of his family followed him and waved and smiled to the crowd, as well. Cameras flashed, and the crowd cheered even louder for Superman and his incredible family.
This was the first time that his family had been seen together like this, well since the last time he had introduced them to the world years ago, but that was on Watchtower. This was totally different. The younger family members were still wearing masks, and of course, the crowd was yelling at Superman asking him where was the Mother and who was she. Clark tried to ignore them, and then he saw Lois. Their gazes locked for a heart-stopping moment. Lois did not want to look away, but she managed with considerable difficulty. Martha took her hand tightly inside her own to give her support.
Clark glanced at his wife again out of the corner of his eye, steeled his emotions then began his speech. "Thank you, Governor, for that warm welcome and for this tremendous honor. I'm truly humbled by your acceptance of me and my family. My children and my cousin are also humbled by your acceptance." He paused for a moment. "We're all alike in our own way, but we struggle everyday to be the best that we can be. And what better role than anyone can aspire to than the role of hero." He paused as as crowd cheered. "Before I go, I wanted to tell you a story, a story that has stayed with me for a long time. When my daughter was a little girl, we had a talk about me and how some people were still afraid of me. I tried to make her understand that they had nothing to fear from me or any of my family. I'll never forget what she said to me. She said, 'Daddy, I don't understand. You love them, just like us.' I said, 'That's true sweetie, I do, very much.' Then she said, and I'll never forget it. 'Someday, everyone will know that you love them and not to be afraid, right Daddy?' And I said, 'Yes, someday, they will.' He paused becoming emotional, "And now today, I'm happy to say, that day has come. I love you all. Thank you so much."
Lois could not hold back her tears. Martha held her close her arm around her shoulder. "It's almost over," she whispered to her daughter-in-law.
Jo was also on the verge on tears. Kara took her hand and held it tightly. Jo closed her eyes, took several deep breaths, and nodded her head at her cousin truly grateful.
As everyone applauded his speech, the Governor nodded and the covering was removed from the statue, and there stood Clark in glorious bronze, his cape flowed about his legs, his head held high looking up at the sky, his left arm raised and an Eagle was perched on his arm, also appearing as if it too wanted to take flight.
The crowd cheered their approval. Clark, Kara and his children left the grandstand and came down to the statue as they all looked up at tall handsome man in bronze.
"It's so tall!" That was Jason.
"It's you, Dad!" Jo commented.
"It certainly does look like me!" Clark had to smile.
"It really does look like you!" Conner said then they all laughed.
"Not bad, cuz!" That was Kara, of course.
Smiling, Lois wiped at her eyes and listened to them and shook her head at their silly banter. It truly did look like him, Lois noted.
The Governor then came forward with a portable microphone in his hand, and asked Clark to read the inscription:
"Superman - One Man Can Make a Difference."
The audience loved it. Cameras flashed and then the crowd cheered them once again.
Clark and his family stood side by side, just as they done in the tent and Lois and all her family and friends came forward and took more photographs.
The Governor spoke up then. "I know everyone would love it and I hope you wouldn't mind …" He hesitated.
"What is it, Governor?" Clark asked.
"Well, would you all fly for us?"
The crowd cheered and began to chant and clap their hands … 'fly, fly, fly!'
"We would be honored, Sir." Then Clark took off first then they followed him in turn, Conner, Jason, Kara and lastly, Jo. After a few minutes, they circled back and waved to the crowd, smiling and laughing.
The crowd went insane. Lois was leading the cheers. Tears streamed down her cheeks but she didn't mind these tears, not at all.
~o~o~
Jo and Sam's condo, two years later:
"Megan, are you sure you want peach bridesmaids dresses? I mean …"
"I love that color. Don't you?" Megan was hurt by Jo's reaction to the color she had chosen.
"Yes, of course, I do, but …"
"You don't like it."
Before Jo could answer here, her three month old Son needed a feeding.
"I'll be back in a minute. I'm coming, Sammy."
Megan sighed. She continued to flip through the bride's magazine and suddenly she saw the absolute perfect color for the gowns. She held it up for Kara to see. She had just come into the living room from the kitchen with a glass of iced tea. "Well, what do you think?"
"I like that one, better than peach, that's for sure," Kara replied with a straight face.
Zee chuckled behind her hand.
Megan glared at her friend. "You have the nerve. Your time is coming then you get to decide what color you want." She suddenly felt exhausted by all of it. "This is not easy, Zee. Help me out here."
"There, all fed and changed," Jo said and held her son close to her and kissed his forehead. "He's already nodding off."
"He's growing so fast." Kara and all of her friends gathered around to see Jo's beautiful little boy.
"Of course, he would have red hair," Kara commented.
"Of course," Jo responded as she stroked his hair and kissed his forehead again.
"He's adorable, and he looks more and more like you every day Jo, even with that red hair," Zee commented, as she and Megan both cooed and smiled over the adorable baby.
"Can I hold him?" Kara asked.
"Here you go, just hold his head in the crook of his arm, that's it," Jo instructed.
Jo, Zee and Megan all glanced at Kara as she walked little Sammy around the living room. "How's Damian these days?" Jo asked.
"Busy as always with school, his Father's business, being a superhero, but sometimes he drives me stark raving mad."
"Kara, you know why he avoids you," Jo reminded her.
"I know we made a pact years ago, but now …"
"Are you ready to take that next step? Kara, you have to ask yourself if he's the one, and once you have that answer, then you'll know," Jo asked her cousin but also giving her some sound advice.
"I do know and he knows it too. It's just, everything will change and what if he …" She couldn't finish.
"What if he what …?" Zee asked, knowing what she was going to say. They've all experienced doubts and fears about giving your heart and body to someone for the first time.
As she handed the baby back to Jo, she thought about her answer. "What if he looks at me differently after we … do it?"
"You know Damian loves you, Kara," Zee commented.
"Yeah, it's pretty obvious how much he adores you, but if you're not ready, then don't do it," Jo told her firmly.
Kara suddenly looked at the floor to hide her blush. "I have a confession to make." Taking a deep breath, she continued. "After the incident with Alex that night in the restaurant, Damian took me to the mansion and we came really close to making love, but I stopped him, unsure about my feelings and about having sex. I'll never forget that night. He was so sweet and caring, trying to protect me. I think I fell in love with him that night, and it's just gotten stronger over the past few years. So you see I am ready to take that next step because … I love him."
"Oh, Kara, it appears that you are ready. So, when will you tell him?" Jo asked excited for her.
"Tonight, we have a date for the movies. I love the movies. I never realized how much I love fandoms and movies. I love it."
Jo, Zee, and Megan laughed at her enthusiasm. Fandoms had thrilling highs but sometimes the lowest of lows, but it was all worth it in the end.
"Well, have a wonderful time tonight," Zee said and wished her good luck. They all did.
~o~o~
Later that evening at their favorite movie theater:
"Did you like that one?" Damian asked, as they exited the theater. "The reviews were pretty good, four stars." He wasn't sure if she did enjoy it, because she was being unusually quiet and a bit nervous about something. "Did you hear me Kara?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I guess I was distracted."
"You've been distracted all evening. Has something happened?"
"No, everything is fine," she replied then took his hand. "Let's walk for a while Ok?"
"Sure, it's a nice evening," he replied. Damian was beginning to worry. Their unusual relationship seemed to have worked for the past few years. He kept himself busy but he didn't completely ignore her, and of course, he still remembered their night together and then those urges would strike him in the gut and then he would disappear at a moment's notice, leaving her upset and mad at him.
Kara heart was pounding with dread and hope. Taking a deep breath, she decided to let the pieces fall where they may. "Damian, do you still want me?"
That stopped him in his tracks. "What a question. I've wanted you from the first moment we met."
She had to smile, but she didn't believe him. "Really?"
"Of course, I did. Kara, what's the matter?" Then he thought about it. "Did I do something to hurt you? I know I've been busy with school and …"
She touched his lips. "No, nothing is wrong."
"Then what is it, tell me."
She had to say it. "I love you," she admitted it at last.
"Kara, I … I love you too. You know that."
She went into his arms. "I guess I just needed to hear it."
He stroked her hair. "I have something for you. I want to make you happy Kara, so if you'll indulge me for a minute." He stepped back and smiled. "I think we've gotten to know each other pretty well over the past few years. I remember when you told me about your visit to the Fortress with your cousin." He paused then took a deep breath. "Thank you for telling me about it. I've never felt closer to you." He paused again. "Well, I was going to do this at the mansion surrounded by my ancestors. You remember the spot." He got down on one knee. "I'll been carrying this around for a few months now."
"Damian, what are you doing?" Then she gasped and put her hand over her mouth.
"This is my way of showing my commitment to you, Kara and no one else." He held up a stunning gold and silver bracelet accented with diamonds.
Kara was happily stunned. "Oh, my, it's beautiful. You remembered?"
"Of course, I did. Your heritage and what you've lost still resonates in everything you do, and this one small gesture of what your parents' shared, well, I hope you like it."
"It's lovely. Thank you, Damian." He slipped it on her wrist. "But, where's your bracelet?"
He stood up and took her hands in his. "Well, I was thinking, when you're ready to take that next step, then ...?" He let that hang in the air for a moment as he smiled at her.
"You're amazing, you know that?" She returned his smile then hugged him close.
He pulled back, lifted her chin and kissed her right there in the street, but they only had eyes for each other.
~o~o~
A little while later, at the Mansion:
Damian held Kara's hand as they explained to his Dad what he had given Kara. Bruce was not surprised by this major step in their lives. He was proud of the way they'd handled themselves over the past few years and told them how he felt. Kara glowed with his praise. She impulsively gave Bruce a hug, surprisingly him. He hugged her back for a moment.
"Thank you, Mr. Wayne," Kara said. It appeared to Kara as if he had finally accepted her and Damian as a couple.
"Go on you two!" Bruce said feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Thanks, Dad," Damian said. He also gave him a hug.
As they headed up the stairs, Bruce watched them for a moment and couldn't help but remember when he had first laid eyes on Kara. He also remembered how protective he had been. Shaking his head, he thought, strange how things work out sometimes, strange and wonderful.
~o~o~
Upstairs in Damian's room:
"Your room has changed a bit," Kara commented, feeling nervous for some strange reason.
He sensed her nervousness. "Kara, we've waited this long. We can wait until you're ready. I'm Ok with it."
"I know you are, but we can make love but we don't have to … make love," she said and blushed.
His eyebrows rose. "And you're Ok with that?" Damn, we could have done that years ago.
Kara chuckled. "I know what you're thinking."
It was his turn to blush. "Sorry."
She chuckled at the look on face. "Oh, Damian, we can make love, but I mean go all the way if you want, but I thought a bit of experimenting could heighten the experience."
He groaned to himself. "You know you're killing me again and you haven't even kissed me yet."
They both laughed then and then the laughing stopped.
"I need to remedy that. You should lock the door," she whispered, as she slipped out of her jacket.
He did as she instructed. He took off his leather jacket, his shirt, slacks and there he stood in just his boxers.
She did the same, slipping out of her slacks and blouse and there she stood in her bra and underwear.
They both licked their lips and smiled.
"Come here," he said.
She slowly walked over to him taking her time, looked him up and down slowly. Her heart pounded so hard she couldn't believe how much she still wanted him and after all this time. "I love you, Damian. Thank you for waiting for me."
"Kara, I would wait as long as you need. I'm not going anywhere, not without you." He paused. "I love you too."
Kara's throat closed up. "Oh, Damian, just hold me, don't let go," she whispered.
He did as she asked then he kissed her over and over again never tiring of her sweet mouth. She opened to him freely, kissing him back and spurring him on. He picked her up and laid her down on the bed. He stroked her hair out of her eyes and then his hands and lips worked their magic. Kara was lost, lost in her feelings for him.
Damian was staring at her with an intensity that Kara had never seen before. His hands were everywhere, smoothing over her breasts and tweaking her nipples, down her back, touching her thighs. Kara loved touching him. He was so smooth and hard and so handsome, he took her breath away. She stroked his hair.
And then he took her to an alternate place that only lovers knew the mystery, the place where dreams are fulfilled, where love bloomed, and a place where two people became one, where souls are joined, and where life is formed.
Later, much later, wrapped up in each other's arms, Damian and Kara fell back down to Earth their hope renewed and their faith in love restored.
With both of them coming from a place where only death took its toll, they felt blessed and so very lucky to have found each other, and they would never let go …
Never let go.
~o~o~
Downtown Metropolis, Jo and Sam's apartment:
With little Sammy down for his nap, and Zee and Megan off to work, Jo opened the door to her Mom. Lois had taken a leave of absence for a month to help with the baby but it had turned into three months. She had the time and so she took it.
"Mom, you're early. I told you I only needed a few hours at the office."
"I don't mind coming over early, sweetie. So, is he asleep?" Lois asked heading to the nursery.
"Yes, but he'll be waking up in about an hour. Thanks, Mom. I'll head out now. His bottles are in the fridge and his diapers are …"
"I know where everything is. Go on now. I'm sure Sam is waiting for you at the office."
"Thanks again. I'll call when I'm on my way home." She kissed her Mom's cheek then headed out.
After checking on the baby, cooing at him for a while, Lois headed back into the living room, checked the baby monitor and turned on the television. Switching channels for a few minutes, she happened upon that reality show called 'Bridezilla' and then her mind flashed back to Jo's wedding a little over two years ago.
Pre-wedding jitters was an understatement.
TBC!
~o~o~
A/N: I'm sorry, but the last chapter was pushing 8,000 words, so I decided to split it up. SammyJo's wedding day and all its craziness and romance will be the last part, also a sweet ending for Clois as well. You won't have to wait a week, so it will be posted mid-week! We're almost there. Stay tuned. Please leave a comment for this 'almost' final chapter! Thank you.