By Texas Jewel <texas_jewel@hotmail.com>
Rated PG
Submitted August 2000
Summary: In Lois's last month of pregnancy, Dan Scardino keeps trying to kill her.
***
Lois and Clark headed into the Daily Planet. It was the end of January and one of the coldest days in Metropolis. The temperature was around 25 degrees and it was already 4:00 p.m.
"Clark, you have no idea how cold I am," Lois said wrapping her arms around herself.
"I know how to make you warmer," he said kissing her. Lois smiled.
"It's burning up in here," she teased.
"You want me to go get you a blanket from the car?" Clark asked. They always carried a blanket and pillow in the car just in case anything happened, especially now that Lois was pregnant.
"Would you please?" Lois asked giving Clark one of the looks that she knew he couldn't resist.
"Yes," he sighed like it was a big deal. He headed off to the car and got the blanket for her. "Here you go, honey," he said wrapping it around her body.
"Thanks," she told him. She leaned back in her chair. "Ohhhh," she groaned.
"My back is killing me."
"You want a back rub, too?" Clark asked. Lois smiled one of those irresistable smiles that made Clark melt.
"Only if you don't mind," she said.
"You know I don't," Clark told her. He started rubbing Lois' back and shoulders.
"Ohhh, Clark that feels wonderful," Lois said. Lois felt relaxed in the presence of Clark and jumped when she heard the elevators a man yelling.
"Lois Lane! Show your face right now!"
Lois looked up and saw Dan Scardino at the front of the Daily Planet newsroom. Lois stood up and Clark stood beside her with his arms around her. Dan spotted them and walked to them.
"Well, well, well, if it's not Lane and Kent," he smirked. "Lois, you look a little heavier since the last time I saw you."
"Scardino, what do you want?" Clark asked.
"Your wife," he answered matter-of-factly.
"Over my dead body," Clark said.
"No. Over hers." Dan took out a gun and even faster than Clark had time to think, Dan shot Lois in the side of her stomach, then bolted out of the newsroom.
"Lois!" Clark cried as she fell limp into his arms. He helped her lay down on the ground.
"Clark!" she struggled to whisper. "The baby. He shot the baby." A crowd formed around them.
"Shhh, Lois, calm down, it will be OK," Clark said. Jimmy came through the crowd with a towel.
"Lois, CK, I called the ambulance, they will be here shortly but until then, the 911 operator said to hold this towel firmly against the injury," he explained.
"Thanks Jimmy," Clark said taking the towel. He put it firmly against Lois' stomach to hopefully stop or slow down the bleeding.
"Clark, it was so hard to get pregnant and now, a month away from my due date-" her voice trailed off and turned into tears.
"No, Lois, don't cry," Clark said softly brushing away her tears with his thumb. "It's better for the baby if you stay calm. You can do that, right? For the baby. For me. Lois Lane Kent, you are the strongest woman that I've ever met. I love you with all my heart and soul. You and the baby can't leave me alone in this world." He leaned down to kiss her and whispered into her ear, "I am so sorry that I couldn't catch the bullet."
"I love you Clark," Lois said. "Don't blame yourself for this. It's not your fault." Five minutes later, the paramedics came running into the newsroom.
"Ma'am, how far along in your pregnancy are you?" one of them asked. "Eight months," Lois answered. They quickly loaded her onto the stretcher. "No! Clark!" Clark ran by her side.
"Honey, I'm here, I'm right here," he said, grabbing her hand and running alongside the stretcher. "I'm going to meet you at the hospital, OK? I'm going to yell for Superman so I can get to the hospital as soon as you do, I promise. Lois, I love you so much."
"I love you Clark," she said, as they put her into the ambulance. Clark watched them drive out of sight, then quickly spun into his Superman suit and flew to the hospital, walking in as Clark right as Lois was being brought in. She was immediately wheeled into surgery.
Thirty minutes later, Perry and Jimmy showed up at the hospital.
"Son, we just want you to know that we are so sorry that this happened," Perry said. "And we're praying for her and your baby."
"Thanks, Chief," Clark whispered. "I can't believe that this is happening."
"But Lois is strong, and she'll pull through. And so will your baby. I know it," Jimmy reassured.
"I appreciate that Jimmy," Clark said. "It's just so hard to believe. Lois and I tried for almost a year to get her pregnant and when we finally did, she could possibly lose the baby or — her own life. This is my worst nightmare."
"I know, Clark. This is everybody's worst nightmare," Perry agreed.
Four slow, grueling hours later, the doctor came out.
"Mr. Kent?" he asked. Clark stood up.
"How is Lois? How's our baby?" Clark asked.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Dr. Durant said. "Lois is awake, unfortunately, she is in a lot of pain, more than what is normal, but your baby on the other hand, is still alive, but we don't know if it will remain. These next 24 hours will be the most critical. Your wife is not allowed to go home, and at the hospital, we will make sure that she doesn't move or do anything. The baby's condition is critical enough that we can not perform a C-section because the baby will have a better chance of survival if she remains in your wife's womb as long as possible."
"Can I go see her?" Clark asked.
"She's asked for no visitors," the doctor said.
"No visitors! Why?" Clark asked. "I'm her husband, the father of her child."
"I know, but I do have to respect her wishes," Dr. Durant said. "This happens a lot. She blames herself about what happened and right now, it's too heartbreaking to see anybody close to her."
"Well, you'll tell me everything that goes on and the condition of our baby and Lois, won't you?" Clark asked.
"Yes sir, I sure will," Dr. Durant said. He left the room.
"She doesn't want to see me," Clark repeated, stunned.
"She'll come around Son," Perry comforted. "She's had a hard day. She doesn't know what will happen and she feels responsible."
Three days later, Lois' baby was still in critical condition and nobody had been allowed to visit Lois. Clark never left the hospital, he even slept there.
"Mr. Kent?" the doctor came out into the waiting room.
"Yeah?" Clark asked getting up.
"I just wanted to let you know that your baby's showing much improvement. Your wife says that the baby's been kicking non- stop which is very good because she hadn't felt anything for a couple of days," the doctor informed. "Your wife also wants to see you."
"OK," Clark said. The doctor led him to Lois' room and Clark walked in.
"Hi," she said sitting up a little further. "I was hoping you would come."
"Lois, I've been waiting for 3 days to come see you," Clark said with a little bit of bitterness in his voice. "Why did you shut me out?"
"I don't know Clark," Lois said. "I was so confused and upset. I could have lost the baby and I felt responsible and I didn't want you to hate me."
"Hate you?" Clark asked softening his tone. "Lois, I love you too much to ever hate you, you know that. But we're married now and have been for four years. You can't push me away. We're a team."
"I'm so sorry Clark," Lois said as the tears began to flow. Clark wrapped her in his arms.
"Shhh," Clark soothed. "When do you get to come home?"
"Maybe Sunday if everything looks good," Lois said. Today was Tuesday.
"It's been an eternity since I've gotten to hold you," Clark told her.
"And one more thing," Lois said. "I decided that I'm going to start my maternity leave now. I don't want to overdo it like I know I would if I went back to work. I've never missed a day of work in my life so I'm thinking that Perry will be pretty understanding about it."
"Good," Clark said. "Because I couldn't take another time of not knowing if my wife and child will survive."
"Clark? Will you stay in here with me tonight?" Lois asked.
"I was hoping you would want me to," Clark replied.
"Oh Clark, I love you so much."
"I love you too, Lois," Clark said.
On Sunday, Lois was released and she and her baby were given a clean bill of health. Clark wheeled her out to the car.
"Can you help me?" Lois asked.
"I sure will," Clark said. He leaned down and helped Lois stand up and then into the car. He could see the pain in her face. "Are you OK?"
"Yeah, it just hurts to move around too much," she said.
"I'll be right back," Clark said. "I have to go return your wheelchair. You just rest." He shut Lois' door for her and went back to the entrance of the hospital to return Lois' wheelchair. He was walking to the parking lot when he heard Lois with his superhearing.
"Dan! Stop! You're hurting me!" She started crying. Clark checked to make sure that no one was around then flew (literally) to the car.
Dan was in the front seat on top of Lois forcefully trying to kiss her. She was kicking and squirming as much as possible but was limited to the strenuous activity she could handle from the pain that she was still in.
Clark couldn't open the passenger side without Lois falling out so he opened the driver's side and yanked Dan out of the car, punching Dan in the face.
"Kent, nice to see you too," Dan said. "Long time no see."
"I saw you a couple days ago when you came in and shot my wife!" Clark yelled. He looked in the car and could tell that Lois was in pain. "If Lois wasn't in so much pain right now, I'd take you down, but since Lois is way more important than you, I'm going to tell you that if I ever see you around again, especially anywhere near my wife, you'll wish that you were dead." Clark used some Superman force to throw Dan in the air before he finally landed on the ground, several feet away. Clark got in the car.
"Lois, honey, do I need to take you back in the hospital? Are you OK?"
"I'm fine," Lois promised. "Just take me home."
"OK," Clark said. He started driving.
"I didn't think that Superman believed in violence but I saw the way that you threw Dan in the air," Lois said.
"For shooting my wife, all of Superman's rules and morals are thrown out the window," Clark said. "And if we had been in a tall building, I would have thrown him out the window."
"You would have felt guilty for the rest of your life for that," Lois said.
"Not a bit," Clark said. By the time they arrived home, Lois had fallen asleep. "Lois, honey," he whispered. Lois stirred. "I'm sorry, but we're home now."
"Oh, OK," Lois said stretching. "Ohhhh," she moaned. "Shouldn't have done that."
"Lois, are you sure you're OK?" Clark asked.
"Yeah," she said. "I'm just still sore from the operation and the bullet and everything. The doctor said it would be normal for me to be in a pretty good amount of pain for a couple of days. He said not to worry about it and by the time that I give birth, I won't be in extra pain from the surgery."
"OK," Clark said. "But if you ever feel like you need to go back to the hospital, I want you to tell me."
"Clark, I'm not going to try to push you away anymore. I love having you by my side and I won't try to hide anything from you anymore, I promise," Lois said.
Clark smiled and leaned over and gave her a kiss. "You ready to go in and lay down?" he asked.
"You know it," Lois said. "Are you going to help me in?"
"Of course I will," Clark said. "It gives me an excuse to be close to you and hold you."
"Clark, you don't have to have an excuse for that," Lois told him. "Anytime you want to, you can hold me and get to close to me."
"Well, I'll take you up on that offer soon," Clark promised. He walked to Lois' side of the car and helped her out. She grasped his shoulders and put her chin down on her chest, breathing heavily.
Knowing that Clark was about to ask her if she was OK, she replied, "Moving around hurts."
"Do you want me to carry you inside?" he asked.
"Clark, I'm 8 months pregnant, you can't -" she stopped after thinking about who she was talking to. "No, I need to get used to it. I'll be OK."
"OK," Clark agreed. "Do you need to stand here for a minute or are you OK now?"
"No, you can go on in," Lois said. They walked slowly up their steps with Clark's arm firmly around her back, Lois gripping the stair rail and Clark's hand.
Clark helped Lois inside to the couch. She laid down. "Do you want anything? Are you hungry or thirsty?"
"Yeah, I'm kind of hungry," she said. "For you."
"Oooh," Clark said. "You're not acting like someone who doesn't feel well." Lois smiled.
"I think the main thing that I need is your healing touch," she said sexily. Clark zoomed to her side.
"Well, here I am," he said as they started kissing.
Two weeks later in the middle of February, Lois had completely healed from the shooting with no problems with the baby and she was in no more pain and two weeks left to go before she gave birth. She woke up when Clark started kissing her. She opened her eyes and looked at him, smiling.
"You looked so sexy when I woke up and saw you there," Clark said. "I couldn't resist."
"I'm glad that you didn't," she said. "I love you so much Clark."
"I love you too," he said.
"So, are we going for our weekend getaway in the mountains still?" Lois asked in a sexy voice.
Superman had rescued a wealthy psychiatrist from being shot by a crazy patient and to show his gratitude, the psychiatrist insisted that Superman might find a special woman to spend Valentine's weekend with in his cabin.
"Well, you know, we could-" Clark's voice trailed off as he started kissing Lois' neck.
"Clark, I'm already pregnant, we can't add to it," Lois said. Clark laughed.
"Yeah, we're still going today," Clark answered. "Only if you still feel up for going."
"Do I feel like going to a secluded mountain getaway with my sexy husband for a romantic Valentine's weekend?" Lois asked. "I think I'll make myself feel OK. But yes, I feel fine."
"Great," Clark said kissing her. "Then lets get ready to go."
Two hours later, Clark flew their luggage to their cabin getaway and then came back for Lois. "Your carriage awaits you," Superman said picking up Lois.
"My favorite way to travel is in your arms," Lois said. "Fly slowly so that we can have more time together."
"When you put it like that, you can bet that I will," Superman said.
About ten minutes later, they arrived at the cabin and Superman changed back to Clark.
"Oh, Clark, this place is beautiful!" Lois exclaimed. "I can't believe you got this just for saving somebody's life. You've saved my life countless times and I've never rewarded you like this before."
"Lois, I can think of much better ways that you've rewarded me for saving your life," Clark told her. "Besides, you're my wife. I'd save your life for free."
"That's a good thing to know," Lois commented. Inside was fireplace with wood beside it, a kitchen that Lois and Clark were responsible for stocking up with food during their visit themselves. There was a huge bedroom and bathroom with a jacuzzi, big enough for two. Outside was a perfect picture of beautiful snow-covered mountains and a bright sun. "This is so romantic."
"Should we test out the bedroom?" Clark asked. "To make sure that it's as fun as ours at home."
"Clark, any bedroom that we can have to ourselves is just as fun as ours at home," Lois said. "But I'm tired of being indoors all the time. No offense to you, not that being in a bedroom alone together doesn't sound like fun, but I think it would be fun to go outside, get a big breath of fresh air."
"OK," Clark said.
They headed outside and while Clark was basking at the sight, Lois was gathering a snowball.
"Clark?" Lois called out.
"Yeah, sweetie?" Clark answered turning around as Lois hurled a snowball at his face. The snowball smacked him right in his face. "You're getting it now!" He gathered his own snowball and also threw it at Lois, making sure not to use any superstrength.
"Augghh!" Lois shrieked as the cold ball of ice smacked her in the back.
"Typical woman," Clark said. "You can dish it out but you can't take it."
"Oh, that remark goes way past getting beat up with a snowball," Lois said. She charged over to him but lost her footing in the snow and ended up falling on top of him.
"Lois, I thought you didn't want to get romantic yet," Clark said. "You said you wanted to enjoy the sights but if you change your mind, you don't have to fall on top of me. You could have just said something."
"Ha ha," Lois replied sarcastically. "Now help me up. I'm not as agile as I was before I was 9 months pregnant."
"Lois, you were clumsy even when you weren't pregnant," Clark said. "And how am I supposed to help you? You're on top of me."
"You can fly," Lois said softly. "Fly me to where I'm standing up."
"What if I say I like the way we are right now?" Clark challenged. "You can't make me fly if I don't want to."
"If you do, you'll be rewarded later tonight," Lois said sweetly.
"Ooh, an offer I can't refuse," Clark said flying to where he and Lois were standing up. "I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to get off the ground. I've never had to carry so much weight at one time," he teased.
"You are so rude!" Lois gasped in shock. She knew he was kidding though. She was just going along with him.
That night, it started snowing really hard and then turned into a blizzard so Lois and Clark decided to stay in the rest of the night. Clark had made him and Lois some hot chocolate and also started a fire in the fireplace.
They sat down on the couch together.
"Thanks," Lois said as Clark handed her her hot chocolate.
"No problem," Clark told her putting his arm around her shoulders.
"It's getting really cold in here," Lois said snuggling in closer to the warmth of her husband. She was already wearing pajama pants, and a sweatshirt.
"I like keeping it kind of cold in here," Clark said. "You stay closer to me that way. Don't get me wrong here, but aren't pregnant women supposed to be hot normally, not cold?"
"Yeah, but I've been really pregnant in the dead of winter," Lois said. "Besides, when do I ever do things like anybody else?"
"Never," Clark said. "I don't know too many people that married an alien."
"Sure you do, there's tons of tabloids about it," Lois said. "I'm not even the first one to be pregnant with an alien's baby."
"Yeah, but I'm not some green, two-headed, 6-eyed alien. I look human," Clark said.
"I've never seen any human man that looks as good as you do," Lois said. Clark smiled at her. "Now seriously, I'm freezing to death. Will you go get me a blanket?"
"Last time I did that, Dan came in and shot you," Clark said.
"That won't happen again," Lois said. "I'll even come with you." They put their hot chocolate on the table and headed to the closet where they had stored their blankets. Lois put Clark's arm around her and drew herself into his body. Clark retreived the blankets from the closet and Lois immediately wrapped up in it. They were walking back to the sofa when Lois suddenly stopped and grabbed onto the wall and Clark's hand. "Oh noooo."
"Honey, are you OK?" Clark asked.
"Clark, I think I'm in labor," Lois said.
"Labor? Now?" Clark questioned. "You're not due for another two weeks though."
"I know that!" Lois yelled as the contraction strengthened. "Ohhh!" she groaned slumping to the floor. Clark immediately caught her and wrapped his arms around her to keep her steady. "Clark, this is definitely the real thing."
"Lois, I can't fly you in this weather," Clark said. "It's too dangerous."
"You can deliver the baby," Lois said as the contraction went away. She looked him in the eye. "Clark, you have to help me with this. I don't know what I'm doing and I'm scared."
"I will, Lois," Clark said helping her to the couch. "I'll stay by your side no matter what. Do you want to stay out here or go in the bedroom?"
"You're just determined to get me in the bedroom with you, aren't you?" Lois teased.
"I'm glad that you haven't lost your sense of humor," Clark commented.
"I'm not having a contraction right now either," Lois said. "Not yet. I'll stay out here for now. It's not like I'm not going to be able to move around though. Ohhh! Clark! Another one — much stronger one's coming!" She grabbed his hand and squeezed the couch cushion as well.
"Just breathe through it, you'll be OK," Clark soothed as he rubbed Lois' back.
"Clark!" she cried.
"I'm here, Lois, I'm right here," he told her. "You gotta relax, honey. It'll be much better for the baby."
"I can't! I don't know what I'm doing, I don't know what's happening," Lois told him.
"You're doing everything perfectly, and you're giving birth to our child. Just do what feels natural to your body," Clark told her. She took some deep breaths.
"It's over Clark," she said letting herself fall into his arms.
"Lois, I'm going to help you sit in the big recliner over there while I unfold the couch into a bed to help you get more comfortable," Clark explained helping her into the recliner. She sat down easily. "Are you OK?"
"For now, I am," she said. "Just hurry and get the couch ready."
"Lois, is it necessary to tell me to hurry?" Clark asked as he sped around the room at super-speed. Five seconds later, he was helping Lois back to the couch to lay down. She had several blankets and pillows.
"I can't believe five minutes ago I was freezing cold and now I'm burning up," Lois said stripping off some of the covers from her legs, leaving only a sheet on.
"You're working harder now than you were five minutes ago," Clark said resting his hand on Lois' belly. Lois put her hand on top of Clark's.
"I'm so glad that you're here with me," she said.
"I'm not leaving you," Clark said. She squeezed his hand and scrunched up her face. "Contraction?"
"Yeah," Lois told him. "Ohhh!" Her body automatically curled into the fetal position in pain.
"Lois, you're OK, you're going to be just fine," Clark told her.
"OK, you try and squeeze a baby out of your body and say I'm fine," Lois said with some rudeness.
"You're right, honey, I have no room to say that," Clark said smiling at her.
"Clark, I'm sorry." She saw that faraway look in Clark's eyes. "What do you hear?"
"A train derailed in the forest," Clark informed her as Lois breathed out the end of her contraction. She struggled to sit up with Clark's help and held his hands.
"Clark, please stay here with me," she said. "I can't do this by myself. I'm in labor in the middle of a blizzard and I love the fact that you love helping everyone but please, just this one time, I have to be selfish and ask you to forget the rest of the world and stay here with your wife?" Lois' eyes pleaded.
"Lois, I told you before that I'm not leaving you," Clark said. "Police have arrived and are working on finding the survivors which they think most if not all of the passengers and crew should have survived. I'm staying right by your side."
"Thank you," Lois said, looking very relieved.
"Lois, even if you weren't in labor, if there was any kind of emergency but you seemed to need me more, I would forget the rest of the world in a second. You are my world and without you, there's no reason for me to go on breathing," Clark told her.
"I love you Clark," Lois said kissing him.
"I love you too Lois," Clark said putting his hand to her cheek. "Is there anything that I can do for you to help you feel a little better?"
"No, I'm OK," Lois said. "How much longer do you think I have?"
"Lois, you just went into labor about twenty minutes ago," Clark told her. "I'm sure you have a while to go."
"Good," Dan said walking in. "I love seeing people suffer." He sat down in a chair like he was planning to stay there for awhile.
"Dan Scardino, get your butt out of here!" Clark said standing up.
"Kent, you know, I don't think that you're going to do much about it," Dan said pulling a piece of Kryptonite out of his pocket and tossing it up and catching it.
"Ohhh!" Clark said falling back on the couch.
"Clark!" Lois screamed in terror. Dan started walking over to Clark and Clark just scooted back farther on the couch to get away from him.
"What a lovely sight," Dan said. "Lois and Clark, husband and wife, in pain together."
"Dan, get out now!" Clark said trying to stand. Dan just held the Kryptonite closer and Clark fell back.
"Awwww!" Lois screamed as the pain of her contraction started. Dan put the Kryptonite away and Clark started feeling better. He shook away the weakness that he felt and held onto Lois.
"Are you OK?" he asked.
"Clark, don't let go of me," she begged. Tears started falling.
"What's wrong?" Clark asked afraid that something was going wrong. He wrapped his arms around her tighter.
"Oh Clark," Lois said. "I've never given into pain, and I just can't handle this."
"Sweetie, you're doing fine," Clark soothed. "And you're handling it just fine." Lois leaned her head on Clark's chest and Clark brushed his hand through Lois' hair. "You don't have to try and put on a bravery act for me."
Lois squeezed his leg as the contraction strengthened. "Clark, Dan's making me nervous," she whispered into his ear.
"Don't worry, as soon as your contraction is over, I'm going to throw out our houseguest," Clark replied.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
"I'm fine now," he said. "Don't worry about me, you worry about yourself." He rested his hand on her stomach.
"Whew, that one's over," she informed him.
"I'll be right back," Clark said. He sped out the door with Dan in his grasp and returned to Lois five seconds later.
"Where did you take him?" she asked him giggling.
"Well, I decided that Dan's been harassing us so much that he needed a vacation so I dropped him off somewhere in the middle of Switzerland. No one can speak English and he doesn't know where he is so it will be awhile before he comes back," he said. "And if he does, I'll just take him to jail and tell them that he tried to kill you," Clark told her.
"Clark, you're bad," she said. "But at least we've temporarily gotten rid of Dan."
"Maybe forever. Laws are strict in Switzerland," Clark said. "So now the rest of the night is yours."
"Clark, I'm sorry. This was supposed to be our weekend of romance alone. But I ruined it because I went into labor," she told him. "I know that you were looking forward to this weekend of relaxing."
"Lois, you don't have to apologize about going into labor," Clark told her. "It's not your fault. Besides, I have been waiting for this day ever since you told me that you were pregnant. This is exciting! And I'm still able to relax. You're the one in labor missing out on the chance to relax."
"Yeah, thanks for reminding me!" Lois yelled as her contraction started up again. "Unnnhhhh," she whined in pain laying her head on Clark's shoulder.
"I love you Lois," Clark told her kissing the top of her head. "You're doing a great job. I don't know how you can handle all of this."
"Ohhh!" she tightened her squeeze on Clark's hand. The lights flickered a few times before all of the power turned off. "Clark! What's happening?!"
"It's OK Lois," Clark told her wrapping his arms around her body. "The power just went off from the blizzard."
"Clark, we're in the middle of a blzzard with no heat?" Lois asked worriedly. She breathed heavily as her contraction ended. "I can get you as many blankets as you need," Clark said. "You want me to speed home and get some right now?"
"No, Clark, it's not me that I'm worried about, it's our baby," Lois said. "Babies get very cold and for ours to be born in a house with no power or heat during a blizzard-" she started. "What if it dies?" Tears started coming out.
"No, no Lois," Clark said. "I'm Superman and I refuse to let anything happen to our baby. And it won't. You and the baby will be fine. I can try and go fix the power myself. And then as soon as the blizzard is over, I'll fly both of you to a hospital and make sure that the two of you are OK."
"Clark, why do I always worry so much when I'm with you?" Lois asked.
"I don't know," Clark said. "Have I ever let you down?"
"No," Lois admitted.
Six hours later, Lois was getting very close to the end of her labor. It was 3:00 in the morning and the power had finally come back on.
"Lois, how you feeling?" Clark asked as she gripped his hand and gritted her teeth, trying to suffer through her contraction.
"Clark, I think it's almost time to push!" Lois screamed.
"OK, after your contraction is over, I'll check you and make sure," Clark told her.
"Clark, I'm so tired," Lois said.
"I know you are, honey, but you have to find a little more energy to last you up until you're ready to give birth. And then you can sleep all you want," Clark told her.
"Ohhhh, it's over, Clark," Lois said.
"OK, the first thing we have to do, is undress you," Clark said.
"Clark, you've never given up this entire weekend," Lois joked. "I love you but I'm in labor and I don't feel up to being romantic right now."
"Don't worry, I'll be taking a raincheck really soon," Clark promised. "But that's not what I meant." He helped Lois take off her pants and underwear and then checked her dialation. "You're right, Lois, you're ready to push on your next contraction. It's almost over."
"As hard as this labor has been, I know that I won't even care when I see our little baby," Lois said. "We don't even know if it's a boy or a girl."
"Is there anything I need to do or get for you?" Clark asked.
"Since we're going to be stuck up here for at least a night with a baby that we didn't plan on having, I need you to fly home really quick and get the bassinet, some diapers, a couple of bottles, baby blankets, and a couple of really warm pairs of pajamas and clothes please," Lois said.
"OK, I'll be back in a couple of minutes before your next contraction starts," Clark said dashing out the door. It took him two trips but less than a minute to get everything.
"Thank you," Lois said as he joined her back on the couch. "If I wasn't married to you or you didn't have any powers, we'd be in trouble."
"Is that why you married me?" Clark said. "Because I have powers and you could use me?"
"Yeah, Clark," Lois replied sarcastically. "And I've carried around your baby for the last 9 months and am giving birth just because it's so easy."
"I'm just kidding, Lois," Clark said. "I love you."
"You better," Lois said. "Look at what I'm doing for you just to give you children. Being a woman is so much harder than being a man. We have a baby and you got to do the fun part while I do all the work."
"What was the fun part of you being pregnant?" Clark asked.
"Conception," Lois smiled kissing him.
"That was a heck of a good time," Clark said kissing her back. Lois immediately pulled away from him.
"Oh! Clark, I think I'm having another contraction!" Lois yelled.
"Lois, you're ready to push," Clark announced getting at the foot of the bed. "On the count of three. 1…2…3, come on push Lois!"
"Ohhhh!" Lois screamed pushing.
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5… keep it coming Lois!" Clark cheered on. "6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Good job Lois, take a few deep breaths and relax."
"Easy for you to say," Lois groaned.
"Let's do it again. Push! I can see the head! The head's coming out easily!" Clark told her.
"Auugghhh!" Lois screamed still continuing to push.
"Breathe through it Lois!" Clark screamed. "Take a deep breath and then push again!"
"OHHHHH!" Lois moaned, still pushing.
"Lois, the head's out, keep on pushing the rest of our baby out! Come on, one more big push and the baby will come out!"
"Mmmmm!" Lois screamed. She heard the best sound of her life, her baby crying. She looked up at Clark.
"Lois, you did it!" Clark said excitedly as he cleared out the baby's lungs and nasal passages. "You gave birth to our daughter!"
"A little girl?" Lois asked. "Is she OK?"
"She's perfect," Clark said, cutting the umbilical cord and putting the baby in Lois' arms after wrapping her in a blanket.
"She's so beautiful," Lois said as the tears started flowing down her cheeks. The baby immediately cuddled into the warmth of Lois' body and stopped crying.
"Lois, I'm so proud of you," Clark said.
"Oh, Clark, I couldn't have done this without you," Lois said looking up at him. "I love you so much."
"I love you too Lois," Clark told her bending down and kissing her lips.
"So, what are we going to name our daughter?"
"Well, I've always loved the name Madison. And ever since I met you, I always thought how perfect the name Madison Kent sounded together," Lois said.
"Madison Kent it is then," Clark said. "Madison what?"
"You pick," Lois said.
"How about Lana?" Clark teased, knowing that Lana was not Lois' favorite person. Lois shot him a dirty look.
"I refuse to name our beautiful daughter after your ex- girlfriend," she said. "Pick another name."
"OK," Clark laughed. "I was just kidding anyways." He looked at the baby lying peacefully in Lois' arms. "She looks like a little angel. That's it! What about Madison Angel Kent?"
"I like it," Lois said.
An hour later, Lois had breast-fed Madison and was barely awake herself.
"Lois, why don't I try and get Madison to sleep and you get some sleep yourself. You've had a hard day," Clark suggested.
"That sounds wonderful," Lois said. "I'm exhausted." She handed the baby to Clark and easily fell asleep. Clark sat with his new daughter in a rocking chair and rocked her while talking.
"Madison, I want to be the best father for you that I can and I promise that I will never leave you. You're our miracle child. Your mom and I were told that we could never have children, but here you are — our beautiful baby girl. I love you so much," Clark whispered to her as Madison's eyes slowly closed.
Lois woke up around 10:00 that morning and smiled when she saw the sight of her husband, a man powerful enough to pick up an entire city, cradling his daughter gently in his arms, both of them fast asleep.
"Clark?" Lois whispered walking over to them. He jumped slightly before waking up. "Did she sleep all through the night?"
"No, I fed her about three hours ago. I was afraid that she would wake you up but you didn't even stir," Clark said.
"The weather's cleared up outside," Lois said. "Are we going home today?"
"We sure are," Clark said as Madison started waking up. He handed the baby to Lois.
A couple of hours later, Clark flew all of the baby things home and then came back for Lois and his daughter.
"I think it would be better if I took each of you one at a time," Superman said. "Besides, I still need a few minutes alone with my daughter."
"OK," Lois said. "Fly me home first and do it as fast as you can so that Madison's not here by herself for too long. And don't fly to fast with Madison. She's not old enough to handle it yet."
"OK," Superman said picking Lois up and flying her home, only to return about a minute later. "Hi sweetheart, are you ready to go home?" He gently picked her up and flew her home where Lois was waiting by the window. "Do you not trust me flying with our baby?"
"It's not that, I was worried when we left her alone," Lois said.
"Lois, she's fine," Superman said handing Madison to Lois and spinning into Clark. "Why don't we go ahead and go to the hospital and make sure that you two are OK?"
"Sure," Lois said.
At the hospital, the doctors were amazed that Clark had to deliver the baby all by himself and assured them that mother and daughter were just fine.
Lois and Madison were released that evening. They walked inside and Lois held Madison close to her, watching her daughter start to drift off into a peaceful sleep in Lois' arms.
"So how do you feel after last night?" Clark asked Lois.
"Lucky."
THE END
**Please e-mail me and tell me what you thought! I'd love the input!