By Cristina <crisdccks@hotmail.com>
Rated: G
Submitted: November 2003
Summary: It's Christmas, and Lois wants to give Clark a very special present, right from the heart.
I wrote this story last Christmas, but, who knows why <g>, I never sent it to the archive. When I reread it a couple of weeks ago, I decided to make some changes. It turned out what I wanted was a complete make over, so I didn't do it. Maybe some day I will, but for now, I've only made a couple of small changes.
As usual, I'd like to thank Tricia, because this story, just like the rest of my stories, wouldn't be the same without her help.. You're a great BR!!! (though that's probably no secret to you?). Also, a big thank you to the FOLCs who read this on Zoomway's MBs for the nice comments.
Diclaimer: You all know this, but as a reminder, I don't own the characters . They're property of DC comics and December 3rd productions.
***
FROM LOIS TO CLARK
It was very early on Christmas morning when Lois woke up. With a brief glance at the street, she realized it was still dark outside. Trying to make as little noise as she could, she reached for the doorknob and opened the door slightly, before heading downstairs. Once she reached the living room, she walked towards the Christmas tree and simply stared at it for a few minutes. Then, opening a drawer, she pulled out a notepad and a pen and began to write. When she was finished, she tore the page from the pad, folded it neatly and placed it in an envelope on which she wrote: 'To Clark. Love, Lois'. Holding it carefully so she wouldn't smudge the writing, she placed it atop his presents.
***
A few hours later, with the sun already high in the skies of Metropolis, Clark Kent woke to find his wife's side of the bed empty. Getting out of bed, he grabbed his robe and left to see where Lois was. It didn't take him long to find her, cuddled up in the couch, still asleep. He sat beside her and kissed her softly as he stroked her cheek. "Merry Christmas, honey," he said.
Slowly opening her eyes, she looked up at him and smiled. "Merry Christmas to you, too."
As she sat up, he asked her, "What were you doing sleeping on the couch?" And then, wearing one of those smiles that would always make her melt, he added, "Are you that tired of sharing a bed with me?"
With a grin that matched his, she replied, "Never. I just couldn't sleep, and I had to finish your present, so I came down."
"Finish my present? You made me something?"
"Not exactly. I've had your present for weeks. You can't imagine how hard keeping it a secret has been! But I felt there was something else I needed to share with you." With that, she stood up, reached for the envelope and gave it to him.
"You wrote me a letter?" he asked, with a puzzled expression on his face.
Her only reply was a sheepish grin, one she'd learnt from him.
Half teasing, half serious, he told her, "You're not leaving me, are you?"
She softly brushed her lips to his. "No, silly. Just read it."
He then opened the envelope and began going through her letter.
<<By now, you're probably more than wondering what this is all about. Well, I was looking back over the last few years, amazing myself at how my Christmas Days have changed. It's funny how, as you grow up, the things that mattered to you as a kid disappear from your list of priorities. Thinking about that excitement you felt on Christmas Eve, going to bed and staring at the dark surroundings for what felt like ages because you were far too nervous and excited to fall asleep. But with the passing of the years, the magic of the season began to fade. At first, the prospect of getting presents was enough to make you long for Christmas. Later, even that wasn't enough.
<<When I was a teenager, I found myself hoping for the holidays to come soon, months beforehand, naively wishing the spirit they generated among most people would reach my family and that I would be part of all that. But year after year, the anticipation grew weaker. As December came nearer, I would fall asleep wishing it was January already. My mood became unbearable for those around me. Hard to believe, isn't it? I couldn't even stand myself, though I'd never admit it.
<<The year before I met you, I woke up on Christmas morning wondering when it was that my life had become so senseless; a simple playing along, living out of habit. When was it that everything I had had stopped fulfilling me? I questioned myself about my priorities, trying to see where I'd gone wrong. I don't need to tell you that I was career-centered, nor must I remind you that I'd been repeatedly hurt and betrayed; but I'd always thought that being a reporter was all that I needed to feel complete. Chasing down stories, seeing my name on the byline of front- page exclusives…dreaming of the Pulitzer. And I had all that, yet felt lousy. What did it take for me to be happy? I kept thinking how unfair I was, how selfish and egocentric, just imagining the millions of people who could really define their lives as a true hell, yet wore smiles on their faces. And all the while, I couldn't even find a single reason to grin, surrounded by things they didn't allow themselves to even dream of. I was so lost, but hid it everyday when I faced the world, the Planet, the few friends I had… and, most of all, my family. I couldn't let any of them see behind the Mad Dog Lane attitude, though, at the time, it was nothing but a mere facade.
<<One day, however, this country boy arrived at the newsroom. Coming out of nowhere, he somehow made his way through my defenses. He taught me how to trust. I ignored him quite a bit for sometime, took him for granted, but fortunately, one day I realized just how amazing he was. He changed my life. And though there's no way I can forget what I went through, I'm not even sure I want to, I could never thank him enough for what he has done for me. I owe him everything I am today, from my smile to my attitude. He helped me see what those priorities I'd misunderstood truly were. Do you think I could ever love him enough? I know I'll spend my life trying. >>
Unable to speak, he simply stared at her, seeing in her eyes the same emotions he felt in his heart. "How ever could I not have fallen in love with you?"
She wiped off the tear that was rolling down his cheek with her thumb. "I still find myself wondering what I did to get so lucky to meet you."
"All I know is that you've given me the best gift I could ask for." And as he spoke those words, he reached under her nightgown and caressed her swollen belly.
Teasingly, she quickly replied, "So that's all you wanted me for, Farmboy? To get me this fat? It's good to know. That way I'll feel better when I tell the world the kind of man their Superman really is. What would they think if they saw you right now, crying? I certainly…"
She couldn't finish her sentence, because her husband silenced her with the sweetest of kisses. His smile then softened further before he spoke again, "Lois, you've given me life."
The presents forgotten, the couple embraced and allowed their lips to meet once more, both content just being in each other's arms. After all, they were together; there was a baby on its way… What more could Christmas bring?
THE END <g>