***

I stand here looking around our group of friends. It’s hard to believe another year has passed. It was a difficult one yet very fulfilling. Clark and I are the happiest we’ve ever been.

I turn my head when I hear the sound of his voice from the entryway. Once again, he’s late to an event. What can I do when I’m married to Superman?

Tonight we’re celebrating New Year’s at Perry and Alice’s. Who would have thought Perry would sweep his wife off her feet once again? They’d been married for over thirty years, then divorced, and tried again. Now they’re happily married again, newlyweds in a sense, since they’ve only been remarried about five months.

I see Clark look around for me, and as his dark eyes meet mine, he smiles and winks at me. He greets a few people as he walks toward me. I feel butterflies fluttering around in my stomach as he gets closer. Even after all of this time, I still look forward to being with him. We’ve been through a lot together, and this next year, we’ll be expanding our family.

Christmas Eve, I surprised him with the best gift. We didn’t think it was possible, especially when Dr. Klein told Clark a few months ago that it was impossible. But I’m pregnant. We may have only been married a little over a year, but it was time. I never thought I would want to be a mom, until I married Clark.

“Hi,” he says as he comes up to me and takes my hand. “How are you feeling?”

“Better now that you’re here,” I tell him, reaching up to kiss him briefly on the lips. Instantly he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me closer. Before I can protest, he kisses me with more passion than I wanted in front of all of our friends.

A few seconds later, he pulls back, and both of us are out of breath. I put my hands on his chest.

“That was some New Year’s kiss,” I whisper.

“You ain’t seen nothin’ yet,” he says with a wicked smile.

I feel a bit awkward with all of our friends around, but it isn’t the first time he’s kissed me like this in front of everyone. And since I told him about the baby, he’s been even more affectionate.

“So where were you?” I ask, resting my head on his shoulder while he holds me close.

“Snow storm in Michigan with whiteout conditions leading to tons of accidents on Interstate 96,” Clark murmurs in my ear.

“I’m glad you were able to help,” I state, pulling back to look up at him.

“Perry and Alice look happy,” he says.

I turn around so my back is against his chest. Clark keeps his arms wrapped around me with his hands covering my stomach. I’ve noticed he loves to hold me like this now, since I told him that I’m pregnant. I cover my hands over his.

“Are you coming with me on Tuesday to the ultrasound?” I wonder, looking up to him.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” he says, pressing a light kiss on my cheek as he adds, “I can’t believe we’re going to be parents.”

Before I can respond, I see Jimmy in my peripheral vision.

“Did you say parents? Are you guys going to have a baby?” Jimmy shouts excitedly. “I can’t believe it.”

He starts to turn toward the crowd. Before I can say anything, Clark grabs his wrist.

“Jimmy, please…don’t,” Clark implores.

I curl closer into Clark as my heart starts to race and my breaths become rapid and shallow.

“We’re keeping it quiet for right now,” Clark tells Jimmy, letting go of his wrist.

“But it’s good news, right? Why can’t the Chief know?” Jimmy asks, frowning.

“We just need to make sure everything is okay,” I explain, grabbing onto Clark’s arm for support. “We’re being cautious, Jimmy.”

“Please, Jimmy,” Clark pleads.

Jimmy looks at me then at Clark. I can see he isn’t liking the idea of keeping something this exciting from Perry. But this is sort of sensitive information.

“Fine,” Jimmy sulks before walking away.

Clark wraps his arms around me again. I want to think Jimmy will keep our secret, but I know Jimmy too well. He’s like a little brother to both of us — he wants the best, but he has a spontaneous streak that can get him into trouble at times. Oh, well, I guess he’s learned many things from me the past few years. I watch as Jimmy walks over to Perry and tells him something.

“That lasted longer than I expected it to,” Clark laughs as Perry glances over at us with a look of shock and glee.

“Happy New Year, Clark,” I say, laughing with him as I shake my head. Another year, another adventure. And I think this year might just be our best one yet.

THE END