Chapter Text
The music was blasting in the makeshift dance floor that was set up in the living room. Lois could see Lucy's friends dancing. On the back wall, there was a self-service bar with a few bottles where Sam Lane was nursing a scotch as Clark approached.
"Congratulations, General," Clark smiled and raised his beer bottle in a toast.
"For paying for a wedding that didn't happen or for being a grandfather to a bastard child?"
Clark's brows creased and he sighed. "Sir, that's your grandchild you're talking about."
The General's nostrils flared. He downed his scotch and placed it on the counter with a thud, ignoring Clark's toast.
"Your total disregard for family values has been noted, Kent."
"My disregard—"
"A man with family values would not have moved in with my daughter without having the decency to ask for my permission."
"I'm sorry, but Lois is the only one whose opinion matters in this."
The General scoffed and shook his head as he served himself another drink. "James at least understands there's a minimum of decorum. He was trying to do the right thing. If it wasn't for Lois meddling—"
"Sir, I get that you don't like me, but Lois is a supportive sister. If Lucy decided to postpone, that's not—"
"Well, at least you have the part of defending her, no matter what, down," he said, downing his drink. This time slowly, deliberately studying Clark as he did it.
A shade of red started to creep up Clark's neck as he shifted uncomfortably. He didn't want to make things worse for Lois, but there was only so much he could take. "General Lane, Lois is a wonderful person. She's kind, incredibly smart, amazing at her job, and has the biggest heart I have ever seen. Every day I feel blessed that I get the opportunity to be in her life. She came this weekend, having no idea this was a wedding, having no idea about... everything else, and she was met with nothing but hostility from you. You talk about family values... why can't you show your daughter love?"
The General looked at him up and down. Clark's blue eyes held his—steady, full of pain for what Lois had endured all weekend. Shaking his head, he said, "None of this is what I wanted for them."
Clark looked around. Lucy's friends were dancing, James was laughing with Jerry. The cabin was in full party mode—lights, decorations, music, laughter. Everyone was having fun except Sam Lane.
"What exactly?"
"Excuse me?"
"I mean, I see friends and family having fun and being supportive. What in 'this' is not what you had envisioned for them?" Clark's confusion was clear in his voice.
The question struck him like a gut punch. He looked around again, just in time to see Lois walking in, head down.
Clark followed his gaze as Lois made a beeline to the bathroom.
Almost instinctively, Clark placed his bottle down and moved to follow Lois, only to be stopped by Sam's hand on his elbow.
"You really love her." There was a shift in his tone. It wasn't a question. It was so clear.
"With all my heart, sir. Now if you'd excuse me. She needs me."
Clark crossed the room and caught her just before she reached the restroom. "Lo? You okay?"
Lois looked up and slowly brushed away the moisture from her eyes. "No."
His arms went around her waist as soon as the word left her lips. She hugged him immediately, burying her face in the crook of his neck, letting herself come undone. Clark closed his eyes and traced circles on her back until he felt her breathing regulate back to normal.
"Is everything okay with you and Lucy?" he asked quietly.
She nodded against him before lifting her face to look at him. Instinctively, he reached to cup her face and dry her cheek.
"I don't like him around you," Lois said, licking her lips. Clark leaned to kiss her forehead. There wasn't really anything he could say. Definitely not the moment to share the heart-to-heart he just had with her father.
"I need to splash some water on my face," she said, giving him a peck on the lips. "Wait for me here?"
"Only if I get a dance," he said with a Kent megawatt smile, and Lois couldn't help but smile back at him.