Work Text:
Heart pounding harder with every step he took, Clark rushed along the long hospital corridor, flowers and balloons clutched in his hands.
He came to the end of the corridor, his head darting from side to side as he tried to get his bearings and figure out which way to go next.
Reading the sign to the left, he charged down the hallway toward it, knowing that’s where he needed to be. His shoes squeaked on the polished floor as he came to a halt in front of the nurses’ station.
“Lois Lane?” He panted. “I need Lois Lane. I mean…I’m here to see Lois Lane.”
The nurse lifted her head up from behind the Plexi glass to look him up and down. “Mr. Kent?”
His head nodded rapidly in response. “Y-yes.”
“We’ve been expecting you,” she smiled kindly. “Follow me, dear.” The nurse rounded the desk, and he followed her down yet another corridor, passing room after room before finally stopping outside a closed door. “She’s just in there.” She patted Clark’s shoulder with a smile. “Oh, and congratulations, dear.”
A lump in his throat formed, and he choked out a quiet thanks before entering the room.
“Lois!”
“Clark!” She looked up from the small bundle in her arms.
“I’m sorry…” he whimpered pathetically, his body sagging as he approached the bed, absently tossing the flowers and balloons onto the bedside table. “I tried to get here in time… I didn’t want to miss it… but the…”
“You’re here now.” She breathed.
He leaned down to kiss her forehead, his eyes coming to focus on the baby in her arms.
“Is…?” He began, not exactly sure what he was asking.
“A boy.” She supplied, smiling radiantly up at him.
Clark’s eyes filled with tears. “Really?” He sat on the bed beside her, and she handed him the sleepy baby.
“Yes,” Lois confirmed. “Our son.”
“He’s perfect.” Tears streamed down his cheeks now. “I should have been here. I should have...”
“You’re doing your best, Clark.” Her head rested against his shoulder as they looked down at the life they had created.
“It’s not enough.” He shook his head. “Jimmy should be here too.” It came out like a strangled whisper.
His vision blurred, and his eyes closed as his friend’s crushed body filled his mind. Jimmy’s last words still haunted him, “Find Lois.” he had whispered as he struggled for breath. Sobbing, Clark had left his best friend to die in the rubble to fly to the other side of the city to save his pregnant wife before the monster’s fists could take her from him as well.
Lois sighed wearily, bringing him back to the present, and he dropped another kiss to her temple.
“I miss him too,” she whispered.
Three weeks later, the city was still recovering from the attack. Outside, wailing sirens caught Clark’s attention, drawing his eyes toward the window. With the baby secure in his arms, he stood up carefully and moved closer to the glass. A gray haze still shrouded the city, many buildings still smoking while sirens screamed through the rubble filled streets.
“I should…” The city needed him. “I mean…I should…shouldn’t I?”
“I need you too,” Lois whispered from across the room.
He turned back toward her, more tears falling from his eyes. “What have we done?” he choked on a sob as he looked down at his son. “Lois, what have we done? Bringing a child into this world?”
Her breath hitched, but before she could respond, the door opened, and a cheery-looking nurse stuck her head inside the room.
“Vitals!” she announced loudly, not reading the somber tone of the room. Clark hastily brushed his tears away as the nurse attended to Lois.
“Oh, he’s so handsome. Look at his little face!” The nurse gushed as she looked over at the baby. “How are you both feeling?”
“Happiest day of our life.” Lois smiled brightly, but her glassy eyes betrayed her as she slumped back in the bed.
Clark forced a smile, his chest feeling tight. “Sure is!” He matched his Lois’ cheery tone even as his eyes welled with tears again.
“Do you have a name yet?” the nurse asked.
Clark looked at his wife, his eyebrows raising in question. She nodded in silent agreement as tears filled her eyes.
His son opened his eyes and looked up at him curiously.
“James. James Kent.”