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Lena sighed as she leaned back and scrolled through the different news articles on her office computer. All the leading articles of the day talked about Lex's latest stunt against the Justice League and implying that Lena used L-Corp funds as his accomplice.
Lena murmured as she continued scrolling, "Even after building a free children's hospital and the donations to various charities, they still lump me in with Lex even though I had nothing to do with it.
Lena scoffed as she laid back in her chair and closed her eyes while rubbing the temple of her head. After a couple of minutes, Lena heard a knock on her office door.
Lena sighed and said, "Come in."
Jess opened the door, peaked inside, and frowned when she saw Lena leaning back despondent in her chair.
Jess sighed and said, "I take it you ignored my advice and looked at the different social media sites."
Lena sighed and said, "I knew the reports would be bad, but I didn't think that they would be so scathing that they have so much of the public against me. With everything that I do with the hospital and the donations...."
Jess nodded as she came further into the office and said, "You have done so much positive for the community, but unfortunately, that stuff isn't known about outside of National City which is the only city that has publications publishing positive stories about you."
Lena nodded as she sat back up in her chair slowly and said, "I know. I have been trying to think of a way to make a global or at least a national impact that separates me from Lex."
Jess smirked and said, "So, I take it you are denying the the Boards suggestion from earlier today..."
Lena rolled her eyes and said, "The nerve of some of them suggestion that I go on some reality shows like the Real Housewives of National City. Based on the cattiness alone of some of the women on there is reason alone to avoid it like the plague. Don't know how the Board thought that would help my image."
Jess chuckled and said, "I think they thought it would normalize you by giving insiders access to your daily life..."
Lena shook her head and said, "Nothing about that show is normal."
Jess smiled coyly as she stepped closer to Lena's desk and said, "There is another show to consider.."
Lena sighed and asked, "What other half-brained show did the Board consider?"
Jess chuckled as she stepped a little closer to Lena's desk, and said, "I assure you that the show is to your liking."
Jess placed a newspaper on Lena's desk. Lena looked at the newspaper and blushed. On the front page was an article about the National City Bakeoff. However, that wasn't what caught Lena's attention. In the article, was a picture of the three judges. Her focus zoned in on the one in the middle, her wife Kara. Lena hated the fact that Kara wore her glasses because they hid the color of her eyes, but her wardrobe made up for everything. In the photo, Kara wore her curly hair down and was wearing a short pink dress that not only accentuated her curves and boobs, but also showed off her muscular arms and legs.
Lena looked up from the article bashfully and said, "I don't know if this is a good idea..."
Jess smirked and said, "It is a perfect idea. Not only are you an excellent baker, but you are married to one of the stars and executive producer of the show so you know they won't be a negative slant against you."
Lena looked away for a second to recompose herself and said,"Kara has been trying to get me to make an appearance on the show for years now. I always decline because never want the bad press around me to tank the show. Besides, they always choose your every day person to participate in these events. Don't you think it would be off putting if a billionaire CEO were to compete?"
Jess looked at Lena coyly and and asked, "Didn't make it past the photo huh?"
Lena did a double take at the paper and raised and eyebrow at what she saw: Get Ready for National City Backoff Celebrity Edition.
Jess smirked and said,"I'm surprised Kara didn't mention it to you."
Lena looked at the article warily and said, "Kara did say that the show was making an expansion, but I kind of assumed it would be an All Star edition."
Jess chuckled and said,"Well, you know what they say about the word assume."
Lena looked up at Jess, smirked, said sarcastically,"Ha,ha. Very funny."
Jess smiled and said,"All joking aside, I think that you should really consider it. It's time for people to associate you with something positive for a change."
Jess smiled as she turned and left the room.
Lena looked down at the article curiously. Lena sighed as she leaned back in her chair.
"Maybe this won't be a complete bad idea."
************
Lena opened the door to her home and her face instantly ran into blonde wavy hair. She looked up to see her twelve year old daughter floating upside down while reading Pride and Prejudice. Lena almost smiled. She loved the fact that her daughter was exploring her powers, but wished she was more aware of her surroundings while using them.
Lena schooled her expression to almost passive and said, "Lori, I know you like using your powers, but must you block the front door."
Lori looked down from her book and instantly bursted into a smile. She floated down and quickly embraced her mom in a hug.
Lori squealed, "Mom, your home!"
Lena broke into a smile, looked down at her daughter and said, "It is nice to see you too dear." Lena looked around briefly and asked, "Where is momma and your sister."
Lori turned around and screamed, "Momma, Alexa, Mom is home!"
Lena chuckled while rubbing her daughter's head and and said,"I could have did that sweetie."
Lori smirked and said,"I know, but this is faster."
Lena was about to roll her eyes when she suddenly heard a poof noise and purple smoke.
A brown haired eight year old girl immediately popped out of the smoke and exclaimed, "Mom, you're home!"
Lena instantly embraced the girl and said, "It is good to see you too Alexa. Your magic is progressing nicely."
Alexa blushed slightly while looking down and said, "Thank you."
As Lena was embracing Alexa, she felt a hand covering her eyes.
Lena smiled and mused, "I was wondering when you would make an appearance."
Lena turned around to see Kara holding a dozen roses and a box of chocolate.
Kara smiled and said, "You know what they say. Save the best for last."
Lena blushed as she embraced Kara and said,"They certainly do. I certainly needed this after the day I had."
Kara frowned as she caressed Lena's cheek and asked, "What happened?"
Alexa frowned while pulling against Lena's shirt and asked, "Are people being mean to you again?"
Lena's heart falter as she looked down at her daughter with a forced smile and said,"It is nothing as drastic as that. Just some minor misunderstandings."
Lori pouted while standing in front of Lena and said, "You're not being honest. The majority of social media has unhinged remarks about you."
Lena raised one eyebrow and said, "Lori, I thought I told you that you're too young to be on social media."
Lori rolled her eyes and said, "It is hard to miss when the kids in class keep shoving their phones in my face."
Lena frowned and asked, "The kids in class have been showing you the articles?"
Lori nodded while frowning and said, "This is why I wanted a cell phone. I could run a social media site for you."
"I want to help too!"shouted Alexa.
Lena sighed and said, "Neither of you are creating accounts."
Kara frowned and said, "What negative comments are they making this time?"
Lena looked away nonchalantly and said, "It is nothing of importance. Just articles saying I'm in cahoots with Lex again..."
Kara sighed and said, "Not this again. After everything you have done for this city...."
Lena sighed and said, "The local news have been singing me praises. It is just the rest of the country that want to see me burn at the stake. I have been working with our PR team on solutions."
Lori looked up curiously and asked, "Is the rumor true about you joining the Real Housewives of National City?"
Alexa looked up horrified, and exclaimed, "Mom, don't join that show! All the woman on that show are mean!"
Lori shook her head and muttered, "They are more so crazy than anything."
Lena got on her knees so she is on eye level with her girls and said, "You don't have to worry about me being on the show. I shot that down quickly."
"Yay!"squealed the girls.
Kara chuckled as she leaned down to embrace Lena and said, "I have to admit I am glad you turned them down. I hope your PR team had better suggestions than that."
Lena looked back at Kara coyly and said, "Actually, Jess had an interesting solution." Lena turned to the girls' and said, "Why don't you guys set up the kitchen table while I discuss things with Momma."
"Okay," said the girls in unison as they walk away.
Kara raised an eyebrow and asked, "Now I'm curious. What did she suggest?"
Lena cuddle into Kara more and coyly said, "Well, she reminded me that my sweet, brilliant, beautiful wife has a celebrity edition of a show that they are casting for."
Kara smirked and said, "I've been trying to get you on the show for years."
Lena smirked and said, "You didn't have a celebrity edition before."
Kara chuckled and said,"If I had known that was the only way to get you on the show, I would have suggested it years ago."
Lena chuckled and said, "Well, I would really like to join now as long as you didn't feel up on contestants.
Kara smiled and kissed Lena on the cheek causing Lena to blush.
"Of course you can be on the show. It will be a dream come true."
"Oh really now," said Lena smirking.
Kara snuggled up next to Lena and said,"What can I say. I have simple wants."
Lena chuckled and said, "Well, you can tell me the details of this simple want over dinner."
Kara beamed and said, "Why sure! I can tell you everything you need to know. Can't wait to see the girls' excited faces when I tell them the news."
Lena smiled and said, "I can't wait either."
Kara grabbed Lena's hand and they walked to the kitchen together.
**************
Lena looked around the set where National City Bake-off was filmed. She admired all the state of the art cooking aids the set had. She looked over to the left and saw who she would be competing against: Morgan Edge and Bruce Wayne. She wasn't surprised that Bruce was competing since his son Jason is one of the host. Morgan was a mystery to her. He was arrogant, but it was well deserved considering the advances he made in tech over the years. He is usually seen on shows dealing with science and technology. The fact that he was on a baking show was surprise to her. As Lena pondered about her competition, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her. She blushed as she looked up to see Kara smiling down at her.
As Kara kissed her on the cheek, she said, "Sizing up the competition I see."
Lena chuckled and said, "You know it."
Kara smirked and asked, "What do you think so far?"
Lena leaned back into Kara's embraced and mused, "I know that I can beat Bruce based off of Jason's stories of Bruce's many follies in the kitchen." Lena looked toward Edge and sighed, "But Morgan is a wild card. He doesn't seem like the baking type."
Kara nodded and said, "I was kind of surprised too, but each host got to pick their guest of choice and Cat Grant chose Edge."
Lena looked up at Kara surprised, and asked, "Really?"
Kara shrugged and said, "I was initially surprised until I found out that they used to date."
Lena sighed and said, "I thought that Cat had better taste."
Kara chuckled and said, "Taste is subjective which is why we have three judges for this competition."
Lena smirked and said, "I see what you did there."
Kara smirked and said, "It is what we are here for."
Lena looked at Kara coyly and asked, "Can you give me a hint on what dish we are making today?"
Kara smirked and said, "I already gave you a hint."
Lena gave her a deadpan stare and said, "You told me it should be something on my mind."
Kara chuckled and said, "If you really think about it, that was a very huge hint."
Lena rolled her eyes and said, "If you say so."
Suddenly the lights started flashing on the set.
Kara smiled and said, "That means it's showtime."
As Kara and Lena walk down to center stage, Lena said, "I hope that I'm ready for whatever you guys throw at me."
Kara kissed Lena on the cheek and said, "You'll will do great. There is no doubt in my mind."
Lena blushed as they continued walking to the stage
******************
Lena stood at center stage with Bruce on her right and Edge on her left. The judges were standing there before them. She thought that she would be nervous. She baked before, but never in front of millions. However, she looked over at Kara and nearly melted. Kara was giving her a seductive look which caused Lena to blush all over. She nearly started to fan herself because of the heat coming of her face. She was so distracted that she barely noticed Cat Grant step forward.
Cat whipped her hair back and said, "Welcome to National City Bake Off. I am host and judge Cat Grant and I am joined by my lovely fellow hosts and judges Kara Luthor-Danvers and Jason Todd-Wayne.
Jason stepped forward and said, "Today we are in for a special treat."
Kara stepped forward and said, "We have our celebrity friends joining us today and competing."
Cat smiled and said, "That's right Kara. We will see if our friends here are the bakers they claim to be. Without further ado, let's introduced our guests and contestants. First up is a man who has revolutionized the tech industry with his robotics and space program. He is the one and only Morgan Edge."
Edge stepped forward and waved to the to the camera.
"I hope to show that baking is like building tech. You have to follow instructions to create a successful piece."
Jason stepped forward, smiled and said, "Next up is a man who has been rebuilding Gotham with his billion dollar tech company and charities. My father, Bruce Wayne."
Bruce smiled at the camera and wave.
"I hope to prove to my children that I can be competent in the kitchen."
Kara stepped forward, turned back to look directly at Lena with a sultry look and said, "Lastly, is a woman that is at the top of her field in nanobots and founder of the Luther Children's Hospital that provides free services to kids. My best friend and wife Lena Luthor-Danvers.
Lena's face grows deep red again as she waved to the camera. She couldn't help blushing whenever Kara looked at her like that.
"I have been baking as a hobby since I was a little girl. I want to show my baking skills to the world."
Cat stepped forward a little more and said, "Now that we got to know a little bit more about the contestants, we can get started with the main event. Since we are in the month of June, we want to celebrate the season."
Suddenly, a poster started to unfold to the left of the judges. Once opened, it showed a bride and groom feeding each other wedding cake.
Kara looked at Lena with a smirk and said, "That's right. We want to celebrate wedding season."
Jason smiled and said, "And to do that, we are having our contestants make wedding cakes."
Lena wanted to palm herself on the head. Kara did give her a big hint. Their wedding anniversary was in one week."
"She probably thinks I forgot. Little does she know that I got us tickets to Paris for next week," muttered Lena.
Cats gestured to her right and said, "To the right is all the ingredients you need to make the wedding cake. Choose wisely."
Kara smiled seductively at Lena and said, "You will have 9 hours to finish your creations."
Lena had to fan herself due to blushing so hard.
Lena mused, "I wonder if she is getting me this frazzled on purposed."
Lena couldn't resist Kara's seductive smile. It made her feel warm all over.
Jason pointed to a clock above the ingredients and said, "The timer is set. Now, go and create something spectacular."
Lena and the other contestants ran off to get at the ingredients. As Lena was gathering hers, she felt someone behind her. She turned around to see Morgan Edge smirking at her while holding his ingredients.
Lena raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is there something you need Edge?"
Edge looked at Lena coyly and said, "It is just nice to see yourself outside Lex's shadow."
Lena frowned and said, "I have never been in his shadow. I am my own person with my own endeavors."
Edge gave a sly smile and said, "I didn't mean anything by it. Just wanted to wish you luck is all."
Lena looked at Edge curiously and said, "Good luck to you too I guess."
Edge smirked as he walked away.
Lena shook her head as she went back to gathering ingredients.
As Lena went over the choices in front of her, she muttered "Edge is up to something, but what is the question."
Lena shook her head as she gathered her things and headed for an empty kitchen station.
*******
Lena placed all her ingredients in her station and then took out a pen and notepad. She sketched what she wanted the cake to be. It would be four tiers showing important milestones in Kara and Lena's life: the day they met, their first date, their wedding ceremony, and the birth of their children. She did think for a moment to do a traditional cake, but she wanted to do something big. As she began to get started, Lena noticed out of the corner of her eye that Edge kept smirking at her occasionally.
Lena shook her head and muttered, "I don't have time to worry about him."
Lena started putting ingredients in the mixer. However, when she turned it on, nothing happened. She scratched her head and check over the mixer, but every seemed fine and ready to go. Lena shook her head and took out a mixing bowl.
"I guess I am doing things the old fashioned way."
While mixing, she heard a loud pop noise.She looked over to see smoke coming from Bruce's station. Jason was next to Bruce shaking his head.
"It's like Thanksgiving all over again," muttered Jason.
Bruce sighed and asked, "Will you guys ever let me live that down?"
Jason smirked and said, "Never."
Lena chuckled at their theatrics and went back to working on her cake. After a couple of minutes, she had finished mixing the ingredients. She suddenly felt someone behind her. She turned to see Kara staring seductively at her which caused Lena to blush.
Kara glanced at the mixing bowl and asked, "Can I try some?"
Lena blushed harder and stuttered, "Sure."
Kara slowly took a spoon and slowly took a taste. After a couple seconds, she started to moan.
Kara smiled coyly at Lena and said, "This mixture is sweet, but not as sweet as you."
Kara then smacked Lena's butt and sexily walked away. Lena blushed harder and fanned herself.
Lena muttered, "I wonder what has gotten into her."
Lena shook her head and went back to working on her cake. Soon, she was ready to put her cake into the oven. However, when she went to turn on the stove, nothing happened. Perplexed, she check out the oven and everything seemed fine. She looked around to see how everyone else was fairing. Bruce still had smoke coming from his stove which at least indicated that it could power on. However, when she looked over at Edge, he was staring back at her smirking.
His smirk didn't settle well with Lena. She decided to take a closer look at the stove. On closer inspection she saw something moving on the stove's electrical cord. Lena looked down further and noticed that there were nanobots eating away at the cord.
Lena gripped the stove and glared back at Edge's direction. Edge just chuckled sinisterly and went back to working on his own cake.
Lena looked back at her stove and muttered, "I can't believe that jackass messed with my equipment. I wonder what I should do now."
Lena did have an idea of what to do, but was hesitant in doing so.
Lena sighed and muttered, "I wanted to do this competition without using magic, but I will not let Edge best me."
Lena enchanted the stove while the cameras were not on her and put her cake in. She spent the rest of the time zoned in trying to put the finishing touches on the cake. Each section of the cake brought so much emotion for her. Going through the memories of how she met Kara and started their family bought great joy in her heart. She was so into what she was doing that she got startled when Cat shouted that they had one minute left. She quickly finished what she was doing with five seconds to spare.
Lena let out a sigh of relief and said, "It's true what they say. Time goes fast when you are having fun.
**********
Lena and the other contestants gathered around the judging table. Jason and Cat kept a passive look on their faces while staring at the contestants. However, Kara was staring at Lena with a smoldering smile wish caused Lena to fan herself and blush real hard. Jason motioned Bruce forward while the judges took a seat.
Jason smirked and said, "We will start with my father's cake."
An attendant wheeled out Bruce's cake. Lena knew that Bruce would do bad, but she didn't expect it to be this horrible. Bruce attempted to do a three tier cake. The pillars hold the tiers were crooked and looked like they were going to fall any moment. The frosting was put on the cake erratically. You could see pieces of the bare cake. A lot of it was burnt. The frosting flowers looked like they were melted.
Jason chuckled and said, "I somehow knew it would end up like this."
Cat turned to him with a raised eyebrow and asked, "You really saw this coming?"
Kara gave a small smile and said, "It doesn't look that bad. I bet it is still edible."
Bruce sighed and muttered, "At least someone believes in me."
Jason chuckled and said, "If I didn't believe in you, I wouldn't be the only one in the family that bet you would at least finished with something edible."
Cat frowned and said, "It being edible remains to be seen."
Bruce frowned and said, "I can't believe my own family betted against me."
Kara chuckled nervously and said, "Let's try some of the cake before we get too off track."
Kara went in to take a bite of cake.
Kara gave a soft smile and said, "Not that bad."
Bruce said hopefully, "Really?"
Kara nodded and said, "Yes, you can really taste the flavor."
Jason took a bite, smirked, and said, "Kara is being kind. This taste really bland."
Kara frowned and said, "No, the flavor tasted fine in the piece I took."
Lena nearly chuckled at them going back and forth about the cake. Even though Kara had a smile on her face, she could tell that Kara was lying because of the crinkle on her forehead. It was always on of her tells.
Cat shook her head, sighed, and said "I think you both are being nice. This taste dreadful to me."
Lena shook her head as the judges continue to argue on the cake for five minutes until they all agreed that it was passable. Their focus then shifted to Edge. As much as Lena would hate to admit it, Edge's cake was gorgeous. It was a four tier white frosted cake with frosted roses and vines on it. It looked straight out of a wedding magazine. Lena looked to the judges and they all look absolutely smitten with the cake.
Jason smiled and said, "You did a lot better than I expected."
Cat nodded and said, "I knew you could bake, but I didn't think you would make it look so realistic."
Kara nodded and said, "I can't believe how life like the roses and vines are. I feel guilty for wanting to cut into something so pretty."
Cat chuckled and said, "Well, I don't. I am eager to take a slice."
The judges all took a slice and dug in. They all moaned into taste which had Lena worried. She was hoping that this was just stunt casting for Edge. However, he turned out to be a worthy rival.
Lena frowned and muttered, "I hope my cake does better than his."
After eating, an attendant brought out Lena's cake next. Lena looked up to Kara first and saw her tearing up while staring at the cake.
Kara smiled with tears rolling down her face and said, "Lena this is stunning. I can't believe how you were able to capture our life in cake form. This deserves to be in a museum with how beautiful it is."
Lena blushed at the praise. It warmed her heart that she was able to artistically captured their special moments in the cake.
Cat smirked and said, "I think someone is a little bit biased here."
Kara pouted and said, "No, I'm not. Lena's cake is a masterpiece."
Jason chuckled and said, "Masterpiece maybe too strong of a word. No one can deny that it is a beautiful cake."
Cat nodded and said, "The cake is stunning, but very personable. I was hoping to see something that anyone could use for their wedding."
Kara frowned and said, "Personable is not a bad thing."
Jason nodded and said, "No, it's not. However, the cake reminds me of an anniversary cake versus a wedding cake."
Kara shook her head and said, "It can be used as a wedding cake especially if it is a renewal ceremony."
Jason cocked his head and said, "Maybe, but it is still a stretch."
The judges argued a couple minutes more of whether Lena's cake was a wedding cake or not which caused a pit to grow inside her stomach.
Lena frowned and muttered, "Maybe I should have done the traditional route."
After the judges finished arguing, they decided to take a bite of cake. Lena looked up and saw Kara moaning erotically as she bit into the cake which caused Lena to blush hard.
Kara smiled seductively at Lena and said, "This is the best cake I have ever tasted."
Cat smirked and said, "I am not sure about all of that, but the cake is tasty."
Jason nodded and said, "The cake does have a lot of flavors that work well together."
Lena smiled a bit hoping that the praises for the cake's taste can take over for the cake's design.
Cat nodded and said, "Now, that we finished with the cakes, we will take a couple minutes to deliberate."
The judges gathered together and whispered amongst themselves. Lena noticed that even though Kara was smiling during the conversation, she also had the crinkle on her forehead. Lena knew that meant that she didn't agree with the other judges.
Lena sighed, shook her head and muttered, "Looks like I didn't win. Guess I will be getting more hateful Lex comparisons now."
***********
Lena yawned as she entered the kitchen. She poured herself some coffee and sat at the kitchen table. She pulled out her phone, but paused. As she looked at her phone, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Lena looked behind her startled to see Alexa staring at her quizzically.
Alexa asked, "Why are you staring at your phone, Mom?"
Lena chuckled nervously and said, "It is nothing dear. Just daydreaming."
"Are you sure it had nothing to do with your episode of the show airing last night?"
Lena looked up startled to see that Kara had entered the kitchen with a smirk on her face.
Lena twiddled her thumbs while looking down and said, "Maybe a little. I not only lost, but Lex ended up in jail again yesterday. Nervous of seeing the responses to that."
Just then Lori sped into the room and exclaimed, "Mom, you made the front page of the paper!"
Lena sighed and said, "Let me guess. It is another article about me concluding with Lex?"
Lori shook her head and said, "No, it says you did good on the show last night."
Lena raised an eyebrow as she looked at the paper. Sure enough it read "Morgan Edge may had won the battle, but Lena Luthor-Danvers won the war in last night kitchen battle. Dubbed by some fans as the Blushing Queen, people enjoyed the interactions between Lena and judge Kara. Many fans wondered what the two are up to next."
Lena stared at the article mystified and said, "I can't believe this."
Kara chuckled and said, "You should. I just got off the phone with the network. They were so impressed by our interactions on last night show that they want us to do our own baking show."
Lena stared at Kara baffled and asked, "Really?"
Kara nodded and said, "You are more popular than you think."
Lena smiled and said, "I guess so."
Lena got up from the table with a small smile on her face and said, "Let's celebrate this good news. I will take us all to Noonan's for breakfast. My treat."
Everybody cheered as they left the kitchen to get ready to go out.