Locked to fever_crusade

[dovelike]

Martha. Do you have a minute?

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[hero_farmboy]

"I know," Clark replies quietly, only able to watch her pace for a few moments before his gaze falls back down to the floor. "And I know what you're thinking, mom. I do. That's why we wanted to tell you guys first. No one else knows yet." Well, except Chloe. But Chloe's Chloe.

[eirenikos]

Eirene says nothing; this moment seems to be between Clark and his mother, though her hands creep back across to curl around his, offering quiet support. Its probably for the best she says nothing right now, anyway, keeping her gaze down so no one sees the hurt mirrored there.

[fever-crusade.livejournal.com]

Martha paces for a few moments more - fighting unwanted images out of her head - then sits back down beside her husband. "I just..." She shakes her head, covering her face with her hands. "I don't understand."

When she looks up again, her gaze going from one to the other, she sighs. "I'm sorry. This isn't the reaction you were hoping for, is it? And it isn't the reaction you deserve. I'm so embarrassed," she explains. "But you have to understand...having a baby at my age is difficult enough. Having a baby while simultaneously becoming a grandmother...is much more difficult."

[hero_farmboy]

"I didn't really know what to expect," Clark admits, finally looking up again. "I know there's awkwardness about it, but it's not that bad, is it?"

[fever-crusade.livejournal.com]

Jonathan leans forward. "Son, I know it's hard for you to understand where your mother's coming from here. But it's not an easy situation. Try to imagine being our age, having a baby for the first time -being able to for the first time - and then suddenly your child is stepping into the arena and doing it too. That's hard."

Martha nods solemnly at his words, pinching the bridge of her nose between her thumb and index finger. "I'm already surrounded by lots and lots of young expectant mothers and now one of them in my daughter-in-law," she says. "I just wish..." I wish you'd been more careful. "Well. Nevermind what I wish."

ooc: i hope it's okay to step in here, this seemed to be directly between the kents. we can go back to your regularly scheduled order now. :)

[hero_farmboy]

Clark sighs. "I think I do understand, more than you both think I do. It's kind of why we've been keeping a lid on this since we found out a few days ago. I know how much this baby - your baby - means to you. I know how long you've wanted this, and I know that this isn't the most perfect timing."

He attempts a smalls mile. "But really, we're only a few months ahead. I mean, it's not like we wouldn't have been trying after the wedding anyway."

[eirenikos]

Eirene still isn't talking, possibly because she's not sure what will end up coming out of her mouth, but also because she's the intruder here and it seems safer to just listen.

Just ignore the tight grip, Clark.

[fever-crusade.livejournal.com]

Oh, Clark. That was so not what either of your parents wanted to hear.

Martha drops her head into her hands as Jonathan squirms uncomfortably in his seat. "Well," he begins, wringing his hands together anxiously and stealing a glance at his distraught wife. "Are you kids...happy with the situation?"

[hero_farmboy]

They're going to have to get over it sooner rather than later. Besides, it's the truth.

"Of course we are." Clark seems a little perplexed that that's even in question. "You know I've wanted a family."

[eirenikos]

"Yes, very. Settling down and raising a family with Clark is one of the two most important things in my life."

And now she'll be quiet again, watching his parents' faces carefully, ready to play distraction if necessary.

[fever-crusade.livejournal.com]

"Well, then..." Jonathan, with the makings of a smile, looks over at Martha, who is looking at no one. "Honey?"

She looks up, eyes wide as if she hadn't been paying attention. "What? Oh. Yes, fine. Good."

[hero_farmboy]

Clark sighs. "No, it's not. I want you to be honest with us, mom. I'm not going to let this just sit and be ignored and fester and grow for years and eventually cause a major problem in the future. I want to get this all out now, so we can deal with it as a family."

[eirenikos]

"Or Martha can yell at me. I'm the one who got pregnant, after all." Oh, there's that mouth she was worried about. It's not like she can take the words back, either, so barring jumping up and running (which is Plan C at this point), Eirene's going to stay.

This is slightly easier then trying to explain everything to a guy who zaps people when he's in a bad mood.

[fever-crusade.livejournal.com]

Martha frowns. "I'm not going to yell at you, Eirene. That's not how it works in this family. And it takes two to get pregnant. Everyone in this room knows that all too well," she says. "All I can do is hope that you're both happy, and that you're prepared."

[hero_farmboy]

"That goes both ways, you know," he says softly. "We want you to be happy, too. We know this is a big adjustment for all of us and it'll take time to get used to, but I don't want this leading to resentment."

[eirenikos]

Eirene opens her mouth to say something, changes her mind, and remains quiet. But she is nodding and scooting a little closer to Clark, trying to give him what little confidence she has.

[fever-crusade.livejournal.com]

Martha shakes her head sadly. "Oh, Clark, I could never resent you. You know that. I just worry. I'm concerned."

She really can't help it. They're so young...well. He's so young. "I have every faith in both of you, but...being a parent is a gigantic undertaking. And we don't..." She hesitates. "Raising a child that is part-Kryptonian, part...deity has to be a challenge."

[hero_farmboy]

"You raised me without knowing what you were dealing with, and we all turned out okay." For the most part. "And we know we're going to be facing something... different. We're also not alone." He squeezes Eirene's hand. "We have family to help us."

[eirenikos]

"Both sides." Eirene speaks up again, her voice quiet. "It's true that none of us has dealt with a child of these bloodlines before, but I raised some of my siblings so I know something about the upbringing of a demi-god."

She lets out a breath.

"And you, Marth, and Jonathan, know more than I do about raising a Kryptonian child. I'll need -- we'll need -- your help. If you're willing."

[fever-crusade.livejournal.com]

Martha is quiet for a long awhile, looking to all three of us. Yes, she's still concerned - they don't even have a house yet, for heaven's sake, but they're adults. They have to work these things out on their own.

"Well," she says with a sigh, before flashing them a small, sheepish smile at Eirene. "These poor guys are going to lose their minds dealing with the two of us for the next nine months."

[hero_farmboy]

"I think we can handle it, right dad? We've taken worse, though I get this'll be right up there."

A still concerned look is given directly Martha's way. "You're sure you're okay with this? With us telling people?"

[eirenikos]

Eirene's shoulders relax, as if she wasn't aware until now of being so tense, though her grip remains tight on Clark's hand. She wants to laugh and cry, possibly at the same time.

"They are," she finally manages with a huff of laughter.

[fever-crusade.livejournal.com]

Martha leans forward and gifts Clark with a smile that is decidedly maternal. "Honey. You're having a baby. Far be it for me to put on muzzle on your joy," she replies, and then, with a more rational air: "This is going to take some getting used to. Everything in life is an adjustment, and this...well, this is really going to be something. Now and then I may seem a little thrown, but that's bound to happen when you're having a baby the same time your baby is having one. Plus, you have to take into accounts the hormones..."

Her smile is more genuine now. "But what's important is that you're happy. Everything else? Is crap." She doesn't use the word very often but in this sense, she deems it appropriate.

[hero_farmboy]

That's a reply he can get behind. It's honest and genuine, and that's all Clark wanted. Martha may just find herself on the receiving end of one of her son's famous bear hugs. "You know you mean the world to me, to us now, and all I've ever wanted is your support when I make my own decisions. Thank you."

[eirenikos]

She just sits there and grins like an idiot.