tests of a new mother

[slayers_desire]

April and Jonathan went shopping today. The new mother decided to travel into Smallville to avoid the noise and confusion of Metropolis itself. And shopped at the flea market, and a couple of small-town places that she knew would provide approprate supplies at good prices.

Her best find of the day was a small wooden music box. It had an older tree feeling to it, which she particulary liked. And felt would be a good addition to the nursery.

Jonathan was tired when they returned home. So April placed him in the crib, and quietly took out the music box to gently play for him while he slept.

Two seconds after leaving the nursery, Jonathan started to cry with a piercing scream. Quickly, April returned to the nursery. She could feel that he was in pain... so gently she picked him up. And attempted to soothe him. She could not figure out why he was in such pain however.

And her first attempts to soothe him didn't work. Holding him, April left the nursery and headed into the living room to call Dr. Hamilton. Jonathan calmed slightly, but still whimpered.

Comments

[smallvillians]

The AI takes that in stride. "Were you not aware of its presence?"

((hmm... let's say no, this will be the first time))

[slayers_desire]

"No. I can't sense Kryptonite. I was only able while pregnant... because of Jonathan."

"We named him Jonathan. Jon-El."

[smallvillians]

"A fine name to honor those whose lives have passed."

"I assume that, given your presence here alone, Kal-El has tasked you with bringing this box before me."

[slayers_desire]

"Yes. He said you might be able to make it safe for the baby." April held it out.

[smallvillians]

A beam of soft light shines down from somewhere above, and part of the floor rises to form a small platform in front of her. "Place it in the light."

[slayers_desire]

April gently approaches the platform, and places the music box on it.

[smallvillians]

For a moment, nothing happens. But then an image of the music box appears in the air above it, immaterial, the sides turning transparent to show her the inner workings. Where a typical music box would have metal or wooden gears, this one has gears that glisten sickly green.

Those gears begin to glow brightly, first green, then it slowly fades to white. Beams of light escape from the seams of the real music box at the same time, and when it fades, the gears appear clear like glass.

"The danger has been removed. The material is still constructed of a Kryptonian mineral, but it will no longer emit toxic radiation."

[slayers_desire]

It is sort of a shock to see the inner workings of the music box. To see the sickly green gears.

She watches as the gears glow, and fade to white. And when it is done, when they are clear, she is glad the AI was able to do this for them.

"Clear Kryptonian mineral? I didn't know that could exist."

[smallvillians]

"It is not the first time I have had to neutralize green kryptonite in this way. The phantom you befriended years ago also had this ability, though it may not have shared it with you." The image of the music box's gears vanishes, leaving only the real thing for her to take.

[slayers_desire]

"No. He never did." April takes the music box back into her position.

"I am very excited about introducing Jon-El to you."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Now that the kryptonite has been neutralized, it's safe for Clark to approach with the baby, and he flies them to the Fortress. He makes sure that Jonathan is wrapped up nice and warm in the blanket as they approach, to keep out the Arctic chill.

"All clear?" he asks as he touches down near the control console.

[slayers_desire]

"Yes. The music box is safe. For both of you." April beams at the sight of their sleeping son in his father's arms.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Glad to hear it. Thank you, Father."

The Fortress does not answer, exactly, but Clark knows its moods well enough by now that he doesn't expect anything verbal.

[slayers_desire]

April gently lifts their son out of his arms. And she feels a little nervous, but that is only because she has seen some of the emotional detachment from the AI towards Clark. And is a little hopeful, naive and hopeful, that maybe things can be different for Jonathan.

"Jor-El. We would like to introduce you to Jon-El."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"A healthy son to carry on the legacy of the House of El. You honor me, and yourselves. Well done." The AI doesn't show much emotion, programmed to fit into Kryptonian social norms, but Clark can hear the pride and respect in those seemingly neutral tones.

[slayers_desire]

For April is is a little harder to hear the pride and respect. Her abilities to sense emotions can be very useful, but when it comes to situations like this, it makes it harder. But at least she can sense a good reaction from her husband.

"We would like to keep the legacy of the House of El in his life. And if you are willing to instruct him in Kryptonian traditions when he gets older, we would welcome that."

She just wants a full life for her son. Her own childhood was such a struggle, abandoned by her parents, living in a demon world... it makes her so grateful to know that her child won't be abandoned. Will always have love in his life.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Of course. His destiny may not follow the path that Kal-El must walk, but I will gladly provide the tools for him to do so if my son desires it."

"I do," Clark says with a nod. "His destiny is his to choose, when he's old enough, but I want him to know where he came from. For both sides of the family."

[slayers_desire]

That does remind her that they still have to introduce Jonathan to the other side of the family. Hers.

April smiles down at her son, so glad that the AI at the Fortress is willing to provide him tools. "Thank you Jor-El."

She wishes that the clone of Clark's birth father could see this child. That the other Kryptonians who were sent to another dimension knew that there was hope... for all of their futures.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"You are welcome," Jor-El replies.

Clark puts his arm around her, picking up on some of her thoughts. He still holds out hope that maybe one day he'll find the Kandorians again, and not only to see his father's clone again, but also to let Faora know that her child isn't the only Kryptonian child out there.

[slayers_desire]

April leans on her husband for a moment. She is glad that Clark is in her life. He gives her so much support. He understands her.

"If you are up for it, we could go visit Spike today too."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"We could do that," Clark agrees. Spike hasn't gotten to meet his grandson yet, after all.

[slayers_desire]

"Thank you." She gives him a soft kiss. It doesn't feel like there is much left to do at the Fortress right now.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Before they go, Clark PINs the music box back to the apartment. "Does he know the baby's been born, or is this going to be a surprise?"

[slayers_desire]

"He knows." April wouldn't not tell him about the birth. "I had mentioned we would drop by. And was waiting for a good day for it."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Seems like as good a time as any," Clark agrees. Part of him wishes that it was practical for Spike to be able to spend more time here, so he doesn't have to miss out on Jonathan's childhood. But it's really not that different from Martha being away on the campaign trail or serving in the Senate, so they'll just have to make time for both grandparents to come and visit once in a while.