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

[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.

[slayers_desire]

"At least we will be able to visit him at the Vampire Village." April really doesn't want to take Jonathan to the Buffyverse yet.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark is in total agreement with that... given the state her world is in, he doesn't want to bring Jonathan there until things have gotten back on track at least. "He seems pretty happy there," he says as he puts in the coordinates for the vampire world.

[slayers_desire]

"He found love again. Who wouldn't be happy with that in their life?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Not everyone would be happy with living in a different world," he says, and sends her his love over the bond, recognizing that she did just that. He's always been touched, and grateful, that she was willing to make that move for him, unasked.

[slayers_desire]

April blushes. Moving to a different world was not a big deal for her. But she loved him that much. Things could have been so much different if things were reverse.

"I would do it all over again. Especially since moving to this world brought me this little bundle of joy." She looks down at their sleeping son.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark smiles, and opens the portal. "For now, let's share that joy with your dad and the villagers."

[slayers_desire]

April walks through the portal with him at her side, and their son in her arms. It is around dusk in the Vampire Village. A start of a 'new day' for the inhabitants of this world.

They walk down the street towards Shasta's house, where Spike has lived during his visits.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

As always, Clark is struck by how peaceful it is here. It's not a utopia by any means, but at home, he's always hearing the constant bustle of people and vehicles, and the sounds of trouble that calls Superman to the scene. There's very little of that here, allowing him to devote his full attention to who he's with and what he's doing.

[slayers_desire]

It is sort of nice to have his full attention. April always understands his commitments as Superman, of course. But he is also her husband. And her love. She treasures the moments they can go somewhere in the Nexus, and not worry about the needs back in the Smallville-verse.

After knocking on the door of Shasta's house, a large African man answers the door. He growls lowly at the two of them. Towering over even Clark.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark offers a friendly, if cautious, smile. "Hello. We're looking for Spike."

[slayers_desire]

The man growls again. But opens the door wider. Shasta is visible inside, and she smiles at seeing who is at the door.

"The baby is here!"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Hey Shasta," Clark calls to her, the cautious smile becoming a more genuine one. "Is this a bad time?"

[slayers_desire]

"Oh no. Never a bad time for a visit from the family. That is just Jash. My other husband."

April knows that they have multiple wives/husbands in this world. But meeting Spike's competition is a little unnerving.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark is in agreement, although a good part of that is because of Jash's decidedly unfriendly greeting. Still, there's no need to be anything less than friendly to him unless he gives them a reason. "Nice to meet you. I'm Clark, this is April and our son Jonathan." He doesn't know if Jash will care, or be interested, but they'll be less of a threat if he knows who they are.

[slayers_desire]

Jash growls softly, but Shasta just gives him a look. And the man leaves the room without a word.

"He is a feral vampire. Sorry about that."

"May I hold the baby? Jonathan?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Of course," Clark says, with a glance at April. She's the one holding their son at the moment.

"Is Spike out at the moment?"

[slayers_desire]

April gently holds out Jonathan to Shasta, who takes him with gentle care. "Spike is in the serenity garden. Come this way..."

Shasta leads Clark and April towards the back of the house.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"How have you been, Shasta?" Clark asks as they make their way towards Spike. It has been a while since he visited last.

[slayers_desire]

"Oh really good. The village has had a bountiful year. After celebrations, we have five more families that will be expecting children."

The backyard is designed as a serenity garden. There are small animals around. April sighs softly. There is a part of her that really speaks to being outside.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Wow, congratulations to your village. That's exciting news." He's genuinely happy for them. They're not his people, but in a way, they're April's. And they've both been welcomed here with open arms.

Clark appreciates the outdoors too, though not as much as his wife. He'd be more at ease in the sunlight, but this is a pretty place regardless. "This place is beautiful."

[slayers_desire]

"It settles the mind." Spike appears from around the corner. He sees his daughter, notices that she isn't pregnant anymore, then looks around for the baby. And quickly finds Jonathan in Shasta's arms.

"Is this my grandson?" He feels a little weird saying that word.

"Yes. This is Jonathan Kent." April smiles softly.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Would you like to hold him?" Clark asks. It may be strange to him, but as Jonathan's grandfather, he's more than welcome to hold his new grandson.