a growing son, a happy family

[slayers_desire]

It was another good day for April and Jonathan. Their growing infant was learning more words, which was good since they didn't have to explain the S'man as much anymore.

Right now, Jonathan was trying to play with Shelby. But the older dog was just lying there, as he rolled a ball towards her. And called out... "B'll!"

April watched with interest. Definitely there was a connection there, between infant and dog. But the disconnect was that Jonathan had a lot of energy, while Shelby did not.

Comments

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Sorry, Acorn. No ball, but..." Clark reaches into the pocket in the back of his seat, pulling out some toys for the baby to occupy himself with on the trip, including April's knitted acorns.

[slayers_desire]

Happy with the distraction toys, Jonathan will be quiet for most of the trip. April smiles herself, watching the farmscape passby the window.

"When was the last time we came back to Smallville?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Far too long." Clark loves their place in the city, but his heart will always belong in Smallville. And he looks forward to the day when they can move back into his childhood home.

[slayers_desire]

"Maybe we could go by the farm, since we are in the area?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He smiles. "I was hoping you'd say that. We can check in on the cows." He's sure that the neighbor who's been feeding and milking them wouldn't neglect the herd, but it's nice to see it for himself.

And, of course, their 'nephew' Connor has been helping out outside of school hours, since he is now enrolled in Smallville High.

[slayers_desire]

"Jonathan has never seen cows yet. Well ones in book form, but those don't count." April checks behind her on the busy baby, who is playing with his toys.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Shelby is being good too, watching Jonathan play, a contented look on his doggy face. Road trips are fun! And he's with his family. As far as he's concerned, this is as good as it gets.

Even though it's been awhile since they've visited the farm, Clark will never forget the way there, and he feels a nostalgic pang when he sees the farmhouse and the barn, and the little mailbox at the end of the driveway, still bearing the Kent name.

[slayers_desire]

April gently reaches over to touch his hand, when she senses the nostalgic pang. "Think we got any mail?" She attempts to lighten the mood.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"It'd probably just be bills," Clark says with a joking smile, giving her hand a squeeze.

[slayers_desire]

"I haven't spent that much..." Cue innocent look.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Must be Jonathan, then. Baby's first credit card."

[slayers_desire]

"Aha, explains why I caught him on the phone last week."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Chuckling, Clark parks the truck in the driveway, in front of the farmhouse. It looks the same as he remembers it, except with that empty feeling, waiting for a family to come and live in it again.

[slayers_desire]

"it feels so empty..." April notes softly. She opens the back door, to let Shelby out, and to get Jonathan out of his car seat.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"It won't always be that way." Clark looks out over the farm, hearing the sounds of the herd grazing out in the pasture. "The cows look as content as they always have." Even though they're technically their cows now, Clark still thinks of them as his Dad's herd. It's a part of him still living on at the farm, where he belonged.

[slayers_desire]

Jonathan looks around quite excited, wondering where he is. "They don't miss us?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Oh, I'm sure they do, but they're being well taken care of." Clark knows the herd well, and he would be able to tell if they looked unhealthy. They look fine, to his satisfaction.

[slayers_desire]

"Should we get closer so Jonathan can see them or do we just leave them alone?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"What do you think, Jonathan?" Clark asks their son. "Do you want to meet the cows?"

[slayers_desire]

"Ow?" Jonathan looks around, wondering what daddy is talking about.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Sounds to me like that's a must." Clark opens the gate so they can pass through. Some of the cows look up briefly before turning their heads back down to the sparse winter grass.

[slayers_desire]

"Ow?" Jonathan points at the strange creatures.

"That is right sweetie. Those are cows."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark walks up to the closest one and pats it on the side. The cow barely reacts, used to people being near her, and familiar with Clark and April's scents. As far as she's concerned, this is right.

"They're big, aren't they?"

[slayers_desire]

Jonathan reaches out his hand, will he be able to pet the strange animal too?

"Looks like someone wants to copy daddy."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He certainly will. The cow's fur is short and coarse, shaggy from the winter and getting ready to shed once the weather warms up. It doesn't feel like dog fur, but it's still warm underneath.

"Good thing the cows don't bite," Clark says with a chuckle. He's glad to be able to introduce Jonathan into the safe part of farm life, even before they're going to be living here again.