MARRIAGE AND MOOD SWINGS
CHAPTER 16
"Well,do I look decent enough to stand next to Diana?"
Bruce Wayne looked at Clark Kent standing in front of the wardrobe mirror as he smoothed his shoulders and sleeves. His hair was combed back neatly and he took up the dark frames and slipped them on. Being a large man Clark did not need anything excessive to make him look impressive. A simple,three button,navy-blue ensemble,with a matching vest and blue tie was enough to accentuate his powerful frame.
Bruce,leaning on his cane, said in his usual dry way,"Yes,I think you won't shame her at the altar."
Clark turned to go to the chest of drawers and picked up the marriage license and rings and handed them over."Keep these for me,will you?I can't take the chance just in case there's trouble and Superman is called out. We should go. Diana and Donna are meeting us at City Hall for ten."
Bruce took them and slipped them inside his jacket pocket."Right. How do you feel?"
He paused and grinned."Happy."
Bruce couldn't help but smile. His friend was openly relaxed and wearing such an air of contentment. It was quite a contrast to the last time he got married."You weren't so cool and calm with Lois."
"Well,I was tense then. Our courtship was so full of ups and downs. One minute on,one minute off. I was so worried she would change her mind and so gratified she would give me, Clark Kent,the time of day,after chasing Superman for years. It seems like another lifetime. Like I was this other person. But when one is younger one does tend to worry about lots of stuff one wouldn't really be fazed by when they are older. And let's face it,Lois was hard work .I mean,I loved her loads but I'm not sure if I have that sort of patience today to put up with that kind of relationship that constantly needs validation. I'm not scared Diana will change her mind or how we will even manage after the wedding. I'm just glad to know in an hour's time,I will be calling her my wife."
Bruce said seriously,"For what it's worth I think you two are doing the right thing and belong together."
"Thank you,Bruce."He turned at something and announced,"Taxi's here."
Bruce grumbled as they left the one bedroom apartment Clark used when he was in Metropolis and headed out the door."We could have used the Benz,you know."
"Understated,Bruce,"he reminded him.
"Well, I offered to fly Clark Kent and Diana Prince anywhere in the world to get married and you refused even that."
Clark said,as they made their way to the elevator,"City Hall will do just fine. I know you and Selina did your thing in the South Pacific but that goes with who you are. It's expected Bruce Wayne,billionaire,would marry in a stylish manner. Clark Kent is a simple,free-lance reporter turn writer and somewhat reclusive. To even have a wedding in Smallville or in a church or in some exotic locale would not be his style. Diana and I are actually quite happy to be lost in the crowd for a change as we do this."
Bruce sniffed."And the honeymoon?"
"The Fortress."
"Humph,well if you get bored and want a change of scenery feel free to drop in on my villa on Lake Genoa or the beach house in the Maldives or the...."
Clark interrupted smugly,"Oh, I guarantee you,we won't be bored,but thanks for the offer anyway."
Bruce's lips turned up slightly at that. He asked instead,"You told the others yet?"
"Only J'onn knows and we want it kept that way until we come back. So no betting."
"Betting?I have no idea what you mean."
"Oh yes,you do. I think you do it just to bait Wally and Kon. But Diana and I don't need anyone knowing about the wedding or where we are...for now."
Bruce grinned as they stepped out the elevator."Taking away the only form of entertainment from an old guy is cruel,Kent. Well,I suppose we will just have to forget about the wedding and bet on the baby. Care to give the godfather-to-be a clue?"
Clark chuckled."You're the world's greatest detective. You work it out."
"Oh funny. But you know,don't you?"
"Nope."
"Come on,you know."
"Bruce,it's the sixteenth week and unlikely an ultra sound will even be of use on Diana."
"You have super-vision. So stop giving me that innocent farmboy look."
Clark laughed as they walked out the building and climbed into the taxi and would give nothing away.
Bruce mused,"Well,you're remarkably cool about it so I would say that perhaps it isn't twins?Or triplets or something scary like that?I don't think I have the resources or energy to be godfather to more than one spit-curled demi-god."
Clark said to the taxi driver,"City Hall."He grinned at his friend."Bruce,you will have to wait like everyone else."
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Diana sat with Donna in the foyer waiting for Clark and Bruce to arrive. Diana was attired in a soft,flowing,white dress with her hair in a chignon and her glasses on. She had a small bouquet of blushing pink orchids and white roses. She tapped her feet impatiently as they waited. It was nearly ten and the clerk had already come out once to see if they were ready to go in.
Donna touched her shoulders. "Nervous?"
Diana looked at her ruefully."A little. What time is it again?"
"He'll be here. Relax."
"I know. I just...can't believe...He has done this before. You as well. I feel very green."
She smiled."Even if you marry multiple times,every time takes some getting use to."
"And you like being married?"
"Marriage involves a lot of compromising .You'll fight and drive each other up a wall at times but that pales in comparison to when you look across a room and see him there or when you fall asleep and wake up together or he's there to help you shoulder a burden or make you feel cherished. I know you two are not going to have a normal marriage in the sense of setting up house with your duties as Queen,but never the less,you will be a committed couple and you are going to have a child. That will be something to bind you even closer together."
Diana sighed and touched the almost imperceptible rise under her dress. It was still not evident to anyone but those who knew her impossibly perfect physique."Sixteen weeks. How many more to go we don't know. It's the first time anyone has ever had to deal with the pregnancy of a pure bred Kryptonian and god-gifted Amazon. With no genetic manipulation, that is. The obstetrician Clark found for me was confounded as she was fascinated. Titanium needles are breaking on my skin just as they do for Clark. J'onn had to get some adamantine ones to get blood and they think,comparatively speaking,the blood tests seem to be fine. But there is virtually no chance of getting into my uterus to do an amniocentesis. This little one is protecting me as much as itself."
Donna grinned."I know. I heard how the little darling broke the sword of Hephaestus. Mother would be aghast as well as pleased."
Diana laughed."She would. And we know what she would want."
"Yes. A girl. Still no chance of seeing the sex of the baby?"
Diana smiled."Clark knows. I don't want to know."
"Really?You're more disciplined than I could ever be. Any thoughts to names?"
"Yes,I have considered several but it seems premature to me to be set on names just yet. I want to see and hold the baby first then I will feel what is right for it. I mean,I could say if it is a girl I could call her Donna or Lyta but suppose when she comes out it does not fit with her or she doesn't like it?"
"Diana,the kid will be only concerned with bawling and sleeping and feeding. I hardly think it will care about its name."
"That's where you are wrong,"she said firmly,"A name is an important thing. It sets up the child for the rest of its life and the meaning,I believe, influences what it may become."
"Honestly,you are so kooky sometimes ....So what does Clark think?He has no say here?"
She said smugly,"He's letting me choose the name. He said,seeing I have to do all the heavy work for however many months, it's only fitting I get to choose."
"What a sweetie. You are so lucky,Diana."
"Maybe but I think he just gave up when we were discussing names and I started to cry because when I suggested Euphrosyne he started to laugh."
Donna chuckled too."That's a mouthful,Diana."
"It means joy," she began defensively.
"Um,okay. But,Diana,Queen of the Amazons, started to cry?"
"I was hormonal that day,I think. It was very strange and embarrassing,and I was rather unreasonable. Besides,I was still in the first trimester and feeling tired and sorry for myself."
Donna laughed. It was so funny to hear Diana,who had so much self control,acting unreasonable. She said wryly,"Let's hope you are over the worse. The second trimester is actually the best part."
"And the third?"
Donna grimaced."Gets a bit tough then. But still,it's worth it in the end."
Diana was about to reply when she saw the door open and Clark and Bruce enter. Her heart did a funny flip-flop as she watched her husband-to-be approach. So many years later and he still had that ability to make her,a goddess come to earth,feel like a smitten girl. She and Donna stood up.
Donna looked at her watch."Nine fifty-five. That's cutting it close,boys."
Clark took Diana's hand and drew her to him."Traffic was heavy."He tilted her chin with a finger."Ready to do this?"
She rested a hand on his chest,looking into his eyes with a face full of confidence and trust."Yes."
"No second thoughts?"
"None."
He bent to kiss her. Bruce clicked his tongue."Can we save this for when you two have your room?"
Donna nudged Bruce in the side."Oh pish and tush. Leave them be. How often do they even get a chance to just be normal?"
But Clark and Diana had ignored Bruce anyway.
Eventually their names were called and they went into the room to meet the Officiant that was going to marry them. The man was a close friend of Superman himself and he was honored to perform the ceremony for them. The ceremony was concise and to the point and the pair spoke their own words from the heart.
Clark took her hand and said,"Diana,I loved you the first time I laid eyes on you. My heart knew it,but my head refused to recognize it. Fate and time placed many obstacles before us,but it never affected one thing. You were the one person in the world I could bare my soul to;who always was honest with me;who understood me;who loved me unconditionally even when I loved elsewhere. You were my constant friend,my confidante,and my conscience and the miracle is,so many years later we are here today and you still are all those things and so much more. I promise to love you and this child of ours without reservation;to be open and honest with you;and stand with you in times of joy and sorrow. I pledge to do this for as long as I live."
Diana said,"Clark,in all my life I never expected to encounter a man like you. I never even considered there was someone for me outside of what I grew up believing in men and women,until I came left Themyscira and came here and met you. I must have loved you when I first saw you but I didn't recognize what that was. It terrified me and it was only when I did recognize it,I could do very little about it. Yet, that never stopped me from caring. Being your best friend was an honor and you inspired me and also helped me understand so many things about myself and this world I deem as my home outside of home. I read somewhere that "love is friendship on fire",and at the time I was not quite sure what that meant. Now I do. I do promise to love you and our child for as long as I have strength,will and breath."
Donna sniffled. Bruce sighed and gave her his pocket handkerchief.
The Officiant called for the rings and they slipped them on each others finger. He then pronounced,"In so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of these rings, I now declare you to be Husband and Wife. Congratulations. You may kiss the bride."
Clark cupped Diana's face in his hands and kissed her tenderly on the mouth.
The Officiant smiled and said to the very small audience of two."I now present to you,Mr and Mrs Clark and Diana Kent!"
Donna squealed and clapped her hands and hurried forward to hug and kiss them. Bruce smiled and came up and shook his friend's hand and kiss Diana on the cheek. The next few minutes involved signing the marriage register and the license. Then the newly wedded pair and their friends stepped out at the back in the small courtyard as Donna was insistent that they had to take pictures.
"You must have something to show your kid the day Mom and Dad got hitched,"she tutted making them pose together and using her digital camera to take a few shots.
Fifteen minutes later,the four people stood on the pavement,ready to part ways. Bruce and Donna would share a cab to the airport and the newly weds simply had to go find a secluded spot so as to change into Superman and Wonder Woman and fly to the Fortress. Clark shut the cab door for them and he and Diana waved as they drove off.
"Well,Diana Kent?Ready?"
"Diana Kent. I like how that sounds."
He smiled."I like saying it. We can go up the side of that building three alleys down and change. Unless you want to stick back and eat something. I know you are starving by mid morning."
She smiled coyly."I am hungry but not for food."
Superman did not even let her change into her Wonder Woman outfit. He did the flying for them both and reached the Arctic in record time.
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Diana looked up at the high crystalline ceiling of the master bedroom in the Fortress of Solitude. Her heart was gradually slowing down and her body still quivered with a delicious kind of bliss in the aftermath of her and Clark's passionate lovemaking. Her face was glowing and wore a look of awe and satisfaction.
"Gods,that was incredible. I think wearing this must be an aphrodisiac in itself,"she exhaled, looking at the gold band on her finger with some bemusement.
Clark looked across at her and chuckled."Either that or your hormones are working in overdrive."
"You did not seem to be complaining much."
"No,but since when you have taken up with biting me?"
"Oh that..."She looked sheepish,recalling biting him on the chest and almost drawing blood."Well,you shouldn't tease me like that."
"Now who's complaining?"
Diana smiled,draped an arm across his chest,kissed the offended spot and snuggled into him."Okay,I love when you tease me and I will try not to bite you....well,not too hard and I am hungry now for food."
He grinned and put his arms around her."Just say what you want and I'll whip it up."
Diana paused to consider."Steak?"
"Diana,you don't eat red meat and you said not to give it to you if you asked for it."
"I know but your child wants steak."
"How about if I do you a nice salmon...."
"I want steak!"Her voice was querulous now.
"Er,right. Steak it is,my love."
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"Diana,I'm trying to write this chapter...Honey,I have a deadline to meet...."he gasped,trying to ignore the lips kissing his nape,the side of his neck and nibbling his ear.
"Yes,and?"
"And I have to finish...I'm a bit thought blocked and need to try to organize my thoughts..."
"Then take a break...Fifteen minutes,that's all we need...."
"I really would love to,but when I take a break with you it ends up in two and three hours as opposed to fifteen minutes,"he reminded her wryly,turning in his chair to see her straightened up and pout. Since entering her second trimester,Diana was a lot more demanding in the bedroom. It was as if she couldn't get enough of him. Something he was very flattered about and in fact enjoyed but there were times she did chose her moments when it was most inconvenient."I really can't afford the distraction."
She folded her arms."You are such a hypocrite. Hours which you never seem to want to end!"
He smiled."Well,there's no point in doing a thing half hearted,is there?And when I'm with you my thoughts get so very disorganized."
"Oh,Kal!,"she sighed,seeing perhaps he needed to get on with his work."Okay,but later you had better.....Oh!"
She felt him take her by the waist and draw her upon his lap. She looked at him surprised as his fingers pulled at the broach that held up her tunic and she uttered,"I thought you didn't want to....?"
He reached for her face and kissed her leaving her a bit breathless. He murmured,"When you call me Kal I have a hard time resisting you."
"Is that a fact?"
"Yep."
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Six months had gone past in Diana's pregnancy and her bump was very obvious now. It seemed after being fairly small in the first twenty weeks,she had suddenly started to burgeon. She also was getting crankier and prone to crying for everything. It appalled her and enraged her that hormones was reeking havoc with her body. The Senate was never so grateful to have a man in their midst as they did now. It was only Clark that could coax her out of a bad mood or handle her tears.
The joy of the second trimester had now subsided with the start of the third. The novelty of the baby moving and kicking her was over as she felt it pressing on her bladder and finding sleeping difficult. Her libido which had been very high also seemed to drop as she observed herself in the mirror one fateful morning. It was as if she has grown big and fat overnight. She never was one to even worry about her physical appearance and was philosophical about it. After all she was a feminist who believed pregnant women were beautiful things. But no one ever told her being pregnant meant having moments of great highs and lows. Fit of low self esteem were new emotions to Wonder Woman. Not only Clark,but everyone told her she was glowing and looked wonderful,but somehow she found herself doubting it.
Things did not improve when she and Clark were invited to a New Year's Eve party thrown by the Waynes and they went to the Manor for the gathering. She spent most of her time relaxing with Selina and the girls and did not see in the thick crowd a beautiful blond woman sweep in and make a bee-line for her husband.
"Well,well,Mr Kent,how nice to see you here."
Clark,who was spooning some non-alcoholic punch for Diana,looked up in surprise to see Jessica Blake."Jessica."
She looked slightly flushed and he could tell she probably had several glasses of champagne before .It was normal for someone of her caliber to have many invites in one night. "It has been a while. I haven't seen you in Gotham for so long."
"I have been busy."
She crossed her arms and pouted."Too busy to look up an old flame?"
Clark lifted his left hand to show off his wedding band."Busy looking after my new wife."
Jessica's face looked taken aback."You?Married?You told me you would never get married after that reporter woman."
He smiled wryly."Guess I was wrong."
She took his arm. "Well,who is this gal who managed to get Clark Kent to throw away a chance at Jessica Blake?"
Clark said,"She's sitting over there."
They walked across the room to the sofa,where Diana was sitting with Selina. Diana was laughing at something Selina said but her smile died down the moment she saw her husband walk over with Jessica Blake on his arm.
Clark handed over the punch said,"Honey,this is a friend I made when I was in Europe. Jessica Blake. Jessica,my wife,Diana"
Diana forced a smile."Hello. How are you?"
Jessica regarded her in her Diana Prince glasses with amused eyes."Oh I'm fine. Nice to meet you. And goodness,you are very....pregnant!"
Selina said dryly,"That's obvious."
Clark said,"Diana is twenty six weeks."
"Really?She looks as if she is ready to drop it right now. The poor thing. I suspect then,Diana...can I call you Diana?...I suspect you aren't up to dancing and so forth. Do allow me to take a spin on the floor with Clark for old times sakes?He was my favorite dance partner in London. So light on his feet. I swear,one thought one was floating on air."
"Clark does not need my permission,Miss Blake,"she returned,trying to be as polite as ever..
Clark detected the tension in Diana's voice and asked,"Are you sure?"
That was a fatal mistake as Jessica laughed and looked at Diana drolly,"I won't take him away,Diana,as much as I would love to,"
Diana's face grew slightly red but she pretended to laugh and say lightly,"Oh I'm sure you won't. Do go ahead. The band is starting up a new song."
Jessica grabbed Clark and dragged him off. Clark looked back only to have Selina wave him away. It was a matter of pride for Diana now to show that she was not bothered and that she was not some over-possessive wife who didn't trust her own husband.
Selina touched her arm."Hey,it'll be okay."
"I know that. It's just...."
"I know. You feel big and fat and she looks gorgeous and the green eyed monster is making you very annoyed."
Diana looked at her aghast."I'm not jealous,am I?"
"Yes you are. But hey,it's okay. When our hormones are all over the place we are a mite intolerant,even as Bruce observed,slightly insane. She is annoying though. Clark sure knows how to pick 'em on the irritating meter. I mean,Lois grated my nerves too."
"Lois was just Lois. What you saw was what you got. This one is just a ..."
"An opportunistic tart. There are loads of single,rich men here and who does she want?The guy with the wife and kid on the way."
Diana said wryly,"I never said that."
"No. I'll say it for you."
Diana's eyes glittered and she said stiffly,"Well,she can dance with him all night but let me see her put one foot out of place and ...."The glass Diana held suddenly shattered. Selina exclaimed,"Diana!"
Diana looked down. Punch and shattered glass were all over her. She looked at herself impatiently."Gaea,what a fool I am."
Selina sighed and grabbed some napkins and tried to dry her chiffon dress and pick put the broken glass. But the red punch had soaked down the front."Come on,let's go and get you cleaned up."
Unfortunately the stain could not come out and Selina had to go look for something for Diana to wear. It turned out to be a caftan of one of Bruce's cousins. Diana took one look at herself and rolled her eyes."Wonderful. Now I look like a tent."
Twenty minutes later they were coming down the stairs and paused on the landing to see Jessica,clearly slightly tipsy now,grab Clark and try to plant a kiss on his mouth. Of course the press that had been invited rushed to get a picture of this and Selina grimaced,"Well,that will be all over the society pages."
Diana' lips tightened."I'm going home. I'm not going down like this."
"Do you want me to tell Clark?"
"No."
"Diana,you're not going alone...?"Selina knew of Clark's dislike of Diana doing anything that would put her at risk at this stage in her pregnancy. Flying alone was one of them. It had caused many a debate between them. Diana did not like feeling cosseted and Clark,after having her attacked,wanted her safe. They had come to a compromise. She could fly as she pleased on Themyscira,but not in the outside world. At least in Themyscira,the Sentinels were around and she had Krypto. Outside anyone could attack her.
She gave Selina a dark look."Don't you start too,Selina. I maybe pregnant but I'm perfectly capable of flying from Gotham to Metropolis unscathed. I have the comlink if I get into any difficulty. Thank you for having me."
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Clark landed on the small balcony of his Metropolis apartment just as his wife had changed into a nightgown and was coming out of the bedroom to go to the kitchen to see if there was anything to snack on.
Their eyes met as he shoved the sliding door behind him and she stood with a hand on the door knob. Clark's temper was normally slow to provoke and as Diana was pregnant he always tried not raise his voice and be patient with her. But sometimes the woman made it damned hard!
His voice was terse."Did we or did we not agree you would not fly alone?"
"I was fine,"she said,with an arrogant air.
"You are fool hardly and stubborn. You know how much I worry for you and you go off regardless of your and the baby's safety. I'm telling you,Diana,make this the last time."
"Or else what?"she demanded,blue eyes flashing,ready to do battle.
They glared at each other. He had no reply to that. He did what he could only do,tighten his lips and come around to throw off his glasses,undo his tie and shrug off his jacket in silence. He had his back to her and this annoyed her. She would rather him yell at her and in some way she would feed her own ire and perhaps get her frustrations off her chest.
She moved forward and said,as if trying to provoke him,"I'm surprised you noticed I left at all."
He turned. "Now what the heck does that mean?"
"You know exactly what it means!"
"No. I don't. I wish you would just tell me when something is wrong instead of expecting me to be some kind of telepath and read your mind,which sometimes, I must say,is quite frankly, baffling."
Diana's temper rose."Oh,so you saw nothing wrong?I have to actually spell it out for you?The great Man of Steel with super-senses can't tell when his own wife is upset!!!Well tomorrow when that photo is plastered all over the society pages of the Gotham Herald then come back and say you don't know why I'm upset!"
"What?You mean Jessica?Diana,you have got to be kidding me!Are you jealous?"He looked amused now. He had seen every emotion in his Amazon wife,but jealousy of another woman had never been one of them.
“Well,forgive me for getting a tad peeved when a woman is trying to kiss my husband.”
“Trying being the operative word.”
Diana saw his lips twitch and she picked up a nearby stool and flung it at him."Stop trying to patronize me!"
He caught the stool deftly and put it down."One less thing to replace. Honestly,Diana,you will put me in the poorhouse."
She exclaimed,"You unfeeling,beastly...."
"Diana,whilst I'm flattered you are jealous,there is no need to be,you know. You know I love you even if you are unreasonable and acting like a shrew,"he said whimsically.
Diana suddenly started to cry."I am only an unreasonable shrew because of you and those pheromones of yours!Look at me!I am fat as an elephant,and my back hurts and I couldn't even bend down today to strap up my own shoes!!! I can't even fly by myself and I don't know how long again I have to go again with this pregnancy!!!!And you are finding it funny!!!"
Clark sighed and tried to take her hand."Honey,I know. I can see how much of a toll it's taking upon you,and for what it's worth I'm sorry. I wish I could spare you any discomfort..."
She tried pushing him away."Stop being so nice to me!You're making me feel awful!"
Clark firmly,even against her protestations ,took her into his arms and just held her. Diana sobbed in his shoulder. She gulped,"I hate feeling this way. Diana of Themyscira does not behave like this. This is not me....I can't help it...."
He tutted."Darn those hormones. Sweetheart,you're gonna ruin the silk vest. It's a rental,remember?"
Diana laughed through her tears at his practical observation. He said,taking out the handkerchief at his breast pocket and drying her eyes,"That's my girl. You know,my people use to procreate the other way. They believed it was the perfect way to sire the next generations."
She looked up."What?You mean in the birthing matrix?"
"Yep. No mood swings. No getting fat. No discomfort. What do you think?"
Diana looked unimpressed and uttered, “No sex?No thanks."
Clark chortled. Diana smiled,but still felt foolish."I'm sorry for being so difficult,and I promise not to fly alone again,alright?"
He kissed the top of her head."Fine. Now how about I make you some of those chocolate nut waffles you...er,the baby likes so much?"
"Right now?"
"You were coming out just now for your late night snack,right?"
She hugged him tight."I love you,Kal!You are just...Super!"
Clark grinned."I know. Now let's see if the waffle iron is working. You did throw it at my head two weeks back when we were last here."
Diana looked at him guiltily."Oh. I did,didn't I?"
"Yep,along with the frying pan."
"Really?"
"Really. So even your second love crepes may be out of the question."
"Oh. So if we have nothing to make waffles or crepes?"
"It will be corn flakes and milk for you,your Majesty."
Diana laughed and turned at the sound of a huge bang and crack. They both looked up and saw,through the glass window,fireworks exploding in the sky.
Clark smiled."Happy New Year,Mrs Kent."
Diana returned,"Happy New Year,Mr Kent."
Their lips met and everything,including the waffle iron,was forgotten.
