BLESSINGS
CHAPTER 19
Bruce Wayne walked steadily behind Clark and Diana as they made their way towards the altar that hosted marble effigies of the Gods in the temple of Apollo. Clark held Lara and Diana held Lyta,whilst Bruce carried two candles,one white and one purple to represent balance and wisdom. Amazon sisters had gathered. This was actually the first time many of them were getting a glimpse of the two children. They bowed their heads reverentially as the Queen and her husband and the chosen mentor walked past.
Bruce caught a glimpse of Selina standing alongside Donna and Cassie, and he smiled wryly at them. They knew that it was only out of sheer respect and affection for the two parents that he even agreed to participate in this ceremony. Rituals and public displays,despite having carried the image of a playboy,never sat well with him. He saw Artemis next to Phillipus. She had been invited as well and she gave him a rather ironic smirk for all the times he had been rude to her in the past. Bruce gave her back a dry smile and walked on.
Before the altar was the head priestess,Niobe,and the oracle,Penelope. Incense of jasmine and ylang-ylang filled the air and white lilies and pale irises gave off their fragrance from where they hung in brackets on the walls. Diana and Clark came to kneel before the altar with their children in their arms while Bruce was signaled to light the two candles and fix them upon the altar. He also had to kneel behind them.
Niobe began a blessing for Lara and Lyta.
"Before us are two new souls,manifestations of love,and the cosmic divinity.
They are as two bright stars in ascendant.
Blessed be the daughter of the earth and the son of the stars who created them.
Blessed be the man who is to be their guide on this mortal plane.
Blessed be their hearts so that they will know patience,compassion and kindness.
Blessed be their will so they will fight their battles with courage and honor always triumph.
Blessed be their spirit,so that they remain pure and humble in all things.
Blessed be their minds and bodies so they may have beauty and vigor and wisdom.
The Amazon nation wishes you,Lyta and Lara,all these things and more, and welcome you into the fold as our new princesses and as symbols of hope for a bright future."
Both Lara and Lyta listened to the voices and looked at the lights and the colours around them. When laurels were placed on their heads Lyta squirmed while Lara suckled her knuckles contentedly. Diana looked across at Clark who seemed to be looking rather curiously at the figures of the Gods. Would they really manifest themselves tonight?Would they even care for these two children sired by one who may be seen as a threat to them?A man from another race,another universe?Clark looked at Diana,whose eyes seemed slightly anxious. Tonight was important to her. She outwardly always acted as one in control and very pragmatic but since marrying her and sharing a life with her, he knew there was a vulnerable side to her. Her sisters and her heritage meant the world to her and her children being accepted by the Gods she respected and worshipped was important. It did not really matter to him but for Diana's sake he hoped they did. He also knew,by the almost fleeting,wistful expression he caught several times on her face earlier that day,she was missing Hippolyta now more than ever.
Diana saw his lips curve slightly and his eyes reassure her. She smiled back tentatively but had to focus on the priestess as they began to pray to the Gods. She closed her eyes and bowed her head and she waited. She whispered her own prayer and gratitude for the life she was granted. Her heart lurched in the heavy silence as there was a rumble of thunder and the Amazons saw two figures appear above the altar. It was Zeus and Hera. All the Amazons knelt before them.
Hera looked at Diana and Clark."Rise. Both of you."
They obeyed. Diana swallowed. She was not too sure what they were going to say. Where were her own patrons?
Hera looked at Lyta and Lara,whose eyes seemed to widen and stare."They are beautiful children,Diana of Themyscira. Though we never counted on you having progeny."
Diana said quietly,"It is as much a miracle to me,my lady Hera."
Zeus looked at Clark."Sired by a father who is as powerful as a demi-god and whose power seems to grow with age. This can be a cause for great concern. The greater the power the greater the risk of corruption. These children could be very dangerous."
Clark stood up to the horror of the congregation."Now wait a darn minute here!These are innocent children and Diana and I do not take our responsibilities lightly."
Diana rose swiftly and tugged at his arm,"Clark..."
"No,Diana. I will have no one judging our girls before they get a chance to even have a childhood or learn and grown..."
She looked at him with exasperated eyes and warily at Zeus who had been known to smite men with a thunderbolt for less."Kal,please."
"Diana,I..."But he was silenced by Bruce tugging at his cape and hissing,"Shut up,Kent."
Hera smiled wryly at Zeus,who looked taken aback."See. I told you."
Diana began hastily,"My husband is a good man and we swear to do all in our power to foster and mentor our children to ensure they use their gifts,if they are blessed with any,wisely. I apologize if he spoke out of turn but he is very protective of our girls and did not mean to offend..."
Hera put up her hand."Easy,my child. No one is offended."
Diana's eyes blinked. She uttered,"You are not?"
Zeus said humorously,"It is most refreshing to see someone with the temerity to talk back to me and he is doing it because of love and loyalty. It is admirable to say the least."
Diana exchanged looks with Clark who just shrugged. He was not going to take back what he said whether Zeus was offended or not but in a way he was glad for Diana's sake that the God seemed to take it so well.
Hera smiled and now stunned him by fixing her gaze on him."Kal-el of Krypton,the Gods have watched you and we have seen all that you have done for the Amazon nation as well as the world. We have seen you display great strength,skill and courage. But of all your assets it is your nobility of mind and heart that impresses the Gods. You are a merciful man. There is not a cruel bone in your body. I do not think there could be a better man to be father to these children. Diana,you have chosen well in a mate."
Hera regarded him for a moment and said reflectively,as he stood there,changing from slightly rebellious to somewhat endearingly bemused at being praised by the Queen of the Gods." I suspect it helps he has a beauty to match the sunrise itself."
Superman blushed to the roots of his hair and suddenly he looked like an awkward boy rather than the commanding man who had just stood up to the King of the Gods himself. If the situation was not so formal Bruce would have chortled.
Hera looked at Diana."My child,you have proven yourself over the years as Champion and have brought honor to our name. It is our pleasure to accept these children as your heirs."
Diana's eyes misted and she bowed."I thank you,Lady Hera."
Zeus said,"Now. To patrons."
Everyone looked up at that. Zeus continued mildly,"It seems many of our young Gods and Goddess are eager to be patron to your children. We had,of course,to see which of them were appropriate for these babes."
Hera gestured for Diana and Clark to rest the children down upon the marble surface of the altar. They laid them down gently. Both children looked up with curious eyes at the shimmering halo around the King and Queen of the Gods.
Zeus said,"First to the child whose name honors your late mother. I present you with Lyta's patrons."
Appearing near the altar was Boreas,God of the North Wind;Elpis,Goddess of Hope and Expectation and Aristaeus,God of the Hunt and Invention .They gathered around Lyta and seemed to shower her with a kind of cosmic fairy dust.
Zeus then said,"Second to the child whose name honors Kal-el's late mother. I present you with Lara's patrons."
Asclepius,God of Healing appeared. Following him was Astraea,Virgin Goddess of Justice and Apollo God of the Sun,Light and Truth. They stood next to Lara and also sprinkled her hair with glistening dust.
Both children gurgled and smiled. Diana then saw her own patrons appear behind Zeus and Hera. Athena. Hermes. Aphrodite. Hestia .Demeter. All smiled at her.
Hera looked at Diana and Clark."The Gods of Olympus will be following closely the progress of these two children. The road will not be easy and it will be as much a test of their mettle as well as your own skills to ensure they fulfill their destiny and take the right path."
Diana took her husband's hand and said steadily,"We have faith."
Clark squeezed her hand in return.
Zeus smiled."That is a good start. And just to let you know,Eris has been punished."
Diana frowned confused."Eris?I don't understand..."
Hera explained,"She was responsible for the God of Apokolips learning of these children. She is spending some time learning some humility with her father in Tartarus. I think you should be warned now that your daughters' existence is known by Darkseid,you need to be vigilant and take steps to prevent him and others from attacking them once more."
Diana paled a little."What must we do?"
She smiled."That you must realize yourselves. Farewell for now,Diana of Themyscira. The blessings of the Gods be with you and your family,friends and sisters."
The Gods faded and as they did what seemed to be white and pink blossoms seemed to rain from the ceiling as in blessing upon the congregation.
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The Queen of Themyscira and Superman were walking hand in hand along moonlit sands in a quiet secluded cove. Donna and Cassie had insisted they take some time to themselves and that they would do baby-sitting duty. Now that the excitement had died down after the ceremony and celebrations,the parents were able to reflect on the day's events. They were both happy,relieved, and proud but also slightly concerned by what Hera had said regarding enemies wanting to hurt their children.
Clark undid his cape and laid it on the sand so they could sit. Diana began heavily,"I knew a day would come when we would be expected to be on our toes but not so soon. Not at barely eight weeks old."
He nodded."I know. It's a worry to know that Darkseid or anyone can attack at any time."
She sighed."I had such confidence that here,isolated in paradise,they would be safe but look at what has happened in the year and a half. With Ares, Lacea, Megara, Ariadne,then Darkseid. If anything it has shown it is just as dangerous. I suppose we will have to increase the guards around them and take up Bruce's offer of a computerized security system and Natasha said she can do some sentinels. Hera,why does that sound so awful?"
Clark replied gravely,"Because it is awful. If it's one thing I wanted was our children to grow up with some freedom like you and I did. To roam and romp and get dirty and go off exploring without some maniac descending upon them. As it is,they will not be able to sneeze without a guard or robot near them. As babies it won't matter so much but once they begin to get older,it will be suffocating."
"Despite being a princess, I was still able to go off on my own here,but then I was just a Diana and not Wonder Woman. Over the years we have made many enemies,haven't we?"
Clark replied,"Unfortunately. What's more worrying to me is the effect it will have on Themyscira. Diana,since we married this island has been under fire. We were lucky Darkseid did not destroy it totally and more women did not die. I feel responsible for many of your sisters meeting their deaths in the last year. How many times are we going to have to rebuild and bury?We're lucky it was just the Diplomatic Center but unfortunately we lost Thea and five others."
Diana looked up at him and touched his cheek."Darkseid would have destroyed and killed more and what you did was so admirable. Don't think I don't know that you could have punished him some more,Kal. But preserving all life,not only our daughters', and the infrastructure,was your priority."
"What satisfaction can I get out of pounding him senseless if it meant killing innocents or damaging the island?We had enough of that with Ares and the Hydra."
Diana frowned pensively."We need to do something,Clark. We cannot raise our daughters in fear."
"I know that. But what choice do we have?"
Diana asked pointedly,"If you had a choice,Clark,what would you do?"
"Diana,what I would do does not matter."
"But it does. You promised always to be honest with me. I can see it in your eyes,your mind has considered it. What would you do if you could?"
He said earnestly,"I would take you and our children to Smallville. We have a secluded house there. We could live in anonymity as Clark and Diana Kent. No villain would think that two of the most powerful children in the world would be living on a mid-western farm,with a nerdish writer for a father and prim ex-school teacher for a mother."
Diana stared out to sea."Oh. I see."
He took her hand."I know it's just a foolish thought. You are Queen to your people. You cannot abandon your duty. Forget I said it."
Diana looked at him with a gentle smile."I will never abandon my people. That would be impossible. But Themyscira,despite maintaining appearances of a monarchy,has its principles in democracy. I have never been as comfortable as my mother had been wearing the crown. You know that. And Themyscira had a period in its history when my mother left to be Wonder Woman. It never suffered not having her. All it needs is a strong leader,not necessarily a Queen."
Clark asked,puzzled,"What's on your mind,Diana?"
Diana said seriously,"Clark,I am going to speak to the Senate and discuss the idea of re-appointing a Chancellor to act in my stead."
"What?!Diana,I don't want you to do anything you will regret and..."
"Regret?Don't be silly. How can I regret having the chance to raise my children safely? I made a conscious decision to accept changes when I decided to share my life with you. And yes,my people mean the world to me but so do my children and husband. Clark,you and I are going to,the Gods willing,live a long time. Taking time out to raise our children is going, in the long term, to be like an infinitesimal drop in an ocean. If Themyscira needs me I will be only a call away and I will always visit and give of my,er, expertise."
"Are you sure?How will they view this?"
"I will put forward my case and in the long run it will be safer for them. Darkseid may well come but he will not find any children here. Only a select few know you are Clark Kent and the Diana Prince persona was only known by Senate elders. I think they will be supportive considering why we will be doing it."
His eyes searched her own and he saw the open honesty he loved."I don't know what to say."
She laughed."It's not as if we'll be packing up and leaving on the morrow. It will take some preparation."
He smiled."That's an understatement. The whole farmhouse is going to have to be fixed up. I'll have to change the guest room into a nursery and make the place superbaby-proof. And I am going to have to ask Bruce to help us out with paperwork. The girls don't even have a birth certificate."
Diana's eyes sparkled."I am sure Bruce will relish helping you out and I can hear his groan when he hears the girls are coming out of seclusion."
Clark chuckled."Poor Bruce. He is going to be more busy in his dotage than when he was young."
Diana sighed and looked up at the sky."We have the blessings of the Gods. The love of our family and friends. What more do we need?"
He put his arm around her."Maybe the hug of a mom?"
Diana leaned her head down upon his shoulder."I missed her today."
"I know. I bet she's looking down upon you with a smile on her face."
Diana smiled."She would have been very proud of her two granddaughters.”
They sat in the comfortable silence of kindred spirits who felt as well as could read each others thoughts.
She murmured,"Today was just perfect,wasn't it?"
"Almost,"he returned and pulled her in closer.
"Almost?" she questioned,knowing fully well what was coming next.
He kissed her weak spot in the hollow of her neck. She made a strange,purring sound and that was the end of all rational conversation.
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The door to the cafe opened and the owner and the patrons looked up to see a tall,broad chested man enter. He wore dark framed glasses,a blue checked shirt,over a white tee-shirt and jeans,and bore a pretty girl-child with mahogany curls in one arm and a baby bag over one shoulder. Behind him was a tall woman in glasses,in a simple gray dress, her hair in a chignon and she carried a little girl with black ringlets. Both children wore white and they had the most vivid blue eyes.
The couple was greeted by a waitress and shown to a table,and two high chairs were drawn up,and the children were placed in them. The waitress and people on tables nearby smiled in admiration at the two girls,and the mother and father found themselves being asked about them. They wanted to know their names,their ages and marveled at how pretty they were. The parents answered their questions politely and eventually were left alone.
When the waitress left with their order,the father took out two bottles ,pushed his glasses down his nose and seemed to study them for a few seconds. He then passed the bottles to the mother who placed them in little girls' eager grasps.
The waitress went back to the bar and sighed,"Aren't they just the most beautiful children?They are twins apparently."
A patron on a stool mused,"Who are they?"
The owner said,"That there is that writer living on the old Kent farm. He's been there a while. Never really mixed much. But it seems he's got himself a wife and two girls. They have been here a few months now. I saw them in the farmers market last week. He seems okay. Somewhat shy. She's a pleasant lady. The little ones are pretty as pictures."
"Kent?I can't remember them."
"They died a long time. My father knew them. They had one son but he left for the city,like most of the youngsters here. He must be an old man. This is some nephew,I guess. I was a kid when that happened. I can't remember much. What are they having?"
"For now,just two lattes ."
"Coming up."
The waitress carried the two coffees for them and asked pleasantly,"Can I get you anything else?"
The man smiled."No. That will be all. Thank you."
The waitress smiled and beamed at the two children who seemed more interested in their milk than anything else;though they did occasionally pause to stare at customers who were still giving them tiny waves and making funny faces at them.
Diana Kent whispered,"I never imagined we would get all this attention. Look at that man making a face like a fish at Lyta."
Clark said,"Babies tend to do that to people. Plus it's your fault."
"Mine?How so?"
"You just had to pass on the beauty genes to them. They are only ten months old and they are attracting this amount of attention. God help me when they are teenagers."
Diana smiled."Well,when the waitress went,"Oooh look at those eyes and look at those dimples ", it's not from me they got that. That is entirely your fault."
He grinned and looked at his watch."I wonder when he will get here?"
Diana peered out through the window onto the street."He never is late usually.”
Clark winked."It's probably the old age and gout."
"I heard that,"said a voice behind them. Bruce Wayne stood there with arms folded.
Clark tutted."I'm still amazed you can sneak up on me. Sure that coat of yours isn't lead lined?"
Diana smiled as he bent to kiss her and make a face at Clark."No,it isn't. And I don't have gout. Stop spreading that around."
Clark laughed and pulled a chair for him .Lara made a funny noise and dropped her bottle and put her hands up. Diana laughed."She remembers you,Bruce."
Clark took her up and handed her over."Here. You had better pay her some attention."
Bruce took her with a wry smile."Your kids are too smart by far. I must have seen her over a month ago."
"Yes,but you played peek-a-boo with her,"said Clark ."She has a good memory."
Bruce watched her tug at his tie in amusement."So she has. But I played peek-a-boo with Lyta too..."
Diana looked at the dark haired twin drinking her milk with great concentration."Lyta?She's greedy,that one. She's her father's daughter in that aspect. Put food in front of her and she pays attention to no one."
Clark stroked Lyta's head and crooned,"Never you mind your mean mama. You just have a healthy appetite like me,right,sugarplum?"
Bruce smiled and signaled to the waitress and ordered black coffee. It came within five minutes.
Diana asked,"So,how are Selina and the girls?"
Bruce replied,"Fine. They send their love. Helena was dying to come but it's right in the middle of exams. I told her another time. So country life treating you two well?"
Diana smiled."I love it. It's wonderful living in obscurity and just having to worry about Lyta and Lara."
"It's a big change from being Queen and Ambassador. You're not bored?"
"Bored?With these little ones doing something new everyday?With Krypto dragging in some new present for them every week?Yesterday it was an old dinosaur head he excavated from god knows where. With Clark putting up our gazebo and a twister blowing it and the barn to bits the very next day?With a stray cat getting into the house and putting down a litter of six kittens in the laundry room?With Wally and Kon descending upon us every weekend to see if any of the girls are showing signs of flying and insisting on racing Clark across the Badlands every time?With Clark trying to fob off a nosy,flirtatious neighbour who claims she loves his books?"She smiled and took Lyta's empty bottle before she could send it flying across the room. She then gave her a squeezy toy to amuse herself."Well,you get the picture..."
Bruce conceded."Er,I think so."He put his hand in his coat pocket and pulled out two envelopes. He pushed them towards Clark."I have the girls birth certificates,and your new passport,Diana. I also have a check for you,Clark,from your publishers."
Clark frowned."A check for what?"
"It's an advance for your next book."
"An advance?"
"Yes,it seems your current book is at number five on the nation's e-book list."
Clark looked up."Are you serious?"
"Yes,didn't you know?"He looked at Diana."You as well?"
Diana looked startled."I don't usually go on the net for anything much,other than messages."
"I was on a mission to Rann and only came back last night."Clark did not even have to open the envelope. He saw the figures through the paper and his brows rose."You kidding me!Really?"
Diana took the envelope from his hand and opened it. She peeped inside and her eyes widened."Well,that is much more than what they offered the last time."
Clark looked at her drolly."That's an understatement."
Diana reached over and brought his cheek to her lips."Well done,my love,"she smiled."I told you that was your best work so far."
He beamed at her. Her kiss of approval clearly meant more to him than the check now lying on table. He said practically,"Well,it certainly will help with all the extras we had to buy and fix recently."
Bruce said,"Keep this up and you may just be able to drop your Planet job and work solely from home."
Clark grinned."Yeah but I like my free lance job. Keeps me fresh and in touch. Thanks for bringing it,Bruce,especially when you could have sent it by courier."
Bruce said,looking at Lara with wry amusement as she now chewed his tie,"I wanted to see how you two are coping in Hicksville plus any chance to skip a board meeting."
Clark asked,"You have to get back right away?"
"No."
"Want to come and see the farm?You can have dinner with us."
Bruce accepted and five minutes later they were stepping outside. Bruce got into his chauffeur driven limo and followed the SUV Clark was driving to the farmhouse. Krypto greeted them as they drove up but he growled at Bruce and was chastised by Clark and sent to cool his heels off in the new barn. Diana took the children inside whilst Clark showed Bruce around.
The facade of the house itself had not changed but Clark had used stronger,fire proof material for the floors and inner walls. He had added a glass green house extension for Diana to grow her exotic flowers and added the many latches and bolts and locks that was needed to super-baby proof the house. Recently Lyta had taken to throwing her bottle after she finished her milk and Clark and Diana learned that she was capable of doing damage.
One day she had shattered a window pane and clocked the head of the departing neighbour who occasionally pretended to come over to see Diana but it was really to flirt with Clark .Diana had wanted to laugh but restrained herself as knew it could have been serious. Plus Clark had rebuked her for being heartless;especially leaving him to have to deal with the woman who seemed more delirious than concussed. Clark had to install shatter proof glass everywhere and all ornaments were bolted down or packed away.
Bruce was especially interested in the security system and spent time checking out the motion and photoelectric sensors,the dome cameras for outdoor surveillance,the alarms,the biometric door-locks and the wireless cameras and intercoms for the children.
"You could have gone for CCTV as well as sentinels,Clark. How about a cybernetic?Jeeves is very handy to have around."
"I guess I could,but we have Krypto who is pretty formidable.,"he replied as they walked back downstairs from the nursery."Plus the idea of cameras everywhere is off-putting. I don't want the neighbours think we are weird or paranoid .We are supposed to be a typical,small-town family."
They walked past the living room where Lara and Lyta were sitting in their play-pen with toy blocks and a plush fun stacker and went into the kitchen to find Diana just slipping something in the oven.
Bruce's brows quirked as Clark bade him to sit down and went to the fridge to take out a pitcher of iced tea."Diana's making lasagna."
Bruce gave him a disbelieving look and her a wary one."Riiight."
Diana frowned."Is that sarcasm I hear?"
Clark grinned and poured Bruce a glass."Seriously,she's cooking. Her lasagna is good and granted it's the only thing edible thing she has perfected but..."
Diana gasped and hit him on the arm."You fiend!You told me I had improved by leaps and bounds and yesterday you wolfed down my casserole."
Clark put down the pitcher and took her hand and kissed her fingers."Sweetie,I had come back after being away from you nearly nine days. Of course I wolfed it down. Dinner was the last thing on my mind."
"What??!"She looked at him smiling his angelic smile and tugged her hand away."You are shameless without a doubt. To deceive your own wife. No wonder Kon and Wally avoided coming over last weekend. I serve them my casserole the Saturday before and I thought it odd they didn't finish and asked me to pack a doggy bag."
Clark chuckled."Wally asking for a doggy bag is always suspect,Diana."
She held her cheek and groaned."I served it to the pastor and his wife when they called on me. Oh Hera. No wonder she said she felt ill and they left early. Clark Kent,I could choke you."
Clark protested,"But,honey, I am actually one to eat your casserole!"
"Yes,but you make me think it's okay!!"
"Only because my love for you knows no bounds."
Bruce took up his iced tea and got up. Diana turned."Bruce,where are you going?"
He said,amused,"To the living room to sit with the twins. Call me when dinner is actually ready."
Diana said guiltily,"Bruce,we're sorry..."
"You don't have to go..."began Clark.
"From my own experience of marriage,you and Diana are probably going to start to bicker or want to make out. Either way I'll be in your way. So I'll leave so you two can get on with it."
He left them with a mocking smile,leaving Diana speechless and Clark to waggle his brows at her."The Batman is always right,you know."
Diana just flung a nearby kitchen towel over her husband's smug face.
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Author's Note...Ah,domestic bliss. But this is nearly the end,folks. I will be tying up in the next chapter. For those who read my other fics,you will know that this is the third set of kids I have written for the super-couple.
I could have written more but I want to,at some point,do a future fic with their kids growing up and I always though it would be nice to look at (trying not to spoil here)the two from The Princess and Reporter,as a certain Terry McGinnis is in that one. Any feed back on your feelings of a future fic and which sets of kids you prefer to read about would be helpful...if and when I do it that is.:D. Thanks to those who reviewed so far.
