Legacy

by Arcadia

The black of night was beginning to lift above the great city of Metropolis. Inside the quiet bedroom of Clark and Diana Kent, best known to the world as Superman and Wonder Woman, the strongest couple in the universe nestled amongst the covers of their king- sized bed. The awareness of twilight and the feel of thick muscles invaded Diana's sleep. It was warm and safe here, comfortable beyond the power of dreams, as she lay beside her husband. Her left arm was drape over Clark's broad chest, her head resting against his shoulder. She didn't want the dawn to come--at least not yet. She wanted to savor the warmth of Clark's body a little longer. But it was not to be. The spell of Morpheaus broke and she opened her eyes. Slowly she looked toward the window. Outside, the morning sun was beginning to rise into the sky. The multitudes of warm colors decorated the sky in pure beauty. Even with all it's war, violence and injustice there was still beauty in the world. Then came the sound of that wretched alarm clock and reality was once more sneaking in. Quickly, Diana snuggled down against Clark's chest, pretending sleep. Clark opened his eyes and with a slight groan shut the alarm off. Clark looked down at his wife grinning. "You can't fool me, Diana. I know you are awake. I can *hear* the speed of your heartbeats." "Must you go in today?" Diana asked. Her fingers caressed the muscles of his bare chest. "You just got back from New Genesis and it is a holiday after all." "The news doesn't stop on holidays and certainly not for Columbus Day." Clark slid from Diana and got out of bed. Sleepily, he head for the bathroom. He called out. "Besides, you're not staying home. You have that meeting with the UN today." Diana sat up. "Actually, I'm having Donna go in my place." Clark poke his head out of the bathroom door. "You are? I was gonna fly over and cover the event for the Planet. I thought we could catch lunch afterwards." He entered the bathroom again. "Why is Donna going in your place?" Diana threw off the covers, got out of bed and slipped on her silk robe. There was a special reason why she was having Donna going in her place. She couldn't wait to see the look on her husband's face as to why. "Something came up," Diana simply stated as she leaned against the bathroom doorway and watched her husband brush his teeth at the sink. "What came up?" Clark asked busy with his task of brushing his teeth with one hand and finger combing his hair with the other. Diana shook her head. Some Superman he was. She thought *he* would notice something with all those special powers with his eyes and ears but it looked like she would have to tell him. "Kal, I think I'm pregnant." He froze. He didn't look as if he heard her but Diana knew he did. This was a man who could hear blood pumping in the veins. Clark turned to her, eyes blazed with shock, his toothbrush still inside his mouth. "What?" "I think I'm pregnant," she said again. "Can Amazons get pregnant?" "Amazons from the Bana Tribes have. It's how they survived all this time," Diana informed him. "Yeah, but what about Themyscirian?" Diana gave him a look. "We're women in every sense of the word, Kal." Clark looked her over with salacious eyes. "Yes, I'm very well aware of that." Diana tried but she couldn't hold back her smile. "You should know I've missed my cycle and while you were on New Genesis, I've been vomiting; oversleeping and lately even my breasts are tender. When I talked to Donna about this, she suggested I might be pregnant and I think she is right." The listing of symptoms got Clark's attention. He cleaned his mouth and returned the toothbrush to its holder. Clark approached Diana and opened Diana's robe. Physically, she looked the same but she could be very early in her pregnancy. "I thought when you came back yesterday you would notice something but you didn't." "I think I was too busy getting you in bed to really take notice of anything out of the ordinary," Clark explained. "But there's only one way to find out if you're pregnant or not." Using his x-ray vision, he looked through Diana's skin to her uterus and though it was very small, he made out the image of a small fetus. "Well?" Diana asked. Clark kissed, then embraced Diana and she knew. "Yes, Diana. We're going to be parents." "To the strongest baby in the world. How am I going to tell my mother?" Diana asked. "How are we going to tell the league?" Clark asked. "How are we going to tell my mother?" Diana asked again. Clark looked at her. "You already said that." "Which shows my fear." "I'm sure your mother will be very accepting to this news," Clark said. "But just in case, we better invite her here and not go to Themyscira to tell the news." Clark shuddered. "There are too many weapons there your mother could use on me if she doesn't like the news." ***** "Are you sure we should do this?" Diana asked Clark as they flew over the night skies of Dallas, Texas. "I feel perfectly fine. I'm sure the child will be as well." "Yes, but I want to soothe my mind. Plus, you agreed to prenatal care." "Yes, I did," Diana said. She wrapped an arm around his and leaned on him as they soared in the skies. Superman and Wonder Woman passed the skylines of Dallas and flew into the country of the large state. It wasn't long they came across a ranch with acres of land. They landed and looked around. The nearest neighbor couldn't be seen for miles. On the property was a large ranch home with a barn not too far away. Clark was still wearing his Superman uniform whereas Diana wore a loose fitting dress. "This Angela can be trusted?" Clark led the way up as they walked the short path to the house. "I wouldn't bring us here otherwise." "How did you meet her?" "Angela was a scientist for LexCorp. A few years back, she learned of Lex gathering kryptonite all over the world. She didn't want to believe her boss was a bad man but knowing what kryptonite did to me, she couldn't look away. Angela contacted me at the Daily Planet. Not to break the story but she heard of Clark Kent having a way to get in contact with Superman. I was able to stop most of the shipments but I was concerned for Angela. I knew Lex would find out how his kryptonite shipments were being stopped so I kept an extra eye on her. It turned out Lex was storing kryptonite to help revive Metallo and his first assignment was to kill Angela. Metallo attacked Angela as she was leaving LexCorp. I rescued her but she ended up saving me." "How did she do that?" "After I saved Angela from Metallo's initial attack, he got me with kryptonite. Angela destroyed the kryptonite in Metallo's chest with a new gun from LexCorp she created. It looks like a regular 9mm but it shoots explosives." Clark recalled the incident he was saved with a smile. "She's a hell of a marksman. "I knew Lex would try again so I convinced Angela to let Lex think she was dead and Superman got there too late to save her. Angela returned to her father's ranch here. She helped her father run the land while she continued her projects. She told me if I or one of my special friends need a private doc, she'd be willing to help out. Six months later I called her on the favor. Bruce was in Dallas on business but Batman was actually following Two Face and Joker joining forces there. Batman was hurt pretty bad and Robin wasn't with him so he signaled me. Angela was nearby and helped me out as promised. No questions asked." "Does she know who you are?" Diana asked. They walked up the steps to the large home and Clark rang the doorbell. "No. She never asked. I'm grateful to that. Bruce was grateful and later on Ollie was too when she helped him out. They provided the funds to expand on Angela's projects and build a private facility underneath the land where she works on projects for the Ollie or Bruce and even the league sometimes. She even helped with some designs for the Watchtower." The door opened and a black woman stood in the doorway. She was young, medium height with long black hair and dark eyes, wearing a white lab coat. She reminded Diana of a younger Phillipus. Angela smiled seeing Superman at the door. "Superman. Hi!" She gave the Man of Steel a hug. "Right on time. It's so good to see you. It's been a while." "It's good to see you are well," Superman returned the hug. "I'm sorry about your father passing." "Thank you. He went peacefully so I'm glad for that," Angela said and added. "But you didn't come to talk about me. You said you have a special friend who was expecting and needed medical treatment." Superman stepped out of the way so Angela would see Wonder Woman behind him. Angela froze shocked. "Oh. Wow. I had no idea." Angela smiled brightly at Diana. "It's an honor to meet you." Diana and Clark entered the home and followed Angela as she walked them to her private lab. "Thanks for seeing us, Angela," Clark said again. "Busy today?" "A little. I sent off some designs for defensive weapons to the Watchtower, designs for more arrows for Green Arrow and even for Wayne Enterprises." She looked at Clark excited. "Thanks for talking to Mr. Wayne on taking a chance on me. Bruce Wayne flew out here last week on his private jet to personally inspect the prototypes he will use for his company. Batman said he will be coming by to tomorrow to check out some new batarangs I created." Angela went to a book case and pulled a book from the shelf. The bookcase opened revealing an elevator behind it. The three stepped inside and Angela press the down button. "You don't have to worry about anyone disturbing us. My hands left an hour ago and won't be back until six." Angela's private facility was extremely large. On one side of the room laid prototypes of experiments, robots moving about the lab and several computers. The other side had exam tables, a workbench and tables and chairs with plans scattered on it. "Have a seat," Angela encouraged. Diana sat on the exam table while Clark sat in chair nearby. "We thank you for seeing us and your indiscretion," Diana said. "After all what you've all done for the world, it's the least I can do." Angela smiled at Diana. "Congratulations, but I have to ask you some personal questions." Angela grabbed an electronic pad. "Given your physiology, you're probably won't have a normal human pregnancy. So, I will have to run some tests--all safe I assure you-- to study the baby, see how far along you are but I will need to know who the father is. Human or not he may have to be tested as well. I might have to test your blood to make sure there are no possible abnormities. It's all routine stuff I assure you and I promise you, the information will not leave the room." Clark looked to Diana who nodded. "That's good to know. I figured if you could give a Martian a physical, examine a pregnant Amazon should be a piece of cake," Clark said then added. "And I am the father." Angela looked blown away by this news. "Whoa! I heard the rumors but I never knew you were a couple. Congratulations!" After her excitement passed, Angela was all business, giving Diana her physical exam, taking test samples from both parents, and using equipment that had alien and the finest human technology combined, Angela was able to do a sonogram to determine how far along Diana was and getting an image of the baby. Needless to say, the expectant couple was very pleased with the results. **** Hippolyta knew something was up when her daughter invited her to her home in Metropolis. Ever since Diana's marriage to Clark five years ago, Diana's visits to Themyscira have been fewer as Hippolyta expected. Diana always came to the island but this time she was insistent her mother to venture into the world of Man. That alone made Hippolyta suspicious of this gathering. Clark's parents were there as well. The Kent's welcomed her warmly and comfortable talk was had by all as they ate dinner together. Hippolyta was quite impressed her son-in-law could cook and so well. After Clark quickly cleared the dishes, Clark and Diana invited their parents to the living room for the big announcement. "Kal and I have some news." Diana gripped Clark's hand. "I'm pregnant." Hippolyta's mouth opened in shock. Martha screamed joyfully, jumped up from her seat to give Diana a hug. "A grandmother! I'm going to be a grandmother!" Jonathon hugged his son. "Congratulations, Clark." He kissed Diana's cheek. "Diana." "Thanks, Pa." The three looked to Hippolyta who remained in her seat, still stunned at the news. "Mother. Aren't you going to say anything?" "Pregnant." Hippolyta managed. "Yes, mother." "Diana, how could you?" Hippolyta accused. Diana expected her mother to react this way. "Mother, I am married to a man. This should've been expected." "I expect you to mate yes but pregnant?" Hippolyta shook her head. "This is too soon!" "Kal and I have been married for five years now." Hippolyta rubbed her temples. "This is going to take some getting used to." "How far are you?" Martha asked. "Technically, I'm three months along but according to the sonograms, it shows the baby is actually the weight and size of a two month human fetus," Diana explained. "So my pregnancy should be around ten months." **** Diana stood in an evening gown attentive at the charity function for homes for single mothers. Clark was there as well reporting the event and since it was in Gotham, Bruce Wayne attended the charity function as well. Diana was amused with Bruce smoozing the crowd pretending to be this playboy. If they only knew. Soon, Bruce made his way to Diana and put on his charm for the reporters as a notorious playboy flirting with anyone he ran into. This time he was flirting with the Amazon Princess. "Bruce, you're shameless. Hitting on me while Kal is watching." "I have my reputation to up hold." Bruce smiled. "And leading the Princess of Amazons onto the balcony by herself will certainly cause some talk." Diana shook her head amused, "If only they knew the real you." Clark joined them on the balcony. "What an exclusive I have-- Gotham's most eligible bachelor and the most beautiful woman in the room." "Perfect timing, Kal," Diana said. "Bruce, we have something to tell you." Bruce leaned on the balustrade watching the two carefully. "You know, it's very risky announcing your pregnancy with so many people around." He saw the surprise on Clark and Diana's face and gave the pair a wry grin. "What, you thought you could finally one up me by announcing it here where I wouldn't expect it?" Clark was the first to recover. "How did you know?" "Don't tell me you can tell," Diana said and looked to Clark. "You told me you can't see anything in this dress." "It wasn't the dress. It was Angela." "Angela?" Diana was surprised as was Clark. "She told you?" "No, but I visit Angela to look at new batarangs she created and prototypes for new weapons. I noticed Angela's robots installing a new exam table. I asked her what happened. Angela made up an excuse saying it was damaged during one of her experiments. Angela has always been open with everything she was doing, even projects for other league members but this time she wouldn't elaborate so I became suspicious. Later on, I hacked into her system to see what she was doing. It wasn't easy to find, Angela had so many firewalls up I knew whatever she was hiding it was big. It cost me hours but I found it." "Even without hacking into her system, I would've known." Bruce looked at Diana. "You're starting to show, Princess." "You said you couldn't tell in my dress," Diana said. "No, but when we danced earlier tonight, there was a little more of you there. Not much to cause attention but for an Amazon with a perfect body, you've put on a pound or two." Clark shook his head. "Detective to the end." "Indeed," Diana agreed. "All right, great detective, have you deduce Kal and I want you to be the godfather of the baby?" The shock on Bruce's face was apparent. It was clear the great detective didn't see this coming. "You're insane." Clark and Diana found joy in seeing the great Batman shocked. Clark joked. "At least our whole plan wasn't a complete lost." "Being pregnant will put a hamper in your Embassy duties unless you want the world to know of your pregnancy not to mention canceling your involvement with league activities. What do you plan to do?" "As you know Bruce, I wasn't going to run the Embassy forever. I've had the vision to start it but it has always been my goal to put it in the hands of the people. I've so many volunteers and staff now that I can do just that. My staff knows I'm taking a leave but I will continue to check in only it will be through via the monitors from Metropolis or Themyscira. Donna has promised to assist with the Embassy whenever she can," Diana explained. "As for the league, Donna and Cassie has offered to step in and of course Kal will be taking more shifts as well." "Seems you have everything planned out," Bruce thought aloud. "She has," Clark said and added. "So, what do you say about our offer?" "You do realize you're putting the most powerful child in the world in my hands?" Bruce asked wryly. "Yes," Diana answered, "and we wouldn't have it any other way." **** The Fortress was quiet as Diana and Clark slept. Even Krypto was being peaceful. Well, Clark slept while Diana laid wide awake, rubbing her swollen belly. She was six months along in a ten month pregnancy. Diana was in good health as was the baby. Clark got a kick of looking in Diana's body to see their child moving about, sleeping or kicking her. Diana truly envied Clark. While she was graced with the gift of carrying the child, it was he who could observe their child's little milestones as it grew in her, watch its physical changes from month to month. The child kicked and Diana grimaced in pain. She loved her baby but this pregnancy was too much sometimes. "Settle down, little one." The child kicked again and Diana winced. "You certainly have our strength." This was suppose to be a getaway for them. Clark was on a three day weekend from the league and the Daily Planet. The first night was nice. They had a nice dinner, which lead to Clark giving her an intimate backrub which lead to a nice long intimate bath together and most of the night making love. Diana looked over at her husband, sleeping. She loved him but Diana thought it was unfair he get to sleep while *his* child was keeping her awake so Diana jab him. He didn't move. She did it again and again and finally smacked him with a pillow to wake up. Clark awakened and looked at Diana sleepily. "What's going on?" "Your child is awake and wants to keep me up as well." Clark placed a hand on Diana's wide belly. He felt the child kick under his hand. "Whoa. Strong baby." "I know. I can feel it." Diana caressed her fingers through Clark's thick black hair. "Kal, what is the baby?" Clark rubbed Diana's stomach thoughtfully as he watch the child inside. "I thought you said you wanted to wait until the child is born." "I did but I change my mind. Could you tell me?" "You know every time you ask me this, I start to tell you but you change your mind. How can I be sure you won't change it this time?" "I really mean it this time." Clark smiled. "That's what you said last time." "But this time I'm certain." "You said that too, my love." Diana huffed. "Well, this time I'm completely and one hundred percent sure." "And if you're not?" "Just tell me!" Diana yelled impatiently. Clark sighed. He knew where this was going. "All right, love. We are having—" "Don't tell me!" Diana clamped her hands over her ears. "See." Clark laughed at and kissed her forehead. "What am I going to do with you?" Diana smiled at him with the innocence of a child. "Love me." **** From Circe's mirror, Darkseid watched the loving exchanged between husband and wife. Circe rolled her eyes at the display of affection. Darkseid wasn't bothered by it. For years he has been spying on them waiting for this moment. He was so close now for his plans to be a success. "Ugh! How disgusting," Circe spat. "Why must I continuously spy on them? This is the perfect time to strike. Diana will never be this vulnerable again!" "No!" Darkseid's voice was fierce. "The perfect time to strike will occur when Wonder Woman is due to give birth and Superman is no where near her. That moment will come." Darkseid's eyes burned. "With the child of Superman and Wonder Woman in my possession, nothing and no one will be able to stop me." "What about Superman when he learns you captured Diana?" Circe asked. Darkseid smiled as if expecting Superman's fight with much joy. "The Kryptonian will fight to get his family back but it will be a fight he will most certainly lose. I've been planning this for years and this attack will come when the Kryptonian least expects it."