just_1_word: 41.3. Explain

[hero_farmboy]

It's Daddy-Daughter Day. Not a holiday you'd find on any calendar, but Clark thinks it's a good enough name for a random Sunday. Eirene is out visiting her parents and having some well deserved time away from baby. She may not have wanted some, but Clark knew better; you can't spend every minute of every day cooped up in a house with an infant and not need a break now and then. Besides, with him working every day at the Planet and then trying to put the finishing touches on their own house in his time off, he feels like he hasn't been spending enough time with Zoe. Today was the perfect opportunity and he jumped on it.

Clark has quite possibly been in his glory all morning. It didn't matter that he got cereal splashed on his shirt, or that pulling diaper duty all by yourself really isn't all that much fun. Nothing could ruin his mood and being able to make his daughter laugh.

They spent their time wisely, reading books, playing with toys and Clark explaining every little thing Zoe dared point at and ask, “Da?” She now knew what sheep were and probably more about cows than anyone her age ever needed to know. But it'll be necessary later, he justified, so there's no harm in planting the knowledge in her now.

He arranged her blocks in colours for her, pointing out each shade, sang the alphabet song (the English one, anyway) a few dozen times and even managed to work in some constellations when they happened to walk by the chart he has hanging in the hallway. He kept that explanation pretty simplistic. She has plenty of time to learn about spacial components and light speed. ...well, at least a few years, he hopes.

But it wasn't all education. There was peek-a-boo to be played, silly stories acted out with her stuffed toys and quite a few rounds of airplane, complete with Daddy making engine noises. Before Clark knew it, it was time for lunch.

“Da?”

Clark peered over his daughter's fuzzy head to see a picture of Eirene being grabbed at. “That's Mommy. You're such a pretty girl because of her, you know that? Can you say 'mommy'? 'Mama'?”

Wide blue eyes just stared back at him and then Zoe giggled. He grinned back and carried her into the kitchen, getting her strapped into her seat. “You can do it. 'Mama'. She'll be so surprised when she comes home.”

“Maammmmma!”

“That's my girl!” He turned away for a second to grab her bottle. And when he turned back, Zoe was gone. She hadn't slipped out of the straps on her chair, she hadn't fallen. She was gone. Disappeared.

Vanished.

Clark could do nothing but stand there, dumbfounded, bottle in hand and wonder how, exactly, he was going to explain this to his wife.

Comments

[dovelike.livejournal.com]

Well. He can explain it in person about half an hour later, when his wife comes home - with a very familiar looking baby in her arms. Who, by the way, is dressed in a mini version of the chiton Eirene is sporting, although the long ringlets her hair is currently adorned in wouldn't work with Zoe and the fuzzy head.

"So, you'll never guess what happened during lunch today."

[hero_farmboy]

It's been the longest half hour of Clark's life. He's done everything he can think of - x-rayed the apartment, sped around the block ten thousand times, listened for even the slightest hint of a whisper, a gurgle, a giggle from Zoe - and nothing.

He lost his daughter.

Or she lost him. He's not quite sure yet, but all he knows is that Eirene is going to be really mad when she gets home and finds it babyless.

When she walks in - Zoe in arms - all Clark can do is stare.

[dovelike.livejournal.com]

"Hi." Eirene will admit having Zoe simply arrive out of nowhere during a small luncheon with her parents and a handful of siblings who wanted to hear all about the baby was not something she expected, but once things got settled it wasn't too hard to figure out what happened.

It's also why it took thirty minutes to pry herself and the child away from their relatives. And honestly, she's slightly freaked out herself, because super strength is one thing. Having the ability to be ANYWHERE on Earth is -- well, it's nerve wracking.

Zoe, meanwhile, is alternating between bellowing, "Dadadada Da" and "Mamamamama," like the adorable motormouth she is. "She followed me home, I'm thinking of keeping her."

[hero_farmboy]

"Where... what... how..."

Clark is still staring. That will last another moment or two and then he'll envelop his wife and child in the tightest-yet-gentlest bearhug he can manage.

[dovelike.livejournal.com]

"About half an hour ago in the middle of lunch. We were dining at Dad's villa with some of the family. Which is kind of funny, because everyone was asking after Zoe; if she was going okay, when I was going to bring her for a visit..."

She trails off to snuggle further into the hug, taking care to shield their daughter from her father's rather impressive strength. "How? It's a Titan thing."

[hero_farmboy]

"She disappeared, Ren," Clark mumbles into her hair while allowing Zoe to take one of his fingers hostage. "I was getting her ready for lunch and then she was just gone."

His breathing may possibly be a little ragged.

[dovelike.livejournal.com]

"She's safe now, that's what matters." Eirene knows they'll have to talk about this, along with the chair throwing from a couple of weeks ago, but right now Clark just needs some support. She can do that, snuggling against him more and planting a kiss or two against the base of his neck.

Zoe helps too, reaching up to bat at his hair with her other hand.

[hero_farmboy]

The cuddles are helping. Somewhat.

"But what if she wasn't? I didn't know where she was, if she was okay." Now he just sounds mournful. "I couldn't help her."

[dovelike.livejournal.com]

Well, she'll keep it up until she can feel him relax. Which will probably take a while, considering how upset Clark seems to be.

"Then you'll just have to work on your hearing."

Completely ignoring the fact that Zoe just teleported to Greece.

[hero_farmboy]

Low blow, Eirene.

"I tried."

[dovelike.livejournal.com]

She was attempting to tease him! Not make everything worse. Muttering something unlady-like in Attic Greek, Clark's wife does her very best not to wilt under the force of those almost tears.

... Predictably, she lasts about ten seconds before her up bottom lip starts quivering. "Oh, honey. You're the best dad in the world. We just are forging new territory."

If he doesn't stop, she'll try and kiss the sad away.

[hero_farmboy]

We're sorry, Clark's sense of humour is unavailable at the moment. Please leave a message and it'll get back to you when it returns.

"Being a pioneer sucks sometimes."

Sigh. Nuzzle.

[dovelike.livejournal.com]

"But you wouldn't trade Zoe for anything on this world or anywhere else."

Because besotted Papa Clark is besotted.

Nuzzle. Kiss.

[hero_farmboy]

Shock! Horror!

"Of course I wouldn't."

Hug tightening.

"You either."

[dovelike.livejournal.com]

"I fear for her dating life."

Eirene manages a giggle inbetween kisses, and then gently pulls back far enough to shift Zoe more securely against her hip.

"Why don't we have that lunch Zoe missed?"

[hero_farmboy]

"What dating life?" Yes, this is Clark's dead serious face.

"We could," he nods, eyeing their daughter carefully. "How do we know she's not going to vanish again? She was focussed on you earlier, but what if she decides she wants a kitty and poof, she's off in Africa playing with lions?"