Even heroes have the right to bleed

Happy Birthday Equinox Special Day to the awesomest wife ever.

I love you, Ren.

One year ago today, I got married.

Huh.

I can't... I can't do this. Not again.

I can't.

It's not fair.

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.

I see there's some kind of nominations or contest going on. Thank you to whoever decided I was worth putting up, even if I didn't make the final cut. It's still very much appreciated.

However, there is something I have to address: This "Young and Lickable" category. First of all, just what? Seriously?

Second of all, if I find out anyone actually votes for my cousin, I'm going to be Less Than Pleased. Just FYI.

Zoe came home last week and today is my first official day back at work. I've only run called home five times to check on my girls so far. Pretty good, right?

Oh, and contrary to some belief, there is absolutely nothing special about today. At all.

Mom and baby are okay. Dad is tired. Since Zoe was so small the doctors want to keep her here for a bit, so we'll be physically MIA until she's allowed to go home. Technologically speaking, I think you'd be hard pressed to get rid of us. Sorry we couldn't call everyone individually, but it all happened so fast there just wasn't time.


( locked to Chloe, Kara and Oliver )

We'll talk to you all as soon as we can.

It had been an ... interesting day. That's about the best way Clark can put it. True to his word, he and Eirene went to visit Chloe's mother at the rehabilitation centre in Star City she's been living at ever since he and Chloe rescued her from Lex a couple of years ago. Clark can't believe it's been that long.

It's a nice place, as far as medical facilities go though Clark has never really been comfortable in any type of hospital or med centre. The nurse who met them had been friendly and understanding, smiling warmly at Eirene's protruding stomach and speaking in quiet tones while leading them to Moira's room, explaining as best she could the woman's condition and encouraging them to talk to her as they would normally, but not to expect any reaction back. And then she left them to their visit.

Clark made introductions between his wife and his best friend's mother while moving the mixed bouquet of fresh flowers provided by the centre itself to the other side of the room (still in view) and arranging the sunflowers they brought with them on the table beside her bed. He'd also folded and settled a quilt his grandmother had made at the foot of her bed. It had sunflowers on it, too, and despite he and Eirene expecting their own baby, Clark was certain they could spare one quilt.

He made as much small talk as he could. He filled Moira in on the happier details of his life since they'd last met, most of which revolved around his lovely wife, who blushed and told Moira Clark was exaggerating while gently holding her hand, and told her how great Chloe was doing, how proud he was of her and that he knew she would be, too.

After about an hour, he glanced at Eirene, raising an eyebrow in question. She nodded, so Clark said his goodbyes to Moira, kissed her forehead and explained that Eirene wanted a moment alone, mother to expectant mother to be. Then he stepped out into the hallway and waited.

When Eirene joined him several moments later, her expression was all he needed to see. He held her against him and whisked them home as fast as he could.