Chapter 20 “Mothers”

“And called me his Wantfather yesterday! I thought I was going to lose it right there.”

Clark was pacing in the kitchen. Martha was keeping an eye on him as she fetched tome tea.

“What’s a Wantfather?”

“Something he came up with. Like Stepfathers and Godfathers, he decided there should be Wantfathers too. You understand Ma? He chose me as his father.”

“He sounds like a bright kid to me.”

“Oh, he is…” A small smile played on Clark’s lips, and Martha was suddenly reminded of the way Jonathan would proudly talk about Clark. Martha felt a sudden pang and the wished he were there. He would have loved this conversation. And I think Clark could use a father right now.

“He might be five, but he’s a lot keener than the rest of us.”

“More reason to tell him quickly.”

Clark rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“I know.”

Martha knew her son was troubled. She had known it the second he walked over the threshold. Most of the contact they had had since Clark had left Smallville had been over the telephone. Clark usually didn’t fly by, unless he really needed to talk.

“Jason needs to hear this from you and Lois, Clark.” Martha pressed the subject just a little further.

Clark sighed deeply and removed his pointless glasses. The look in his eyes was so lost that Martha felt her heart arch and she got up from the couch to embrace her son. She was a tiny woman compared to Clark, but she always marveled how small Clark could be around her.

“Oh Clark, I know how hard this must be for you. Remember that your father and I had to tell you that you weren’t really our son. Pa was so upset about it he even suggested not telling you at all.” She looked up from his broad chest to his face. “But we both knew we couldn’t keep the lie up any longer. You were going to find out, especially with those powers of yours. It was just a matter of time.”

“Just like Jason.” Clark muttered.

“Exactly like Jason.”

“I’m afraid he’ll take it badly and that he doesn’t want to have anything to do with me.”

“Are you kidding?” Martha let go of her son. “He’s is going to be thrilled when he finds out he’ll be able to do all the things Superman can do.”

“But he’ll be so confused. With Richard dying and everything…”

Martha frowned. Yes, that was a problem.

“I think you’ll just have to make it clear to him that you’re not going to take Richard’s place. That you’ll just be another father.”

Clark started pacing again.

“How did I end up in this mess?” It wasn’t a question.

“How did Lois react when Jason called you father?”

Clark shrugged. “I think she was alright with it. She was more surprised to see the expression on my face.” Clark sat down on the couch and buried his face in his hands. “I couldn’t hide it, Ma.”

“But she doesn’t expect anything, right?”

“No, she thinks I was just incredibly touched by Jason’s affection. She and the rest of the office.”

Clark groaned in his hands.

“I don’t know how much longer I can keep it up.”

“Who says you have to keep it up?”

Clark looked up, with a curious expression on his face.

“What do you mean?”

“Look, Clark,” Martha sat back with a sigh. “Lois cares for you, and she’s proven herself trustworthy over the last years.”

“You’re suggesting I tell her?”

“I’m suggesting you don’t make it harder than is has to be.”

“She’ll hate me.”

“She’s got a right to know who the real father of her son is. And don’t be ridiculous, she won’t hate you.”

“I don’t know, Ma…”

“Clark, mothers like to know everything about their children. I know, it drove me mad that I didn’t know anything about your real parents.”

Clark looked unconvinced.

“Look, you don’t have to decide right now, but promise me you’ll think about it.”

“Alright.”

“Good.” Martha laid a hand on his arm. “And do something about Jason quickly. Around age five, children learn to understand family connections and they’ll try to find out their roots. This is the best moment to fill him in.”

“How do you know so sure?”

Martha smiled.

“Because I had a little boy once, too.”