That Evening
The warm glow of the Kent family's living room made everything feel calm and cozy. The scent of freshly baked cookies lingered in the air as Clark, Jonathan, and Martha Kent sat together, talking and enjoying the evening. Krypto lay contentedly at Clark's feet, occasionally nudging him for snacks, which Clark happily shared. A plate of cookies and half-full glasses of milk sat on the table as they settled into their usual rhythm, a relaxed conversation flowing easily.
Clark had just finished describing the incredible sights he had seen, carefully omitting the more dangerous parts of his journey. With a subtle gesture, Homelander—the AI embedded in their home system—projected holographic images that brought Clark's stories to life. The swirling blues and greens of Atlantis shimmered in the air, while Themyscira's towering cliffs and ancient architecture appeared vivid and detailed.
Jonathan shook his head in disbelief as he studied the projections. "I never thought I'd hear about places like Atlantis and Themyscira as real places. Sounds like something out of a storybook."
Clark smiled at his father's reaction. "It feels like that, but they're real. There's so much more out there than we ever imagined. I've learned a lot from both places."
Martha, ever the curious one, gave her son a gentle smile. "And this Diana you mentioned—she lives on Themyscira, doesn't she?"
Clark's cheeks flushed slightly as he nodded. "Yeah, she's... she's one of their best warriors. An Amazon." His voice softened, trying to brush off the significance, but the admiration in his tone was unmistakable.
Jonathan exchanged a quick glance with Martha, sensing Clark's fondness for Diana. But they didn't push further; Clark was still young, and there was no need to delve into deeper subjects.
With a teasing grin, Jonathan said, "Well, it sounds like you've made quite the friend. Maybe one day she can visit Smallville. Show her what life's like around here."
Clark smiled at the thought. "Maybe one day," he said softly, imagining Diana seeing the quiet beauty of his home.
Martha smiled at her son, her hand resting gently on her swollen belly. "Well, we're just glad you're home safe. I can't imagine what it's like out there, but I'm happy you're back here with us, even if it's just for a little while."
Clark nodded, his heart full. "Me too."
There was a comfortable silence for a few moments as they all took a cookie or sipped their drinks, enjoying the simplicity of being together. The familiar sounds of the farm settling down for the night—the distant mooing of cows, the rustling of the wind against the windows—provided a soothing backdrop.
With the conversation about his travels wrapped up, Jonathan gestured to Homelander, and the AI shifted the holographic projection to display a detailed overview of Smallville Agriculture Co. Ltd. The map of the farm's fields and the company's latest reports appeared above them, casting a soft glow over the room.
"Well, let's talk about how things are going with the farm," Jonathan said, leaning back slightly as he began sharing the latest updates. "We've had a few challenges this year—weather wasn't as cooperative as we'd hoped, and we had some soil quality issues. But, thanks to the upgrades you made, we've been doing just fine."
Clark nodded. Earlier in the year, he had discreetly integrated Kryptonian technology into the farm's infrastructure. Enhanced irrigation systems, automated crop monitors, and soil-quality sensors had been quietly installed. While the changes weren't flashy, they had revolutionized the farm's operations, boosting crop yields and minimizing problems.
"We've had the best yield we've ever seen," Jonathan said, pointing to a graph that Homelander projected, showing the steady increase in crop output. "That automated crop monitoring system you set up has been a real game-changer. It's saved us a lot of hassle."
As Homelander displayed a chart detailing the farm's increased productivity, Clark felt a surge of pride. The success of the farm was not only a testament to his parents' hard work but also to their ingenuity and adaptability.
"And of course," Jonathan added with a grin, "a lot of that success is thanks to the Ross family."
Clark nodded, well aware of the significance of the Ross family's involvement. Owners of the Ross Creamed Corn factory, Pete Ross's parents were key partners in helping the Kents expand Smallville Agriculture Co. Ltd. Their factory processed corn from farms across the county, and the partnership had opened doors for new distribution channels, allowing the business to grow far beyond farming.
"Bill and Abigail Ross have been a huge help," Jonathan continued. "Bill's a lawyer, and Abigail's a judge. They've helped us navigate the legal side of things—patents, market registrations—you name it, they've made all of that so much easier."
Clark smiled. The Ross family had always been close to the Kents, and their involvement in the company had helped elevate the farm from a local business to something much larger. The Ross Creamed Corn factory wasn't just a local staple; it was one of the main distributors in the region, giving Smallville Agriculture Co. Ltd. a significant advantage.
"But it's not just the Rosses," Jonathan continued, his voice growing more excited. "Nell Potter—you remember Lana's aunt—she's part of it, too. Her flower shop has been doing well, and her knowledge of plants, along with her connections in the floral industry, has opened up new avenues for us. She's been working closely with your mom."
Martha nodded. "Nell has been amazing. Together, we're developing new patents for our farming techniques, and her flower business has brought in a lot of opportunities."
Homelander projected a new set of data, highlighting the business partnerships and market expansion that had resulted from their collaboration with Nell and other local businesses. Clark was impressed by how quickly things had grown. Smallville Agriculture Co. Ltd. was becoming a major player in the local economy, and it was clear they were just getting started.
Jonathan grinned. "Greg Arkin's mother, Gabrielle, has also been a huge help. She's got a real gift for plants and has been working with us to introduce more diversity into what we grow—especially in the flower business."
Clark smiled, remembering Gabrielle Arkin's passion for gardening. It was great to see her talents being used to help the company grow. Smallville Agriculture Co. Ltd. wasn't just about farming anymore—it was becoming a hub for agricultural innovation.
"And then there's Pete Dinsmore, Emily's father" Jonathan said, his excitement unmistakable. "You know he's not a farmer, but with his background as a scientist, he's going to be essential to our next phase."
Clark nodded, already familiar with Pete Dinsmore's involvement. "How's the agricultural research facility coming along?"
Jonathan smiled. "It's on track to be up and running by next year. Pete's been instrumental in getting it off the ground. We're going to be working on cutting-edge research, thanks to the ideas we've developed with Homelander and the research hypotheses he compiled."
[It's my pleasure to be of assistance, Jonathan,] Homelander chimed in, his mechanical voice making everyone chuckle.
Martha added, "And it's not just Pete. Elise Fine—you remember her, right? Abigail Fine's mother—is also joining us. She's a cosmetic surgeon, but after seeing some of the research on how our crops could be used in cosmetics, she's eager to help. Once the research facility is set up, she'll explore the cosmetic applications of our produce."
Clark smiled, impressed by the scope of the project. His parents weren't just expanding the farm; they were pushing the boundaries of what a farm could be. With people like Pete Dinsmore and Elise Fine on board, the future of Smallville Agriculture Co. Ltd. looked brighter than ever.
Jonathan leaned back in his chair, a look of pride on his face. "With the Rosses handling the legal side, Nell managing marketing, and people like Pete and Elise contributing their expertise, we're in a great position. And now that you're back, I won't have to juggle everything on my own."
Clark beamed. His parents had built something extraordinary, and with the help of their friends and neighbors, they were creating a legacy that would last for generations.
"You've done an incredible job," Clark said, his voice filled with admiration. "I'm so proud of everything you've accomplished. Being your son is the best gift I could wished for."
Martha reached over and placed her hand on Clark's. "We couldn't have done it without you, Clark. You've been a huge part of this from the beginning."
After a while, the conversation naturally shifted to something they had all been eagerly anticipating—Martha's pregnancy. She was just weeks away from giving birth, and excitement filled the household.
Martha rested her hand on her belly, smiling gently. "It won't be long now," she said, glancing between Jonathan and Clark. "The doctor says everything is progressing smoothly. Just a few more weeks."
Jonathan placed his hand over hers, his voice warm. "We're almost there, son. After all these years, we're finally going to have another little one in the house."
Clark smiled, feeling a rush of both anticipation and protectiveness. He had eagerly awaited the arrival of his new sibling, and with the due date approaching, he found himself keeping an extra-close watch over his mother, making sure everything was in order.
"I can't wait," Clark said sincerely.
What his parents didn't know was that Clark had already discovered Martha was carrying twins. But since they preferred not to learn the details, Clark had respected their wishes. He kept the secret, knowing they'd be overjoyed when the surprise came.
As they continued chatting, Martha paused, pressing her hand gently against her belly. Her smile widened. "Clark, it's kicking. Come feel."
Clark's eyes lit up as he moved closer and placed his hand on her belly. After a moment, he felt the tiny thump, and his face brightened with wonder.
"I felt that," he whispered.
Martha's eyes sparkled. "It's amazing, isn't it? Feeling life growing inside... it's such a gift."
Jonathan nodded, smiling. "You're going to be a fantastic big brother, Clark. Your sibling is going to be lucky to have you."
Clark met his father's gaze, feeling a deep awareness of the role he was about to take on. He couldn't wait to protect and guide his siblings, sharing in the love that had always filled their home.
As the family sat together, Homelander played a soft country song in the background at Clark's request. The conversation shifted to the baby's arrival and the future, as the warmth of their connection filled the room.
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