The Talented Miss Ripley the end. :)
9/18/06 03:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
roxyThank you to everyone who helped me to finish this. Thank you to those of you who wanted to read it--every comment was so important to me.
I'll post the links to both stories for those of you who might be interested. I'll post the end bit here for those of you who rather not go through all that again. *g*
Again,thank you so much--it means so much to me that you guys were kind enough to read this and tell me what you thought.
And for those of you who really love m-preg and friended me hoping for more, I'm so sorry, but chances are, I'll never do another. It was fun, but it's really not my thing. I certainly understand if you choose to defriend me. Thanks a million for taking this ride with me!
Her birthday was always special, but this year, she thought, this year was perfect. Her best friend in the world was sitting on one side of her, and her boyfriend was on the other side—she smiled happily at Greg, who automatically smiled back. Yeah, it was great, and perfect, and just the way she’d want to spend her birthday—but the most amazing, most wonderful thing about this birthday was that her dads were celebrating her birthday with her—together--and happy and…together. It was the best gift she could ask for.
Not that she was insane enough to say that out loud because gifts were gifts after all…
Irving was staring longingly at the kitchen door. “Is Mr. Lex going to be having dinner with us too?” Greg grabbed the top of his head, and twisted until Irving faced Ripley instead of the kitchen, and she grinned at him.
“Yes, my small munchkin like friend,” she said, “Poppa and Dad will be joining us.”
“Mr. Clark and Mr. Lex? Wow…that’s…cool,” he said, and turned a little pink. She nodded at Irving, and winked at Greg, who patted Irving on the arm.
“Now, now, little fellow, don’t get your knickers in a twist.”
Irving leaned back in his chair and stared at Greg. “Knickers? Please-- you have no idea what knickers are and by the way, just because you’re abnormally tall doesn’t make me short. And I direct that at both of you.”
Ripley watched the two with a fond look. Those guys—they could argue about the littlest things. It was ridiculous, and adorable. She was distracted by the kitchen door swinging open as Poppa came out with…surprise, cut up veggies on a tray, yippie. She rolled her eyes. “Poppa, why do you keep hurting me this way? It doesn’t matter how you slice them, or arrange them or what you try and disguise them with—it’s still rabbit food on a plate.”
“Oh for… ‘real’ food’s coming, Alexandra, stuffed with starch and sugar and empty calories. Do you mind if there’s something *I* consider edible on the table?” He stared at her, and she grinned back, completely unrepentant, and highly amused. He cocked an eyebrow, and was about to say much more, she was sure—but they were both distracted by a small cough.
“Oh, I think raw vegetables are really delicious, Mr. Lex. Nice and crunchy! And good for you, too! They’re my favorite! Really!”
She bit her lip, and struggled not to laugh as Poppa turned slowly to stare down at Irving, who blushed so hard that Ripley was afraid that he was going to pass out.
“Um. Yes, well…that’s…nice.” He turned and went back into the kitchen.
******
Clark was stirring a pot on the stove, frowning into it.
“Clark…Clark…”
“Hmm? You know, the recipe was incredibly clear, and yet this looks nothing like the lying, misleading picture…tell me again why we’re not at the farm eating good food not made by us?”
“Because someone promised Lexie *we’d* make dinner for her on her birthday. Lord, Clark—what made you think that now was a good time to experiment…” He sniffed. “What *is* that?”
The doorbell rang, simultaneous with the sound of the door opening, and a loud yelp.
“Jordan’s here,” Clark murmured, eyes still on the bubbling pot of--Lex leaned around him—creamed corn. Maybe.
Lexie’s excited scream was all the conformation Lex needed as to the identity of their visitor. Lex wasn’t sure if he wanted to see what outrageously ridiculously expensive gift Jordan had gotten her this year. Whatever it was better not require food or house-breaking, that he was sure of. “I’ll bring him back to the kitchen. You just keep doing that stirring thing—you’re doing it so well.” He patted Clark’s arm and got a snort in return. It made him warm all over.
Lex walked out to the foyer, just as Jordan was hanging up his jacket, and kicking the doors shut, while managing to balance a large gift wrapped box between his knees, and a bag clutched in his teeth. “Uh, hinh Yex. Seet pohahoes.”
Lex smiled and took the bag gingerly, carefully avoiding the damp paper. “Oh how nice, Clark and Lexie love your mother’s sweet potatoes, be sure to thank her for us,”
Jordan grinned at the barely suppressed pain on Lex’s face, “Yep, sweeeet and tasty. Just the way we like them,” he said, and reached out, pulled Lex forward and kissed him lightly on the corner of the mouth
Lex pushed him back with a mock frown, “The kids are at the table all ready—the little one is being weird as usual.”
Jordan put the gift with others on the foyer table and smirked at Lex. “Unh-hunh. Weird. Where’s Clark?”
“He’s in the kitchen making…well, I’m not really sure…some sort of scalloped something--could be tinted paste, too. I’m about to heat up the food Cook left—and her cake is in the fridge.”
“You know, if we had a grill on that roof like I told you to buy, I could be cooking now. Fresh food. Real food.” Jordan shook his head and walked into the kitchen and waved at Clark, strolled over to the door separating the kitchen from the dining room, and peeked out. “So…the girl, the boyfriend and the friend. It’s cute—like the Three Stooges or something.”
Clark laughed and Lex raised his eyebrow. “How much do you think Alexandra would appreciate that comparison?”
Jordan laughed too, and strolled back over to the island, grabbed something to nibble on and looped his arm around Clark’s neck. “What’s up, little one?” He kissed the top of his head, and leaned over Clark to watch the pot with him. “Ech. Is that something we’re supposed to eat? What was it before you got hold of it?”
“First of all, I’m not your little one, secondly, I *can* cook you know, and I’m usually pretty darn good, too. Now could you please help Lex, and protect him from Irving? He claims the kid creeps him out.” Clark smirked at Lex, and Jordan laughed.
“Lex—you’re afraid of a kid, man? Come on, I’ll protect you.”
*****
Desert had been served, and diner plates removed, and the friends were sitting alone at the table, the adults were in the kitchen.
“When are you going to open your gifts, Lexie?”
“Well, the stuff from my dads I promised to wait and open at my grands’ house, we’re spending the weekend there.”
Greg looked disappointed. “Oh, I didn’t know you’d be gone.”
“Yeah—sorry.” She took his hand and squeezed lightly. “It’ll only be three days, and I’ll call you every night, and Irving will keep you company, right?”
Irving nodded, staring at his clean plate. “That was good pie. Would it be okay to ask for another piece, you think?”
Greg immediately slid his over. “Have mine.”
“Oh, no,” Irving said, eyes only for the pie. “That wouldn’t be right—you haven’t even tasted it.”
“No really, you like sweets better than I do—besides, I like watching you eat.” He blushed a little. “Wow. That sounded really weird.”
Ripley patted his hand. “I think it’s sweet. That’s why I love you.” She pinched his cheek and he laughed, blushed harder.
Irving ducked his head and ate his pie with gusto. Greg leaned in towards Ripley and kissed her—quick, more a peck than a kiss, but sweet, and it made her very happy. Greg smelled so good—and he had the softest lips. When he threw an arm around her shoulder to bring her closer, he accidentally smacked Irving, who for once didn’t smack him back or yell--just gave him a pie-filled smile, and kept eating. Greg squeezed his shoulder, and kissed Ripley quick again, before her dads came back to the table.
She giggled quietly at the shocked intake of breath behind her—served them right for being nosy.
****
“Oh for god’s sake…” Lex scowled out of the half open door, strangling a tea towel, as Jordan crowded up behind him.
“—what—oh.”
Clark pushed in between them and looked over Lex too. “Oh. Should we say something?”
“Like what--break it up?” Lex stared out the doorway, deep in thought. Whatever he was thinking was making him deeply unhappy. He looked from Jordan to Clark, and glanced to the dining room, a frown line between his eyes, and Clark leaned back from him, a little. “What? What is it?”
“You,” he said. “You and your--your alien biology.” He scowled, before forcing a smile, and marched out of the kitchen and into the dining room. Sweeping through the room like a tornado, he gathered the kids in his wake. “All right it’s time to watch the movie. For you, Alexandra…it’s an advance screening copy of World Of Ptavvs. I know you will all enjoy it.”
The kids were excited, and Lex said, “And I’ll watch it with you.” He ushered them out of the room. “How about I sit right between….”
Clark looked at Jordan. “What’s up with him, you think?”
“I have no idea. Alien biology?” He shrugged. “Just Lex, I guess—oh shit.”
“What?”
Jordan stared at him, tilted his head, and searched Clark’s eyes. After a moment, he snorted. “Nothing. You’ll get it later. Let me get in that TV room before your husband kills someone—or that little kid explodes.”
Clark stared after him. Husband. Husband? He grinned. Yeah. Husband. That sounded…good.
******
The End
Clark stood behind Lex, smiling at their reflections in the mirror and adjusted his jacket, smoothed the lapels and kissed his ear. “You look incredible,” he said, and Lex did. The tuxedo fit him like a glove, the jacket hinted at the perfect ass just hidden by the hem and Clark wondered, would it be wrong to blow him—quick, fast, just to watch his face as he came—
Lex smacked his hand. “Stop thinking about sex—there’s no time for that now.”
Clark gasped. “Why, it’s as if you were reading my mind.”
Lex pressed back against him, rocking his hips slightly. “It wasn’t your mind I was reading,” he smirked.
Clark blushed and laughed. “Oh, yeah, well….”
Lex turned and surveyed Clark with a critical eye. He adjusted his tie, and flicked his collar into place and pronounced him fit for the public. He also kissed him, tracing the line of his lip with the tip of his tongue. Clark sucked in a breath and tried to lean into Lex, but he pushed him back. “Wait.” He lifted a boutonniere that matched his from the table at his side and fastened it to Clark’s lapel. “Now, you’re ready.”
Clark took his hand. “Hey. Can you believe it? Can you imagine what’s about to happen?”
Lex smiled. “I can hardly believe it. It’s like a dream…and have I told you lately how much I love you?”
Clark’s eyes filled, and he cupped Lex’s face in his hands. “I love you too—more than you can ever imagine.”
Lex coughed and shook him lightly. “Go—it’s almost time.” Clark nodded and kissed him quickly on the cheek.
“Don’t be nervous. I’m going to check on Rip.”
Lex opened his mouth, closed it and nodded. Clark dashed downstairs, as his mother bustled after him, calling out last minute advice, and Lex waited a moment. He leaned his elbows on the window sill, and looked out over the scene below him in the backyard.
At the rear of Martha’s cutting garden, a long swath of canvas lead to an arbor, and rows of folding chairs, filled already with friends and the family one collected through the years. It was prefect weather, not chilly, not humid, the sun bright enough to make his family glow. He smiled, satisfied that the setting couldn’t look lovelier, and certain that the wind wouldn’t shift, and come from over the fields—he simply wouldn’t allow it. Nothing could go wrong on this day.
He walked to the back door of the kitchen and the minister came up beside him. “All in order, Alexander?”
Lex nodded, and they walked out and came up behind the arbor. Lex went to stand next to Irving and Greg. Both the boys--men—looked nervous. Lex squared his shoulders, and as the strains of a trumpet fanfare faded, he looked up to see two pair of green eyes locked on his, and his heart soared. Clark and Alexandra stood at the head of the aisle. He glanced at Greg—he looked stunned, amazed, and a little faint and Irving‘s expression mirrored his. Lex gently tapped his foot with his and Irving blushed and looked away with a small nod.
He looked at the crowd and saw Jordan, handsome, tall, and smiling, and his eyes red, and damp. ‘Love you,’ he whispered silently and Lex nodded. Love you too. And suddenly, there they were--his reason for living. Both of them.
Alexandra—Lexie—Ripley—looked like a fairy princess in white and gold and red curls drifting around her shoulders. She seemed to float toward them and to his horror, Lex felt himself begin to cry.
Clark kissed her cheek, and stepped away to stand between a weeping Martha and Jordan. Jonathan rubbed his eyes—a lot.
“Dearly beloved….”
*******
And Clark took Lex dancing late, late, after everyone was gone, and it was just the two of them, higher and higher, into the sky, and above the clouds, until Lex thought he could reach out and touch the moon, and Clark kissed him until he didn’t even consider the possibility of falling and whispered in his ear, “And they all lived happily ever after.”
And it was true.
9-18-2006
I'll post the links to both stories for those of you who might be interested. I'll post the end bit here for those of you who rather not go through all that again. *g*
Again,thank you so much--it means so much to me that you guys were kind enough to read this and tell me what you thought.
And for those of you who really love m-preg and friended me hoping for more, I'm so sorry, but chances are, I'll never do another. It was fun, but it's really not my thing. I certainly understand if you choose to defriend me. Thanks a million for taking this ride with me!
Her birthday was always special, but this year, she thought, this year was perfect. Her best friend in the world was sitting on one side of her, and her boyfriend was on the other side—she smiled happily at Greg, who automatically smiled back. Yeah, it was great, and perfect, and just the way she’d want to spend her birthday—but the most amazing, most wonderful thing about this birthday was that her dads were celebrating her birthday with her—together--and happy and…together. It was the best gift she could ask for.
Not that she was insane enough to say that out loud because gifts were gifts after all…
Irving was staring longingly at the kitchen door. “Is Mr. Lex going to be having dinner with us too?” Greg grabbed the top of his head, and twisted until Irving faced Ripley instead of the kitchen, and she grinned at him.
“Yes, my small munchkin like friend,” she said, “Poppa and Dad will be joining us.”
“Mr. Clark and Mr. Lex? Wow…that’s…cool,” he said, and turned a little pink. She nodded at Irving, and winked at Greg, who patted Irving on the arm.
“Now, now, little fellow, don’t get your knickers in a twist.”
Irving leaned back in his chair and stared at Greg. “Knickers? Please-- you have no idea what knickers are and by the way, just because you’re abnormally tall doesn’t make me short. And I direct that at both of you.”
Ripley watched the two with a fond look. Those guys—they could argue about the littlest things. It was ridiculous, and adorable. She was distracted by the kitchen door swinging open as Poppa came out with…surprise, cut up veggies on a tray, yippie. She rolled her eyes. “Poppa, why do you keep hurting me this way? It doesn’t matter how you slice them, or arrange them or what you try and disguise them with—it’s still rabbit food on a plate.”
“Oh for… ‘real’ food’s coming, Alexandra, stuffed with starch and sugar and empty calories. Do you mind if there’s something *I* consider edible on the table?” He stared at her, and she grinned back, completely unrepentant, and highly amused. He cocked an eyebrow, and was about to say much more, she was sure—but they were both distracted by a small cough.
“Oh, I think raw vegetables are really delicious, Mr. Lex. Nice and crunchy! And good for you, too! They’re my favorite! Really!”
She bit her lip, and struggled not to laugh as Poppa turned slowly to stare down at Irving, who blushed so hard that Ripley was afraid that he was going to pass out.
“Um. Yes, well…that’s…nice.” He turned and went back into the kitchen.
******
Clark was stirring a pot on the stove, frowning into it.
“Clark…Clark…”
“Hmm? You know, the recipe was incredibly clear, and yet this looks nothing like the lying, misleading picture…tell me again why we’re not at the farm eating good food not made by us?”
“Because someone promised Lexie *we’d* make dinner for her on her birthday. Lord, Clark—what made you think that now was a good time to experiment…” He sniffed. “What *is* that?”
The doorbell rang, simultaneous with the sound of the door opening, and a loud yelp.
“Jordan’s here,” Clark murmured, eyes still on the bubbling pot of--Lex leaned around him—creamed corn. Maybe.
Lexie’s excited scream was all the conformation Lex needed as to the identity of their visitor. Lex wasn’t sure if he wanted to see what outrageously ridiculously expensive gift Jordan had gotten her this year. Whatever it was better not require food or house-breaking, that he was sure of. “I’ll bring him back to the kitchen. You just keep doing that stirring thing—you’re doing it so well.” He patted Clark’s arm and got a snort in return. It made him warm all over.
Lex walked out to the foyer, just as Jordan was hanging up his jacket, and kicking the doors shut, while managing to balance a large gift wrapped box between his knees, and a bag clutched in his teeth. “Uh, hinh Yex. Seet pohahoes.”
Lex smiled and took the bag gingerly, carefully avoiding the damp paper. “Oh how nice, Clark and Lexie love your mother’s sweet potatoes, be sure to thank her for us,”
Jordan grinned at the barely suppressed pain on Lex’s face, “Yep, sweeeet and tasty. Just the way we like them,” he said, and reached out, pulled Lex forward and kissed him lightly on the corner of the mouth
Lex pushed him back with a mock frown, “The kids are at the table all ready—the little one is being weird as usual.”
Jordan put the gift with others on the foyer table and smirked at Lex. “Unh-hunh. Weird. Where’s Clark?”
“He’s in the kitchen making…well, I’m not really sure…some sort of scalloped something--could be tinted paste, too. I’m about to heat up the food Cook left—and her cake is in the fridge.”
“You know, if we had a grill on that roof like I told you to buy, I could be cooking now. Fresh food. Real food.” Jordan shook his head and walked into the kitchen and waved at Clark, strolled over to the door separating the kitchen from the dining room, and peeked out. “So…the girl, the boyfriend and the friend. It’s cute—like the Three Stooges or something.”
Clark laughed and Lex raised his eyebrow. “How much do you think Alexandra would appreciate that comparison?”
Jordan laughed too, and strolled back over to the island, grabbed something to nibble on and looped his arm around Clark’s neck. “What’s up, little one?” He kissed the top of his head, and leaned over Clark to watch the pot with him. “Ech. Is that something we’re supposed to eat? What was it before you got hold of it?”
“First of all, I’m not your little one, secondly, I *can* cook you know, and I’m usually pretty darn good, too. Now could you please help Lex, and protect him from Irving? He claims the kid creeps him out.” Clark smirked at Lex, and Jordan laughed.
“Lex—you’re afraid of a kid, man? Come on, I’ll protect you.”
*****
Desert had been served, and diner plates removed, and the friends were sitting alone at the table, the adults were in the kitchen.
“When are you going to open your gifts, Lexie?”
“Well, the stuff from my dads I promised to wait and open at my grands’ house, we’re spending the weekend there.”
Greg looked disappointed. “Oh, I didn’t know you’d be gone.”
“Yeah—sorry.” She took his hand and squeezed lightly. “It’ll only be three days, and I’ll call you every night, and Irving will keep you company, right?”
Irving nodded, staring at his clean plate. “That was good pie. Would it be okay to ask for another piece, you think?”
Greg immediately slid his over. “Have mine.”
“Oh, no,” Irving said, eyes only for the pie. “That wouldn’t be right—you haven’t even tasted it.”
“No really, you like sweets better than I do—besides, I like watching you eat.” He blushed a little. “Wow. That sounded really weird.”
Ripley patted his hand. “I think it’s sweet. That’s why I love you.” She pinched his cheek and he laughed, blushed harder.
Irving ducked his head and ate his pie with gusto. Greg leaned in towards Ripley and kissed her—quick, more a peck than a kiss, but sweet, and it made her very happy. Greg smelled so good—and he had the softest lips. When he threw an arm around her shoulder to bring her closer, he accidentally smacked Irving, who for once didn’t smack him back or yell--just gave him a pie-filled smile, and kept eating. Greg squeezed his shoulder, and kissed Ripley quick again, before her dads came back to the table.
She giggled quietly at the shocked intake of breath behind her—served them right for being nosy.
****
“Oh for god’s sake…” Lex scowled out of the half open door, strangling a tea towel, as Jordan crowded up behind him.
“—what—oh.”
Clark pushed in between them and looked over Lex too. “Oh. Should we say something?”
“Like what--break it up?” Lex stared out the doorway, deep in thought. Whatever he was thinking was making him deeply unhappy. He looked from Jordan to Clark, and glanced to the dining room, a frown line between his eyes, and Clark leaned back from him, a little. “What? What is it?”
“You,” he said. “You and your--your alien biology.” He scowled, before forcing a smile, and marched out of the kitchen and into the dining room. Sweeping through the room like a tornado, he gathered the kids in his wake. “All right it’s time to watch the movie. For you, Alexandra…it’s an advance screening copy of World Of Ptavvs. I know you will all enjoy it.”
The kids were excited, and Lex said, “And I’ll watch it with you.” He ushered them out of the room. “How about I sit right between….”
Clark looked at Jordan. “What’s up with him, you think?”
“I have no idea. Alien biology?” He shrugged. “Just Lex, I guess—oh shit.”
“What?”
Jordan stared at him, tilted his head, and searched Clark’s eyes. After a moment, he snorted. “Nothing. You’ll get it later. Let me get in that TV room before your husband kills someone—or that little kid explodes.”
Clark stared after him. Husband. Husband? He grinned. Yeah. Husband. That sounded…good.
******
The End
Clark stood behind Lex, smiling at their reflections in the mirror and adjusted his jacket, smoothed the lapels and kissed his ear. “You look incredible,” he said, and Lex did. The tuxedo fit him like a glove, the jacket hinted at the perfect ass just hidden by the hem and Clark wondered, would it be wrong to blow him—quick, fast, just to watch his face as he came—
Lex smacked his hand. “Stop thinking about sex—there’s no time for that now.”
Clark gasped. “Why, it’s as if you were reading my mind.”
Lex pressed back against him, rocking his hips slightly. “It wasn’t your mind I was reading,” he smirked.
Clark blushed and laughed. “Oh, yeah, well….”
Lex turned and surveyed Clark with a critical eye. He adjusted his tie, and flicked his collar into place and pronounced him fit for the public. He also kissed him, tracing the line of his lip with the tip of his tongue. Clark sucked in a breath and tried to lean into Lex, but he pushed him back. “Wait.” He lifted a boutonniere that matched his from the table at his side and fastened it to Clark’s lapel. “Now, you’re ready.”
Clark took his hand. “Hey. Can you believe it? Can you imagine what’s about to happen?”
Lex smiled. “I can hardly believe it. It’s like a dream…and have I told you lately how much I love you?”
Clark’s eyes filled, and he cupped Lex’s face in his hands. “I love you too—more than you can ever imagine.”
Lex coughed and shook him lightly. “Go—it’s almost time.” Clark nodded and kissed him quickly on the cheek.
“Don’t be nervous. I’m going to check on Rip.”
Lex opened his mouth, closed it and nodded. Clark dashed downstairs, as his mother bustled after him, calling out last minute advice, and Lex waited a moment. He leaned his elbows on the window sill, and looked out over the scene below him in the backyard.
At the rear of Martha’s cutting garden, a long swath of canvas lead to an arbor, and rows of folding chairs, filled already with friends and the family one collected through the years. It was prefect weather, not chilly, not humid, the sun bright enough to make his family glow. He smiled, satisfied that the setting couldn’t look lovelier, and certain that the wind wouldn’t shift, and come from over the fields—he simply wouldn’t allow it. Nothing could go wrong on this day.
He walked to the back door of the kitchen and the minister came up beside him. “All in order, Alexander?”
Lex nodded, and they walked out and came up behind the arbor. Lex went to stand next to Irving and Greg. Both the boys--men—looked nervous. Lex squared his shoulders, and as the strains of a trumpet fanfare faded, he looked up to see two pair of green eyes locked on his, and his heart soared. Clark and Alexandra stood at the head of the aisle. He glanced at Greg—he looked stunned, amazed, and a little faint and Irving‘s expression mirrored his. Lex gently tapped his foot with his and Irving blushed and looked away with a small nod.
He looked at the crowd and saw Jordan, handsome, tall, and smiling, and his eyes red, and damp. ‘Love you,’ he whispered silently and Lex nodded. Love you too. And suddenly, there they were--his reason for living. Both of them.
Alexandra—Lexie—Ripley—looked like a fairy princess in white and gold and red curls drifting around her shoulders. She seemed to float toward them and to his horror, Lex felt himself begin to cry.
Clark kissed her cheek, and stepped away to stand between a weeping Martha and Jordan. Jonathan rubbed his eyes—a lot.
“Dearly beloved….”
*******
And Clark took Lex dancing late, late, after everyone was gone, and it was just the two of them, higher and higher, into the sky, and above the clouds, until Lex thought he could reach out and touch the moon, and Clark kissed him until he didn’t even consider the possibility of falling and whispered in his ear, “And they all lived happily ever after.”
And it was true.
9-18-2006