Chapter Text
Lena inhaled slowly as the fresh air faintly blew past. She was sat on the grass, her back leaned up against a large oak tree. Tilting her head back, she allowed the sunlight streaming through the branches to fall on her face, feeling her body slowly relax.
Unhurriedly, Lena rolled her head before opening her eyes and focusing back on the present. A soft smile spread across her face as she watched her son running around the playground. Her baby was five. When did that happen?
Before she could follow that train of thought any further, Lena noticed Kieran wave to a few of the other children before turning and running in her direction. Lena couldn’t hold back a chuckle as Kieran finally reached her and abruptly plonked down on the grass in front of her, panting heavily.
“Here baby,” Lena handed him his favourite Superman water bottle.
Kieran blindly reached out a hand until it came in contact with the bottle, desperately gulping back some water before turning to his mom.
“Thanks, mama,” he breathed out, moving to collapse in Lena’s lap, his back to her and head pillowed on her chest.
Lena ran her fingers through his hair, it was getting long again, almost falling in his eyes. Kieran wasn’t a big fan of haircuts so Lena tried to stretch them out as much as possible until he was more comfortable. Pressing a kiss to his head, Lena simply enjoyed the quiet while Kieran got his breath back.
“Are you having a good time?” She asked once he was relaxed again.
Kieran nodded emphatically with a big grin, “Uh-huh! I had so much fun playin’ wit’ Tommy and Isaac! We played pirates, and then superheros! I was Superman, mama! And then we played Frisbee! But I ran so so much and now I need to lay down, so tired!” he drawled at the end.
Another chuckle left Lena’s lips, god my kid is adorable, she thought.
“Ok, you just rest up then and conserve your energy, Superman,” she told him with a smile. Her heart fluttering at the dopey grin he returned.
“So, when you’re finished here, we’re going to head to your favourite diner for burgers and ice cream. Then tonight Sam and Ruby will come over for a pizza and pyjamas movie night,” Kieran nodded his head along to Lena’s plan, “Are you sure there’s nothing else you want to do today? It’s your birthday so we can do anything you want.”
Kieran subtly shook his head before rolling over on Lena to bury his face in her neck, wrapping his arms around her, “Nothin’ else. I jus’ wanna spend quiet time wit’ you, mama.”
“Oh, my darling,” she said running her hands over his back, “you know I love spending time with you. I just want to make sure you’re having the best birthday, I thought you would want to do something special.”
Kieran was quiet for a moment before pulling back to look into her eyes, “Maybe can we go to the zoo, but jus’ not today?” he asked biting his lower lip.
“I think that’s a great idea,” she planted a loud kiss on his cheek and he squirmed away with laughter.
They stayed that way for a little while, cuddled up under the old tree just watching the world go by. Lena was about to check the time when she heard Kieran gasp and sit up.
“Mama, look!”
Lena turned her head attempting to spot what had drawn his attention. She was about to question him when her gaze landed on a woman and her dog. The woman was tall and slim, yet strong. Muscular. She was wearing skin-tight joggers, along with a form-fitting tank top, her broad shoulders and biceps on display. Her blond hair was in a messy ponytail and she wore a pair of stylish yet sporty looking Ray Bans on her face. Lena was captivated as the woman grasped the rope the dog had hanging from its mouth, and in a single thrust lifted the rope and therefore the dog up into the air. What?! That dog would have to be almost 80 pounds. Good Lord. The woman lowered the dog back to the ground and resumed playing tug of war with it.
“It looks like a white wolf mama!” Kieran’s happy voice brought her out of her daydreaming, realising she was so enamoured with the woman she hadn’t really looked at the dog. Good one Lena.
“Yeah it does,” she agreed after taking in the dog’s appearance. It had a beautiful white coat, not too long or short, and a strong, athletic build. She watched as the dog let the rope fall from his mouth, dropping into a downward dog position, its rear in the air and tail wagging happily. It almost looked like it was smiling at the woman.
“Can we go say hi?” Kieran asked hopefully.
Lena tried to hide her shock at the question. Kieran was usually very shy when it came to strangers and social interactions. She could see the puppy dog eyes beginning to appear so she smiled and nodded her consent, “We sure can, birthday boy.”
Lena packed up their belongings as Kieran started towards the pair, he slowed as he got closer so Lena was able to catch up and step in behind him as they finally reached them. The woman was now sitting down, her legs stretched out in front of her. The dog was to her side sprawled out on its back, paws in the air, one of the woman’s hands laying on its chest.
The woman hadn’t noticed them yet, and as much as Lena wanted to take the lead she knew Kieran wished to be more independent even though he was shy. Standing directly behind him, Lena placed an arm over his left shoulder, palm coming to rest over his heart, softly tugging him back into her in an attempt to ground him. She felt him breathe in deeply and she lightly tapped his chest encouragingly.
“E’scuse me,” Kieran said softly.
The woman turned her head at his voice, a bright smile on her face, “Hi there!” she said as she lifted her sunglasses to the top of her head.
Oh, wow. Lena felt her heart stutter at the ocean blue eyes that had been uncovered. They weren’t even focused on her and she felt her breath leave her.
The woman shuffled so she was now sitting cross-legged facing Kieran. Kieran waved shyly, his lip caught between his teeth. There was a pause as the woman waited for Kieran to say more, but as his hand reached up to grasp Lena’s on his chest she knew he had reached his max extrovert limit for now.
“Hi,” Lena said, drawing those ocean blue eyes up to her, “Sorry, he’s a bit shy,” she finished with a smile.
“That’s okay! I get shy too sometimes,” the woman said with a soft smile directed at Kieran, “And I’m much older than you are! I’m very impressed you came over.” Lena’s heart swelled at how kind this woman was being to her son.
Lena had to clear her throat before continuing, “Well, Kieran was watching the two of you play and wanted to come and say hi, right buddy?” Kieran nodded with a shy grin.
The woman chuckled, “Ah, I see! Well, I bet that this guy is the one you really want to say hi to then, right?” She questioned and she pointed a thumb over her shoulder at the dog, who hadn’t moved. It looked like it was soaking up the sun.
Kieran chuckled along with the woman but nodded his head in agreement.
She turned her head to the side, “Krypto! Here,” she clicked her fingers and pointed to the ground between herself and Kieran. Suddenly, the dog jumped to attention, lunging past the woman and coming to a quick stop in front of her. Sitting directly where she had pointed, “Good boy,” she scratched behind his ears.
“This is Krypto,” she said to Kieran, “Do you want to give him a pat?”
A huge grin spread across his face, quickly looking at up Lena for confirmation. When she nodded he turned back to the dog and gently reached out towards him.
“It’s okay. He’s a big softy, he won’t hurt you.”
At this, Kieran stepped slightly closer so he could place his hand on Krypto’s head. Ha patted Krypto for a moment or two, giggling when Krypto turned towards him and began sniffing him.
“I think he likes you, Kieran,” the woman said softly with a big grin.
Lena watched the scene unfold with a soft smile and unshed tears. Seeing her little boy so happy and confident was making her heart feel so full. Maybe we should get a dog? She thought to herself.
“Do you want to throw the ball for him? I bet he would love you even more!” The woman held out a bright red ball for Kieran. His face lit up and he accepted it before glancing back to Lena.
Lena nodded again and moved to sit down beside the woman, watching as Kieran turned to run a bit away from them so he had plenty of space.
Lena was surprised as she watched Kieran play with Krypto. The big dog was so gentle with him. Running fast to catch the ball, yet approaching slowly and placing the ball softly at Kieran’s feet and waiting patiently. He didn’t try to grab the ball in his teeth as Kieran picked it up like she has seen many dogs do before. It was quite amazing. Especially when she thought back to how strong the dog looked playing tug of war with the woman.
“He’s so gentle,” Lena said without realising, “Sorry,” she chuckled. “I’m just surprised. Most big dogs are so full-on, especially with kids. I could tell how strong he was playing tug of war earlier and I just didn’t expect for him to be so- soft, I guess.”
The woman smiled proudly, “Yeah, he’s so good with kids. I never even really had to train him to be that way, he just kind of knew? It’s like he can tell how much they can take and adjusts himself accordingly if that makes sense? Like he’s being pretty gentle now, but if an older kid came and played with him he would be a bit rougher, not like super rough, but like just a bit more tug on the rope, or a little bit faster run, that sort of thing. Sorry, I’m rambling. I’m just really proud of him, and how he is around people,” she finished with an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of her neck.
“No, no. I totally get what you mean. It’s really impressive, not many dogs are like that,” Lena smiled. “I’m Lena, by the way.”
“Kara,” she shook Lena’s hand, “Your son is adorable.”
Now it was Lena’s turn to smile proudly, “Thank you. He’s somehow so shy and so confident all at once. I was surprised when he asked if we could come say hello.”
“Well, I’m impressed. I meant it when I said I get shy too,” Kara ducked her head to hide her blush, “In all honesty, I saw you sitting over there about an hour ago and had been trying to talk myself into walking over.”
“Oh really?” Lena replied with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.
Kara couldn’t contain the blush or smile from spreading, “Yeah, I mean, someone had to tell you there was pigeon poop on your shoulder,” Kara smirked back.
Lena’s eyes widened and she glanced at both shoulders, finding nothing she turned back to see Kara holding back laughter, “Oh, you ass,” she lightly punched Kara in the shoulder and laughed along with her.
The two women sat and talked idly while Kieran played with Krypto. Eventually, Kieran dragged his tired little body back over to them and collapsed on the ground, Krypto following suit beside him.
“How you doing, buddy?” Kara asked the tuckered-out boy.
Kieran simply lifted his arm with a thumbs up, until he was able to get his breath back. Both women chuckled at his antics, Lena shaking her head lovingly.
“Krypto is the best,” he said to no one in particular.
“What do you say to Kara?” Lena asked Kieran.
“Thank you for lettin’ me play wit’ him,” he said with more confidence than earlier.
“Not a problem at all, little man! It looks like you even tired him out too, he’s going to sleep well tonight!” She said with a laugh.
“Best, birthday, ever!” Kieran said pounding his fists into the air.
“Is it your birthday today?” Kara questioned.
“Uh-huh! I turned five! Mama’s takin’ me for burgers and ice cream. And then my best friend Ruby is comin’ for movie night!” Kieran exclaimed happily.
“That sounds like an awesome birthday indeed! Guess what? Tomorrow is my birthday. We’re almost birthday buddies.”
“Birthday buddies!” Kieran said excitedly, “Mama, can Kara and Krypto come wit’ us? Please please?” He asked Lena.
“You’ll have to ask Kara, she might have plans already.”
“Kara, can you and Krypto come have birthday burgers?” He asked hopefully.
“I’m sorry Kieran, your mom is right. I have work in a little bit, so I need to get going pretty soon to get ready. I bet you’ll have a great time with your mama though, eat extra ice cream for me ok,” she said with a wink, causing Kieran to laugh even though he was a bit bummed.
“Can I play wit’ Krypto again one day?”
“How about I give your mom my number, and we can try to organise a play date for you and Krypto sometime soon?”
“Yes! Yes, please oh please, mama, can we?” Kieran began jumping up and down in front of Lena.
“Yeah baby,” She replied.
While Kieran danced around happily, Krypto prancing along too, Kara and Lena exchanged numbers and promised Kieran he would see Krypto again.
“Alright buddy, Krypto and I need to head home now. Enjoy the rest of your birthday, and remember to eat extra ice cream for me okay?” Kara said cheekily.
“I promise! Bye Kara, bye Krypto!” Kieran waved energetically towards the two.
Kara flashed a wink at Lena over his head, “Bye Lena,” she said as she turned, calling Krypto over her shoulder to follow her.
“Bye Kara,” Lena said softly, wondering where this woman came from and how she managed to leave such an impression on both her and Kieran so quickly.
“Alright, Superman, off to burgers and ice cream we go.”
Sitting at the kitchen island, Lena sipped her wine while gazing across the living room, watching Kieran and Ruby sing along to the song playing on the TV. They were watching Hercules, Kieran’s favourite, Lena’s too, but she’d never admit that. She wondered what Kara’s favourite might be, she seemed like she would be a Disney fan.
“Lena, hey!”
“Hm, sorry what?” Lena said, turning back to face Sam realising she missed whatever was said.
Sam chuckled softly, “I asked how your day was, what did little Superman want to do for his birthday?”
“This was the main thing actually. We had birthday pancakes this morning. Then he just wanted to go to the park, burgers and ice cream, and then this. He was very insistent on movie night.” She shrugged, looking back at Kieran briefly, “Said he just wanted to spend quiet time with me for the day. It was so sweet.”
“Aww. He loves you so much, I can’t deal,” Sam said with a hand over her heart.
Before Lena could reply Kieran was at her side, leaning his head into her side.
“Mama, have you talked to Kara yet?”
Sam raised an eyebrow at Lena.
“Not yet baby, we just saw them today. I was going to give it a few days before messaging her. She’s probably a very busy woman you know,” she said with a pointed look.
“But mama, tomorrow’s her birthday! And she didn’ get to come to birthday burgers today, we should take her tomorrow!”
“Are you just trying to get me to take you out for burgers again because you know you only get this much junk food on your birthday?” Lena questioned. Why was he so determined? He hasn’t even mentioned Krypto?
“No mama! I jus’ wanna have birthday food wit’ her. We’re birthday buddies. And, and maybe she can bring Krypto and I can play wit’ him after?” Kieran looked up at her with his puppy dog eyes, and there it is, she thought.
“Alright, I will message her and ask but don’t get your hopes up okay. We only just met her today, and she might already have a big day planned for tomorrow. And no sulking if she says no, deal?” She stuck out her hand.
“Deal,” he shook her hand and then scampered back to the couch.
Lena braced herself for what was about to come.
“Uh. Lena. What was that?” Sam asked, eyebrow still raised, finger flicking between Lena and where Kieran was just stood.
“Hm, what? Nothing,” Lena tried to brush it off hoping Sam would let it go.
“Oh no you don’t,” damn it, “Who is Kara, and why did you blush as soon as her name was mentioned? Yeah, I caught that.”
Lena sighed in defeat, “She’s just this woman we met in the park today. She has this dog that Kieran saw and wanted to go say hi to them. I know, surprised me too,” she said when Sam raised her eyebrows in shock at that statement.
“So, we went over and said hi, and she let Kieran play with her dog, and we chatted. When he mentioned it was his birthday, she said hers is tomorrow and that they were basically birthday buddies, and now I think he’s a little bit smitten with both her and the dog because he won’t stop asking when we will see them again.”
“I’d say he’s not the only one that’s smitten,” Sam said with a smirk, “Do you realise how much you were smiling through that spiel? Is she hot? She must be, right?”
Lena glanced back to kids making sure they were occupied. “So, hot. She’s gorgeous. Tall, blonde, the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen. And Sam, muscles. God. She lifted this dog off the ground by a rope. Like what?”
Sam chuckled at her friend basically drooling over this woman.
“But we talked a lot, and she’s so sweet. She’s like a human puppy, so excited over everything. Wants to see the best in everyone. She’s just beautiful, inside and out,” she finished in a daze, soft smile on her lips.
“Ok, you, need to text that woman, right now,” Sam said moving to find Lena’s phone.
“What?! Sam, no.”
“Sam, Yes. Come on Lena. When was the last time you had any adult social interactions that weren’t work-related? And better yet, when was the last time you held a conversation with a hot woman you were actually into? Do not tell me you aren’t into her, I see right through you Lena Luthor. Do it.” Sam came back and placed Lena’s phone in front of her.
Lena sighed, “What do I even say? It’s not like we had a date and I can say ‘had a great time with you.’ I barely know her.”
“Good thing you have the greatest wingman ever, and by the sounds of it she does too. Tell her the truth- Kieran had a great day and is dying to see her, and the dog, again. Even better, that he wants to take her to lunch because they’re birthday buddies. God, that’s cute,” Sam tells her.
Lena reaches for her wine glass and takes a huge swig. “Alright fine, I’ll do it,” she picks up the phone and opens a text thread.
Hey Kara, It’s Lena. From the park, with the kid.
Sorry, I know we only just saw you today and you probably weren’t expecting to hear from me so soon. It’s just that, Kieran had a great time with you guys today, and he really wants to take you out for lunch for your birthday tomorrow, because you’re birthday buddies as you said, and also just to play with Krypto.
I completely understand if you’re busy, or you just aren’t up for hanging out with a kid on your birthday. No pressure, just let me know I guess? Ok, bye.
“Lena, I said send her a text, not an academic essay,” Sam says with a roll of her eyes.
“Well you should’ve been clearer on that,” she fires back, poking her tongue out at Sam.
“The good news is that if she replies to that message she’s clearly into you too. Any sane person would disregard that unsubtle pining,” Sam jokes.
Lena laughs, “Unsubtle? You’re the one who said use the kid!”
Shaking her head and tutting, “Using your child to gain the attention of a woman, how far you have fallen Lena,” Sam mock gasped, ducking away from the hand Lena playfully swings at the back of her head.
Sam picks up her wine and heads towards the couch, “Kieran, your mom is attacking me!”
“I’m sure you deserveded it, Aunt Sam,” Kieran says with a laugh as Sam’s jaw dropped. Ruby bursts out laughing and high fives Kieran.
“You taught him well Lena,” She salutes.
Lena is laughing at the antics of her little family when her phone vibrates on the counter.
Lena! Hi. I’m so glad you messaged! 😊
I had a great time with you guys too, Krypto definitely enjoyed playing with Kieran. He collapsed on his bed as soon as we got home and I don’t think he even moved until I got home from work! 😆
I would love to have lunch with you guys for my birthday! At least, I assume you meant both of you, by the sounds of it maybe it’s only Kieran that wants to see me 😉 Not that I would turn down that handsome little guy if it was just him! I actually don’t have much planned at all until later in the evening, so whatever time is best for you guys will be fine by me! I know mornings can be crazy with kids, so just tell me what time and I will be there. I can’t wait 😇
Lena smiled at the message. She could almost feel Kara’s excitement through the phone. There was a slew of random emoji's following her last message - half of which Lena couldn't decipher - that made her laugh, Kara was like a big kid, Kieran would definitely use that many emoji’s in a message.
It’s definitely not just Kieran that wants to see you. I just knew you wouldn’t be able to say no if I said he wanted to see you 😉
That would be great, I can let you know when and maybe we could meet at the park? Kieran wants to do birthday burgers again but he has so much junk food on his birthday I think I need to get some veggies into him! I will leave food choice up to you since it is your birthday after all 😊
How very kind of you 😉 That sounds great. Does Kieran (and you too I guess 😉) like Chinese? There is a great place not too far from the park, they have outdoor seating and allow dogs out there so I can still bring Krypto. Plus, that way you can give your child some veggies
He loves Chinese. He inhales postickers like they’re made of air. Sounds like a perfect plan. I’ll let Kieran know, he’ll be so excited.
Oh my gosh! Postickers are my FAVE! My sister Alex says I am made of 90% posticker at this point. I can tell already Kieran and I are going to be best friends. Sorry Lena, you just can’t compete
😜
That’s okay, I will just give all my love to Krypto then.
Wait, no! I take it back! I want love toooo!
Sorry no takebacks 😉 See you tomorrow, Kara.
Until tomorrow, Lena.