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English
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Part 1 of You Deserve the World
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5 stars
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Published:
2019-07-28
Completed:
2019-09-24
Words:
45,898
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13/13
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402
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You Deserve the World, You Deserve Me

Chapter 13: Epilogue

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

-2 years later-

Lena wrung her hands back and forth a few times trying to shake the nervousness she felt.  When her fingers made contact with the cool metal on her finger she closed her eyes and breathed deeply, finding her center. When she opened her eyes she saw Alex and Jess rounding the corner and walking toward her.   As they approached Alex said, “Are you ready?”

Jess scoffed and said under her breath, “As if she is ever anything but.”

Lena smiled in affection at both woman and then nodded once.  “Let’s do this.”

Jess and Alex took to either side of her and they walked down the hallway together.  When the corridor opened to a larger auditorium Jess and Alex departed to take their seats.  Lena’s eyes followed the scientist and she smiled when she saw her sit next to Kara.  When Lena made eye contact with the blonde she received a beaming smile and an affirming nod.  That was all Lena needed to fortify herself and step up to the podium.

“Good afternoon,” she said and was met with the room falling into silence.  Lena spared another glance at Kara and began again. 

I want to welcome you to a truly auspicious occasion.  Today we celebrate the launch of the new space station. Before we begin with the acknowledgements that are very much deserved, I want to pause and remember where we have come from, and what we have lost. 

Almost 20 years ago, the inhabitants of the Zorel Space Station bore an incredible cost.  They lost their lives in the quest for advancement.  Today we have them to thank for cleaner energy, water, and the facilitation of numerous pharmaceutical therapies.  We have a brighter future because of their sacrifice.  So we begin today in recognition of the shoulders we stand on.

Lena continued to thank and acknowledge everyone on the project.  When she was almost at the end she said, “Now I have saved the most important thanks for the end.  Dr. Alexandra Danvers, our scientific investigation lead, you have been a guidepost to me and this project.” She looked to Alex, her sister, and gave her a warm smile.  She knew the scientist would not want any more time spent with the focus on her so Lena shifted slightly and said, “Her wife Maggie deserves most of the credit, however.  I don’t know how many pots of coffee she made us while we were up all night frantically preparing for this day.” She trailed off and allowed a moment for the crowd to chuckle. “Alex and Maggie,” she looked down at the pair fondly and placed her hand over her chest, “Thank you.”

Lena then turned to the woman sitting just behind the couple she had just mentioned.  She gave her a cheeky grin and said to the crowd, “Now I know this will sound trite, but I owe almost everything of who I am to my mother.  Mom, you have guided and encouraged me through big and small.  You have made me strong.  Thank you.”  Lena looked down and smiled at her mother who was wiping a small tear from the corner of her eye.

Lena looked at her mother for a moment more before she turned to Jess and when she saw the don’t you dare expression on her assistant’s face she smirked.  “My assistant Jess is single handedly responsible for everything.  Without her L-Corp, and I would fail miserably.  Jess, even though you shun the spotlight, you presence shines bright.  I am honored to work with you and call you my friend.”  The CEO saw her assistant quickly swipe at her eyes before looking up at her with a glare.  Lena gave her a small chuckle in response and then her eyes sought out one last person. 

“Lastly,” Lena began before she got choked up.  “Lastly,” she started again and then changed direction, “It is impossible to thank or note everyone who contributed to this venture.  An endeavor like this requires many hands and minds, and so many are unseen.  This person, she is the reason we are here today.  She advised, provided direction, and corrected many mistakes along the way.  Every team benefited from her.  But that isn’t why she is being mentioned.  No, I speak today of the woman who bridges the past and the present.  Kara, we have all stood on your shoulders.  So today I want to take a moment to recognize your sacrifice.” Lena had to stop and take a deep breath lest the tears overcome her.  When she had gathered herself she smiled at Kara and continued without looking away, “You are my partner, my wife and my very best friend.  It is you who should be standing before everyone today, because without you we,” she trailed off and tilted her head slightly and gave Kara a small smile, “without you, I would be nothing.”   

There was a hush over the crowd when Lena had finished her dedication to Kara.  The CEO let the still remain for a moment before she finally broke her gaze from a teary-eyed Kara and turned back to the crowd.  “Now without further ado,” she said brightly, “I want you to meet the team that will be a part of the initial launch.”  With that she stepped aside and allowed the team to take the stage.  She stepped off to the side and watched the proceeding question and answer segment. 

Most of the questions were directed at the team but Lena was required to field a few follow ups.  After a few rounds of back and forth, Cat Grant stood and said with a smirk, “So what’s next on your agenda, Ms. Luthor?  World domination?”

Lena and the room chuckled at the jest.  Lena rose an eyebrow and said playfully, “I don’t know if I could fit it in before dinner.  But perhaps tomorrow I’ll give it some thought.”

Cat laughed and waved off the non-answer. She was clearly hoping to get Lena to disclose what her next project was, but the CEO was content with what she had.  She just wanted to enjoy her life as it was right now. The rest of the announcement went smoothly and when it was over Lena quickly joined her family that had gathered in a quiet corner of the room.  When she approached Kara was quick to pull her into a warm hug.  Lena basked in the feeling of being home.  Because that’s what Kara was, she was home.

The CEO was in the midst of receiving congratulations from everyone when Cat moseyed over to the group.  “So,” she said garnering the attention of the group, “This is the infamous professor we’ve been hearing so much about,” she said indicating Kara, “Kiera, was it?”

Kara blushed and was about to stick out her hand to introduce herself to the slightly terrifying older woman.  But they were interrupted by the sound of children laughing.  They all looked up to see a seven year old boy running down the hall, blonde curls swept back from his haste, dimples popping on a slightly red face.  Jess was already in action and was quick to move out into the hallway to say, “Jeremiah Luthor, I don’t care if your mother runs this company, you will not run down the hall like a wild banshee.” While her words were stern anyone near Jess could see smile that betrayed that she was not truly put out with the child.  Miah halted in front of the assistant and gave her a sheepish grin, “Sorry, Jess!” He yelled out before peaking behind the assistant’s small frame.

Jess looked down at him trying to school her features, “Oh I know what you want, but first, where is your sister?”

Jeremiah looked a bit shocked and he quickly looked behind himself and said, “She was right behind…” he started to say before a grinning toddler rounded the corner trying to keep up with her brother with all her might.  Her long dark curls were confined to an elegant braid with a few escaped tendrils framing her face.  Bright blue eyes lit up when she caught sight of her brother.

The group looked at the two children fondly before Cat cleared her throat demanding attention.  Kara shook herself away from the scene and she stuck her hand back out again and said, “Kara Luthor, it is a pleasure to meet you Ms. Grant.”

Cat took her hand with an imperious look and she peered at Kara carefully, “There is more to you than meets the eye isn’t there Kara Luthor,” she said with an emphasis on her last name.

Kara began to stutter out a response and Lena was quick to wrap her arm around Kara’s waist and pull her into her side, also effectively pulling her away from the older woman.  “You’ll have to excuse us, Cat,” Lena purposively used her first name, “But we have to be going.  I promised the kids we would get pizza for dinner.”

Cat didn’t look pleased but she left the group with a mental note to check back in with them at a later time.  Lena and Kara went to join Jess and the children and when Emi caught sight of them she ran as fast as her chubby toddler legs would carry her.  She jumped and Lena was quick to catch her and bring her up into a big hug.  Emi pressed their foreheads together and simply said, “Mama.” 

Lena had earned a lot of titles in the past few months.  She had been called an innovator, a magician, a revolutionary, but she found that the title of mama was the one that fit her most.  She snuggled the little girl and whispered, “Hello little love.”  Then she looked down to see Miah coming to give her a hug as well.  She used her free hand to pull him in as tightly as possible. 

Miah looked up from the hug and said softly, “You were amazing, Mama.”  Then he quickly rushed over to Lillian to get something and ran back over.  He pulled flowers from behind his back and handed them to her. 

Lena passed Emi over to Kara and leaned down so she could Miah into a bigger hug.  “Thank you, sweetheart.”  Of all the accolades she had been given, the one’s coming from her son meant the most.  After a few moments of simply basking in the love of her family Lena addressed the whole group, “So, pizza?”

Later that evening, when the kids were tucked into bed with promises of sweet dreams Lena met Kara back in their bedroom. 

“Thank you for what you said today,” Kara said with a small smile.

Lena came closer and took Kara’s face in her hands, “No amount of words could ever express how much you mean to me.  I love you so much.”

Kara smiled serenely back, “I love you too.” She took a brief moment to seemingly collect her thoughts before she began again, “When I first came here, I had lost my whole world.  It took meeting you to realize that it wasn’t my world.  You,” she reached out and tucked a stray lock behind Lena’s ear, “You are my world Lena.  You are my everything.”  With that Kara brought their lips together in the sweetest kiss.  It was the merging of the remembrance of the past that brought them to this place and a promise for the future and all of the wonderful memories they had yet to make.

When they pulled away Lena found herself hoping that reincarnation was real, because getting to spend just one lifetime with this woman would never be enough.

 

Notes:

Thank you all for being on this journey with me. I have loved writing this story. Your comments and support have been so amazing! (and I do want to respond to your comments from the last few chapters, it's just taking me a while to get on top of things). Again, thank you for reading!

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