Chapter 8

The sun was starting to shine brightly over the sleepy town. It was early yet and the citizens of Smallville were stirring to start their day. Some were getting ready for church, others were getting ready for outdoor picnics and barbeques, and in the Sullivan household, Gabe Sullivan was getting ready to go to work.

He was trying to be as quiet as he could. He knew from years of experience that Chloe was not a morning person. He was smiling as he thought of his little girl sleeping in her room. He was a torn man lately when it came to Chloe. He was so glad she was home. He had missed her terribly and never really understood how much he had depended on her when she was younger. Since she had been home, the laundry has been done and his shirts pressed on a regular basis, the kitchen has been spotless and the fridge and cupboards were full, the rest of the house didn’t have a speck of dust and the bathrooms were clean. To be honest, Gabe never thought of these things when Chloe was gone. He always had something to eat (thanks to Martha Kent) and he did the laundry whenever he ran out of clean clothes and he never pressed his shirts. He always had them wrinkled by the time the Talon opened, so why bother? He realized now, that he was a typical bachelor.

The smile on Gabe’s face fell as his thoughts turned to the reason Chloe was home. He was an easygoing person, but if there was any reason that could drive him to violence, it was someone hurting Chloe as she had been. He could feel his blood pressure going up just thinking about it. He still could not believe that Chloe refused to come home until after her semester was over. But if anything, Chloe was a stubborn, independent young woman, and she had been determined not to be “run out of town” as she put it. He has raised his little girl by himself and had instilled values and morals that apparently had stuck. In his opinion, this is what helped make her such a strong person and what helped her through the most darkest of hours. These were the same reasons he didn’t make such a fuss when Chloe wanted to go to Gotham for college. He knew he could trust her and that she could take care of herself.

‘But she has changed’, Gabe thought. ‘My little baby is broken and I don’t know how to fix her.’ This wasn’t a cut or a bruise that he could kiss and make better. Thankfully they had a relationship that she could talk to him about what happened and what she was feeling. But no matter how much they talked, there was nothing he could do to make her better. Only time and love could do that. He was a patient man, and when it came to Chloe, he had all the time and love in the world.

It broke his heart to see the difference in her. She put on a brave front, especially in front of her friends, but at home, she would break down and cry. Not in front of him, of course, she did not want him to worry about her. But he would hear her at night and a little part of him died each time.

Gabe was so deep into his thoughts that he walked right into Chloe in the hallway.

Chloe grinned. “Morning Daddy.”

Gabe’s jaw dropped open. He looked down at his watch. It was early yet, what was Chloe doing up at this hour?

Chloe started to laugh at the confusion on his face, which was music to his ears. “Don’t worry Dad, you’re on time. I’m spending the day with Lana and Pete and they wanted to get an early start. We’re going to meet at the Talon, thank God, I need the caffeine. I can’t believe that they want to start their day at this god-awful hour.” She paused to take a breath. “I told Lana, Pete, and Lex last night Dad.” She left out that Lex had found out on his own.

Gabe looked at her with surprise. “What about Clark?”

“The Kent’s had a bovine emergency and he had to leave early to go home. I-I-It just kinda bubbled up and out of me. It was like a weight being lifted from my shoulders. I can’t explain it; it was like I knew it was time to tell them.”

Gabe studied his daughter for a few heartbeats. There was a look in her eyes that he had not seen in a while. “How did it go?”

“You were right Dad. I should have told them sooner. They were great. That’s the point of today. ‘Chloe Day’ Lana called it. The three of us are going to the lake for a morning of fun in the sun, followed by lunch and a movie. Then we’re all going over to Clark’s and harass him for a while. We’re hoping for a dinner invite from Mrs. Kent.” Chloe waggled her eyebrows “She makes a mean meatloaf.”

“Are you going to tell Clark?”

“Yes, when the time is right. I’m kinda glad he wasn’t there last night. I don’t think I’m ready to tell him just yet.” Chloe looked away. “I’m still ashamed, Daddy.” She whispered.

“Oh, baby. I know you can’t help but feel that way, but you shouldn’t. It wasn’t your fault.” Gabe pulled her into a hug.

Chloe’s voice was muffled against her father’s chest. “I know. I love you Daddy. So much.” She pulled back and looked up at him. “I never would have made it through this without you.”

“Oh, honey.” Gabe sighed as the doorbell rang.

“Saved by the bell.” Chloe smiled. “You’d better get a move on Daddy, the citizens of Smallville need their caffeine and so do I.”

They walked to the front door together. Gabe opened the door to a handful of flowers.

“Is there a Chloe Sullivan here?” the flowers asked.

Chloe laughed, “Yes, I’m Chloe.”

The flowers were thrust in her direction. “These are for you. Have a nice day.” The delivery person bounded down the walk to his car and took off.

“Honey, I’ve got to go. I’ll get a report from you about these later ‘kay?”

“You bet, Dad.”

‘That’s strange’, she thought ‘they don’t normally deliver flowers on a Sunday.’ She walked to the kitchen for a vase for them. She looked for a card as she arranged the flowers.

‘No card. Weird. I wonder who sent them?’