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“Mom?” Alex sniffed and took a hiccoughing breath.
“Alex? Oh, honey what’s happened? Are you ok? Is Kara? Is Lena?” Eliza’s voice rose with the urgency of worry.
Alex took a deep breath and tried to compose herself before she spoke next, running the hand not holding the phone through her hair.
“Everyone’s fine. We’re all ok. It’s just…” She took another steadying breath. “Mom, it worked.”
“Really?” Eliza’s voice was excited at the other end of the line.
“Lena’s just finishing up with the doctor now, we’ve just had the twelve week appointment, but I just...I wanted you to know. Mom, you’re gonna be a grandma. Lena’s having my baby.” Alex gave up all pretence of holding it together and tears streamed unchecked down her face as she sobbed with joy.
“Oh my God, that’s wonderful news. Oh Alex, sweetie. Congratulations. Tell Lena? Oh, I wish I was there. I want to hug you both. Oh, wait. I could get the lunchtime flight, I could be there for dinner. Oh, would that be ok?” Eliza’s words tumbled over themselves in her excitement.
“Yes. Absolutely, yes it's ok. You know Lena loves having you at the house. I’ll pick you up. Text me the time?” Alex sniffed and swiped at her eyes.
“Great. Perfect. I’d better go pack. Now go, go be with Lena. Be with your wife. Oh, Alex, it's so wonderful. Love to you both.”
Alex thumbed the end call button and slid her phone into her pocket as she sniffed and a bubble of laughter escaped from her lips. The door opened behind her and she turned to see Lena coming out of the office, the doctor following her as they finished their conversation. Alex walked over to join them, her hand automatically rising to ghost over the small of her wife’s back. Lena glanced at her and gave her a small smile.
“Thank you so much Doctor Martinez. We’ll see you next week?” Lena shook the woman’s hand.
“Yes,” The doctor nodded for emphasis. “The nurse has booked the appointment for you already, you should get a text confirmation shortly.” She smiled warmly at Lena.
Alex frowned at them both in turn. “Next week?”
“Ultrasound.” Lena replied, glancing at her with a reassuring smile.
“Oh. Ok.” Alex nodded vaguely, clearly still in a total daze and took the doctor's hand, shaking it vigorously. “Thank you Doctor Martinez. Thank you so much.” Alex finally realised she was still shaking the woman’s hand and let go, embarrassed.
The tall woman smiled indulgently at her. “You are very welcome, Alex. I am just so thrilled for you both that it worked this time.” She smiled again and retreated back into her office.
Lena turned to look at Alex and bit her lip, tears glistening in her eyes. Alex enveloped her in a hug and pulled her tight to her. “I love you so much.” She whispered in her ear, her words fierce and urgent. Eventually she let go, bringing her hands up to cup Lena’s face and kissed her, before carefully wiping the tears away from under the younger woman’s eyes.
Lena nodded and gave her a watery smile. “I love you too. So much. And we’re going to be parents, Alex.” She huffed a disbelieving laugh.
Wiping her eyes carefully, she took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. “So, what did Grandma say?” She laughed as she spoke.
“Oh, oh my God, she’s getting on a plane and coming here. She’ll be here in time for dinner and I promised I'd pick her up. Can I take your Range Rover? Can Anderson pick you up from the office?” Alex’s words started to run together and she was forced to stop to take a gasping breath.
“Alex, honey, breathe.” Lena laughed, grabbing her wife by the shoulders. “In and out, in and out, that’s better. Ok?”
Alex nodded. “Yes, ok.” She took another breath and continued more calmly. “She’s thrilled Lena. She said to tell you congratulations and she can’t wait to hug us both. Hence the flight. Is that ok?”
Lena laughed loudly this time. “Of course it’s alright. You know I love having her here.” She reached out and pulled Alex into another hug. “Are you going to be like this for the next six months?”
Alex nodded in her arms. “Yes. Yes I am. My beautiful, amazing wife is having my baby. I feel like I am a kid on Christmas morning so yes, I am going to be ridiculously excited about it for the rest of your pregnancy.”
Lena laughed again and let her go, sliding one hand down to take her wife’s and link their fingers together. She squeezed gently.
“All the things, remember?”
“All the things.” Alex sighed in reply.
---
Eliza sat at the head of the table, with Lena to her left, talking excitedly, when Alex walked over from the kitchen with a large glass serving dish clasped tightly in oven gloves. Huxley trotted along just behind her, tongue hanging out. She carefully placed the dish on the wooden board on the table, next to a large bowl of salad and a basket of bread rolls.
Lena and Eliza’s conversation trailed off as they both looked down at the steaming dish and then up at Alex.
“What?” She looked between them as she pulled off the gloves and dumped them on the table as she sat. Huxley flopped down next to her chair, head on his paws, but still alert, just in case anything tasty happened to escape from the table.
Alex looked up to find both her mother and wife still staring at her.
She sighed. “Ok, so I finally learned to cook. Since my wife is now pregnant and we are about to have a third generation Danvers scientist, we need some good nutrition to feed growing bodies and minds.”
They continued to stare at her.
“What? It’s lasagne. I’ve saved the world like, a million times with Kara and Lena, but this leaves you speechless?” She rolled her eyes and picked up a serving spoon.
“You cooked and you’re mother’s here; Kara is going to kill you.” Lena raised her eyebrows as she took the plate Alex handed her, now piled with lasagne and handed back her empty one in exchange.
“I made chocolate cake and she’s coming for dessert.” She replied, her tone deadpan. “I just thought it would be nice to see Mom and have dinner together first, after today’s big news, and then we can tell Kara together.”
Lena looked up at her, fork halfway to her mouth. “Here?” She lowered her fork. “You want to tell her here?”
Alex frowned at her in confusion.
“Do you not remember when you proposed? That glass door was a nightmare to replace.”
“It’ll be fine. She was much calmer about Huxley.”
“She caused a sonic boom on her way over she was going so fast.”
Alex blanched. “Good point.”
Eliza just laughed. “Sweetie, this is really good.” She gestured at the still steaming dish.
Alex tore her eyes away from Lena’s and smiled at her mother.
“Well, who else was I gonna get to teach me to cook?” She gave her mother an exasperated look.
Lena realised what she meant and laughed loudly. “So that’s where you have been sneaking off to. You’ve been moonlighting in Giuseppe’s kitchen.”
“Well, of course. Wait, what did you think I was doing?”
“I thought you were off being a masked vigilante.”
“Seriously? I get more than enough of that at work, thanks.” Alex laughed.
“Eliza’s right, this is good. What else did he teach you?”
“There’s a tub of chicken noodle soup in the fridge for you to take to work for lunch tomorrow. And a post it on it to remind you to take your vitamins.”
“And here I thought having you fuss over me while I was pregnant would be annoying. I could definitely get used to this.” Lena smirked at her wife and ate another mouthful of lasagne.
Alex pulled a face at her and grinned as Eliza laughed.
Huxley suddenly sat up next to Alex, ears upright and twitching.
Alex glanced down at him and trailed a hand through his fur.
“Good boy Hux, good guard. Huxley, go.” She gave him the release command and he shot off across the room and out into the hallway as the doorbell rang out through the house.
“It’s open.” Alex didn't even bother to raise her voice.
Kara appeared, moments later, carrying the large dog in her arms, as if he was still a puppy. His tongue was hanging out and he was grinning, panting happily, chin resting on Kara’s shoulder.
“Eliza, hey. I didn’t know you were coming to town.” She sat down in the chair next to Lena, dog still in her arms, and now in her lap. Huxley leaned over and gave the side of Lena’s face an affectionate lick, delighted to be at head height for a change.
“Oh, and is this take out from Giuseppe’s? What’s the occasion?”
Alex had already got up and was just returning with a plate and fork, which she placed in front of her sister. “Put Hux down, Kara, he’s not allowed at the table.”
Eliza laughed delightedly at her girls’ antics.
Lena leaned over towards Kara and spoke in a conspiratorial tone. “You sister has been having cooking lessons.”
“No.” Kara stared at her sister, wide-eyed.
“Oh, for God’s sake.” Alex rolled her eyes. “We need to tell you something and I need you to try very hard not to break anything. Ok?”
Kara slapped both hands over her mouth and looked wide-eyed at her sister.
“Lena’s pregnant.”
Kara slowly lowered her hands and stared at her sister for long moments. She was so quiet Lena turned to look at her, and saw silent tears running down her best friend’s face.
Kara very carefully pushed her chair back and walked round the table. She stood next to Alex until she got up, pulling her sister into her arms and wrapping her in a huge hug.
“Oh Alex. That’s amazing.” She breathed. “All the things. I knew it, one day, you would have all the things.” She rocked them gently side to side for several minutes, before letting go and stepping back. Both of their faces were wet with tears, Alex swiped at her face and laughed. Kara looked at her once more, before walking round the table to Lena and bending down to wrap her arms around her best friend’s shoulders.
“And you too. You deserve all the things too. Congratulations.” She planted a kiss on Lena’s temple before straightening up and wiping her eyes, Huxley bounding round her legs, desperate to know what was going on with his humans.
Lena reached down a hand and buried it in the fur of his neck and he sat, leaning against her.
“It’s ok Hux. Good boy.”
“And I made a cake too.” Alex said to stem the rising tide of emotion.
Kara turned to look at her.
“It's chocolate.”
“Ok, today is officially the best day ever.” Kara beamed.
“And all glass objects are still intact.” Lena deadpanned.
“Yeah but I hope you weren't expecting any leftovers from that lasagne.” Kara hastily sat down and pulled the dish towards her.
“And this is why I didn’t invite her over earlier.” Alex aimed her comment towards her wife. “You need feeding up.”
“I really don…” Lena's voice trailed off at the look on her wife’s face. “Yes please I’d love a piece of cake.” She said instead and smiled.
Eliza patted her hand. “Wise choice.” She chuckled.
“It’s going to be a long six months, isn’t it?” She whispered to her mother-in-law once Alex was out of ear shot.
Eliza beamed at her. “If I were you, I’d just enjoy it.”
“Me too, if she’s gonna keep cooking for you like this.” Kara chimed in through a large mouthful of food.
Alex reappeared with a large chocolate cake in one hand and a cafetiere in the other. “What did I miss?” She looked round at them all.
“I was just asking Lena if you have any ideas for names yet?” Eliza smoothly changed the subject and ghosted a wink at Lena, who suppressed a smile in reply.
“I bet Alex has a spreadsheet.” Kara jumped in, round a mouthful of food.
Alex blushed and didn’t reply, instead busying herself with pouring coffee and slicing cake.
“The process means we know it will be a girl.” Lena turned to Eliza. “I was thinking of Bria. It’s Irish and means power and strength. Seemed…” Her voice trailed off as Alex sat down suddenly opposite her.
“I’ll delete the spreadsheet.” She said softly.
Lena turned to look at her. “Really?”
Alex nodded, clearly unable to say anything else as her eyes glittered with tears.
Lena smiled shyly at her wife.
“It’s beautiful, sweetie.” Eliza was looking at her daughter, but squeezed Lena’s hand where it rested on the table.
Alex swallowed thickly and picked up a plate with a large slice of cake on it and offered it to her wife.
Eliza cleared her throat and looked away. “I hate to shatter the mood, but have you told Lillian yet?”
Kara and Alex turned to stare at her.
“Actually, I have put in a request to the prison for a visit tomorrow.” Lena replied.
“For both of us?” Alex immediately asked.
Lena looked surprised. “You want to come with me?”
“I am coming with you.” Alex corrected. Her tone softened. “If that’s ok?”
Lena blinked in surprise and nodded. “If you’re sure?”
“She is my mother-in-law.” Alex ground out between gritted teeth.
“You should take her some lasagne.” Lena joked.
There was the sound of a fork hitting a plate and Kara swallowed loudly.
“Kara, did you eat that entire dish?” Alex admonished her sister.
“It was really good.” She mumbled past stuffed hamster cheeks.
---
“Are you ok?” Alex asked gently, as they lay in bed together much later that night. Huxley lying between their feet at the end of the bed.
“Are you going to keep asking me that?” Lena grumbled, her tone edged with annoyance.
Alex slid her hand down between them and laced her fingers with her wife’s before responding.
“It’s been a hell of a day. How are you doing with it all?” Alex rephrased the question.
Lena sighed and squeezed her hand back in apology for snapping.
“It still doesn't quite seem real. We’ve come so close before that I can't quite believe it. I’m not sure I will until she’s here.” She rolled over to face Alex.
“How are you doing?” Lena asked, tucking her free hand under her pillow.
“Being able to tell Mom made it real for me.” She rolled over to meet Lena’s eyes, keeping their hands linked. “Thank you for letting me call her.”
Lena bit her lip, her eyes twinkling with suppressed laughter. “In all honesty it was a good excuse to get you out of the doctor’s office. You weren’t a whole lot of use after she confirmed the test results.”
“Please don’t ever tell anyone.” Alex begged.
“I think bursting into incoherent tears of joy when being told your wife is carrying your child is pretty normal, Alex.” Lena chuckled softly. “Honestly it was kind of cute to see big badass Director Danvers bawling like a child.”
“But how amazing is science though?” Alex rapidly changed the subject. "That we are having a child that is genetically related to both of us.” Alex’s voice had an awed tone.
Lena smiled, it was the same tone her wife normally got when she was pointing out the constellations when they stargazed together, and it always made her heart melt a little bit more.
“Well there has to be some advantage to being married to a billionaire with connections on the cutting edge of science.” She smirked and Alex stuck her tongue out at her.
“It just seems so... perfect.”
“What, because we are a couple of complete nerds? It’s only fitting that science helped us make a baby?” Lena clarified.
“Exactly.” Alex smiled warmly. Her face got serious again. “Thank you for doing this, Lee. I know it hasn't been easy with the hormone injections and the all procedures and everything.”
“It’s totally worth it, for us to have our own child. Anyway, you can do it next time.”
“Next time, huh? How many times are you thinking we do this?”
“Big Irish family, remember.” Lena’s eyes twinkled mischievously and she couldn’t suppress her smile.
Alex closed the distance between them and kissed her.
---
The guard closed the door behind them, and Alex took Lena’s hand in her own, linking their fingers together, as they walked into the visitors room the next morning.
“Well, this is unexpected.” Lillian said, her tone studiously neutral.
Alex dropped a plastic box on the table between them as they sat. “Cake, no file.”
Lillian raised her eyebrows.
“Alex has been learning to cook.” Lena offered by way of explanation.
“Oh good lord, anyone would think you’d got my daughter pregnant.” The older woman quipped, her tone somewhat sneering. When no reply was forthcoming she looked up to see Alex smirking at her.
“Oh. I see. That explains the visit, I suppose.”
“Yes, you’re going to be a grandmother.” Lena informed her.
As hard as she tried Lillian couldn’t suppress the small groan at the word, as if horrified she could possibly be old enough for such a thing.
Alex snorted a small laugh and Lillian fixed her with a look. “I actually heard you think that.”
“What?” Lena glanced between them.
“Alex has just realised that now qualifies me for the title of wicked step grandmother.”
“And you know what it means if anything were to happen to us.” Alex continued to smirk, gleefully.
“Oh my God. Supergirl will be godmother to my grandchild?”
“Wait, what?” Lena looked aghast at her mother. “You know Kara is Supergirl?”
Lillian stopped staring daggers at her daughter-in-law and focused on her daughter, with a smug look of her own. “Of course. I’ve known for years. Who do you think told her not to tell you her real identity because you would hate her for it?”
Alex felt Lena tense next to her and squeezed her hand reassuringly. She could hear her counting to ten under her breath.
“Well, isn’t that the most delicious of ironies? For all your schemes and machinations, Lena has ended up best friends with a Super and married to her sister, who just happens to be the head of the agency that put you in here. That could not have backfired more spectacularly for you really, could it?” Alex said, her tone level and neutral, despite the venom of her words.
Lillian sniffed haughtily and fidgeted with the box on the table. “I see why she married you now. You are a lot smarter than I ever gave you credit for.”
“Never underestimate a Danvers.” Alex’s tone was arctic.
“Well.” Lillian crossed her legs and sat back in her chair. “Perhaps we should agree to let the past stay there. A new beginning for a new life.”
“I think there is only one person in this room who gets to make that decision, don’t you?” Alex replied and felt Lena squeeze her hand under the table.
“I believe that is checkmate, Mother.” Lena said acidly.
“I..” Lillian looked like she was physically choking. “Apologise. I appreciate you coming to tell me the news in person. Congratulations to you both.”
“Thank you.” Alex replied. “Enjoy your cake.”
---
Lena flicked the switch on the kettle and opened the fridge to pull out the coffee grounds.
“That better be decaf. I wouldn’t want you to start the day with a lecture from Alex.” Eliza teased gently, as she padded barefoot into the kitchen, pulling her dressing gown closed over her pyjamas.
Lena gave her a small smile and showed her the packet. She flicked the switch on the coffee percolator next to the kettle. “This one is set up for the good stuff. I wouldn’t dare. Alex doesn’t give me a hard time, more like a disappointed frown.”
“Oh, she gets that from Jeremiah. He would look at me the same way when I was expecting Alex.” Eliza smiled sadly. “You’re up awfully early. Trouble sleeping?”
“Yes. The visit with my mother was…” She sighed as she searched for the right word. “Infuriating. Alex handles her brilliantly though. She is ridiculously protective. It’s very sweet.” She smiled softly.
“I’m sorry. It must be difficult. Especially now.” Eliza reached out and touched Lena’s arm.
Lena looked at her. “I worry that I will be like her, you know, with ours.” She touched her belly, even though she was barely starting to show. “But I know Alex will be wonderful. I mean, she had a great role model, and she’s so excited.”
“I’ve seen the two of you together, I’m sure you will be wonderful too. And I am only ever at the end of the phone if you ever need anything, or you're worried about anything and just want to talk, you know that, right?” Eliza said gently.
“Will you…” Lena stopped and turned, busying herself with making her coffee.
“What?”
Lena turned back to look at her. “Will you come and stay with us when she’s born? I have no idea what I’m doing and, as hard as Alex is trying, I really don’t think this is something we can learn from a book. Although I swear she’s read them all.” She huffed a small laugh.
Eliza pulled her into a fierce hug. “I’d love to.” When she eventually let go, Lena noticed her eyes were shining with tears.
“And now you know you’ll be fed properly while you are here.” Lena joked.
“Yes, that was quite the surprise.” Eliza agreed. She smiled at Lena. “But then, it wasn’t really, knowing how you both are with each other. I suppose that is one thing you can thank your mother for. If she and Lex hadn’t tried so hard to kill you and both of my daughters over the years, you and Alex might never have got together.”
Lena looked at her thoughtfully. “I can see where Kara gets her optimism from. Always seeing the silver lining.”
There was the gentle click of nails on the tiled floor and Huxley trotted in, followed by a yawning Alex, silent in bare feet. Dressed in long flannel pyjama bottoms and a baggy tee shirt.
“What were you two discussing this early?” She asked as she opened the door to let Huxley out.
“We were just wondering what you were feeding us for dinner tonight?” Lena teased playfully.
“Mushroom risotto - are you staying Mom?”
“Oh well, if you are offering...”
“That better be decaf.” Alex cut in, frowning at the cup in her wife’s hand.
Lena glanced at Eliza and they both smiled.
“Of course.” Lena replied. “And you are more than welcome to stay as long as you like, Eliza. I think we need to find out just how many dishes Giuseppe taught you, Alex.”
Alex narrowed her eyes and looked suspiciously between them, sure she was missing something. “I’m not sure how I feel about you two ganging up on me.”
Lena looked at her and smiled slowly. “Well, imagine how much worse it will be when your daughter is old enough to join in.”
Alex beamed back.