"By the power invested in me by the state of Kansas, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Clark obeyed the preacher and kissed Lois. The organ music played, and they were on their way out. They had to get out of there quickly. They'd had a Christmas Eve wedding, and the church had to be cleared for the Christmas Eve service later. The sanctuary had already been decorated with a Christmas tree, lights, and other Christmas decorations. Lois had a beautiful winter wedding dress with silvery snowflakes subtly embroidered into the dress. They'd chosen Christmas Eve because it was the day they'd finally gotten together. They'd exchanged Christmas presents with the family early, since they were going away on their honeymoon.

They were having the reception at the Kent farm. The place was bustling with their friends and family and those people you didn't know were your family until a special event such as a wedding arose.

Shelby nudged his way between them, taking turns licking Clark and Lois' hands.

"Have you thought about letting Shelby live with us at our apartment?" Clark asked her.

"Yes, and the answer is no. I'm not staying doped up, so the dog can make my life miserable. Shelby's perfectly happy living on the farm with your mother."

"You know Shelby is your stepdog now," he said with a smile.

"That's a horrible thing to remind me of. This is supposed to be a happy occasion."

He laughed and kissed her. "I'll be right back. I'm going to snag us some punch before it's all gone."

Lois went to her purse, and Shelby followed her. She pulled out a rawhide bone made to look like a candy cane. "As long as you're my stepdog, here's your Christmas present, and you better not tell anyone I gave it to you."

Shelby happily took it with a wag of his tail and went off to chew it.

Clark was smiling when he brought their drinks.

"You heard that, didn't you? Darn those ears of yours."

"Those ears have come in handy saving your life once or twice I believe," he joked.

"Save them for an emergency."

The living room had been cleared of all the furniture, so it could be used as a dance space.

"And now," Perry barked over the noise to get everyone's attention, he was used to a noisy newsroom and was probably the only one there who could do it without a microphone, "dancing their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Kent is Clark and Lois."

Everyone clapped and cleared a big space for the newlyweds to dance. The song they danced to was the 12 days of Christmas. A lot of people seemed confused by the choice of song.

Lois whispered, "We're probably the only couple in the world whose song is The 12 Days of Christmas."

He laughed, "You're probably right."

"You really are my true love, Smallville."

"And you're mine," he replied.

The End

Have a Merry Christmas!

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11