Chapter 43 (edited)

Because of Clark's revelation, Kara finally admitted her secret—she already knew how to cook.

This revelation led her to prepare the family lunch herself.

Martha stood at the doorway of the kitchen, watching Kara work with a look of deep relief and joy.

"Why are you staring at me like that, Mom?" Kara asked, her tone a little uneasy as she expertly handled the utensils, though her usual confidence wavered slightly under her mother's gaze.

Martha simply shook her head, smiling with pride. Her voice trembled with emotion as she finally said, "My Kara has grown up."

Kara sighed, abandoning the cutting board for a moment to wrap her arms around her adoptive mother in a comforting embrace.

Standing at 6'3", Kara now towered over her parents, her height and strength another reminder of how much she'd changed. She squeezed Martha gently and said, "Come on, Mom. I'm not married yet; I'm still your little girl."

"But you've moved out, found a life of your own in Metropolis, and started a career," Martha said, her voice laced with a mix of pride and sorrow.

From the living room, Jonathan's voice broke the moment. "Martha, leave her alone already! I'm starving over here!"

Martha's lips pursed in mock irritation. "That old man," she muttered before turning back to Kara.

Kara laughed and ushered her mother out of the kitchen. "Go on, Mom. You're just going to slow me down. Dinner will be ready soon."

For lunch, Kara kept it simple but satisfying. She prepared a large pot of steamed rice and a delicious chicken curry using carrots and potatoes from their garden. She even boiled some plain chicken and eggs for Shelby, the family dog, who had grown increasingly picky with her meals.

As Kara worked, she couldn't help but smile at the thought of the warnings she'd heard about dogs' diets over the years. "No salt, no spice, no this, no that," she muttered. "What did dogs even eat before there was dog food?"

When the meal was ready, it became clear that Martha and Jonathan weren't just eating—they were savoring every bite. It wasn't because of the curry's quality, though it was excellent; it was because it was the first meal their daughter had cooked for them.

Even Shelby devoured her food enthusiastically, leaving her bowl spotless.

"Did you see that?" Kara laughed as she cleaned up. "Even Shelby is putting on a show for me!"

While washing the dishes, Kara noticed Martha discreetly wiping her eyes.

"Martha," Jonathan teased from the living room, "don't you start crying again."

Kara rolled her eyes, shaking her head fondly as she dried her hands. She understood her parents' mixed emotions all too well. Coming back to the farm, even for a short while, felt like revisiting a part of herself she rarely allowed to surface in Metropolis.

But the moment was bittersweet for everyone. Soon, Clark would leave for college, opting to stay in a dorm instead of moving in with Kara in the city.

"I need to live on my own, Kara," Clark said when she tried to convince him otherwise. "You've always taken care of me, but it's time for me to stand on my own two feet."

Though reluctant, Kara couldn't argue. After all, she had felt the same need for independence when she left Smallville. Still, the idea of both her and Clark leaving the farm weighed heavily on their parents.

Later that evening, Jonathan sat in the back of his old pickup truck, lost in thought.

Kara, still wearing Martha's apron, climbed into the truck bed and sat beside him. "What's wrong, Dad? Are you feeling sentimental about us leaving?"

Jonathan gave her a sidelong glance and huffed. "I'm not that old yet."

Kara laughed and nudged him playfully. "You could always sell the farm and move to Metropolis with Mom. Then we could all live together again. Besides, I doubt Clark wants to take over the farm."

Jonathan's expression softened briefly, but he shook his head. "This farm has been in the Kent family for generations. It's more than land—it's our history. I can't just let it go."

"Stubborn," Kara muttered with a smile.

Jonathan chuckled and patted her shoulder. "This farm will always be here, Kara. It's your home, your safety net. If the city ever loses its charm, you'll always have a place to come back to."

Kara smiled, leaning into her father for a brief hug.

The next morning, Kara returned to the rhythm of farm life. She picked up the tools and joined her father in the fields. Though Martha fussed, worried she was overworking herself, Kara enjoyed the simplicity of the work.

However, on the third day, her peaceful routine was interrupted.

Perry White, her editor at the Daily Planet, had been trying to reach her. After missing a dozen calls, Kara finally answered.

"Kara," Perry's voice came through gruffly, "you're on vacation, not retirement. Gotham City has gone crazy over this 'Batman' character, and I need you to write an article—your take on whether he's a vigilante or a hero."

"Perry, I'm on vacation," Kara groaned. "I have a column for a reason. Let someone else handle it."

Before Perry could argue, she hung up.

Frustrated, Perry turned to Lois Lane. "That girl…"

Meanwhile, Jennifer Walters, Kara's friend and a lawyer, arrived at the farm to deliver Perry's message in person.

"Kara, you might want to hear this. Gotham's new 'Batman' just brought down Carmine Falcone," Jennifer explained. "The city is in chaos, debating whether he's a menace or a savior."

Kara frowned, intrigued despite herself.

Batman had finally stepped into the spotlight.