Superwoman and Son

Chapter 4: Strength and Balance

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden glow over the Kent farm as Kara stood at the edge of the field. She had been up before dawn, as usual, pushing her limits. Her muscles ached, though not from exertion—more from restraint. Over the past few days, she had learned how easily her strength could break things, how her speed could blur the world into confusion, and how overwhelming it was to hear every sound from miles away if she didn't focus.

She lifted a heavy rock with one hand, a simple gesture that still astounded her. This power—it was a part of her now, but every time she used it, she wondered if she was doing the right thing. She wasn't just a protector for Kal; she had to be more. She had to be his mother.

Kara set the rock down gently, not wanting to crush the soil beneath it, and looked back toward the Kent house. In the distance, she could see the silhouette of Jonathan carrying Kal, bouncing him gently on his shoulder as they walked through the morning light. That sight filled her heart with warmth, but it also brought the pressure back. Kal would grow up quickly, and she needed to be prepared for the future, not just for his safety but for both of their lives.

That evening, after another long day of working with her powers and helping out on the farm, Kara sat in the kitchen with Martha. The smell of homemade pie filled the room, and the soft clinking of dishes provided a familiar comfort. Kara watched as Martha effortlessly moved around the kitchen, tending to dinner while Kal gurgled happily in his high chair. The boy had grown attached to Martha and Jonathan, and Kara was grateful beyond words for their help.

But something was missing. She couldn't live off their kindness forever. Kal needed more than just love—he would need stability, a future, and Kara knew she couldn't provide that alone by staying on the farm. She needed to plan for the long term.

"Martha," Kara began hesitantly, her fingers tracing the edge of her cup. "I've been thinking about something. I... I need to figure out a way to provide for Kal and me."

Martha paused, wiping her hands on a dish towel as she turned to face Kara. "What do you mean, dear?"

"I've been thinking about going to college," Kara said, her voice steady but filled with the weight of her thoughts. "I need to find a way to support Kal, to give him a life that's more than just surviving day-to-day. He deserves more, and I want to be able to provide that."

Martha's face softened, her eyes full of understanding. "College could be a good opportunity for you, Kara. But are you sure? It'll be difficult, balancing school and raising Kal."

Kara nodded, her resolve clear. "I know it won't be easy, but I want to build something stable for us. I can't keep relying on you and Jonathan forever. You've done so much, and I'm grateful, but I need to stand on my own two feet eventually. For Kal."

Martha smiled warmly, pulling up a chair next to Kara. "You know we'll support you no matter what. You're family now, and we're in this together. But I'm proud of you for thinking about the future. If college is what you want, we'll help you however we can."

Kara felt a surge of relief at Martha's words. The thought of going to college had been quietly forming in her mind for weeks, but saying it out loud made it real. She had been so focused on protecting Kal, on learning her powers, that she had almost forgotten that they had a future to build—a life to create.

The next morning, Kara was back outside, but instead of pushing herself to fly higher or run faster, she focused on something different. She needed to think not just about her powers, but about her future—about how she would balance the responsibilities of raising Kal with the demands of a new life in this strange world.

Flight had been difficult, but nothing was more overwhelming than the prospect of navigating Earth's society. College, jobs, independence—it all felt far more challenging than anything she had ever faced on Krypton.

Martha had given her brochures for nearby universities. Kara spent hours flipping through them, trying to understand the process of applying, the courses she might need to take, and how she would manage financially. Scholarships, loans, part-time jobs—it was all so foreign to her. On Krypton, education had been different, more about the pursuit of knowledge than practicalities like money.

As she sat on the porch with the pamphlets spread before her, Jonathan came out to join her.

"You're really serious about this college thing, huh?" he asked, sitting down beside her and picking up one of the brochures.

Kara nodded. "I have to be. I need to learn more about this world, its people, and how to live here. If I'm going to raise Kal, I have to be able to support him. I can't just rely on my powers for everything."

Jonathan smiled, his eyes filled with pride. "You've got a good head on your shoulders, Kara. You'll do great. Just remember, you don't have to do it all at once. You're still learning, and it's okay to take things one step at a time."

Kara looked out over the farm, the fields stretching endlessly in front of her. "I just want to give him the best life possible. I want him to grow up happy and safe."

"And he will," Jonathan assured her. "With you as his mother, he's already got the best start he could hope for."

Kara smiled, but a flicker of doubt remained. The weight of responsibility was immense, and while she trusted the Kents, she knew that ultimately, Kal's future was in her hands.

As the weeks passed, Kara threw herself into preparation for college. She found herself balancing more than just her physical training—now she was studying, filling out applications, and trying to understand the complexities of Earth's education system. Martha helped her with the paperwork, and Jonathan guided her through the practicalities, but it was still overwhelming.

Meanwhile, Kara's control over her powers improved. She flew higher and faster, her landings smoother, and her strength more controlled. There were moments when she pushed too hard, when her frustration at balancing everything would bubble over, and she would accidentally crush a tool or shatter a window with a misjudged burst of strength. But each mistake taught her something, and with each passing day, she grew more confident.

One night, after another long day of training, studying, and caring for Kal, Kara sat on the porch, her body aching but her mind buzzing. Kal was fast asleep in his crib, and the night air was cool and quiet.

Martha joined her after a while, carrying a cup of tea. They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments before Martha spoke. "You're doing so well, Kara. I know it's hard, but you've come so far already."

Kara sighed, her shoulders sagging. "Some days, I feel like I'm barely keeping up. Between training, learning, and caring for Kal... it's a lot."

Martha smiled gently. "It is. But you don't have to do it alone. We're here for you, and you're stronger than you think. You'll find a way to balance it all."

Kara nodded, her thoughts drifting to the future. College would be a new challenge, but one she was ready to face. She had to. Kal's future depended on it, and so did hers.

And somewhere deep inside, Kara knew that she could handle this. She was strong—not just because of her powers, but because of her love for Kal and the support of the Kents. Together, they would build a life on this strange new world.

No matter what challenges came next, she would face them head-on. For Kal. For herself. For their future.