Ill be home for Christmas
Princess Koriand'r of Tameran could safely say that her heart had only broken a handful of times throughout her life. When her sister betrayed her, when she lost her parents and little brother, being betrothed and having her previous husband killed, or when she traveled to the future to find her friends had all sperated and the list goes on and on and on. But all of it, all of her experiences paled in comparison to watching her little girl sit by the Christmas tree, in utter and total silence and sadness. Her gifts had remained unopened, the breakfast Alfred had prepared for her was cold and uneaten, and she was still In her little purple jammies, and never once did her emerald stare leave the old grandfather clock in Grandpa Bruce's study. Her little hands absentmindedly stroking the top of Titus's head, whose sad muzzle was placed on top of her lap and also was staring blankly at the clock.
Now some children would wait by the chimney, or have already mercilessly ripped apart the wrapping that held their toys captive, but not Mar'i Grayson. She was waiting for something else, some ONE else.
Kori's heart broke just a bit more as Mar'i let out another long, sad sigh, causing Titus's head to sink deeper into her lap, feeding off her sadness. Kori straightened herself and put on her best smile and attitude before sneaking into the study.
"Mar'i, would you like to open some of your gifts?" She asked hopefully. Maybe opening some Christmas presents could cheer her up.
Mar'i shook her head vigorously, black hair whipping about her face, but not once did her eyes leave the clock. "Not until Daddy gets back." she said firmly, even Titus gave a confirming yip.
Kori dropped her smile, but only slightly, before getting onto her knees and taking her daughters hands. "My little bumgorf, you must understand, your father and grandfather are away and are unsure when they shall return-"
Mar'i ripped her hands away and folded her arms across her chest in a huff. She forced her face into a solid frown, but her mother could see the minute quivering of her lip as she held back the tears. "No! We're waiting for DADDY!"
Kori sighed in exasperation. "Mar'i I-"
"Excuse me princess Koriand'r," at the doorway of the study an aged, well dressed Man stepped inside with a laptop in his outstretched hand, "But I have someone who would like to speak to you, and miss Mar'i." Kori was confused, but stepped aside as Alfred placed the laptop onto Mar'i's lap, making sure to shoo Titus away.
Mar'i's face instantly lit up as soon as she saw who was on the screen, "DADDY!"
"Hey you!" Nightwing cheerfully greeted his daughter, "How's my little Nightstar?"
"Daddy when are you coming home?" she asked as if she hadn't heard him.
His smile dropped, but he quickly brought it back. "Oh sweetie . . . I don't know when we'll be back."
Her smile and happy attitude vanished instantly replaced with a quivering lip, "B-B-But it's Christmas . ." she whined, tears already pooling In her eyes.
Nightwings heart shattered into a thousand pieces, "Hey, hey Mar'i, do you remember the talk we had a while ago about bad people and how they hurt people, but Daddy and Grandpa and daddies friends stop the bad people?" Sniffling she nodded, "Well right now we have to stop the bad people, so that innocent people can have a good Christmas. Do you understand?"
Mar'i nodded but wasn't comforted. "But what about OUR Christmas? Don't we a good Christmas too?"
Nightwing smiled as a tear slipped down his masked eyes, "At the end of the day, it's just, another day of the week. Christmas is all about the times we've spent as a family, before and after December twenty fifth. Do you understand that Mar'i." Once again, she wasn't comforted, but nodded in understanding. Nightwing smiled again. "I have someone who wants to say high." He moved the laptop until the familiar cowl of the Batman filled the screen.
Mar'i gave him a large smile, "Hey Grandpa!"
Alfred and Kori gathered around the computer to watch one of the rarest sights in the world, even rarer then a unicorn. The Batman smiling at his granddaughter and she knew full well that she was the only one who could get him to do that.
"Don't worry Mar'i," he said making sure his voice wasn't as low and menacing as it usually was, "We'll be home as soon as we can."
"And we'll make sure nothing happens to your father." Batman stepped out of the way for the owner of the young voice to step into view, causing Titus to bark excitedly.
"Uncle Damien! Are you kicking butt?"
Kori gasped, "Mar'i your not supposed to say that."
"It's better then what Jason taught her." Damien said with a roll of his eyes. Batman glared at his son as Nightwing pulled the camera back to him.
"We need to get going. I love you Mar'i. Muahz!" Mar'i blew a few kisses to her father as her mother took the laptop.
"I love you too, husband Dick."
He smiled, a sad smile, "I'll be home soon. I love you." The call disconnected and she handed the laptop back to Alfred.
"Now Mar'i would you like to open your gifts?"
With a smile, Mar'i shook her head and leaned back on top of Titus. Thinking that, like Santa, her daddy would be home if she was asleep, she snuggled right in for a nap. "Not until Daddy gets home." She knew he'd be home as soon as she woke up.
Big thanks to those that put their lives on the line every day so that we can enjoy the freedom of celebrating the holidays with our friends and families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.