The West Family Chronicles

From summer fun to interesting date nights... a collection of loosely related one-shots featuring the West family and moments of their daily lives. Wally and Artemis have a lot to learn in life as their family grows. A sort of continuation to Making It Special. Suggestion of reading that one for entertainment.

I did promise to have the start out by June. ;)

Disclaimer: I don't own any Young Justice or DC related thing in here.

Shopping and Mother-in-laws

Yet again, Artemis found herself going into the grocery store. With an always hungry husband with very high metabolism and two nearly four year old children beginning to develop their father's genetic trait for food, it was no surprise. Their local store knew her and her family well, always greeting each by name. This time, she had someone different she was with on the opposite side of town.

Sirens sounded in the distance. Artemis sighed. With the amount of distinguishing wails, Wally would be late in coming to dinner. Again. Since Barry retired about two years ago, her husband took over the mantle as The Flash. That decision came with moving to Keystone and near Central City to take care of both territories. His job as a forensics technician was also easily transferable. It helped with his family a bit more to have him closer, but at the same time, not too close in order to have some personal space. Artemis did enjoy the occasional support with the kids and the feeling of what a family atmosphere was supposed to be like. Artemis was certainly grateful for her husband's family. Her side was even slowly beginning to turn around.

The blonde was willingly dragged through the aisles as her companion chatted away. Artemis loved her mother-in-law. Really, she did. Mary West was sometimes just very enthusiastic. There was no doubt that Wally had inherited that characteristic from his mother. She, Wally, and the twins had been invited over for dinner by his parents. The benefits of living a short distance away. Something else the blonde learned from the older woman, was hoe persistent she could be. Never giving up. That was how the dinner invite could not be denied when the subject of seeing them and the grandchildren was brought up. The same went to the pair walking around the store. Something about, "Needing to pick up bread to go with the lasagna cooking in the oven and giving Artemis a short break from the kids." Artemis was a bit hesitant at first with leaving the rambunctious Irey and Jai alone with Grandpa Rudy. Her in-laws convinced the concerned mother otherwise.

Artemis let out a breath of air as she smiled. It was nice to take a break. The errand run invite was most likely for some bonding time between mother and daughter in law, but Artemis didn't mind one bit. Mary was exuberant in storytelling. The current one involved a five year old spirited Wally running around the backyard in nothing but his underwear on a summer day when he decided to go down the hot metal slide on the playset.

"He couldn't sit for the rest of the day." Mary explained with a bright smile.

Artemis couldn't stop laughing. Mary certainly had a jackpot of Wally moments, especially those embarrassing ones. Mary picked up a loaf of bread off the shelf before glancing back and forth. A playful look in her eyes, she leaned in and quietly said, "That does remind me on one time with one of Wally's personal science experiments. It exploded and he managed to superglue himself to the wall. He couldn't get out of it, no matter how fast he tried moving."

Artemis had a hard time breathing and cried some during her laughing fit. She wiped away a tear as she tried to compose herself since a couple of passerbyers stared at the red-faced giggling pair. "That would be him," Artemis admitted with a large smile.

The two headed up to the checkout line. Mary continued, "Apparently it took some assistance with ice scrappers to finally get him loose. Rudy and I heard about it from Barry since someone sent him a picture and description. I still have it somewhere at home and will need to give it to you. It's phenomenal and the best part is, I doubt Wally even knows we have it."

Artemis lightly rolled her eyes in knowing who the little photographing troll was. She wouldn't put it past the original boy wonder. If she was there to see that sight of Wally, she would have grabbed a camera too. "You already know I'd love to see it." She replied with a sly grin.

Mary made her purchase and after a short farewell with the cashier, the two headed out to the parking lot. She latched her arm around Artemis' and gave her a smile as she began with more stories of the family. Artemis happily listened, wondering in her own mind when Mary and her mother could get together again. Her two mother figures had become good friends and it was due time for a visit.

As the women neared the car, Artemis barely saw from the corner of her eye, a scruffy man in a large gray hoodie sweatshirt approached them. He suddenly lunged forward and snatched for Mary's purse. The older mother, often used to being around speedsters, automatically tucked the purse under her arm. The man instead tugged the purse harder and pushed Mary over. She landed in Artemis' supporting arms as the younger helped her stand up. Mary shouted in protests after the thief.

The man grinned and continued to dart away with his seemingly easy prize. His mischievous smirk would no sooner be kissing the pavement as his feet were kicked out from under him. He turned to get up when he caught a glimpse of blonde hair before his hands were held tightly behind his back and his cheek against the cool pavement. "Your target wasn't so easy, was it," The feminine voice menacingly asked as she pushed him down harder. The would be thief whimpered in response.

When a cop arrived to the scene, Artemis vaguely responded of her ability to take him down as her experience from her aunt's defense classes. Impressed, he jokingly replied that his own daughter should get into that.

Artemis shrugged as Mary curiously looked at her. "It was partially true. Dinah was hardcore in our training sessions."

Once the women were on their way home, Mary instantly broke the silence in the car. "I can't thank you enough for doing that Artemis. Wally was right to finally see how important you really have been in his life." Mary gave Artemis a brief hug. "I'm so glad to have such a wonderful and tough daughter in law along with my beautiful grandchildren. I wonder how the kids have been doing."

"More like how Grandpa is holding up with them," Artemis added. The two laughed.

Looking back out the window as she listened to the woman's wonderful chatter once more, Artemis became instantly glad that she took up that pushing offer to go with her mother-in-law. It was most certainly fun to get to know Mary better, not to mention all the new stories that she had yet to tell her husband later.

There you have it. A setting ground for many more of these to come. Sorry it didn't have more about the kids in it. My goal is to have one up for every week or two. We'll see how that goes. Now a great birthday present would be to get some feedback. So please review! I will also take future requests. :)