I wake up to Dick and Babs my (now married) best friends looking at me.
"Happy New Year H!"
Two people, one voice.
"You know, that scared me for more than one reason. But Happy New Year to you guys anyway. You're both my favorite lovebirds."
Hence my Christmas gift to them. It's on their mantlepiece. Despite something I learned, that was a good Christmas.
The year itself had its high points like Babs and Dick's wedding for example. But it also had its low points. For example the time I was kidnapped. Don't know how I would've made it without Dick, Babs, Bruce, and Alfred. My four closest friends.
Dick introduced me to Bruce and Alfred.
I'm not too sure how about my newest friends Helena and Dinah yet…I just know I'm going stir crazy.
I'll check in at the Watchtower later. Don't want to arouse too much suspicion. Not telling you why. Sore subject. No pun intended.
In the meantime I guess I should do a couple things. Visit my Dad's grave…I'm never very hungry in the morning but I hear my stomach growl. Loudly. I laugh feeling slightly embarrassed. I can tell I'm blushing…Babs smiles.
"No need to be embarrassed. I'm feeling kind of hungry too."
We decide to go out to eat breakfast at the IHOP in Metropolis. I think Dick knew I wanted to visit my Dad's grave…Then again, he's know me for as of my 17th birthday, which was on Christmas, 12 years.
After we finish eating, I pull out my wallet. Dick says I don't have to pay but I want to. We end up compromising. I pay for my food, Dick pays for his and Babs. Then we head to the cemetery.
I walk to my Dad's grave, feeling my grief start to build.
The tombstone reads
Lionel Andersen
Beloved Father of Hannah
Gone But Not Forgotten
"You guys want to say anything? I need a minute." "Hi Mr. Andersen. It's me Dick. H's [Brother-Friend]. My wife, Babs and I are doing what we can to help ease your daughter's pain of missing you. I bet that would be O.K right? I know she needs comfort and we'll provide it for her to honor your memory."
I smile a little. Well put, Dick. Thank you…
"Hey Mr. Andersen. I'm Babs. You heard what my husband, Dick said. I want you to know I agree with every word. I'll also be proud to be a source of, as you'd put it, good luck for her. She needs that. I can tell. It was nice to meet you."
A smile spreads across my face.
"Thanks you guys. I know what I''m going to say now."
I clear my throat.
"Hi Daddy. It's me, your flower. I brought a couple friends with me. You heard what they said. Yeah, Dick knows some Ancient Fey. Pretty cool, huh? I may have only taught him a couple words, but I was taught by the best teacher of the language. You. I'm doing my best to carry you in my heart. It gets hard to remember that I do sometimes but the comfort that Babs and Dick provide reminds me that I still do. Always and forever."
A tear falls from my face right in front of the tombstone. I intend to use my magic to make a flower grow there but…What's that knife doing here? This is no place for it.
I reach down so I can remove it with my magic. When I touch it, I get cut and the knife disappears after I do. Before my shock can even register, I start to feel my grief spiral completely out of control.
Dick's P.O.V
I can tell something's happened to H. Her very light blue (no longer hazel) eyes look like tears. I try to comfort her. No response.
"Hannah!"
Seems I only call her that when I'm worried…No response.
Just as concerned as I am, Babs also tries shouting H's name. Nothing. Not even the slightest hint of a response. She's not even looking at us.
Sudden realization hits us and hard. It's a horrible realization but I can tell that there's no time for regret over not picking up the blade. I can tell that one awful conclusion can be drawn.
"Babs, she doesn't even know we're here."
She gasps.
"Oh God."
