Happily Ever After
.TWO.
The alarm rang loudly in the quiet of the dark bedroom. Both bodies in the bed groaned, stirring slightly.
"Is it really morning?" Selina said.
"It feels like we just went to bed," Bruce replied.
The woman threw out her arm and hit a button on the top of the alarm, effectively silencing the alarm.
"Mmm," she moaned appreciatively. "Nine more minutes."
"Sounds perfect," he mumbled into her neck and shoulder.
The next nine minutes passed by at a lightning pace. The shrill sound of the alarm filled the room again.
"Snooze? Please?" Bruce mumbled.
"No time, Wayne," Selina groaned.
It had been two weeks since their first meeting with Sofia. And Bruce had attempted to put his concerns about her aside. They'd been spending time with the older couple and today they had been roped into a ridiculously early sunrise breakfast on the lake. Neither person and their penchant for sleeping late had gotten worse in their retirement.
He kissed her bare shoulder and climbed out of bed.
"Why did we agree to this?" Selina pouted as she rose from the bed.
"We agreed to nothing. You said it would be…what adjective was it? Oh yes, lovely," Bruce called from the sitting area outside their bedroom.
Selina tossed a bed pillow as hard as she could, but the man sidestepped the projectile and headed for the kitchen.
He turned the coffee pot on for himself and ran water in the kettle for tea.
Selina joined him in the kitchen a moment later. She'd tied her robe around herself, but it only skimmed her thighs. Bruce admired his wife as she strolled towards him.
Bruce ran a hand through his sleep disheveled hair and smiled at Selina.
"What?" she yawned when she realized he was staring.
"Nice robe," he said simply.
"You bought it," Selina said back as she pulled two mugs from the cupboard. "And you've seen me in much less," she finished as she poured the boiling water over her teabag.
"I know."
Bruce put his arms around her, causing the robe's hemline to climb. But she stopped him when he started to lift her onto the counter.
"We do not have time to fool around," Selina said.
"Who's fooling?" Bruce replied.
"No."
Bruce stared at her; he said nothing.
"We will have time later. We need to make it through breakfast first."
Bruce started to play with the tie on her black silk robe.
"You're sure we don't have time? We could make up the time by driving really fast."
"That's adorable, but they are picking us up in our backyard. No driving required."
Bruce was quiet again.
"You look like I just kicked your puppy, Wayne."
"I've never been much of a dog person," he said. "I've always been more fond of cats," he smiled.
"You are hilarious."
Bruce poured himself a cup of coffee and took a long drink.
Selina shook her head.
"What?" Bruce asked.
"I don't know how you drink that. Black as black decaf coffee. What's the point?"
"I like the flavor of coffee, but I don't like what caffeine does to me. I don't want to be dependent on the stuff."
"Well, if I don't have my morning caffeine, I won't be my normal self. You know, all sweetness and light," Selina replied in a deadpan as she headed for the stairs with her tea in hand.
"If you're going to go all princess on me, Kyle, I'm going to want a divorce," he called after her.
She leaned over the stair rail and with her free hand sent him a very clear message.
Bruce laughed. "That's my girl."
By the time Bruce had joined her up in the master suite, Selina had steam coming from their shower. The bathroom door was wide open and Selina's tea sat on the bathroom counter while her robe and nightgown were in a heap on the floor.
Bruce joined her in the bathroom and turned on the sink's faucet. He needed to get cleaned up, too. And it was Saturday's routine to get ready together.
"I love you," Selina called from behind the glass shower door. "You know that, right?"
"Of course," Bruce replied. "And I love you."
He spread the shaving cream onto his face. They continued to get cleaned up in comfortable silence.
However, the silence was broken by Selina cursing loudly.
"What is it?" Bruce said, instantly on alert. He could tell from her tone that it wasn't just that she simply forgot something.
She said nothing.
"Selina?"
"I'm fine. Just…fine…" she hissed through gritted teeth.
He moved to the shower door and opened it. She was holding her shoulder as soap sit sat in her hair.
"The shoulder is giving you trouble again."
"Gee, how did you figure that out?"
"I think it's about time you got it checked out again, Selina," he said. "Are you finished?"
"No, I was just going to wash my hair."
Bruce quickly undressed and Selina made room for him in their shower. He massaged the kink in her shoulder first and then began to massage the soap into her scalp. He repeated the process with her conditioner.
"Thank you; I'll let you shower now. I'll shave my legs in the bathtub."
"Okay," Bruce said. He opened the door for her and Selina tiptoed over to the tub.
She immediately began running water in the tub.
"Are you going to go to the physical therapist?" he asked.
Selina rolled her eyes as hard as she could.
"I'm fine, baby," Selina purred as she sat gingerly in the tub and proceeded to shave her legs.
"You're lying," he almost-growled.
He absolutely knew she was lying. She was probably in a ton of pain. But Bruce needed to finish his shower or they would be really late for their breakfast with Alfred and Sofia.
Bruce and Selina finished getting ready in silence and soon it was time to meet their ride out on their dock.
Alfred had expertly guided the watercraft into the dock at their house. Selina smiled and waved as she headed down to the water.
The boat was enormous, though, and Selina figured it had to be described as something different. However, she was unsure of what that word would be.
Selina put her big floppy hat on her head and straightened her sunglasses. The sun was beginning to rise and it was blinding. There was reason she liked to sleep until noon.
Alfred held his hand out to help Selina aboard and he greeted her with a hug. Selina greeted Sofia with a kiss on the cheek.
"Your boat is beautiful, but I'm pretty sure it's not just a boat," Selina smiled.
"Well, it's almost a yacht; I think technically it's a sailboat," Sofia said, returning Selina's smile.
"Where is your husband?" Alfred asked, looking out towards the back of the house.
"Well, he was right behind me when I stepped out of the house," Selina said. "I hate when he does that."
"But he is very good at it," Alfred added.
Bruce chose that particular moment to reappear from the side of the house. He jogged towards them and was at the dock only a mere minute later.
"Good morning, Alfred, Sofia," he said as he helped himself aboard the boat. "This is a great," Bruce added as he admired the watercraft.
"Thank you," Sofia said back to him.
He greeted the woman with the typical double kisses on the cheek and handed her a vase of fresh flowers.
Sofia accepted the flowers gratefully. "They'll look lovely on the table, Bruce. Thank you."
Sofia said something to Sofia and both women laughed. They then turned to head down to the cabin.
Bruce shook Alfred's hand Alfred began to steer the boat back out towards the center of the lake.
"It's going to be a beautiful day," Alfred said.
Bruce nodded and adjusted his sunglasses. It was a very bright morning and the sun was casting a warm orange glow on the sky and the couple of clouds that were daring to bare themselves above them.
It was still a bit chilly that morning and Bruce was silently chastising himself for not grabbing a jacket to wear over his casual button down shirt.
"Yes, I think so," Bruce replied awkwardly.
While Bruce was happy to have Alfred back in his life, it was weird to be by himself around him. Bruce had thoroughly researched the woman that Alfred was now living with. In fact, Bruce had thoroughly researched Alfred J. Pennyworth to see if there was information that he didn't know. He'd learned a couple things about his former butler, but decided that they weren't significant enough to mention.
"Breakfast should be ready soon," Alfred said. "Sofia had it started before I even got up this morning."
Bruce nodded and smiled. What the hell should they talk about?
"Still not a morning person, are we Master Wayne?" Alfred laughed.
Bruce laughed.
Good, Bruce thought to himself. Alfred thought his silence was because he was tired, not because he didn't want to be there in the slightest.
"It was nice of you to think of flowers for Sofia. She loves fresh flowers," Alfred said, smiling like a teenager.
Bruce felt a pang of guilt as he looked at the grin on his friend's face. But he still didn't trust Sofia and he couldn't figure out why. But he tried to push that feeling away again. Selina had asked him to give it a rest and he was trying his best to ignore the natural feeling that he needed to find all the information about the woman that he could.
"I wonder if I can talk Selina into one of these," Bruce said, attempting conversation.
Alfred laughed. "Are you ever able to talk Selina into anything?"
"Only if she decides she wants it first," Bruce laughed.
"Must be the cat in her," Alfred replied.
In the cabin, Selina was helping Sofia put the finishing touches on their meal. Sofia had most of it prepared by the time that they had arrived at Selina and Bruce's home.
"I hope you're hungry," Sofia said as she started pulling food from a warming drawer. There was more food in the oven and she was cooking something on a burner on the stove.
"This is all for breakfast?" Selina asked.
Not only was she not a morning person, Selina really didn't like breakfast all that much either.
In the time that she'd spent on the street, she'd learned to eat only one meal a day, two if she were lucky. Breakfast, the most important meal of the day she was told, was a luxury a girl on the streets couldn't afford. Her family hadn't been big on the morning meal anyway. Her mom was an okay cook, but somehow always managed to burn toast. Selina inherited this skill.
"Of course, silly," Sofia said as she lightly poked Selina in the nose with her oven-mitted hand.
"You went to way too much trouble, Sofia," Selina said. "But it all smells delicious."
"Hopefully it will be. Do you think it's too chilly to eat above deck? I want to watch the rest of the sunrise," Sofia said. "It's my favorite part of the day."
Selina shook her head. "It should be fine. I didn't think it was too cold out this morning."
"Good," Sofia smiled. "Before we start taking the food up, can I talk to you about something?"
Selina put the stack of plates back down on the counter. "Of course, Sofia. What is it?"
Sofia wiped her hands on her lacy apron and picked up her tablet computer that had been charging on the counter. She turned it on a flicked through a couple things before turning it around so Selina could see it.
Selina focused on the image in front of her. It was one of her mug shots. In fact, it was her most recent mug shot.
"I'm going to make it really simple for you, Miss Kyle. I need assistance from you on a job when you go to Paris for your honeymoon. I'll spare you the technical details right now," Sofia said, the pleasantness in her voice disappearing with each word she spoke. "But I need a master thief and I happen to know that you fit the qualifications. And I'll bet you don't want either man upstairs to know the real you. You help me out and I won't rat you out to your husband."
Selina was at a loss for words. She'd spent hours researching her name, trying to make sure that the Clean Slate had done its job.
"I don't have a lot of time to wait for your answer, Selina," Sofia said. "And this meal is going to be very unpleasant when your husband realizes that you're a wanted criminal who has spent time in several prisons. Impressive, though, that you escaped for the first time at age sixteen."
"Fifteen," Selina said quietly. "I'll do it; just don't tell Bruce. He'll be heartbroken," she said. She was curious about this job and she'd never be able to live with Bruce now that she knew he'd been right. Sofia couldn't be trusted. So for the time being, she would play along at whatever Sofia was doing.
Besides, what was there to lose? Bruce already knew her past life.
"Well, then you've got to do exactly what I tell you and your secret will stay between you and I," Sofia said.
"Ladies, do you need any help bringing the food out to the table?" Bruce called down into the galley.
A second later, he appeared in the doorway.
Sofia spun around, turning the tablet off and pushing it away.
"Bruce, you can take the plates and silverware," Sofia said, smiling happily. She handed him the pieces he needed and Bruce kissed Selina on the cheek before heading back in the direction he'd just come from.
"Don't you dare get all righteous and confess to your dear husband," Sofia hissed as soon as Bruce was out of earshot.
"Believe me, I can't risk him knowing about my life before I met him," Selina lied. "He loves me."
Sofia smiled a wicked smile.
"You don't know who Bruce Wayne really is, do you?" Sofia asked. "And I do know that Wayne is his real surname."
"What do you mean?" Selina asked as innocently as possible.
"Oh, no, no," Sofia said. "I'm not telling you, if you don't know. But I will expose him if you don't do everything I say. Do you understand me, Mrs. Wayne?"
"Yes," Selina replied.
Selina was truly at a loss for words.
Sofia handed her a chafing dish and ushered her down the hall.
This woman knew that Bruce was Batman. And she knew about Selina's past indiscretions. This was not going to be good for either of them.
Selina knew she'd done a good job acting for Sofia. She might know of Selina's less than pristine past, but she didn't know the length that she would go to protect what she loved.
She plastered a smile on her face and emerged into the sunshine and the presence of Alfred and Bruce.
"Breakfast is ready," Sofia called from behind her.
She had a tray of food in her arms and Selina took it from her as soon as she'd set her own dish down.
"Now what were you two ladies talking about?" Alfred said, kissing Sofia on the cheek.
"Oh, just girl-talk," Sofia replied. "Nothing that would interest either of you, right Selina?"
Selina smiled and shook her head. "Just female things," she said, trying to convince Sofia that she was scared.
Bruce knew something was up. He looked at Selina who was sitting down next to him.
"What's wrong?" he whispered in her ear before he kissed her on the cheek.
"I'll tell you later," she whispered back as Sofia turned her back.
She squeezed his hand in an attempt to be reassuring, but Bruce was still confused. He just had to hope that Selina had a grip on things.
Two hours later, Bruce and Selina were being dropped off at their dock.
Bruce continued to wave as the boat was heading out, but Selina had run back inside the house. She needed a second to figure out how she was going to break the news to Bruce.
But she wasn't going to get it, because Bruce caught up with her.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked.
Selina hesitated. She knew he didn't mean it as rudely as he'd said it and she didn't know how she was going to answer.
"Selina?"
"You were right about Sofia."
"What?"
"She knows you're Batman. And the Clean Slate isn't one hundred percent full-proof," Selina said.
"Of course it is, I designed it," Bruce replied.
"Well, she dug up my most recent mug shot. That's what she was showing me on the tablet computer when you walked in. She said that if I don't help her with some kind of heist in Paris, she's going rat us both out," Selina explained. "She thinks that you don't know about my past."
"Well, then, we're just going to have to play along with her game for a little while and see what she's going on and who she might be."
"You're taking this all a lot better than I thought you would," Selina replied. "Why is that?"
"Because you're panicking; someone has to have a level head," Bruce said. "And while she thinks you're trying to hide your past from me, we should use it to our advantage."
"I kind of hate that you're this smart," Selina replied.
Bruce wrapped his arms around his wife.
"It'll be okay, Selina," Bruce said. "We've faced much worse."
… … …
My apologies for the lack of an update until now. The inspiration to write fizzled out when I was tired all the time from working. Hopefully this chapter was satisfactory. Please let me know!
Thanks!